Review: Origin's Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

Formulated with active charcoal, this mask promises, by virtue of that same active charcoal, to vacuum out pores to de-clog them.  White China absorbs environmental toxins, and lecithin dissolves impurities.

The mask itself is a dark grey color with a smooth consistency that takes on on a gel like cream.  Formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs, and triclosan, this product is good for all skin types and is one of Origins' top sellers.

To use this product, place a warm towel onto your face.  This assists with opening the pores in order to allow the mask to vacuum out dirt and toxins most effectively.  Apply the mask to your face and rinse off after 10 minutes.  

My face felt very clean after I rinsed the mask off my face.  I took particular notice of the fact that the area around my nose felt much smoother, which is indicative that my pores were de-clogged.  However, I had small bumps on my chin that did not go away, and a closer inspection of my nose showed that blackheads were still present.  In terms of hydration, my skin felt a bit on the tight side.  I have normal to combination skin so the fact that my skin was left a bit tight from the mask indicates that this product is a bit drying.  Josie Maran's argan oil instantly fixed this.

The product is affordable at $24 for 3.4 fl oz. 

Truth be told, I've been looking for a more affordable alternative but equally as effective to GlamGlow's Super Mud.  If you recall in this POST, I was absolutely in love with Super Mud after but one use.  At about $70 for 1.2 oz, however, my wallet is advising me to seek a mistress.  I cannot help but remember how effective GlamGlow's charcoal mask was even after a night's sleep - my skin continued to feel smooth and soft like a baby's bum the morning after.  This is in contrast with Origins' mask.  Moreover, GlamGlow's charcoal mask did not leave my skin as dry and tight as Origin's charcoal mask.  Quite frankly, it is also downright mesmerizing, in a weird way, to see the dots of the Pore Matrix revealed on your face from GlamGlow's mask.  

Maybe with continued use, Origin's mask will de-clog all of my pores.  I'd caution those with dry skin to use this as it does have a drying effect on the skin.  I can't say that I'm impressed with this product, though.  Despite its hefty price tag, I'd still fork out the cash for GlamGlow's Super Mud.

First Impression Review: GlamGlow Super Mud Clearing Treatment

This mud mask converted me into an instant fan.  Talk about super powerful and EFFECTIVE.  I've been hearing / reading about the rave reviews but was skeptical about the hype....

Until I examined my skin after I washed this mask off.

Uh...where did I get this new face?

The mud mask hydrated my face like no other.  I now understand the expression "Like a baby's bum" because that's exactly how soft my face is (hold the jokes, please).  Note the word "is."  The next morning, my face is just AS soft and AS hydrated as when I first washed off the mud mask.  Before I applied the mask, I had noticed some small white bumps on my chin area as well as a pimple that hadn't  gone away despite use of my acne spot treatment the past few days.  Where are they now after the GlamGlow mask?  GONE.  That's where they are.  GONE.

This mud mask has a special technology called Pore Matrix that consists of Activated-X Charcoal and K17 Clay.  Both of these properties essentially extract and soak up toxic substances from the deepest crevices of your skin.  Simply put: it vacuums out the bad stuff!  Aside from this technology, it contains ingredients (aloe, cucumber, chamomile, glycolic acid, and salicylic acide to name a few) that promote skin healing, hydrate, de-clog and minimize pores, combat anti-aging, and soothe the skin.

The mask itself is a dark grey cream that you can apply to your face with your fingers or a brush (use upward strokes when applying by brush).  As the mud mask dries, the Pore Matrix gets to work, vacuuming out and trapping toxins onto the mask.  The dried mask will reveal dots of the Pore Matrix (basically your pores that were vacuumed out!) when complete.

GlamGlow recommends you leave the mask on your face for 5, 10, 15, or 20 minutes.  I felt it necessary to leave it on for 20-30 minutes to allow it to completely dry.  You can then rinse it off with just your hands and water or use a facial towel or sponge.  Instead of an all over facial mask, you can also use this for spot treatment for blemishes and acne.

This is fairly pricey at $69 for 1.2 oz.

Verdict: Purchase but I'd use it sparingly for those indulging self spa treatments at home.