Clay Masks
5/28/13

While I often have a tendency to break the bank with skincare products, some of my favorites are a total steal- often better than their expensive counterparts. I love masks, and have many for different purposes. Deep cleaning, purifying, hydrating, exfoliating, soothing, nourishing, brightening...it's astounding how many options are available. Today I'm focusing on two clay masks: Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque and Aēsop Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque. The goal? Deep pore cleansing and, hopefully, pore tightening! As I'm getting...wiser, I've noticed enlarged pores which of course has me searching for products and treatments to correct and halt this nonsense. I mainly struggle with enlarged pores on my nose and on my cheeks just adjacent to my nose. Fortunately the rest of my T-zone hasn't been plagued with enlarged pores (fingers crossed). 

Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque promises to "purify, detoxify, and minimize the appearance of large pores." The mask comes in a generous 5oz tub, and has a smooth and creamy texture that feels cool and soothing on the skin. After cleansing, I apply the mask on damp skin, avoiding my eye area. They say to apply a thin layer, but I slather it on until it's opaque which isn't difficult. The mask dries in about 10-15 minutes, after which I rinse off with warm water and a gentle, high-quality washcloth. Unlike a lot of clay masks I've tried, it's surprisingly easy to rinse off. I then finish with my normal nighttime products. I've absolutely noticed a decrease in the appearance of pores on my cheeks and nose, and am shocked by the bang for the buck with this product. I used it consistently twice a week for a month and the jar is just about half empty. 

Aēsop has been all the rage among beauty bloggers and fashion gurus, so I've slowly been getting my feet wet with their line. The Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque promises to "decongest, refresh, and hydrate, similar to the Kiehl's mask. The glass jar is rather small, and I nearly used the entire jar in three weeks. The texture is vastly different than I expected. I found it to be slightly grainy and it's fairly quick to dry, making for hurried, sloppy application. Instructions indicate leaving the mask on for 15 minutes and rinsing off with warm water. I definitely needed and used a washcloth to aid this process, as it wasn't easy. I used this mask for nearly three weeks and really didn't notice an improvement in pore size. I'll likely use it until I finish the jar, but I don't foresee myself purchasing this product again. That said, I will continue trying other Aēsop products.

My verdict? Kiehl's is the runaway winner, and a new staple in my skincare regimen. 

Kiehl's Rare Earth Cleansing Masque is $23 for 5 oz.
Aēsop Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque is $35 for 2.47 oz.

Both available at: Barneys