I wanted to write these “clay masks should be not touched with a barge pole” or “hard pass on these clay masks” but apparently, Google does not have a sense of humour.
Oh well, so much for AI to work on (still).
In part 2 of the clay mask list, today’s blog lists out the clay masks that I have relegated to the “do not use” zone. I have reviewed absolutely all of them as part of my blog.
Any and all feedback is always welcome, especially if your experience has been more favourable.
Here is a review of my go-to clay masks.
The No List (going from questionable performance (a subjective measure) to the worst performance (without doubt)…
No 1: Kama Ayurveda Survana Haldi Chandan clay mask
This is a dry clay powder mask which you make up into a paste at home with the addition of water. There is without doubt skin brightening/lightening after even one use of the mask.
The sandalwood smell is extremely strong and if it were less so, I would definitely use this mask more often. Sandalwood and saffron are acquired tastes if they are unfamiliar to you.
However, if you can live with the sandalwood smell then this is a great addition to your bathroom cupboard.
My review: click HERE
Available for sale at Kama Ayurveda for INR 1,595 for 40g
No 1: fresh Umbrian clay purifying clay mask
Again like Forest Essentials’ sandalwood clay mask, this is a basic clay mask using multani mitti (Fuller’s Earth). This produces brightening within the recommended 3 minutes of mask usage. It will definitely dry your skin out. I wouldn’t use this mask for normal or dry skin. It is completely fine to mop-up excessive sebum if you have oily and/or acne prone skin.
I would not buy this mask again.
My review: Click HERE
Available for sale at cultbeauty (GBP 21 for 30ml)
No 2: UMA Ultimate Brightening face mask
As I wrote in my review, I really wanted to like this mask. There is most certainly skin lightening caused by this product, but there is a mismatch between the product actually delivered and the product as advertised on the website.
This product has a US$ 70 price-tag and it is just a clay mask: at that price point you expect your products to outperform.
My review: Click HERE
Available for sale at UMA oils website (US$ 70 for 1.7 oz)
No 3: lixirskin Soft Clay rubber mask
This is a relatively inexpensive mask that has a bunch of AHA and BHAs. AHAs and BHAs are exfoliating agents and are designed to increase cellular turnover. It also has protein metabolizing enzymes (protease and subtilisin) which again are designed to do the same thing
The performance of this clay mask was mediocre but my main issue was that it stung a lot. Over the course of a month the stinging subsidied.
As I said in my review, if I have it in my cupboard, I’ll use it, otherwise I am not rushing out to buy it.
My review: click HERE
Available for sale at cultbeauty (GBP 28 for 60ml)
No 4: FARMACY Bright On Massage-Activated Vitamin C Mask
This was a terrible mask because it was expensive and didn’t do a damn thing it would say it would on the packaging. It was also drying and there was zero “brightening” effect.
Thankfully appears to have been discontinued mask has been discontinued.
My review: click HERE
Available for sale at selective locations, but thankfully appears to have been discontinued
No 5: Glamglow Powermud dualcleanse treatment
Terrible product in awful green packaging, Its so strongly fragrance that I am not sure what smell the product is trying to mask.
The verbiage on Sephora’s website is that it’s a “gentle, deep cleansing treatment.” There is nothing gentle about this product.
My review: click HERE
Available for sale at Sephora (AED 35 for 10ml, where I live)
No 6: NIOD Flavanone Mud mask
This is a slightly disturbing red clay colour. However, that is not the problem. The product caused serious stinging, which quite frankly continued unabated and with vicious consistency even after I washed my face.
My review: click HERE
Available for sale at NIOD’s website. Priced at US$ 45 for 50ml
No 7: The Inkey List Kaolin Clay mask
This was such an underwhelming clay mask, that I feel I am wasting time even telling you this. You can read my review here (as well as view the non-transformative “before” and “after” photos
My review: click HERE
Available for sale at cultbeauty (GBP 5 for 50ml)