It always happens at the worst of times.
Like Christmas dinner. Or a holiday party. I’d been prepping for it for weeks and, that very morning, disaster strikes.
A pimple as big as a house is comfortably sitting on my chin. Typical! There’s nothing like an unwanted zit to ruin the party mood, is there?
Well, I’m more stubborn than a pimple (that’s what my mom says, anyway) and this Christmas I won’t let any zits ruin anything.
I’m going to get rid of all the excess oil my workaholic t-zone produces so there won’t be any left to clog the pores. Ah! Take that, zits!
How am I gonna do it? With the helping hand of clay masks. Or Masque Bar Anti-Blemish Mud Mask, to be more precise.
What’s In Masque Bar Anti-Blemish Mud Mask?
CLAYS TO ABSORB EXCESS OIL
Clays absorb excess oil. And no excess oil = no breakouts.
Masque Bar Anti-Blemish Mud Mask has two types of clays, kaolin and bentonite. Bentonite is the most powerful of the two. It’s so good at sucking excess oil, scientists use it to measure just how much of it acne-prone skin produces. If you have oily skin you need it in your arsenal.
Bentonite goes a step further. It also absorbs impurities and toxins from the skin. Don’t get too excited, ladies. It’s your kidneys that do all detoxifying for you. But bentonite can give it a little helping hand.
P.S. Don’t use clays on dry skin. Sebum is your skin’s natural moisturiser. Removing the excess prevents breakouts. Removing a drop more than that dries out your skin.
Related: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Bentonite In Skincare
Need help creating the best skincare routine for you oily skin? Sign up to the newsletter below to receive the “Oily Skincare Routine Cheatsheet” (it includes product recommendations, too!).
GLYCERIN TO HYDRATE SKIN
Let’s start with the basics. Glycerin is in pretty much ALL skincare products for a reason.
It’s a wonderful humectant: that’s a fancy way of saying it draws moisture from the air and locks it into your skin. Once there, this extra moisture softens, plumps, and brightens your skin.
Here, glycerin makes sure your skin stays well hydrated during the oil-absorbing process.
Related: The Complete Guide To Glycerin In Skincare
Texture
Thick, off-white paste.
Fragrance
Forgettable and subtle.
How To Use It
A couple of nights a week, straight after cleansing.
Performance & Personal Opinion
Masque Bar Anti-Blemish Mud Mask is a thick, off-white paste that really clings to the skin. I can feel it hardening straight away and I can’t help but wonder if I will be able to take it all off 15 minutes later (the instructions say 15-20 minutes, but I ain’t taking any chances).
Yep, it’s a pain to remove. It’s messy and it takes a while. But, it’s worth it.
Those clays have soaked up all the oil and now my t-zone is glowing. Glowing, not shiny. Big difference, my friend.
My whole face looks clearer and smoother, as it would when there’s no excess oil greasing it up. It’s soft too, but I still feel the need to apply moisturizer afterwards. So, if you have dry skin, this isn’t something you’ll appreciate.
You know who will appreciate it instead? That teen in your life. Or you oily-skinned best friend. Now Christmas is coming, this mask would make a great stocking stuffer. Or three.
There are three masks in each pack, so you can throw away the box and gift each friend one mask. Convenient, isn’t it?
Who Is This For?
- Oily/acne-prone skin
- Combination skin
Who Is This NOT For?
- Dry skin
Packging
A white pink box that contains 3 individually packaged clay masks.
Does Masque Bar Anti-Blemish Mud Mask Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| This mud mask cleanses and helps soothe stressed out skin. | True. |
| 1) Thoroughly cleanse face; do not dry. 2) Apply a thin, even layer – avoiding eyes and lips. 3) After 15-20 minutes, rinse well with warm water and gently pat dry. | This is the best way to use them. |
Price & Availability
$9.99 at Masque Bar
Do You Need It?
If you’re looking for a clay mask, this is a good option to consider.
Dupes & Alternatives
- Clinique Refining Solutions Charcoal Mask ($28.50)
- Paula’s Choice Clear Purifying Clay Mask ($29.00)
Ingredients
Water (Aqua), Kaolin, Bentonite, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Titanium Dioxide (CI77891), Sorbitol, Polysorbate 20, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf (Green Tea) Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit Extract, Sodium Lactate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Honey Extract, Lactic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Fragrance (Parfum)
