great for fungal acne prone skin
The first time I used this product I wasn't a fan. I tried this product years ago, but I recall hating that it pilled off if I tried to apply it to my skin. It would pill if I tried using it as the last step of my skincare routine, as sleeping masks are intended to be used as. If I applied it solely to my skin after cleansing, it wouldn't pill. But I also felt like it did nothing for my skin hydration wise since again, it's just a sleeping mask - not a moisturizer. The consistency of this product is like this pink runny slime. A bit thicker than snail mucin, but around that similar consistency. It has a noticible watermelon jolly rancher scent, which doesn't bother me but may bother others. After finishing the jar, I never repurchased it because I didn't feel that it exfoliated my skin, or hydrated very much. I disliked how it didn't work well with my skincare routine either. It wasn't bad, but there were better products out there I've used and could use. As of recently, I've taken a more "fungal acne safe" skincare routine to help clear my skin of the breakouts but to also maintain it well. A lot of the products I would have used, I can longer use. When I saw a sample of this at Sephora as one of the free points perks - I tried it once more.
Since I'm familiar with how this product performs, I was quick to realize what does and doesn't work with this product.
* It doesn't apply well over creamy products. A thick layer will also cause a lot of pilling.
* It should be applied like a mask - not a moisturizer. Smooth on, don't rub in.
* Wait 2 minutes between applying each product of the skincare routine, just so the skin isn't too heavy on product.
My routine is mostly liquid based anyway, with layers of hydration - so I felt fine skipping moisturizer when using this mask. I smooth this mask on, I don't rub it in. It's not necessary - the product will sink into the skin. I don't touch it or apply anything on top of it. Otherwise, it will pill. After an hour or two I feel that it is fully absorbed. Once fully absorbed, I notice that there is no pilling or webs left on my clothing from the product pilling off throughout the night. You can tell that it's sunk in fully when your skin is left with this film like feeling over it.
Effect wise it's a gentle and hydrating exfoliant. I've used it every night and found that it didn't cause any sensitization - it actually drastically cleared up the congestion in my skin. But I more so use it every couple of days now, and it's still just as effective. I can see why people love this product now. There's a bit of a learning process but once you find a way to make it work for you, it is a fairly nice product to have handy if you have fungal acne prone skin. If you don't, then you might find better products out there. But if you want a gentle, hydrating, and exfoliating product - this is a great option to try out. Sephora even sells mini versions of this mask to try out for a month. My very mini sample has lasted over 2 weeks despite constant use. And the full sized version felt like it was endless. Definitely a fair investment. A little goes a long way.
*Giving it four stars because of the finnicky application process * but other than that, I think it's a safe product to use for a lot of people.
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