Right off the bat, the name of the mask is confusing. Not everyone is a skincare expert or understands what certain ingredients do. If you say it’s a hydra mask in big letters, that’s what most people will take it to be. Even to me this looks like it’s saying it’s an extremely hydrating gel mask. Most people will read that and stop there before buying it. However, this mask is actually quite intense in another sense.
The L’abu Skin Intense Hydra Gel Mask* (£18 from L’abu Skin) not a ‘hydrating gel mask’ as such – it contains two intense actives – retinol palmitate and AHA acids. So despite it containing aloe vera, licorice root, hyaluronic acid and cucumber, it was actually quite stripping on my skin (and i’m used to retinol and AHAs). There’s even Vitamin C in there from the passionfruit too. This mask just tries to to do too much and actually does the opposite from what it calls itself. It’s trying to be the mask that ticks every box, but it’s put too many very skin-intensive ingredients into one product.
Some good things about the mask is that it has a good antioxidant in there (green tea) and it was so cooling when on your face. It felt great on the skin. Maybe that’s the route this brand should go down with this mask and focus on that cool sensation to create a mask that is the ultimate source of hydration. It’s a bit of a mixed message at the moment and it does none of the things it’s intending to brilliantly unfortunately. I am featuring another one of this brand’s products positively in a blog post next month, so keep an eye out.
The brand is a small British one, set up by a mother and daughter, Netta and Hayley, who opened a skincare clinic. They wanted to launch their own brand of ‘salon grade’ skincare. However, they stress the very uncomplicated nature of their products; but to me, this mask is as complicated as you can get, so i’m confused. They did work with a chemist to create the range, but this mask just misses the mark i’m afraid. It’s not one i’ve kept, so it’s not one I could possibly recommend to you.
Let me know if you have tried this mask and what you thought of it!
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