Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask

Yes — the Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It contains no retinoids (retinol, retinal, tretinoin, retinyl palmitate), no salicylic acid (BHA), no hydroquinone, and no chemical sunscreen filters — the most commonly flagged ingredients in prenatal skincare. Sephora's certified ingredient callout confirms it contains less than 1% synthetic fragrance. However, as with all skincare products used during pregnancy, we recommend consulting your dermatologist or OB-GYN before incorporating new products into your routine.

No — the Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask is NOT safe for fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) routines. The formula contains three problematic ingredients for Malassezia: Sorbitan Olivate (olive oil ester), Cetearyl Olivate (olive oil ester, part of Olivem 1000 emulsifier system), and Sorbitan Oleate (C18 oleic acid ester). Malassezia fungi feed on C12–C24 fatty acids and their esters, and these ingredients fall within that range. If you're managing active fungal acne, we recommend the beplain Mung Bean Pore Clay Mask as a fungal acne safe alternative with a similar function.

Yes, with smart timing. As a weekly rinse-off treatment, the Red Bean Mask should be used on separate nights from potent chemical exfoliants. Do not apply the mask on evenings you are using AHA (glycolic acid, lactic acid) or BHA (salicylic acid) leave-on treatments — combining two forms of exfoliation in one session can cause sensitivity and over-exfoliation. You can safely use vitamin C serums and niacinamide in your routine on the same day, applied after the mask is rinsed off. Retinol users should also avoid applying retinol on the same evening as the mask — space them on alternating nights.

The mask performs best for oily and combination skin types — those with excess sebum, enlarged or congested pores, and uneven texture benefit most from the kaolin clay and 30% red bean extract combination. It is also well-suited for normal and sensitive skin due to its non-drying, gentle formulation and confirmed non-irritating status in dermatologist patch testing. Dry skin types can use it with caution (once weekly, 5 minutes max) followed by a richer moisturizer. Those with fungal acne should avoid it entirely due to the olive oil-derived esters.

Most users notice softer, smoother skin immediately after the first use — the kaolin clay removes surface sebum and the physical exfoliation from red bean powder leaves a noticeably velvety finish right after rinsing. Visible pore improvements typically become apparent within 2–4 weeks of consistent weekly use (1–2 times per week). Clinically, a study by the Korea Dermatology Research Institute showed a 14.66% improvement in maximum pore depth and 100% user satisfaction with brightening after just 2 weeks of use.

The Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask is a rinse-off treatment used after cleansing and before the rest of your skincare routine. Apply it on freshly cleansed, slightly damp skin. After rinsing (5–10 minutes later), continue with toner or essence, followed by serum and moisturizer. Use it 1–2 times per week in your evening routine. Do not apply over active serums, sunscreen, or other skincare products. The brand recommends pairing it with the Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Moisture Water Gel after rinsing for optimal pore-care results.

The Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask has a comedogenic rating of approximately 2 out of 5 — considered low to non-comedogenic. Kaolin clay itself rates 0 (non-comedogenic) and is specifically used to absorb excess sebum and debris from pores. The emollients — cetyl alcohol (rating 2) and glyceryl stearate (rating 2) — add minor theoretical comedogenic potential, but in a rinse-off mask format these are very unlikely to clog pores in practice. The formula does not contain the high-rating comedogenic oils (coconut oil, wheat germ oil, etc.) that are the typical culprits. For the vast majority of users, this mask will not clog pores.

The period after opening (PAO) for the Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask is 12 months — look for the open jar symbol on the packaging with "12M." Given the generous 140ml jar size and typical usage of approximately 2–3g per application once or twice per week, most users find a single jar lasts them anywhere from 6 to 12 months before it's finished — well within the PAO window. Store with the lid tightly closed in a cool, dry location to maintain formula integrity and avoid contamination.