Face Mask Fridays: Sanctuary 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask

Hey there lovely ladies! And gentlemen, if there are any :D

 As you can tell by the title, I'll be doing another review in a series I started a while ago called Face Mask Fridays - the previous one is here if you want to check it out!

Today's mask is the Sanctuary 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask (^__^)

Let me start off with this. I didn't have a very high expectation of this product. Sanctuary's packaging, though consistent and professional looking, doesn't really appeal to me much. It's kind of.. boring. I only picked this up because I was on a mask kick and was just buying them left right and centre..

It's ingredients include charcoal, which draws out impurities from the pores and is known for its absorptive properties, and kaolin clay, which is known for it's ability to dry the skin by absorbing the excess oil and contributing to an increased blood flow to the area which it's applied to (consequently helping redness and inflammation). Both of which are extremely helpful ingredients to have in a mask for oily skinned people.

'The warmth of this self-heating mask helps to open up the pores so the charcoal and kaolin clay can help draw out impurities from deep within the skin. As well as purifying, the mask also helps to rebalance the skin's oil levels to clarify, cleanse and leave skin with a silky touch. Essential oil of myrrh helps smoothe and calm'

[source]

As for the self heating part.. the first time I put it on my face I honestly thought my face had caught fire. LOL I'm joking. No but really. :|

For some reason, I decided to start at my right temple. I got a little splodge of it and put it on my fingertips, put it to my temple and thought OMG MY EYEBROWS ON FIRE!! OMG MAMA NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO- oh. *looks awkwardly in the mirror at herself, feeling like an idiot* heh.

What! Don't look at me like that! It was really hot >.< I was expecting it to be like the Garnier Self Heating Mask that I reviewed before this, but it was a million times hotter! It was like I had put hot dough on my face or something. xD 

Anyway.. I spread the thick grey paste across my face, kind of unwillingly (you have to get used to it at first, the second time you use it, you look forward to it!) and let it sit there while I hummed (and danced) along to that Gangnam Style song (don't lie.. you've all been doing that too :P). Most of the heat goes after a few seconds, but you still get some for a couple of minutes or so. 

After about five minutes, I washed it off, and I have to say that my skin felt really nice and smooth! My face did feel smoother, and my face didn't feel tight nor oily and stayed the same till morning, something that has never happened before.. ever! :D

Every time I used this, I checked my t-zone afterwards for any signs of diminishing oiliness, and dya know what, it actually did feel less oily after each use. Hurray for not waking up with an oil slick for a face! *fist pump* I realised that the best time to use this was after I had had a nice hot bath/shower and my pores were already kind of open. It worked even better once I realised that!

I put the rest of it in a glass jar from an old moisturiser that I had washed out, and I got three more applications out of it - so four in all - which made me quite happy because it costs £2.03 for 15ml at Boots! Kinda pricey when you can get others for a quid that have more product in it, but worth the money when you get a lot of uses out of it. You can also get a 100ml version which comes in a tube for £10.50 - something I'm definitely thinking about picking up next time I'm in Boots!

Have you tried this mask? If not, what's your favourite self heating mask? 

Let me know in the comments below! ☺

Disclaimer: All products were bought with my own money unless stated otherwise. All opinions are my own.

Related Posts: Superdrug Hydrating Self Heating Mask, Garnier Skin Naturals Pure Self Heating Sauna Mask, DIY Fruity Face Mask: Oily/Combination Skin

Fruity Face Mask: Combination/Oily Skin

From the fridge to your face, home made masks are great fun to make and are an excellent way to deep cleanse your complexion. So I thought why not put together and share some of my recipes with you? (^__^)

Today's face mask is designed specifically for combination/oily skin. Don't worry those who are not of this skin type - I have another two face mask recipes that I intend to post up soon ☺ 

This mask includes the following ingredients:

•  1 egg white - makes your skin tighter, more lifted, and reduces visible pores. It is also very good at reducing the amount of oil on your face. (I suggest using organic eggs, as they do not have any traces of artificial hormones, herbicides, or pesticides)
  
  
•  2 tablespoons natural yoghurt - this contains a lactic acid (a natural, alpha hydroxy acid) that helps to smooth and exfoliate your skin and tighten pores. It is also has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, which help reduce the amount of nasties lurking on your skin that like to cause spots!
  
