Unboxing Beauty

I have TONS of samples of wash off masks from sub boxes or purchases, as well as some full sized wash off mask packs that I need to get too!  This is part 1 of probably many Mask Digest Round Up blog posts I will be posting.  All of these reviews originally appeared on my Instagram account.  Since I have the dreaded scope creep (something I am very well acquainted with at my job) of too many masks, I had to split this roundup into multiple parts, as to prevent the never ending blog post!  I have way more wash off masks than I thought I did 😀

RE:P Bio Fresh Mask with Real Calming Herb I received this in my January Birchbox and it is re:p is a Korean brand. This is a clay mask with lots of herbal ingredients in it and it does have rose water in it as well. I did do some spot testing and since the ingredient is way down on the list, I didn’t have any adverse reaction to it. This mask is a creamy yellowish color with bits of fresh herbal leaves in it. It smells WONDERFUL ~ I thought it was more lavender scented, but it probably is the calendula that I am smelling. It is very nice and spa like. This does dry down, but it is a very soothing clay mask ~ I think the vegetable oil in it helps prevent the clay from making my skin too tight and itchy. I rinsed it off after 10 minutes and massaged it in while I was rinsing, using those herbs to help exfoliate. I feel this helped remove dirt and excess oil, left my skin smooth and it is, imho, a very gentle detox clay mask.

Ingredients:Water, Kaoline, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol,1,2-Hexanediol, Artemisia Annua Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Helichrysum Arenarium Extract, Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Melissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Water, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Calendula Officinalis Flower Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Triticum Spelta Seed Water, Calendula Officinalis Flower, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Powder, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Safflower Yellow, Gardenia Red, Fragrance  cosDNA.com analysis

Balanced Guru Antioxidant Masque I love Balanced Guru products and I decided to try some of their masks that they sell ~ they sell both travel and full sized, so I picked up 3 travel sizes of their masks ~ Antioxidant Masque, Astringent Masque and Calming Masque. Their Moisturizing Masque has roses in it, so I had to skip that one. An Organic Spiced Up Berries Facial Masque ~  I had no idea these were DIY masks! They are in powder form, so you just add a tablespoon to a small bowl and then slowly add water to make a paste. You can control how thick or thin you want the paste. This is their antioxidant mask, which has berries for powerful antioxidants that will help fight free radicals and help reverse the signs of aging. This also has cloves and cinnamon powder in it, which it the first thing I smelled when I opened this little jar ~ I LOVE IT!! It is so fresh and spicy scented. These two ingredients will help rejuvenated your skin by stimulating your circulation ~ my face feels very fresh and tingly when I am wearing this. This also has Vitamin C powder to help brighten your skin and clay to help detox and remove excess dirt and oil.

Just leave on for 15 minutes until dry ~ this mask does not have a drying, pulling sensation, just cool and fresh ~ again, I LOVE the scent of this one, it really is waking me up (not a mask for the evening time unless you need to wake up – haha) Once it is dry, I just wash it off, using the dried bits to act like an exfoliator, massaging it around my skin before rinsing off. This mask left my face feeling fresh and clean, and my pores looked much smaller around my nose! I love that Balanced Guru sells some of their products in travel/mini sizes, as I can try out their products before committing to a larger purchase.

Description: When you want to treat yourself to the best organic facial products, feed your skin the antioxidants it needs to fight free radicals with this blend of colorful berries, cloves and cinnamon. A boost of Vitamin C also gives this masque the added benefit of brightening your complexion, all while smoothing your face and removing dead skin cells, dirt and makeup

Ingredients: Zea Mays (Corn) Starch*, Phyllanthus Emblica (Amla) Fruit Powder*, Acacia Senegal Gum*, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour*, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Powder*, Syzygium Aromaticum (Clove) Flower Bud Powder*, Cinnamomum Burmannii (Cinnamon) Powder*, Bentonite, Malpighia Glabra (Acerola) Fruit Powder*, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Powder*, Helichrysum Arenarium Flower*, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C). *Certified Organic Ingredients.  cosDNA.com analysis

