Are you stressed out by angry, inflamed acne bumps? I can relate – I’ve had my fair share of blemishes popping up over the years, and unfortunately, they still do. While I’ve tried various acne-banishing products, my go-to secret for keeping those blemishes at bay has always been clay masks. After experimenting with many clay masks from different brands over the years, I can confidently say that The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask is my absolute favourite. Its hard-working formulation, cooling sensation, and the instant clarity it brings to my skin checks all the boxes for what I look for in a product. Read on for my honest review of The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask

Facts in a Flash
The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask
Skin Type(s): normal, oily, combination and acne-prone skin type
Main Function: charcoal face mask that intensely purifies the skin, removing impurities, dirt, and excess sebum while providing exfoliating properties.
Star Ingredients: Bamboo charcoal, green tea leaves and a little Community Fair Trade tea tree oil
Texture: A creamy, mud-textured grey

The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask Review 

The Ingredients 

As the name suggests, The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask harnesses the power of its signature ingredient, bamboo charcoal sourced from the foothills of the Himalayas, to deeply purify the skin. This potent formula combines bamboo charcoal with a blend of green tea leaves and Community Fair Trade tea tree oil from Kenya, all working in harmony to address the concerns of oily and blemish-prone skin.

Drawing inspiration from Ayurvedic practices, this formulation packs a punch with its purifying and clarifying properties. It excels at drawing out impurities, dirt, and excess sebum from your skin while going the extra mile to unclog pores and gently exfoliate for a complete rejuvenation. The mask doesn’t stop there – it also imparts a refreshing cooling sensation, thanks to the addition of menthol, which soothes any irritation caused by inflamed acne.

If you haven’t had the chance to try it yet, please be aware that The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask may produce a slight tingling sensation upon application. For those with sensitive skin, I recommend performing a patch test. Personally, I embrace that intense tingle, knowing that the mask is working its magic

The Texture and Scent

The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask boasts a thick, creamy, mud-textured formula that surprises with its smooth application on the skin. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice visible bits of its key ingredient, particularly the crushed green tea leaves. As a tea tree oil enthusiast, I found the fragrance to be refreshing, especially when seeking a moment of self-care. However, the scent may be a bit strong for those with lower tolerance to it.

How to Use it

One word of warning: it can get messy! Just a heads up, your hands are about to get messy when applying The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask. While you can opt to use a face mask brush, I’ve found that using fingertips works perfectly fine as well. After cleansing your face, scoop a suitable amount of the mask and apply it evenly to your skin, avoiding the eye and lip areas. You can also apply it to your neck and décolleté if those areas need extra attention.

Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it off in a circular motion to gently slough off dead skin cells. The general rule is to use it two to three times a week for optimal results. For a targeted treatment, simply apply The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask to specific areas on your face that are prone to blemishes and excess oiliness.

Overall Review

Forgive me, but I can’t quite recall the exact moment I first tried The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask. My best estimate would be around two years ago. Nevertheless, each time I’ve used the product, it has consistently impressed me with its effectiveness. This product delivers on its promises, whether it’s drawing out impurities, reducing excess sebum, minimising acne bumps, or providing an instant clear complexion.

When it comes to application, The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask takes less than a minute to apply on the skin. It dries relatively quickly, so I would advise against layering it on thick. Instead, a thin, even layer is all you need.

Typically, I leave the mask on for up to 15 minutes to ensure it effectively clears out pores and excess sebum. The cleansing process may take a bit of time, as the mask adheres to the skin like a firm paste. Personally, I gently massage my skin in circular motions during the removal process, which also serves as a means to exfoliate and dissolve the mask.

While some individuals mention that The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask may induce a tingling sensation that’s slightly uncomfortable, I find it quite tolerable, almost akin to a subtle minty sensation. I haven’t experienced any irritation or discomfort after using the mask. It’s safe to say that The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask has become a staple in my beauty arsenal, effectively clearing my skin of acne and excess oiliness over the years. However, I can’t definitively claim that it helps radiate the skin; instead, it purifies the skin, leaving it with a clearer look.

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