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I guess we can all agree that applying a face mask can be as comforting as having a long phone call with your best friend. Whether it’s some cheap clay mask or a luxurious sheet mask, it’s what we reach for to feel better after a long day, a sad day, a busy day, after a breakup, before a date, or after we do our ‘everything shower’.
I’m sure everybody has their favorite dust-me-off-so-I-can-try-again face mask that they rely on. But if your face mask doesn’t make you feel like a different person after you rinse it off, what good is it? And no, I don’t think it’s unfair to expect that much from a face mask. Some cost as much as a 40-minute facial, so it better make me glow!
And some actually do. You know that I love every single face mask from Origins. Each of them gives me instant gratification so I can feel much better right after I wash it off.
To that end, one of my favorite masks from the brand has recently been reformulated, which got me worried. But as it turns out, it’s still the same feel-good formula that feels like a pep talk in a jar. Keep reading for my honest review of the new Origins Clear Improvement Rich Purifying Charcoal Mask.
Ingredients
This is a bamboo charcoal face mask. Charcoal is very absorbent and that helps pick up excess oil and debris. The mask also packs clay to maximize the benefits as clay helps absorb excess oil as well.
Other notable ingredients include antioxidant-rich caffeine, which is common in Origins products, and helps freshen up your complexion, leaving it looking vibrant.
And from what I can see when I compare this version to the previous version, they removed honey and replaced it with shea butter and chia seed oil. Whatever they did, I don’t think I’d notice any difference when using the product.
Texture
Ingredients like charcoal and clay, because of their absorbing properties, can be very drying for the skin. That’s why I generally avoid pure clay masks.
But this has a very creamy consistency. It’s a bit runny and even feels a bit slimy. The texture feels like a nourishing and moisturizing face mask as opposed to a skin-drying charcoal mask.
The color is something between grey and dark green and the formula has this barely-there shimmer in it, which creates this glistening effect when you apply it.
Scent
A blend of essential oils like lavender oil and lemon peel oil creates this incredibly fresh scent. And I love that because I am that person who uses a diffuser at home.
I enjoy the experience! The minty, citrusy scent is not at all overpowering or uncomfortable. It just stays there as long as you have the mask on and helps wake up your senses.
Results
I apply the mask using my fingers. It settles down to a thin, creamy layer. It starts to dry down on my skin shortly after but doesn’t turn into a chunky, flaky texture. It stays like that on my skin without creating a mess.
After I rinse my face off, my skin feels incredibly soft and clean. I don’t have any tightness. The shimmer formulated into the face mask makes me look like I’m wearing a glowy moisturizer. In spite of that glow, my skin looks calm, and matte. And it doesn’t feel dehydrated or look flaky.
Verdict
This is a truly purifying face mask in that it’s dominated by clay and charcoal. At the same time, it feels very moisturizing with chia seed oil, shea butter, and soybean oil. So while I purify my skin with clay minerals, I moisturize my skin too. It doesn’t feel like I’m applying a charcoal mask but a moisturizing cream mask. It’s non-drying and remains a feel-good and look-good staple in my skincare routine.
Who It Is For
Origins claims that the mask is suitable for all skin types. I also think this is amazing for people with dry skin and combination skin.
How To Apply It
- Use the mask on clean, dry skin
- Apply an even layer on your face, avoiding the eye area, using your fingers or a brush
- Leave it on for 5-10 minutes until it’s completely dry
- Rinse your face off with lukewarm water
- Finish your routine and apply your toner, serum, and moisturizer
- Use it once or twice a week
Tips For Maximum Benefits
Again, I’ve been using Origins face masks for a long time and had a lot of time to experiment with each. Here’s what I do to maximize the effects I get from Origins Clear Improvement Rich Purifying Charcoal Mask.
I sometimes do dermaplaning at home. After dermaplaning, the skin is usually sensitive but at the same time, more absorbent. Whatever you put on there works much better. So after I dermaplane, I rinse my face and give it 1 hour to calm down. After that, I apply this mask all over my face. I leave it on for about 20 minutes and then rinse it off with water. Now my skin is glowing like it’s never done before.
I also enjoy multi-masking, which is using different face masks on different areas of the face. When my skin tends to be oily in hot summer weather, I multi-mask to prevent breakouts while replenishing dryness caused by sun exposure. I apply this on my T-zone and apply Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Hydrating Mask on my chin and my cheeks. The result is fabulous skin!
Lastly, though this is a face mask, it does contain clay, which has some sort of a cleansing effect on the skin too. So after I rinse the mask off, I sometimes use a peel pad or an exfoliating toner to really work the exfoliators into my pores. I believe this improves the effects I get from my exfoliation.
Shop Origins Clear Improvement Rich Purifying Charcoal Mask