Zaaina Skincare Skin Brightening Face Mask Another DIY wash off mask!  I save these for the weekends, so I have time to do them.  I received this in my December Herbal Bliss box and I am excited to try it as I am all about brightening and even out my skin tone ~ I have some sun damaged hyper-pigmentation from years ago that I am trying to lighten  up (wear your sunscreen!!)    This is a face mask that is in powder form, so it will last a long time and is made with a few ingredients, including rice flour ~ which is a fabulous antioxidant, helps reduce and slow down hyper-pigmentation, smooths  and exfoliates your skin and helps balance your oil/moisture barrier in your skin, as it is also an emollient.  This also has honey, which is fantastic for many skin types, as it has antibacterial properties to help speed up  skin healing and prevent infections, keeps moisture in your skin and attracting moisture.  It also contains clay, which helps remove excess oil and dirt on your skin. 

Due to the lemon and lime oils in here, it does smell like  that ~ which I love.   This is a finely milled powder and I decided instead of using water to make the mask paste, to use milk.  This will add additional hydration. The mask turned into a grey-green gloppy product and I applied using my mask brush.  After 20 minutes, I rinsed off with warm water and my face was clean and not as oily.   My face also looked brighter and refreshed.  I do love the scent of this and I am eager to try it out, using aloe vera, cold coffee or yogurt as the liquid.

Description: This skin lightening mask is perfect for exfoliation, skin brightening, treat blemishes, pigmentation and anti-aging.

Ingredients: Rice Flour, Honey Powder, Lemon Powder, Coconut Powder, Betonite Clay, Lemon Oil, Lime Oil cosDNA.com analysis

Balanced Guru Calming Masque I used their Antioxidant Masque last week and now I am trying out their calming mask ~ another DIY dry powder form product, mix with water to form a paste and slap on!   The first thing I noticed, other than the greenness of the mask, is the scent.  It reminded me of farm fields and something else.. a bit oceany.  I looked at the ingredients and sure enough, this has calendula and alfalfa, which is the hay scent and sea kelp and sea buckthorn for the light oceany-fishy scent.   The scent very different from the antioxidant one, which was spicy with cloves and cinnamon, but this is very pleasant and fresh.   This mask also contains corn starch, oat flour and bentonite (clay) which will help detox your skin by removing impurities such as dirt and excess oil.  The herbal mix of echinacea, calendula, alfalfa, ginkgo, marshmallow and lavender will help soothe your skin and reduce redness.   As the mask dried, it did pull a bit and I really could see all the bits of herbs sticking out!! I left on until dry (about 10-15 minutes) and then rinsed off with warm water, massaging the herbal bits as I did so to help exfoliate as well.  My face is really clean and I did have some blemishes around my mouth this week (thanks C-PAP machine!!) and they were not as inflamed or red.   Another great product from Balanced Guru! 

Description: Relax and treat your skin to the top skin care products available with this calming blend of lavender, echinacea, sea kelp, calendula flowers, aloe vera, alfalfa and marshmallow root to help soothe inflammation and moisturize. Sometimes you feel like your skin is acting out and asking for more attention, so tell it you love it with our organic skin care line of masques. All natural skin care products will bring you skin back to life!

Ingredients:  Zea Mays (Corn) Starch*, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour*, Ascophyllum Nodosum (Kelp) Powder*, Acacia Senegal Gum*, Echinacea Purpurea (Echinacea) Powder*, Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Leaf Powder*, Bentonite, Arthrospira Platensis (Spirulina) Powder*, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Powder*, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed (Rosehip) Powder *, Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root Powder*, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Zingiber Officinale Root (Ginger) Powder*, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Powder*, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flowers*, Lavandula X Intermedia (Lavender) Flower Powder*, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Powder*.  *Certified Organic Ingredients.   cosDNA.com analysis

(MALIN+GOETZ) Clarifying Clay Mask I’ve used this a couple of times since I received 2 samples of this from Birchbox. This is a really nice gentle clay mask and it doesn’t pull or make your skin tight and dry. This is made with 2 types of clay ~ benonite and kaoline, which will help absorb oil and remove dirt from clogged pores. It also contains pumice, which gives it a sandpaper-y feel when you apply it, but nothing harsh ~ I can feel the grains and when I rinse off the mask, I massage it in first so it exfoliates and then rinse off. This also has some nice anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, astrigent and hydrating ingredients as well (witch hazel, arnica, sugar maple, sunflower oil, vitamin E). This wash off clay mask is not overly thick or gloppy and not too wet ~ the formula is just right for me. It has no scent and as I stated above, when it dries down, it isn’t hard or cake-y, it doesn’t pull my skin nor does it make my skin itch. Rinsing off when it is dry (about 15-20 minutes), my face is certainly cleaner and smoother, as the pumice helped “polish” my skin. My face does not feel dry or stripped of its natural oils. I really like this mask a lot!! Once I get done with the 5,783.67 (HA!) clay masks I have on hand, this one might be the winner of them all.

