Product Girl has a point…If you have not tried the Rare Earth skincare line yet, this is a great time to try it. As a gal with oily skin who is not a fan of her pores, this product line targets them to pull all the toxins and gunk out of your pores. What’s not to love?
The Right Brain responds:
Sarah Bellum has been checking out other top beauty blogs and thought we should comment on this post from Product Girl on Kiehl’s Rare Earth Facial Mask. While we agree that Kiehl’s makes great products, they always seem over priced to us. Is there a way to get the same benefits for less money?
(Oh yeah, the Left Brain will kill me if I don’t point out that masks can help remove dead skins cells but they don’t really pull “toxins” out of your skin or blood. That’s what your liver is for!)
Kiehl’s Rare Earth Ingredients ($22 for 5 oz.)
Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, CI 77891, Zea mays, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 80, Tocopherol Methylparaben Lecithin Retinyl Palmitate, Allantoin, acetyl methionine, Serica, Avena sativa, Prunus armeniaca, Persea gratissima, Triticum Vulgare, Guaiazulene, TBHQ, aloe barbadensis leaf extract.
Cautious clay
The most important ingredients in facial masks are the clays that produce the drying, tightening sensation. There are two basic types and Kiehl’s has them both: Kaolin clay (aka China clay or White clay) is very mild and is used for both sensitive skin and dry skin. It is good for use in masks because it does not expand with increasing water content. However, using too much Kaolin can make the product feel gritty.
Bentonite clay (a combination of montmorillonite and volcanic ash) is very absorbent and is best suited for oil skin. It doesn’t dissolve in water but it will absorb enough to swell to about eight times its weight. However, large amounts of Bentonite will make the mask take longer to dry. In small quantities it helps make the mask more elastic.
The best mask formulas use a blend of both of these ingredients.
Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque Ingredients ($6.99 for 12 oz.)
Water, Kaolin, Bentonite (CI 77004), Glycerin, Zinc Oxide, Propylene Glycol, Sulfur, Chromium Oxide Green (CI#77288), Fragrance (Parfum), Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben.
As you can see, both products have a blend of Kaolin and Bentonite. But Kiehl’s is almost 9 times more expensive Queen Helene! At that price, the best use for this product may be to wear it as a face mask when you rob a bank so you can afford by buy more. (Just kiddin’, kind of.) But seriously, at that price, the cheaper alternatives, like Queen Helene, are at least worth a look.
Save Money By Understanding Which Ingredients Really Work
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I am not sure how masks got job of removing dead skin cells. That is the purpose of an exfoliant.
When I give facials, I double cleanse, use an exfoliant and then I use a mask to refresh and make the skin feel tighter. Depending on the mask I choose, it could also moisturize.
I am always amazed at how people REALLY believe that massages, products and even pedicures remove toxins from the body. I just have to shake my head.
Oh, and there is NOTHING that will make the pores smaller. Once you have enlarged pores, they are there to stay. The only thing I found that will help it APPEAR to make the pores smaller is to use a primer before your foundation. It fills them, making them seem smaller.
buenos dias,
Lynnette
Was glad to see that someone mentioned the importance in the liver to remove toxins. The kidneys do too.
In Ayurveda, there are certain herbs or herb mixes that are used externally to remove toxins, not from the skin, but that do benefit the skin. Netra Basti (eye treatment), which is uses triphala is good for eye contour; nasya, which uses triphala or trikatu is not only good to help breathe better, it helps the skin on and around the nose; and so one with the mouth, ears and forehead.
I just compared the ingredients in Kiehl’s against my humble DermaE mask from the health food store, and was happy to find out I’m not wasting money. BTW–I had to use Queen Helene in cosmetology school, and I found the entire line harsh and irritating. Just saying.
The next time someone mentions to you that a product will remove toxins, ask them to tell you which toxins the product will remove.
Okay, I understand that they don’t remove toxins from deep inside, but what about what’s trapped in your pores? Like dead skin and skin oils? Because I’ve put clay masks on and had zits that had refused to either surface or dry up for days suddenly have white heads – even pop fully on their own while the mask dries. And if I let it fully dry there’ll be tiny little dark spots around every pore, especially ones where I have blackheads, that has a greasy sheen to it. Like when you have a dried mud puddle where oil had been spilled in the past.
I haven’t found anything much about blackheads or acne, but apparently it does a good job of protecting skin from poison ivy. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2522756
Eminence Organic Seven Herb Treatment:
Great for cleaning out pores. My skin looks amazing every time (about once a week) I use this product. I can actually hold up a 3X mirror to my face and see that my pores look very clean, my skin is bright and feels lovely. I have rosacea and was shocked I did not have a bad reaction to this product.
Pros: Really cleans out pores, bright skin, softening and fine for my sensitive skin.
Cons: OBSCENELY EXPENSIVE. Like rob a bank expensive. Approx $40-46 for 2oz.
Still bought it anyway. My skin looks great.
I purchased the ANTIOXIDANT Berry Masque (from the Lady Soma brand) after doing ALOT of research on the ingredients. Use on face, chest and hands. The first application was not dramatic as far as results go; but I use daily and the results are fantastic.
It took me about a week to get the impressive results. I have very dry skin. My serums and creams were not penetrating into my skin to give me a hydrated look. Now I can easiy tell when the serums and creams are penetrating. My skin is much more even in color, hydrated, healthy looking. I apply the mask work into my skin for a few seconds and leave on for 15 minutes.
That took over a week to change, but wow I can wear lower cut tops now and my skin is radiant! I have stocked up on this product, I never want to run out. Finally a product line that works!
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