Origins Clear Improvements Active Charcoal Mask - Where Have You Been All My Life?

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

I had been a bit wary of trying new masks since the GlamGlow incident but when I saw that Sephora offered the Origins Active Charcoal Mask in cute little travel pods... I was sold. I really like it when companies offer a mini size so that I can try products out without committing to a full size. I know the places that I frequent have great return policies and all, but I feel rather wasteful when a full sized bottle is tossed upon its return.

Anyways. Back to the mask.

Each pod contains about a heaping tablespoon of product, enough for one full face application. I've also split it up into two daily uses for just my t zone, but I don't expect them to keep well once opened.

I'd smile at the camera but my face is stuck this way. This time, I have the mask as an excuse.

At first there was a tingling/is-it-cooling-or-burning sensation, which alarmed me greatly. Usually that's an indication for me that it is really irritating my skin. Luckily though, it didn't amount to anything; there was no redness or breakouts afterwards. As the mask dried, I felt the tightening of the mask and the resulting thumping of blood circulation. About 30 minutes of wear, I remove it. It gets stiff and almost leathery feeling, and takes a while to remove. Basically I re-wet it with warm water and wait a while for it to soften before rinsing it clean.

Running over my hands after removal felt so incredible! You would believe how supple my skin felt. The thing that impressed me the most was how well the mask worked on my sebaceous filaments. The mask had managed to lift them to the surface and the majority of these little squishy plugs washed away with the rinse. It made me giddy because those filaments have bothered the crap out of me over the years. Yeah, I know that removing them is a temporary measure but it just feels so nice when they are cleared out. If only for a day. My skin felt so soft and the surface felt so plump.

This product has instantly become my Holy Grail mask. I have a full size in my next cart already. At $24 for the full 3.4 oz, $17 for the 1.7 oz and $8 for the 4 single pods, I think the price is pretty reasonable.

I've been following up this mask with Dr. Dennis Gross Radiance Concentrate, as well as JUJU Aquamoist Hyaluronic Acid Toner and Shea Terra Organics Senegalese Hibiscus Oil.

Have any masks you're interested in trying? I have a moisturizing Sisley one as well as a Fresh Rose Mask.

Product featured was purchased by me, for my own use. For additional information, please refer to my Disclosure Policy. Post contains affiliate links.