Description: Did you think that once you were past your teenage years clear skin would be a given? Urgh, we all did, but thankfully now there is this exfoliating clay mask from (MALIN+GOETZ) to treat oiliness and pesky blemishes—all in less than 10 minutes a week. Formulated for acne-prone skin but safe enough for sensitive, it contains refined kaolin clay to help absorb excess oil and draw out impurities, plus pumice to polish away dead skin. Anti-bacterial witch hazel and anti-inflammatory arnica extract add calming and cleansing powers, helping us achieve matte, breakout-free skin…finally.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water/Eau), Bentonite, Kaolin, Glycerin, Pumice, Butylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Glyceral Stearate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Vaccinum Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Acacua Senegal Gum, Menthyl Lactate, Tocopherol, Retinyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol Denat, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA  cosDNA.com analysis

Acure Organics Cell Stimulating Facial Mask I do like Acure products and have used them in the past. This is an award-winning wash off clay mask that is pretty unique, imho. I’ll get to that later! The color is a rich deep green shade, which is brought on by both the chlorophyll and chlorella extracts (every time I see the word chlorella, I think of the book “Love in the Time of Cholera” ~ haha weird word associations…) Chlorella is a blue-green algea that is rich in amino acids and has antioxidant properties. The scent is light, a bit minty, but also earthy, with the sea buckthorn ingredient. It is full of berry extracts, which are full of vitamin C for brightening and blemish fighting and antioxidants to help fight free radical damage. This is a clay mask, but unlike many clay masks, this does not dry down ~ it is easy to apply, very smooth and slick and it stays that way, like pudding on your face. After 20 minutes, I rinsed off ~ now, this is what makes this mask unique. It turns to a foaming cleanser! I highly recommend that you use this mask right before you take a shower, as I can see this being very messy to rinse off at a sink. I didn’t even have to use a normal cleanser as it did the trick and my pores were visibly smaller and tighter (temporarily, but that is okay!) and my face was bright and radiant, hydrated and it didn’t feel dry or stripped. This mask is vegan and made with organic natural ingredients.

Description: Work over your cells for a true synergy of cell revitalization with argan stem cell + sweet iris stem cell and chlorella growth factor to firm and soften the appearance of your skin. French green clay draws out impurities while Moroccan argan oil, CoQ10 and sea buckthorn oil provide moisture.

Ingredients: Organic Euterpe oleracea (Acai) Berry, Organic Rubus fruticosus (Blackberry), Organic Rosa canina (Rosehips), Organic Punica granatum (Pomegranate), Organic Fair Trade Certified Rooibos, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Vera Leaf Juice, French Green Clay, Vegetable Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate (from coconut + amino acids), Vegetable Cellulose Gum, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (from Coconut), Chlorophyll, Organic Chlorella pyrenoidisa extract (Chlorella Growth Factor), Glucono Delta Lactone (sugar enzyme), Fair Trade Certified Organic theobroma cacoa (Cocoa) butter, Carageenan (algae), Hippophae rhamnoides (sea buckthorn) seed oil, Ubiquinone (CoQ10), spinosa (Argan) Stem Cell, Potassium Sorbate (food grade preservative), Organic Argania spinosa (Argan) oil, Sage  & Spearmint Essential Oil Blend cosDNA.com analysis

