L’Oreal Pure-Clay Mask Detox & Brighten Treatment Mask Review
L’Oreal Pure-Clay Mask Detox & Brighten Treatment Mask ($9.99) is one of three new mud masks that L’Oreal introduced a few weeks ago. I picked up this version as it was created for dull, tired looking skin and that’s exactly my issue. I typically don’t like mud masks because they contain kaolin which I find very drying on my already dry skin.
L’Oreal’s formula promised to have a non-drying formula but I’ve heard that plenty in the past from mud masks like Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Radiance Mud Mask and Raw Shea Butter Hydrating Mask.
Mud masks are becoming quite a popular beauty trend at the moment with many brands introducing a variety of formulas. I happen to be a sheet mask person myself and I use them two to three times a week or even more because I get such great visible results when using them. I don’t really like cream or mud masks as I don’t seem to get the same results when using them. Interestingly enough I thought that fact that L’Oreal recommended using Pure-Clay Mask Detox & Brighten three times a week sounded absurd. I should be one to talk as I use sheet masks often enough but some reason using a cream mask that often seemed excessive to me. Cream or mud masks seem like more of a special treatment type product that are reserved for once a week use but maybe I’m crazy in my thinking here.
This particular mask is powered by charcoal which happens to be an ingredient I tend to like in my skincare. I’m a fond fan of products like Clinique’s new City Block Purifying Charcoal Clay Mask Scrub, Lush Dark Angels Cleanser, and MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator, and Freeman Charcoal Black Sugar Facial Polishing Mask. The fact, this contained charcoal was a good sign for me.
Activate charcoal is actually a great ingredient that helps to draw out dirt and oil from pores. It also gives skin a very deep cleanse and if you’re oily it’ll draw out oil for smoother, less shiny skin. Unfortunately, this mask also contains kaolin which worried me but it ended up just fine!
This comes in a glass jar and weights in at 1.7 oz. You only need a very thin layer of the mask so, although smaller in size it’ll last you for a while. I’ve been using it for a month now and started out with the suggestion of three times a week but I’ve dwindled down to using it once a week only as I feel like that’s plenty for my skin type. The mask promises to draw out dirt, oil, and other gunk from pores as well as even out skin tone and reduce dull skin. My very first use with the mask I had a small crop up of tiny white heads on my chin. I rarely break out but sometimes I’ll get small, tiny pimples around this area. After using the mask they actually disappeared completely. I also noticed my skin was smoother and softer. Sadly, through the entire time using the mask I never experienced brighter less dull skin. I did notice that if I exfoliated directly after using the mask my exfoliating scrub seemed to whisk away drier skin better and my skin on a whole looked visibly smoother and brighter. I’d suggest, if your skin can take it, to exfoliate after rinsing the mask off as the mask seems to loosen up gunk and the exfoliate acts to whisk it away better. After discovering this method was best that’s how I’ve been using the mask. I first cleanse my skin, after that I apply the mask, leave it on for 15 minutes, wash it off, and exfoliate after that. It does seem to provide a very deep clean and my moisturizer seems to absorb more easily after using this.
While using it I did experience a slight tingle but nothing I couldn’t deal with. It tightens a good deal during the dry down and I was terrified it was drying my skin out because of this. But thankfully after rinsing it off my skin felt just a little tight but it didn’t leave me with a crazy dry feeling that some masks too. It’s a pain to rinse off and it makes a rather big mess as you rinse! You might want to have a wet wash cloth at the ready to remove any excess mask. I noticed it left dark patches around my skin that I had to use micellar water to remove. It does have a very strong fragrance.
I think in conjunction with an exfoliating scrub this does a good job drawing dirt and oil up and out of skin. It got my skin looking smooth and squeaky clean. I’ll likely repurchase it after I use the last drop I have. I’m not a mud mask type of person but as a weekly treat this will be a nice addition to my weekly exfoliating routine to get my skin squeaky clean!
L’Oreal Pure-Clay Mask Detox & Brighten is available now at drugstores as well as Ulta.com, Target.com, amazon.com, and Drugstore.com.
Tried it?
Do share your thoughts on the formula!
