Paula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask Review

Paula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask
Ingredients

Paula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask Ingredients

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Full Ingredient List (INCI):

Water, Tapioca Starch, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Butylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Bentonite, Kaolin, Charcoal Powder, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Bisabolol, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol
Review

Does Paula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask Work?

 
Paula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask is a type of skincare product designed to be rinsed off, peeled off, or otherwise removed from the skin. Research confirming the moisturizing, anti-wrinkle, and soothing effects of such products is very limited. Therefore, we do not provide efficacy ratings for these types of skincare products.
 
However, you can explore the roles of specific ingredients in the Ingredient Breakdown section below.
 
📌 Fact check. At CreamScan, we are committed to accuracy and fairness. If you spot any errors or something that doesn’t seem right, please click here to let us know. We regularly update the ingredient lists and monitor the latest research on ingredient efficacy to ensure that our information remains as complete and precise as possible. The information provided here is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional advice. We do not guarantee the efficacy or safety of any product, as individual results may vary.

 

Ingredient Breakdown

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
65
9
6
4
3
2.5
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Tapioca Starch
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Decyl Glucoside
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Function:
Origin:
Butylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Function:
Origin:
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
Function:
Origin:
Bentonite
Function:
Origin:
Kaolin
Function:
Origin:
Charcoal Powder
Function:
Origin:
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Function:
Origin:
Bisabolol
Function:
Origin:
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Function:
Origin:
Lactic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Xanthan Gum
Function:
Origin:
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Function:
Origin:
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Function:
Origin:
Iron Oxides (CI 77499)
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Caprylyl Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Ethylhexylglycerin
Function:
Origin:
Hexylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %65
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Tapioca Starch
Est. %9
Function
Origin
Tapioca StarchTapioca starch is used to absorb excess oil and provide slip for dry powder formulations.
Glycerin
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Decyl Glucoside
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Decyl GlucosideA surfactant that can function as both a cleansing agent and emulsifier. As a cleansing agent, it is very mild on the skin. As an emulsifier, decyl glucoside will produce oil-in-water emulsions. It is naturally derived from vegetable oils and starch.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Sodium Lauroyl SarcosinateAn amino acid-derived surfactant with mild cleansing and strong foaming capabilities.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %2.5
Function
Origin
Butylene Glycol

A clear, colorless liquid humectant that draws moisture to the skin. The humectancy of butylene glycol, owed to its two hydroxyl groups, is quite considerable, although not as powerful as glycerin, which contains three hydroxyl groups.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Cocamidopropyl BetaineA mildly cleansing ingredient derived from coconut. It also produces the foam that tells us our soap is actually working to remove dirt and oils.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP CopolymerA polymeric ingredient that creates lightweight and refreshing gel textures. It also works as a viscosity controlling agent.
Bentonite
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
BentoniteA naturally occurring material that has a variety of functions. It is used as absorbent, since the bentonite can absorb oils produced by the skin and prevent a greasy appearance. It is also a great opacifier.
Kaolin
Est. %1
Function
Origin
KaolinA type of mineral clay milled into a white, very fine powder. It is able to absorb sweat and oil, which then helps to keep the skin matte. The larger particles of kaolin are used in skin scrubs as an abrasive ingredient.
Charcoal Powder
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Charcoal PowderA naturally occurring ingredient that is used as a colorant due to its rich black color. It can also be used as an abrasive to exfoliate the top layer of dead cells off the surface of the skin, as well as as an absorbent.
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Boerhavia Diffusa Root ExtractA soothing extract derived from punarnava, an Ayurvedic herb. It contains anti-inflammatory and wound healing rotenoids, terpenoids, and organic acids.
Bisabolol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Bisabolol

An anti-inflammatory compound found naturally in German chamomile essential oil. It has a pleasant, sweet, and floral scent. Bisabolol also has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties but can cause an allergic reaction in more sensitive individuals.

Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem ExtractAn extract from a plant known in North America as Fireweed and in Europe as Willowherb. It is commonly used in traditional herbal medicine. Due to its abundant content of tannins and flavonoids, it has great astringent and antioxidant properties.
Lactic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Lactic AcidThe most popular AHA in skincare and less irritating than glycolic acid. It can be naturally found in sour milk. It is a humectant moisturizing, pH stabilizing, and gently exfoliating ingredient, able to soften dry, cracked, and peeling skin.
Xanthan Gum
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Xanthan GumA natural multi-functional ingredient that originates from fermented sugars. Xanthan gum acts as a viscosity-building agent to thicken skincare products. It is also an excellent stabilizer and works well to hold other ingredients together.
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateA synthetic emollient ester. It works to improve the appearance of the skin by filling in the microcracks on the surface, thereby making the skin appear softer and smoother. It imparts a lightweight, velvety feel.
Iron Oxides (CI 77499)
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Iron Oxides (CI 77499)A black colorant also known as black iron oxide used in a wide range of skincare products.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Caprylyl Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Caprylyl GlycolAn emollient that improves product spreadability and offers a silky feel on the skin. It also acts as a preservative booster that improves the efficacy of other preservatives. According to the manufacturer, it is also a humectant moisturizer.
Ethylhexylglycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
EthylhexylglycerinA preservative booster derived from glycerin. It is commonly paired with other preservatives to improve their efficacy. Ethylhexylglycerin is also a humectant due to its chemical base of glycerin.
Hexylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hexylene GlycolA multifunctional ingredient that is best known for its use as a solvent. It can dissolve both water-based ingredients and oils. For this reason, it can also function as an emulsifier, allowing oil and water ingredients to mix and remain stable.