Tonymoly Magic Food Choco Mushroom Cream Pore Pack I’ve had this pore pack for a while and am now hitting the bottom of the magic mushroom. I will admit, I ONLY purchased the trio of Tonymoly Magic Food items because I wanted the mushroom containers. Yep!! Anyway, this is very smooth, very slick and both the texture and the scent reminds me of Jell-o Chocolate Pudding Packs! Its texture is not thick, so I had to glop it on to get a nice thick layer. This is a clay mask, but due to the moisturizing cocoa and squalane ingredients, this mask doesn’t harden or itch like many clay packs. It still keeps it slightly gooey texture even after 15 minutes. There is a trio of mushrooms in this product ~ matsutake, shiitake and chaga ~ and mushrooms are full of beta-glucan and will help moisturize and soothe your skin, while having an astringent quality which will help tighten pores. Would I purchase again? Nah ~ I have my magic mushroom and I don’t think this is that great ~ it does it job but its main feature is the novelty and scent, imho. I do love the scent and I think I have to get some pudding packs now…

Ingredients: Purified water, glycerin, zea mays (corn) starch, kaolin, bentonite, butylene glycol, ethanol, PVP, phenoxyethanol, theobroma cacao (cocoa) extract, dextrin, tricholoma matsutake mushroom extract, corthellus shiitake mushroom extract , inonotus obliquus (chaga) mushroom extract, sorbitan olivate, Moroccan lava clay, ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP copolymer, ethylhexylglycerin, fragrance, hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, squalane, disodium EDTA, 1,2-hexanediol, polysorbate 60 cosDNA.com analysis

Vana Body Coconut Facial Clay Mask This is a DIY mask I received in my  Kloverbox in March.  This is reported to be hydrating coconut clay mask and only contains 4 ingredients: clay, coconut, marshmallow root and lavender. This clay mask will mildly exfoliate, while absorbing excess oil, and removing debris, such as dead skin cells while detoxing, smoothing and hydrating your skin. Just take some powder and add water slowly to make a paste, apply to your face and leave on until dry and rinse off. This product is vegan and uses organic and wild crafted ingredients with reusable and recyclable jar. It is free from fillers, sulfates, toxic chemicals, synthetic ingredients, animal testing, animal by products, parabens, sodium laurel sulfate and phthalates. I will say that the initial scent of bitterness has not gone away. This scent is very sharp, very bitter. I am not sure what is causing this odor, as I have used clay, coconut and lavender products before, so I did a little googling.. it is the marshmallow root ~ a bitter herbal scent. Okay, it is not very pleasant, but it isn’t too awful. It dries down and does have a little bit of tightening but it isn’t uncomfortable. After 15 minutes, I rinsed off, using the grains to help exfoliate my skin. My pores are clean, my face looks more brighter and it isn’t dry or stripped. This is a solid clay mask if you are looking for one that is vegan, organic and handcrafted ~ made by a shop on etsy!

Description: White Kaolin Clay: A mild exfoliant, reduces the production of sebum, removes dead skin cells, detoxifies cleanses the skin. Organic Coconut Milk Powder: Calms, moisturizes and softens skin. Organic Marshmallow Root Powder: Soothes skin and promotes healing. Wild Crafted Lavender Essential Oil: Rich in many healing traits, supports skin in treating acne, wrinkles and inflammatory issues.

Ingredients: White kaolin clay, organic coconut milk powder, organic marshmallow root powder, wild crafted lavender essential oil  cosDNA.com analysis

Wei Bee Venom Anti-Wrinkle Cream Mask I purchased a 3 pod set with different wash off packs by Wei from Birchbox’s online shop. I am using the Bee Venom product today (early this morning!) and bee venom is rich in enzymes and peptides, which help stimulate collagen production to help firm and tone your skin and combat wrinkles. This is an odorless cream pack and one pod is enough to cover my face with a decent layer of product. It is very cooling and my face actually tingles a bit while it is on ~ I wonder if the bee venom? This has a moisturizing ingredient in shea butter, so it is creamy and soft and it really doesn’t dry down. You are only supposed to leave it on for 10 minutes, but I kept it on for 20 minutes and then rinsed off with warm water. My face felt soft and moisturized and I have to assume that I have to use this type of product regularly in order to reap the benefits of bee venom. I normally use bee venom products for anti-acne properties, but I need to start using it for anti-aging as well. A lot of bee venom creams are just too rich for my skin type, but a wash off mask pack would be great. I just wish Wei came out with a jar of this, not the pods as I do not find these to be economical or eco-friendly for long term use.

