Wednesday 30 November 2011

Review: Sanctuary Spa 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask.

I've had this little sachet for quite a while now- it was originally part of a gift set someone in my family got for Christmas, eventually it wound up in my drawer... Anyway I finally got around to trying it out for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and I am SO glad I did, I love it!




I've actually used it twice now, and I've got enough product left from the 15ml sachet to get a third use out of it. You can purchase 15ml sachets for £2.03 or 100ml tubes for £10.20 from Boots.




First of all, I'll be brutally honest; it's not particularly appealing to the eye or the nose: it's a grey colour with tiny black flecks, and it smells really rather odd- I can't quite put my finger on it but it vaguely reminds me of raw potato (the green, under-ripe kind)... However, you should really try to get past those little issues because the mask is brilliant!

I know I have dry and sensitive skin, not the oily skin the mask is more targeted towards, but I am prone to blackheads (caused by blocked pores) so the mask works really well for me; it provides a deep clean that is also very gentle. It claims that the warmth helps to open pores and the charcoal and kaolin draw out impurities- and while I'm not 100% sure that it's all true (as a science graduate I take any 'scientific claim' in the beauty industry with a huge pinch of salt) my skin definitely looks and feels clearer after using it. The mask doesn't irritate my skin, in fact it seems soothed by it- probably because there are some lovely ingredients in it: as well as kaolin and charcoal there is glycerin (very moisturising) and almond oil, and no parabens :)

When you first apply the mask it feels really warm (the 'warm bath' kind of warm, not 1st degree burn 'warm') which is particularly lovely on these cold winter evenings- (I'm not sure it would go down so well in the warmer months) and as you leave it on it gradually cools, it's very relaxing. What's great about this mask is that it doesn't 'set',  meaning it doesn't seem to sap the moisture out of my skin (which I think is what a lot of masks that claim to 'draw out impurities' actually do) and after removal my skin actually feels really lovely- almost to the point of not needing to moisturise afterwards!

The warming effect will also make your skin a little red for a while after using (so it's probably best to not use it if you're planning on leaving the house within the next hour) but this is a really good things as it means more blood is getting to the surface of your skin- and all the extra circulation is good for brightening dull skin and encouraging drainage.
I honestly cannot rave about this mask enough, my skin feels awesome (really clean and smooth)- and the warming effect makes it seem like such a luxury mask (although it is admittedly on the pricey side for 'drugstore' skincare). It's currently on a skincare 3 for 2 on 'indulgent bathing' so now is a good time to pick it up (plus it might be a good gift for someone!)

What's your favourite face mask?



                                                                                                          xGretalRabbitx

p.s. Happy St. Andrews day :)

p.p.s. It's December tomorrow!!!! Advent calendars!!!!! :)

7 comments:

  1. Thanks for the review! I have dry combination sensitive skin, and this mask sounds really good!

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  2. My pleasure :) I definitely recommend it, it's working SO well for me (I think I'm off to buy a full-sized one tomorrow!)
    xGretalRabbitx

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  3. Thanks for sharing! I have really oily skin, and this masks seems good.

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  4. Glad you liked it :) I think it should work well for you too then (it is designed fro oilier skin after all!)
    xGretalRabbitx

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  5. How did you store the excess face mask from the sachet? : )

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    1. I just popped it into the little silver tin in the picture above (I can't remember which website I got it from, but I got a bunch of little storage containers!) and it kept quite well for a couple of weeks I think :)
      xGretalRabbitx

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  6. Thanks for the review! I have dry and sensitive skin so I was worried as to how this clay mask would work. I might give it a try now!

    Sheri | Behind The Frames

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