This is a product review of Forest Essentials’ Chandan Varnya Lepa, which is part of a new line of ready to use masks. You can read the 4 turmeric mask review here
These masks are pricier at INR 1,875, which is 100% understandable, because as a formulator I can tell you that getting these products to be
- Stable (does not break-down or dry up)
- Have a strong preservative system
is excruciatingly hard to do.
What am I testing and what are my expectations?
Be in no doubt this is mainly a clay mask, with a bunch of skin-lightening ingredients in smaller quantities. The ingredients that are going to cause skin-lightening are as follows:
- Kaolin clay itself
- Sandalwood paste at 2%
- Curcuma Zedoraia or White turmeric at 1%
- Saffron Extract at 0.5%
- Turmeric root Extract at 0.5%
At the bottom of this blog, I have listed blogs I have written about the skin-lightening effects of these ingredients
My expectations are a reasonable amount of skin-lightening, because the Instructions are to leave the mask on for 2-3 minutes (after a steam or with a hot towel). If you know me, you can beat your bottom dollar that I would rather shoot my head off (literally) than apply a face mask straight after steaming my face.
If you had skin that reacted like rubber, sure, go ahead. But on the assumption that you are human and do not have a face deriving from the same source as a rubber tyre, perhaps overlook these instructions.
Obligatory before and after photos
What is my experience of using this face mask?
In terms of smell, I think its a given that face masks like this stink. The smell is extremely strong and if you are one of those folks that can’t stand strong smells, then this is not for you.
The face mask is extremely easy to use – it spreads well and in the past, I have mentioned to you how an Uma Oils clay mask just dried up in my bathroom.
I opened this mask about 2 months after buying it and I am glad to report it is not dry.
I left the face mask on for 4 minutes (yes, I do time these things).
It did make my skin a couple of shades lighter – there is no doubt.
BUT it also made my skin feel a bit dry and then after a few hours, tighter.
And would I buy it again?
Its just not a mask that excites me at all.
I will be honest I am indifferent: I wouldn’t miss this mask at all if I didn’t have it.
Priced at INR 1875 for 60g and available at Forest Essentials and Nykaa etc.