Description: Bee Venom has been renowned for centuries for medicinal healing benefits. Chinese royalty used Bee Venom as a beauty secret to achieve ageless skin. This rich, moisturizing and plumping mask contains the highest quality Bee Venom Peptides and a proprietary compound of nine traditional Chinese herbs to send a signal to revitalize, hydrate, and plump the skin. Bee Venom Peptides help improve the overall elasticity of the skin A nine-herb complex featuring hydrating Lily, nourishing Chinese Angelica, and anti-aging Lingzhi (Reishi) Mushroom works to diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles

• The “miraculous plant of longevity” Lingzhi, or Reishi, Mushroom was one of the first documented “immortality” herbs in TCM. Known for its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to improve circulation, it has been used in beauty regimens for more than 2000 years to help maintain a more youthful appearance.
• Known as the “Elixir of Life”, Chinese Licorice is one of the most vital herbs in TCM. Rich in amino acids, flavonoids, enzymes, vitamins and minerals, its effectiveness in anti-aging, detoxifying, and fighting skin discoloration has gained Chinese Licorice the nickname “Beauty Grass”.
• Rooted in rich black mud and blooming in the water, hand-harvested Lotus Blossoms are collected in China in July when the air is drenched in moisture. Used from root to blossom, they are legendary for their beauty benefits.

Ingredients: Water, Isocetyl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Isostearyl Stearoyl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Tromethamine, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Ozokerite, Bee Venom, Nelumbo Nucifera (Lotus) Stamen Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera (Lotus) Germ Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Leaf Extract, Lilium Longiflorum (White Lily) Bulb Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Chinese Licorice) Root Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi Mushroom) Extract, Angelica Acutiloba (Chinese Angelica) Root Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Benzoic Acid, Fragrance, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Polysorbate 20, Yellow 5(CI 19140) cosDNA.com analysis

nügg Anti-Aging Face Wash Off Mask Pack with Vitamin B3 and White Tea Extracts These little pods from nügg can be purchased at Target or Birchbox and they are a lot of fun! I have several flavors & will review them here. This one is an anti-aging, highly moisturizing and nourishing cream pack, made with niacinamide (Vit B3) for brightening hyper-pigmentation spots & a slew of powerful antioxidant oils: wheat, soybean, linseed, cranberry, grape, rosehip, evening primrose ~ along with vitamin E and soothing oils of lavender, orange and mint. I used two of these packs to really smear it all over my face, but you can just use one ~ it will be more than enough. It has a light scent and it reminds me of almonds, which is strange as there is no almond oil in here!! It is very creamy and I left it on my face for 20 minutes ~ it will absorb into your skin. Since I wanted to keep the benefits of this mask and the ingredients look normal to me as a moisturizer, I just tissue’d off the remaining amount and patted the rest of it into my face. It does leave a bit of a film on your face, so you should use this at night time. In fact, I think you can use this as a sleep pack instead of a wash off pack, as it is so moisturizing. My face felt soft (but with that filmy feeling). With these types of wash off packs, I like to use them at night and not in the morning, as I actually want to keep a lot of it on my face for the skin care benefits. Have you tried any nügg pods? I have the cranberry exfoliating, cucumber deep cleansing, flaxseed & peppermint revitalizing and camellia hydrating!

Description: Helps improve skin elasticity and neutralize free radicals in just 5 to 10 minutes. It is formulated with 97% natural or naturally-derived ingredients and with a powerful blend of precious natural oils and extracts. Key ingredients include Wheat Germ Oil and White Tea extract to help neutralize free radical formation and prevent environment damage, as well as Niacinamide to help reduce the appearance of fine lines. Masks are formulated without petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances, synthetic colors, sulfates and parabens. Each of the 5 facial masks in the pack comes in a unique single serve capsule (made from recyclable PETG) which protects the formula from oxidation and also makes the masks highly travel friendly. nügg’s break-through natural oil dispersion skin care technology enhances the mask’s efficacy and eliminates the need for possibly damaging active chemical emulsifiers.

