Detox Masks

 Laura Mercier Deep Cleansing Clay Mask  //  Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask  //  Elemental Herbology Facial Detox Purifying Facial Mask

Detox masks are an integral part of my skincare routine, and rarely a week passes by where I don't pop one on at least a couple of times to decongest my skin and keep it looking its best. If I am particularly breaking out then they are all the more essential, as the right mask can make a huge difference to active blemishes, bringing down the redness and sending them on their way a lot more quickly than if they were left to their own devices. My go-to mask in that situation is undoubtedly the Elemental Herbology Facial Detox Purifying Facial Mask, which provides a rapid solution for spot-prone, irritable and reactive skin. With mineral-rich Amozonian Clay to eliminate toxins while gently exfoliating and softening, oat flour and Allantoin to resolve congestion and Manuka honey, aloe and calendula for their powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial action, this little beauty packs a real punch, and has become an absolute lifesaver when my skin is in distress. I tend to use this just on my t-zone, as my cheeks are pretty clear, and leaving it on for fifteen to twenty minutes leaves things looking a lot calmer. If I have a particularly nasty-looking blemish or two then I have been known to pop this on over night, and the difference in the morning is quite remarkable, diminished in size and redness by a considerable amount.

For keeping things clear in the first place, I usually reach for the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask. This is great for maintenance, as the charcoal acts as a magnet to draw any nasty bits of debris and oil out of the pores, preventing them from forming into anything unsightly. Again, this one goes on for about fifteen minutes, and it dries to an absolutely rock-solid layer, so perhaps make sure you don't have to talk to anyone when you've got this on! A couple of downsides to this one - one, it doesn't manage to tackle the most stubborn blocked pores I have on my nose alone, but it does make extractions that bit easier (lovely - sorry!). And two, it's a bit of a pain to remove. It's almost black in colour too, so you can imagine that I've had to bin more than one or two muslin cloths since I first began using it. It's worth the effort though, as I find it a lot more effective than most other masks I've tried.

Last (and also least) is the Laura Mercier Deep Cleansing Clay Mask, which was probably one of the first face masks I ever picked up. Nowadays it's not the sort of brand I would usually turn to for skincare, and I must admit that this is not usually a mask I personally reach for, but I thought I'd share it with you because we are all different. It's basically your average clay mask, and I can't say I notice a huge difference after using it, but it's probably a good one for someone with minimal skin issues, as it will keep things clear if used regularly. It's pink too, which I know will appeal to some of you! 

I do love Laura Mercier as a brand, but I'm much more likely to be found browsing the makeup section, as there are certain ingredients I like to avoid in my skincare.

What are your go-to face masks in your skin's hour of need?

xx