Delizioso Skin Care Ocean Kelp Dead Sea Mud Mask Review

I think that it's important to have a variety of face masks because they're great for targeting specific problems/concerns and "treating" them quickly. For example, if your skin needs hydration then you apply a hydrating mask and more often than none, it'll actually hydrate and refresh your skin instantly. The hard part is finding masks that are suitable to your needs and most importantly, effective. That being said, we all need a nice detoxifying and deep cleansing mask. This *Ocean Kelp Dead Sea Mud Mask could be one to add to your arsenal. 

Description: The Kelp 100% natural Dead Sea mask is made with Dead Sea mineral mud. This mud is super high in mineral content which infuses the skin with minerals leaving it clean, refreshed and hydrated. It not only removes toxins and impurities from the skin, but also tightens and tones the skin, improves blood circulation, hydrates the skin and aids in skin regeneration. With pure sea Kelp to exfoliate and renew dead skin this Dead Sea Mask will help restore impurities in the skin

If I'm being honest, which I always am, I didn't have high hopes for this mask. After my last experience with a mud mask, I was worried that this would irritate or be too intense for my sensitive skin. I was wrong! This mask is nowhere near as harsh as the last and I've loved using it. Like all Delizioso Skin Care products, those girls are great at describing the benefits of what's in their product(s). Why is dead sea anything so great for us? Because it's rich in minerals, detoxifying, blood circulating, deep cleansing, tightening, etc (see description). The rich, deep green colour comes from, what I assume is, the kelp powder. Kelp, also known as seaweed, is a great skin softener, anti-aging warrior, and wound healer (think acne). However, I don't find this mask hydrating at all regardless of the moisturizing properties in it. My skin feels smooth after using it, but I definitely need to apply a facial oil. This mask smells lovely, lavender with a mix of something else, that isn't too strong and doesn't linger. One really interesting thing about this mask, that I've never experienced with any other, is that once removed I can see it still in my (rather larger) pores. That means a couple of things to me: a. you have to make sure to take your time removing it and b. it's deeply penetrating and pulling out the gunk and sebum from your skin. While I enjoy using this once every couple of weeks, all over my face, I've been mostly using it as a spot treatment. I put it on any spots and leave it on for as long as possible, then wash it off and the blemish is virtually gone or at least reduced in size. The mask comes in a glass jar and will last a long time, a little goes a long way. Highly recommend and would consider purchasing once this jar runs out.

Retails for approx. $38 CAN/USD and £24.00 GBP. Can be purchased through Delizioso or one of their retailers.

What's your take on mud masks? Love em? Hate em?

INGREDIENTS (*Certified Organic): Dead Sea Mineral Mud, *Laminaria digitata (Kelp) Powder, *Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Calendula officinalis (Flower) Extract, *Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry) Extract, *Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Extract, *Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Acer Saccharinum (Sugar Maple) Extract, *Grapefruit (Citrus Grandis) Extract, *Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) Extract, *Tilia Cordata (Linden) Flower Extract, *Prunus armeniaca (Apricot) Extract, *Myrciaria dubia (Camu Camu) Berry Extract, and *Lavandula officinalis (Lavender) Essential Oil
*Product sent for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Cocoon Apothecary Ancient Mud Facial Mask Review

Clay/Mud masks are fantastic for detoxifying and pulling out impurities from deep below the skin's surface. I think using them once to twice a week is essential for keeping skin clear or at least trying to. It's no secret that Pretty makes my absolute favourite clay mask that I've repurchased many times, but for the sake of my blog I thought I'd branch out and try something new.

Description: Detoxify, exfoliate and tighten skin with two of nature's most potent beauty treatments, Dead Sea mud and Canadian glacial marine clay. Dead Sea mud has been used since ancient times as a health and beauty treatment. It remineralizes the skin with essential nutrients and purifies pores of toxins and pollutants. Glacial marine clay from the coast of British Colombia is an extremely fine powder that absorbs deep into pores to pull out contaminants and excess oil. Both the mud and the clay work synergistically to pull out the bad and leave the good. Use once per week avoiding eye area.

The Good:

• Canadian company!
• amazing spot treatment
• clears up acne
• brings crap (black heads, white heads, etc) to the surface for easy extraction
• 4 ingredients

The Bad:

• harsh (at least on my sensitive skin)
• drying
• pretty small amount for price (unless you just use as just a spot treatment)

Verdict: I'm on the fence about this product. It burns my face and makes it really dry when I use it all over, which is not pleasurable. I'd much rather be able to use a clay mask 1 - 2 times a week without any negative side effects.  It works wonders as a spot treatment though! I put it on any pimples that I have and it quickly brings a white head to the surface and/or dries them out entirely.  This would be a great product for anyone who does not have sensitive or dry skin. It's way too harsh for me and therefore I will not be repurchasing.

Add on: I was at Big Carrot a couple of days ago and actually asked one of the girls about this mask.  She mentioned that it burned her face as well, so she contacted the company and was told that's what it does.  It's so stimulating and detoxifying that it almost feels like an intense chemical peel, however, the redness subsides within a few minutes to hours depending on how sensitive you are.  Best time to use it would be at night and no more than once per week.  I still will likely not repurchase :)

Retails for $24 CAN for 100g.  Can be purchased at Big Carrot, Well.ca and through Cocoon Apothercary.

What's your favourite clay/mud facial mask?

Ingredients: Dead Sea mud, glacial marine clay, neroli essential oil, rose absolute.