Ingredients: Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Triticum Vulgare (wheat) Germ Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Glycine Soja (soybean) Oil, Linum Usitatissimum (linseed) Seed Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (cranberry) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (grape) Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis (evening Primrose) Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Carbomer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxylated Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Lavandula Angustifolia (lavender) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (orange) Oil, Lavandula Latifolia Oil, Mentha Piperita (peppermint) Oil   cosDNA.com analysis

Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Purifying Black Mask I’ve used this before and I was wondering why this sample size jar was hanging around my place. Usually, I love a good mud mask, and who doesn’t love the romantic notion of smearing Irish peat mud on their face? Come on! Especially on a friday night and watching The Vikings (I missed it last night)  This mask is very rich and pudding-like in texture and is a deep dark black mud mask, containing not only peat, but charcoal, lava powder and hijiki seaweed to help detox, remove dirt and excess oil and purify all at the same time. It doesn’t have an odor and it goes on smoothly. When the mask is on, I don’t feel uncomfortable and I do not have any reactions to it. Only leave on for a maximum of 10 minutes ~ this mask will not dry down and if you have sensitive skin, you will NOT want to leave it on for a long time. I discovered why I didn’t finish this sample off ~ after rinsing off with warm water, my face is beet red!! haha. I guess it purifies too much for my sinful skin. My face DOES look brighter (as in RED), softer and very clean. However, I need to slap on a soothing mask (and it may have to be a couple of them to turn down the heat on my skin)  Oh well. It isn’t a horrible mask but I think if I ever get another sample of this, I will only leave on for 5 minutes, not 10. Have you tried this? Did you have a reaction to it or did it work fine for you?  If you are interested in trying out samplers of Peter Thomas Roth wash off masks, Sephora has a couple of sets ~ a trio of minis  and  5 deluxe sizes

• Irish Moor Mud – The result of the natural decomposition of herbs, flowers and plants over a period of thousands of years, this mud paste has an unusually high concentration of purifying bio-minerals, trace elements, vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids.
• Hijiki Seaweed – This black sea vegetable grows wildly along the coasts of Japan, Korea and China and has been used abundantly for centuries. Provides nutrition and hydration and contains high levels of calcium, iron, and vitamins B1, B2, and C.
• Volcanic Ash and Activated Charcoal – Contains healing minerals that detoxify, revitalize, and draw out trapped impurities and toxins from clogged pores (shrinking their appearance) for cleaner, more breathable, deeply-purified skin.

Description: Irish Moor Mud Mask by Peter Thomas Roth is a purifying, decongesting and hydrating mask with odorless Irish Moor Mud that draws out dirt, oil and impurities as it infuses skin with moisture and vitamins. With the highest level of organic content in the world, 9,000 year-old black Moor Mud is harvested by hand from the Irish countryside. Rich in nutrients, essential minerals and potent anti-oxidants, it helps protect against skin damage. Black Hijiki Seaweed provides vital nutrition and hydration as volcanic ash helps revitalize and detoxify skin. Activated charcoal has a magnetic effect that draws impurities and toxins from congested pores. Helps minimize the look of pores, fine lines and wrinkles, leaving skin looking pure, fresh, hydrated and radiant.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Peat, Charcoal Powder, Polyacrylamide, Lava Powder, Sargassum Fusiforme (Hijiki) Extract, Kaolin, Bentonite, Lactic Acid, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Isohexadecane, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 80, Laureth-7, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica (CI 77019)  cosDNA.com analysis

Herbivore Blue Tansy AHA + BHA Resurfacing Clarity Mask I purchased this at Sephora and I was a bit upset that the ingredients list at Sephora are not the same as what is on the box. There is jasmine in this and I am mildly allergic to jasmine scents. However, the promise of resurfacing and smoothing my skin with BLUE gel was too great so I did open it and took a sniff. Yep, it smells like a herbaceous jasmine! Fortunately, I am bit clogged up right now due to seasonal allergies, so it wasn’t too bad for me. This is a bright blue-green watery gel~ it is not thick at all ~ so I had work fast to get this on my skin and take a photo! This gel contains the following key ingredients:

• White Willow Bark: A natural beta hydroxy (BHA), it is high in salicylic acid which works by gently shedding the top layer of skin in order to decongest and unclog pores.
• Fruit Enzymes: Natural alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), including papaya and pineapple, work to gently exfoliate and rid skin of dead cells to leave the complexion smoother, softer, and fresher.
• Blue Tansy Oil: Naturally high in Azulene, which in addition to giving the oil its beautiful blue color works as a powerful anti-inflammatory to reduce redness and soothe irritated skin.
• Aloe Leaf: Naturally contains salicylic acid and works to gently unclog pores and soothe the complexion.

