The late nights, stress, and bad eating habits have definitely dulled my skin. I recently picked up this lemon mask for about $1.50 from the new Face Shop at Pacific Mall in Toronto.
This is the first Face Shop product I have ever tried. This lemon brightening mask claims to contain 1000mg of "extract grounded from fresh lemon". Apparently it is "bursting with vitamin C" which willl help to brighten dull skin. Sounds like exactly what I need!
Compared to My Beauty Diary Masks, the Face Shop mask is a bit bigger. Thus, I don't find it fits my face as well. It also doesn't come with the plastic backing that MBD masks have, so it is more difficult to open. It does not contain as much extra serum as MBD masks either. I was also kind of disappointed with the scent - I was expecting a refreshing lemon scent, but instead it smelled a bit artificial and disappeared quickly.
Ingredients:
- water
- butylene glycol - humectant and solvent with anti-microbial action; enhances the preservative activity of parabens
- glycerin - humectant, draws moisture from the air thus helps the skin to retain moisture
- citrus medica limonum (lemon) fruit extract - skin brightening with exfoliating, antibacterial, antiseptic, astringent properties
- sd alcohol 40-b - (denatured alcohol) antibacterial and perservative effect but can dry out the skin
- betaine - anti inflammatory
- sodium hyaluronate - hydrates down to the deeper layers of skin; holds up to 1000 times its weight in water
- xanthan gum - thickener and emulsion stabilizer
- hydrogenated lecithin - emulsifying agent
- dimethicone - a silicone that forms barrier on skin thus preventing water loss
- phaseolus radiatus extract (mung bean) - apparently this is anti-aging by stimulating collagen production
- betula platyphylla japonica bark extract (Asian white birch) - anti-aging and anti-inflammatory
- rumex crispus root extract - apparently this helps with acne and is anti-inflammatory
- carbomer - emulsion stabilizer and controls consistency
- peg-40 hydrogenated caster oil
- triethanolamine - emulsifier and pH adjuster
- methylparaben - preservative
- propylparaben - preservative
- fragrance
My face feels slightly tingly with this mask on, probably due to the acidic nature of lemon extract. To give you an idea, a 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice contains just under 30mg vitamin C. However, the label claims it contains 1000mg of extract from lemons, not vitamin C, so it is difficult to say how much vitamin C is actually in the product. Based on the ingredients, this mask should be brightening and exfoliating. It would be ideal for combination (normal to oily) ,oily, and acne-prone skin types since there are a number of anti-inflammatory and astringent ingredients. I wouldn't count on it providing any anti-aging benefits.
Result: My skin was slightly brighter right after, but dull again the next morning. It did feel smoother, probably due to the acids. I would say this mask is better for exfoliating. I prefer My Beauty Dairy's Apply Polyphenol mask better for brightening.
I'm so glad you're back (: I like reading your posts because you talk about the chemistry in products, which is something I enjoy.
ReplyDeleteOf course, school is WAY more important though!! ^_^ Hang in there!
I'm hanging! lol
ReplyDeleteGlad you like reading my posts!
After my last exam in mid December I will be doing posts about Vitamin C serums :)
Awesome! I've been using one right now that helps a lot, but it's $$$$ there has to be a way to find a product that is really good but not so expensive. I look forward to reading about that ^_^ Good luck on your exams!
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