Introduction
Indian cosmetic companies don’t make a lot of ready to use masks. Ordinarily, a face mask is some type of semi-solid powder. Nine out of ten times this is ubtan, which you take home and make a paste out of. It is hard to persuade folks to pay two, three times the price for a clay mask when an ubtan works for them.
Many would argue that a dry powder ubtan works much better than a ready to use clay mask.
I am not one of these disillusioned folk. I like products that I can scoop out of a jar and use on my face. I do not like at home remedies. If you knew how little Vitamin C (e.g.) the amla in your fridge actually has, you would not think its a great substitute for Clinique’s 10% L-Ascorbic Acid shots. And I hold a similar sentiment about homemade masks.
What am I testing?
I am testing a ready to use face clay face mask, that cost INR 1,795 (US$ 25) for 50g. This is much more expensive than Forest Essential’s powder alternatives, which are about INR 1,075. And let’s be honest, you’ll get more usage out of the powder alternatives.
My primary criteria for any clay mask (and I have tested many of these now) is that it does not dry or irritate my skin. It almost feels as if I asking for a miracle, but really your clay mask should be formulated to do these things. Any reduction in pore size or improving skin texture are a bonus.
What the product looks like?
After paying ocer US$ 70 (taxes & shipping) I received a cracked and dried up mask in the form of Uma Brightening Mask.
There was no such issue with Forest Essential’s clay mask.
And I haven’t scooped out half the mask to take an effective product, I use this mask infrequently.
Before and after photos
Would I buy this again?
This product does not deliver the skin lightening that I saw with Uma’s Brightening Mask – even though one of the main ingredients is sandalwood, and sandalwood oil is a skin lightener.
Naturally, this is disappointing. However, this is not a US$ 70 mask. It is a US$ 25 (primarily) clay mask that has been part of my bathroom shelf for at least a year now. What I like about the product is:
- Its a smooth paste and is easy to apply
- It closes my pores
- Smells like clay but not chalky. (Not sure I smell the sandalwood…)
- It doesn’t dry my skin out and my skin is softer after using it.
I don’t follow Forest Essentials’ instructions which are to let the mask dry out. I leave the product on for only 5 minutes – time these things, that’s why God invented a stopwatch on your iphone. For me, this makes all the difference.
This cost US$ 25 for 50g and I would use this over any of Forest Essentials’ dry ubtans.
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You may also enjoy reading / find informative the following blogs: Uma Brightening Mask, Sandalwood as a skin lightener
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