Review of Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

First of all, I would like to clarify that there are no products that will actually shrink pore size permanently. Once a pore is enlarged, it can only get bigger. That being said, there are products that can minimize the appearance of pores and prevent them from getting larger by keeping them clean and happy.

It is a good idea to use a clay-based mask 1~2 times per week to draw out gunk from pores, especially if you are oily-skinned.

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask claims that the active Charcoal draws out 100~200 times it's weight in impurities, It also claims that China White Clay draws out environmental toxins, but I wouldn't count on that -- even if it does, the amount would be pretty insignificant.

I spread this all over my face after my shower, when my pores are still open from the steam, and leave it on for 20~30 minutes, and remove with warm water.

Ingredients: (I have bolded the important ones)

Water
Myrtus Communis Leaf Water - astringent (reduces irritation and constricts pores)
Kaolin - clay; absorbs oil
Bentonite - clay; absorbs oil
Butylene Glycol - solvent and moisturizer
Montmorillonite - clay; absorbs oil
Polysorbate 20 - surfactant; emulsifier
PEG-100 Stearate - surfactant
Charcoal powder - High surface area allows for high absorption; activated charcoal is given through oral ingestion to treat poisonings and drug overdoses, but not too sure how much this helps if applied externally.
Xanthan Gum - thickner
Lecithin - moisturizer, emollient, and emulsifier with antioxidant effect
PEG 150 Distearate - surfactant and emulsifier
Propylene glycol stearate - emollient and emulsifier
Sorbitan laurate - emulsifier
Glycerin - solvent and moisturizer
Propylene glycol laurate - emollient and emulsifier
Simethicone - emollient
Caprylyl Glycol - moisturizer and emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin - moisturizer
Hexylene Glycol - solvent
Trisodium EDTA - chelating agent and preservative
Dehydroacetic Acid - preservative
Phenoxyethanol - preservative

Pros:

• Not as drying as other clay masks
• Helps to calm down skin congestion and pimples
• Helps to "loosen" and bring black and white heads to surface
• Sanitary tube packaging
• inexpensive
• fragrance-free

Cons:

• Scared my boyfriend when I had this on
• Stings slightly upon application, so may not be suitable for people with sensitive skin
• May not remove all blackheads (depends on how congested and deep your blackheads are)
• Can be messy when removing mask

Review of La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Fluide Extreme 50+ (Tinted and untinted)

  Currently, I am using a plethora of La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL sunscreen products that I got from Europe, for their high PPD UVA protection. However, in the future, I will try to find a high PPD Zinc Oxide sunscreen since it is more photostable.

I have found that all the La Roche Posay sunscreen products sometimes develops a weird chemical smell after several months. I don't know if this means the quality of the product is compromised, but it is best to use up the bottle within a few months, even though the packaging states it is good for 12 months after opening.

 

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Fluide Extreme 50+

 

Since I bought this from Europe, so the PPD is stated on the packaging. This one has a PPD of a whopping 38, which is extremely high. It is paraben-free and non-perfumed. Since it is a light fluid, like the name suggests, it applies well under makeup. Be aware that it is NOT oil-free, since the chemical filters used are oil-soluble. It also contains a bunch of silicones, so while that may give a smoothing effect, some individuals may find it clogging. You MUST use an oil cleanser to remove this sunscreen!! If you don't, your pores will definitely get clogged up. I have been using this suncreen daily for the past 3 years, and it hasn't broken out my normal-combination skin.

Swatch of La Roche Posay Fluide Extreme

 

Ingredients:

It is quite annoying that Europe doesn't require the active sunscreen ingredients to be listed separately...such a headache to read through!

Anyways, here are the sunscreen ingredients in La Roche Posay's Fluide Extreme:

• Titanium dioxide - blocks UVB

• Octrocrylene - another UVB blocker, but may actually increase the skin's photosensitivity.

• Avobenzone, which is listed as butyl-methoxydibenzoylmethane - absorbs UVA1 rays

• Tinsorb S, listed as Bis-ethyl-hexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine - a photostable chemical filter that absorbs UVB and UVA1

• Uvinul T 150, listed as ethylhexyl triazone - absorbs UVB

• Mexoryl XL, listed as Drometrizole trisiloxane - photostable and absorbs UVA2; works synergestically with Mexoryl SX

• Mexoryl SX, listed as Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid - photostable and absorbs UVA2

La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Fluide 50+ also comes in a tinted version, which has a slightly lower PPD of 34, maybe due to decreased amount of titanium dioxide? No way to tell, since the percentages of the ingredients are not listed. The consistency of the tinted one is lighter than the regular version. I am a NC20 and this blends right into my skin.

Here is the ingredient list of the Fluide Teinte. The ingredients are basically the same as the regular version so I won't go through it.

 

 

Review of Baviphat AC Therapy Sleeping Pack

I couldn't resist NOT buying this mask because of it's super cute packaging - looks just like an apple! Baviphat is a popular Korean brand. They have all sorts of skin potions packaged in super adorable containers that look like fruit or veggies.

Upon opening the cute apple container, I was attracted by the yummy apple scent. There is a little spoon so you can scoop out the mask, instead of using your fingers.

I find this mask is good for smoothing and calming the skin. It is not as hydrating as I expected. Unlike other masks, this one won't make you look like your ready for Hallowe'en. It goes on clear, and after it dries, it is a bit mattifying. My boyfriend didn't even know I had a mask on!

How I use this:
I use my Ole Hendrikson Truth Serum underneath, slather the mask on, leave it on all night, and rinse off the next morning.

UPDATE:

Found this ingredient list from a website, but I don't know how accurate it is...

 Ingredients
Water / Aqua,  Butylene Glycolh,  Glycerinh,  Dimethicone/ Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymerszil,  Cyclomethiconeeo|h|szil,  Dimethiconeeo|szil,  Caprylic / Capric Triglycerideeo,  Sodium Acrylate/ Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecaneeo,  Polysorbate 80ti|eu,  Alcohol Denat.al,  Betaine h,  Petrolatumeo,  Yellow 6 / CI 15985sz,  Allantoingy,  Phenoxyethanolta,  Yellow 5 / CI 19140sz,  Parfum / Fragrancei,  Arginine,  Carbomer,  Disodium EDTA,  Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Triclosanta 

The ingredients in this mask are nothing special, which is why this mask has such a low price.

Glycerin: Humectant - helps to seal moisture in the skin
Caprylic trigycerides: Emollient - helps to soften the skin
Allantoin: anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory; soothing
Arginine: Supposedly good for wound repair and collagen growth, but not sure how much of this is actually in the product.
Apple Fruit Extract: Brightening and exfoliating, but again, depends on how much of this is actually in the product

This mask is probably only good for softening and soothing the skin, and may help a bit with brightening. Unfortunately, there aren't much hydrating ingredients. Some people may find that this mask helps with pimples, since  it contains allantoin and triclosan. Triclosan is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal (it is often used in hand soaps and sanitizers) but  it has some health controversies around it so I am not particularly fond of it.

I like this mask, but I probably wouldn't repurchase. I prefer the My Beauty Diary masks since it has better ingredients. I bought this one mainly because of the super cute packaging, so I see it more as a novelty product.

For those on a budget who are looking for a mask, I would recommend this one since it is super cheap! I bought the lemon and apple sleeping pack off Ebay for around $15.

All of Baviphat's products are packaged in cute fruit or vegetable containers. I will be trying the lemon one next!