This is free of parabens, sulfates and phthalates. The beautiful color partly comes from a yellow flower called tansy and it is close cousin to chamomile. This is a very cooling mask and there is a slight tingling, but that goes away quickly for me. I rinsed off after 20 minutes and my face felt very cool, refreshed and clean. My face looks brighter and my skin feels very smooth and soft. I always follow up with a cream cleanser (which I will share below) after I use a clarifying/resurfacing mask like this one, as I like the soothing creamy feeling instead of a foam. Will I continue to use this mask? Yes, I want to see if this mask has a overall positive impact on my skin. I guess I will use this when my sinuses are acting up, as I don’t feel like sneezing while using this. Honestly, I do not why they added a floral fragrance to this mask, but I have read that the ingredients list keeps fluctuating, which doesn’t invoke a lot of confidence with me about this product as a repeat purchase.

Description: A clarifying and cooling gel mask including blue tansy, fruit enzymes, and white willow bark to gently exfoliate, smooth, and resurface the skin. This mask is designed to clarify and resurface skin with soothing blue tansy, naturally resurfacing white willow bark, and gently exfoliating fruit enzymes. It leaves skin soft and renewed, and skin gains increased clarity and smoothness with continual use.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Leaf Juice, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (plant derived), Glycerin, Tanacetum annuum (Blue Tansy) Oil, Jasminum Sambac (Jasmine Grandiflorum) Extract, Carica Papaya (Organic Papaya) Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya (Organic Papaya) Leaf Extract, Ananas Comosus (Organic Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Ultramarines (CI 77007), Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Leucidal (radish root ferment)  cosDNA.com analysis

Mamonde Lotus Micro Mask to Foam Cleanser (Korea) I received this sample when I did a purchase at the Aritaum Mall (via KoreanBuddy) and I haven’t tried anything from Mamonde before (I wait, I might have tried a cherry blossom hand mask a while back) ~ I have seen a lot of buzz around their rose/honey products but since I cannot use rose, I just didn’t pay too much attention.  Mamonde is a child company of the huge K-Beauty AmorePacific Corp, which includes other brands that I am a huge fan of, such as Innisfree, Primera and Hanyul, just to name a few.  Mamonde specializes in using flowers in their skin and beauty products and this one features lotus.  This uses a patented cleansing ingredient called Lotus anti-pm Complex and it is made of the extracts of the petals, roots and seeds from lotus’ and also positive ion polymers(?)  Hey, I know nuthin’ about that.   This is what Mamonde had to say

Lotus anti-pm Complex™ has positive ions which absorb negatively charged particulate matter like a magnet to remove it from the skin. Three natural lotus extracts and kaolin allow surfactants (SOAP) to work mild on the skin and give a brightening effect, while lotus root powder between the surfactant layer forms smaller bouncy bubbles through the pickering effect for improved cleansing power.  The all-new cleansing line removes 99.2% of particulate matter which is invisible to the naked eye and ensures 0% loss of moisture after cleansing  source

So, I opened up the little tube and I have to say ~ I LOVE THE SCENT.  Is it lotus?  I think it is, as I took a sniff at my Yeon lotus cleansers and they smell similar.  It isn’t a heavy floral, but a very light, delicate scent.  The mask is a creamy off-white color and it applies smoothly on my skin ~ this has walnut powder shell in it, but it must be ground micro-fine, because I do not feel it. 

• Lotus extracts are full of antioxidants that help combat free radicals and their damage, fading hyper-pigmentation and softening fine lines and wrinkles. It is an intense hydrating ingredient, moisturizing and toning the skin, increasing your skins elasticity. Not only does this hydrate but  it can reduce excess oil and help prevent blemishes.   
• Kaolin is a clay and it helps balance and remove excess oil and prevent blemishes, as well as reduce swelling and redness. 
• Sea Silt (maris limus) this is actually  sea mud!  It actually does not contain a lot of clay, but it does contain a concentrated amount of bio-minerals, amino acids, vitamins, fatty acids and plant hormones that your skin can easily absorb.  Sea Silt is used to help heal your skin, as well as a natural exfoliant, anti-inflammatory and helps remove excess oils and debris from your skin. 

