L'Oreal Pure Clay Mask: Detoxify & Brighten Review

Hello my dear blog readers! How are you all? :)

Every couple of weeks I do like to do a good face mask to draw out any impurities that may be lurking beneath the skin, especially after that time of the month! Sheet masks have always been my go to ones, besides from that, charcoal masks are also another of my favourite types of masks (as I have mentioned numerous times on my snapchat and here on this blog) because it reduces dull skin and increases luminosity. I literally swear by it!

Today I'm going to be talking about L'Oreal Paris newly released skincare innovation, Pure-Clay Mask. Pure-Clay Mask is made up of a line of three hybrid cleansers and treatments offering different benefit in each mask.

There are 3 to choose from in this collection:

• Purify & Mattify
• Detoxify & Brighten
• Exfoliate & Smooth

Each one is seriously so appealing. And I am so lucky that L'Oreal has kindly send me a full-sized product in detoxify & brighten for trial. (see instagram post)

*A huge shoutout to L'Oreal Paris for sending me a full-sized product in detoxifies and brighten to test it out and to let you guys know what I think about this new product. Thankyou!!*

So without further ado, on with the review!

What is it?

So first things first, what can a clay mask do? Basically it helps extract impurities from your skin such as excess sebum and dirt. It is a great way to get rid of extra dirt on your face and to control oil production, which is great for people with oily acne prone skin.

First impression:

• Packaging:

The packaging is sleek and clean. It comes in a 50 mL glass container. I was instantly drawn to the very simple packaging as glass containers in general, give a very luxurious feel. The container is easy to open and I really like how they have a plastic lid with a tiny handle between the cap and the product, it's like an additional, alternative form of protection for the mask. It’s much better, compared to having it being exposed after you twist open the cap.
On the back of the tub, it gives you a brief description of how and when to use it. On the box that's where you'll find more information about the product.

• Ingredients:

As stated in the packaging, the whole collection shares the same unique formula of three pure clays and these are:

• montmorillonite: a pure clay rich in minerals, which help to purify and re-balance the skin
• kaolin: a pure clay highly concentrated with silicates which help to absorb impurities and excess oil
• ghassoul: a pure clay able to absorb impurities and oils without causing irritation

And in this product specifically, it also contains charcoal which acts to deeply detoxifies and brightens skin.

• Smell and texture:

You know those products where they have really strong fragrances? That intensify and irritate your nose as you keep smelling them? Well, this mask wasn’t like that at all. Usually, when I smell a strong scent, I immediately sneeze. My nose is very sensitive to any kind of over-the-top aromas. However, I didn’t sneeze at all when I used this product which is a huge plus!
This mask contains charcoal. It has a floral scent to it. Very interesting!The scent enhances each of the ingredients and as for the texture, it has a very heavy creamy consistency. The consistency is smooth and holds its shape. And when applied, it has a cooling effect on skin.

How to use?

The packaging recommended to "use it on cleansed skin - apply a thin layer over the entire face. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water or a wet towel."
I use this after toner and follow with either essence or lotion. I use a scoop (from Banila Co.) for easier scooping then I use Nude By Nature Liquid Foundation Brush to apply an appropriate amount to my face and wait for the mask to dry before washing it off.

Cleanser - Toner - Clay Mask - (Toner) - Essence - Serum - Lotion - Eye Cream - Moisturiser

*my skincare routine when trialing this clay mask*

*I used toner after washing the mask off just to make sure that I have completely removed the mask.*

This is what I looked like after washing my face with lukewarm water and towel drying it. *excuse my bare face*


Verdict:

As I mentioned earlier, the application process is a bit troublesome because you have to struggle with getting the product out of the tub and into your face. That's a con, but it's easily solved by scooping out first then using your fingers or a foundation brush to apply, that way, it's more hygienic for future use and to ensure that your face won't catch some nasty bugs. I find that the size is very convenient, good for travelling.

It absorbs into the skin and becomes like a seconds skin in a matter of minutes. It feels tight, but not in an uncomfortable way. The clay mask comes off easily enough, especially with warm water.

For the sebum removal, I can say that this product does a very good job! After washing it off, my skin felt smooth, clean and tight. It definitely helped control my skin sebum and my pores as well. As for the exfoliation, I think it does a pretty good job. You can't see dead skin being washed off like other exfoliators, but my skin definitely felt cleaner. You know how after cleansing and using toner you usually still have dead skin? Well even when I skipped toner and applied this after cleansing, I didn't have any dead skin on my cotton pad, which is a huge plus!

After my third application in one week, I saw a huge difference in my complexion. The mask really did the trick in detoxifying and brightening my skin, creating a clearer, refreshed complexion.

PROS:
- easy to apply and rinse
- absorbs excess oil
- leaves skin feeling clean and smooth

CONS:
- I do wish that it came with a small spatula or applicator so that you wouldn't have to use your fingers to apply
- can be too drying for use over slightly oily areas like T-zone
- fragrance formula poses a slight risk to sensitive skin

Overall, this clay mask is awesome! I don't think I've ever used masks that leave my skin as soft and clean as this. It smells nice, and you don't need to use a lot of product. I really like to exfoliate a few times a week to keep my skin nice and smooth. This does just that, alone with clearing out some of the gunk and making my pores nice and tight. If you're looking for a new mask to try, definitely give this one a go! I myself, can not even wait to try the other two products from this collection.

If you are after an inexpensive skin pick me up, spa in a jar, that feels amazing on the skin, then this is definitely worth a look at!

Where to get it?

So as I mentioned, I got this for free, but you can get your hands on this in most pharmacies around Australia, for examples Priceline, Chemist Warehouse etc :) RRP at AUD$19.99

Thankyou for reading.

I hope you have enjoyed reading as much as I had fun in trialing and reviewing this product.

See you on Friday :)

Love,
Melon xoxo
(instagram.com/melon_yu)

*I received this product for free for review purposes by L'Oreal. All opinions are honest and my own*