  
•  3/4 medium sized strawberries - these beauties contain a natural alpha hydroxy acid called salicylic acid that can help slough off dead skin cells. Not only that, but they help tone skin, lighten any pigmentation problems, and keep your skin smooth and supple.

Method:

1. Whisk the egg white until frothy, then add in the yoghurt.

2. In a seperate bowl, mash up the strawberries with a fork, and add to the other mixture and blend well.

3. Wrap a towel or some tissue around your neck - you don't want your clothes getting dirty!
4. Apply to your face and sit back and relax for 10 minutes. If you'd rather not use your hands, I suggest using an old paddle style foundation brush instead.

5. And lastly, wash off with warm water!

Your mask should end up looking like this:

I would have put up a picture of me wearing it but it's kind of hard when you wear a hijaab :P

Let me know what you think if you try it (^__^)

Current Skincare Routine: For Oily/Combination Skin

Hi. I'm Mary. And I've suffered from horrible skin problems for over 8 years. I've tried a million things in a row, and I've finally found a skincare routine that works - thank the Lord! 

Now my skin, as you can tell from the title of this post, is oily/combination. It used to be really oily once upon a time, but over the years it has become less oily around the cheeks and I am now left with just a very oily t-zone.

When my skin is feeling particularly oily:

Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash by The Body Shop

Tea tree oil - the wonder from down under as I like to call it - originates from Australia, and has been used for centuries for healing. It treats acne, wounds/cuts, burns, even dandruff! It is anti-fungal, antiviral, and antiseptic making it an excellent treatment for acne, as one of the main causes of acne is bacteria typically found on our skin that used the sebum (oil) on our skin as a nutrient for growth.

After I use this face wash using my S&G Mini Mitt, the oil on my skin is greatly reduced, and the little tightness I feel in my skin is gone after I moisturise. I can say that this, hand on heart, has definitely helped my skin become clearer over the years. I may try other cleansers but I will always fall back on this - it is that good!

Dark Angels by Lush

When my t-zone is feeling a bit more oily than usual, I take a little bit of Dark Angels in my palm (about a pea sized amount), add some water to form a paste, and put it across my forehead, nose, and chin. I then wait a couple of minutes before washing it off. This really gets rid of the oiliness! A recent purchase; and to be quite franks, I don't know how I've lived without it!

And when my skin is feeling a tad on the dry side..

Aloe Calming Facial Cleanser by The Body Shop

I use a little of this on my trusty Mini Mitt, giving extra attention to the dry patches on my cheeks. Once I've patted my skin dry, I use a lighter moisturiser - but only out of habit, because you don't really need to after this, as it does not leave the skin tight like the Tea Tree Oil cleanser does.

Simple Kind to Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes from Boots

Although it's not a cleanser, I thought I'd give this an honorary mention. 

We all get lazy sometimes, and when we do we reach for something quick and simple - facial wipes. Now, I've tried a few different make-up remover wipes but none have ever come CLOSE to these! 

My eyes are kind of sensitive, and if I used anything even slightly rough (Nivea wipes.. I'm looking at you!), my eyelids become sore and red and they hurt like mad! 

But these? Never once have my eyes been hurt by them, even when I'm wearing the most stubborn of mascara on my top AND bottom lashes. Nope, not once. Although I don't use them much because I don't get lazy with my skin a lot to be honest, but when I do I've always come back to these babies. 

They really are true to their name!

Anyway, that's enough babble for one post! Do let me know if anyone has any questions about anything :-)

Disclaimer: All products were bought with my own money unless stated otherwise. All opinions are my own.