I just left this mask on for 5 minutes and then rinsed it off with warm water, massaging in the mask on my face ~ which did produce foam!  The only other clay to foam mask I have tried is the Acure mask (reviewed above) .  My face is really nice and clean, but not stripped dry.   I really like this mask a lot ~ I might have to try some more Mamonde products!

Description: The all-new cleansing line removes 99.2% of particulate matter which is invisible to the naked eye and ensures 0% loss of moisture after cleansing.  Do deep cleansing and mask pack at once “Removing dead skin cells + Pores Control + Sebum Control”.  Natural fruit acid AHA and Fine walnut scrub remove dead skin cells and blackhead, control excess sebum.  It makes fresh and smooth skin.

Ingredients: water, glycerin, myristic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, PEG-32, kaolin, potassium hydroxide, sea silt (maris limus), titanium dioxide (CI 77891), clyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, nelumbo nucifera (lotus) germ extract, nelumbium speciosum flower extract, nelumbo nucifera root powder, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) fruit extract, gelidium cartilagineum  (red algae) extract, citrus limon (lemon) fruit extract, juglans regia (walnut) shell powder, vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry)  fruit/leaf extract, saccharum officinarum (sugar cane) extract, acer saccharum (sugar maple) extract, disodium EDTA, butylene glycol, caprylyl glycol, polyquaternium-7, menthol, fragrance  cosDNA.com analysis

 

 

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Bonus!  Cream Cleanser

Tonymoly Cleandew Broccoli Sprout Cleansing Cream I love this little kawaii tub of cleansing cream ~ it is one of my favorite items from Tonymoly (and I don’t have that many products that I do like from Tonymoly in general). This is a creamy cleanser that I like to use after I use an exfoliating mask, like the Herbivore Blue Tansy one, as it is so gentle on my skin. This has broccoli sprout which is rich in vitamins A and C, plus minerals. It doesn’t really have much of a scent which makes me happy!! I really do like this cleansing cream a lot and this is my 3rd tub of it that I have purchased. It has a pH level of 5 to 5.5, so it is very mild.  Broccoli Sprout is a powerful anti-oxidant & removes dead skin cells, lavender is an anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic and helps speed up wound healing and green tea helps moisturize and is another anti-oxidant

Description: This young broccoli cleansing cream makes the skin healthy and revitalized. It provides super energies as it contained the active ingredient “ the super food” such as blueberry, tomato and young broccoli. provide essential nutrients to the skin. The AHA makes the skin smooth and glossy while removing dead skin cells and impurities from the skin. Containing young green tea and lavender, this fresh cleansing cream energizes the tired skin and gives the comfortable and peaceful cleansing time.

Ingredients: Water, mineral oil, dipropylene glycol, dimethicone, polysorbate 60, glyceryl stearate, peg-100 stearate, petrolatum, cetearyl alcohol, sorbitan sesquioleate, peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, triethanolamine, lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, sucrose, zea mays (corn) starch, chromium oxide green, tocopheryl acetate, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) extractbytylene glycol, rosa canina fruit extract, hippophae rhamnoides fruit extract, rosa davurica bud extract, malpighia emarginata (acerola) fruit extract, phyllanthus embilca fruit extract, brassica oleracea ltalica (broccoli) sprout extract (191.66 mg), avena sativa (oat) meal extract, camellia sinensis leaf extract, allium sativum (garlic) bulb extract, brassica oleracea ltalica (broccoli) extract, vaccinium angustifolium (blueberry) fruit extract, spiacia oleracea (spinach) leaf extract, salmon egg extract, solanum lycopersicum (tomato) fruit extract, wine extract, juglans egia (walnut) seed extract, allantoin, disodium edta, methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance  cosDNA.com analysis

I do plan to continue my series of wash-off mask packs, but I just had so many of them right now, that I thought it would be good to post this digest so it is not an never-ending blog post!  I won’t be reviewing the Fresh Black Tea mask pack, as that has rose water in it (sigh).    I have linked the product name to a store where you can purchase these masks and if they are popular, you probably can find them at other online sites as well. 

Have you tried any of these masks?  Which one(s) would you like to try? 

 

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