Crossword Genius

Like layer that's very pale (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ashen

'very pale' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'like layer' is the wordplay.
'like' becomes 'as'.
'layer' becomes 'hen' (I've seen this before).
'as'+'hen'='ASHEN'

'that's' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for ashen that I've seen before include "Grey in colour" , "White-faced" , "Having gone pale" , "Pallid like fire residue" , "Greyish" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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