For this week’s Face Mask Friday post, i’m featuring a bit of a classic – The Body Shop’s Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask* (£18 from The Body Shop). Over the years, I’ve used a couple of pots of this mask; but then got swept up with trying other things and never got round to repurchasing it. I remembered how blown away I was with this mask, and so was so excited to be sent it again.

Before I tried this mask years ago, I used to use GlamGlow’s Youthmud. That too is a great mask; but this The Body Shop mask is just as good, at a third of the price. The similarities between the two masks is uncanny; right down to the gritty leaf extract texture. So, save yourself some money if you love GlamGlow Youthmud, and pick this up instead.This charcoal clay mask is thick like a typical mud mask, and it hardens on your skin (so you can play that game of whether you are going to smile and crack it or not). You apply it all over your face and leave it to set for 10 minutes. Then add a little water to your skin and your fingers and massage the mask in circular motions to loosen it and gently exfoliate your skin. Then wipe off with a warm soaked flannel. It leaves your skin feeling fresh and revived, as well as incredibly soft and clean.

Also check out my review of the Emma Hardie Pink Clay Purifying Detox Mask!

This mask contains bamboo charcoal from the Himalayas to absorb excess oil on the skin, extract dirt and impurities from deep in your skin and get rid of dead skin cells from the surface. There is also green tea leaves from Japan; which you will see parts of throughout the mask. These aid exfoliation, protect your skin as an antioxidant, and also act as an anti-inflammatory. This mask also contains the antibacterial Tea Tree Oil. This is what tingles and leaves your face feeling so cool and fresh after removing the mask. Tea Tree Oil purifies the skin and helps to treat blemishes so that they disappear quicker. It will also calm the look of any blemishes as an anti-inflammatory.This is a great mask to have on hand for when your skin is playing up and you need to give it a deep clean and exfoliation. It’s suitable for all skin types; although if you have very dry skin, you might not like it. It’s a particularly useful mask for those with oily and congested skin.

This post contains a press sample, but all opinions are my own.

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