Axis-Y is a brand that is becoming more and more established especially in the eye of K-Beauty enthusiasts. What makes the brand different from other brands in the market is their philosophy of climate-based approaches to formulating skincare products. Reading through their website, it shows that they believe in the importance of climate in that our skin change depending on where we are. They stress on how climate is a large, unconsidered factor on the needs of our skin and they vouch to change that.

That is why on their Instagram page, they shared on how this Mugwort Pore Clarifying Wash Off Pack is inspired

 by the “maskne” (acne on the area where mask is used; around the nose and mouth area) problem during Covid-19 pandemic. Their aim is to “cleanse and heal”.

With a base of 61% Mugwort extract, this wash off pack clears the pores of impurities, soothes inflamed and irritated skin, and gently exfoliates dead skin to reveal a bright and healthy complexion.

𝗜𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

Artemisia Princeps Extract, Kaolin, Dipropylene Glycol, Bentonite, Betaine, Phaseolus Angularis Seed Powder, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Pteris Multifida Extract, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2Hexanediol, Methylpropanediol, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Chromium Oxide Greens, Charcoal Powder, Water, Beta-Glucan, Polyquaternium-51, Fructooligosaccharides, Allantoin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil

This mugwort wash off mask is not just mugwort in the name, it really is an absolute mugwort product as it is a wash off clay mask with a base of 61% mugwort extract. So glad to know that mugwort extract is the 1st ingredient in the list. As it is in the clay mask category, the second ingredient is kaolin clay while bentonite clay comes fourth. If you look at the pictures of the texture below you will see that this mask has granules that are quite big.

These are the adzuki bean granules. This mask contains adzuki bean granules as well as adzuki bean seed powder. Other notable ingredients are kelp extract, artichoke leaf extract, vigna radiata seed extract, hottuynia extract, and nelumbo nucifera extract. This wash off mask is free from mineral oil, artificial colours, & artificial fragrance. It is also vegan and cruelty-free. Yay!

𝗧𝗲𝘅𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 and 𝗦𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗹

The viscosity is not that thick neither it is too thin, it is just nice and really appeals to my liking. I love that it is not too pasty unlike most clay masks. Also compared to most clay masks out there, this one feels a lot less viscous. You can just scoop it out like you do your cream.

It glides on smoothly as I apply it onto the face and the granules stick on nicely to the face and aren’t super drippy if you are careful.

Smells quite herbal, like a vegetable root or something.

How to Use

You can use this just as how you use your usual clay mask and as the name suggests, you need to wash it off after about 15 minutes.

The website suggests that you rinse it off with lukewarm water. Here is what it says on their website by the way:

1. Use the provided spatula to scoop an adequate amount onto a clean, dry face.

2. Apply an even layer to face, avoiding the immediate eye area and mouth.

3. Allow to dry and harden for approximately 15 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water.

 

BEST PRACTICE:

Use 2 – 3 times a week to treat stressed and irritated skin.

When rinsing off the mask, use circular motions with fingertips to allow gentle exfoliation with the Adzuki Bean granules.

Okay some of you might be scratching your head on the Step Three’s ‘allow to dry and harden’ part because a lot of people are saying that we should not let clay masks dry completely in fear of stripping skin’s moisture and over-exfoliation.

Based on my experience with my skin, I have tried allowing this mask to dry and harden before washing it off and my verdict is: I tried allowing it to dry and harden for exactly 15 minutes and it left my cheeks feeling a bit tight. Note that I always wear my clay masks in an air-conditioned room. On the second try, I allowed it to dry and harden but decided to stop the moment I started to feel any hint of tightness and that was recorded at 12 minutes so on the third time, I wear it for exactly 12 minutes and I didn’t feel any tightness in any part of the face.

So my point is, as it goes with every skincare product, you need to go through the trial and error phase yourself before coming up with a final thought about the product. Of course the guideline is there to refer to but don’t forget to listen to your skin!

(Besides, the instruction itself says ‘approximately’ so yeah)

𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚

The consistency really scores, I am amazed at how it is not too pasty that it’s hard to spread nor it is too drippy that it’s hard to adhere to the face and deliver effects. The great consistency makes applying easier and doesn’t feel like a chore. As a mother and a housewife, hassle-free is what I love and appreciate so this won’t add to my workload around the house, I mean I don’t have to worry about cleaning up the mess etc. However, as I wash this off at the sink or in the shower, this leaves granules leftover so I need to clear the sink or the shower water circulation so it doesn’t get stuck.

I experience no irritation or redness or itchiness or breakouts. Skin feels purified and deeply cleansed as soon as I wash it off. If your skin is congested, this kind of effect can really help reduce that. Skin also feels smooth and soft to the touch, soothed, and calmed. It is not drying at all and on days when I have redness, this helps soothe it out quick. Long terms effect would be that skin definitely feels less oily for the week even though I only wear this once in two or three days. About its maskne clearing effect, I can’t really observe because I don’t really get maskne but you can read other reviews from people who do and almost all of them observe positive progress. I have a happy masking experience with this mugwort wash off pack and I love what it does to my skin.

My rate: 5/5 love this!

Would I repurchase? Yasssssssss

SHOP HERE

Axis-Y Mugwort Pore Clarifying Wash Off Pack