Review: L'Oreal Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Mask

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 L'Oreal Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Mask

(retail: around $12.99, 1.7. oz.)

As a lover of all things clay (such a magical ingredient for us oily-skinned peeps), I knew that I had to try one of the new L'Oreal Pure-Clay masks after I first posted about the launch back in June. In July, I ordered the Detox & Brighten Mask from Ulta ($12.99) and now that I've used it several times, I'd love to share my thoughts with you!

NOTE: now through 9/24/16, all L'Oreal skincare and eye cosmetics are BOGO1/2OFF at Ulta, and when you spend $20 on any L'Oreal skincare and/or eye cosmetics, you'll get this FREE L'Oreal makeup bag with samples. PLUS, you can use code 308920 for $3.50 off your $10 non-prestige purchase if you're ordering online. UPDATE: thanks to reader Kiernanlm for the tip that there's a $2 off printable coupon for this mask HERE, which you can use in-store at Ulta, drugstores, or anywhere else that accepts manufacturer's coupons!

When I received my order from Ulta, the first thing that struck me was that the jar is nice and substantial. It's made of heavy, thick glass (not plastic) and much bigger than I expected based on the promo images (it looked like a tiny jar in the promo shots). 

Here's a photo for perspective:

I put it next to my Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer (click here for my review of that, if you're interested) just so you can get a better idea of the size. Not a dinky little jar at all. 

The texture of this product looks quite thick when you open the inner lid. But actually, as described on the packaging, it "glides on the skin" very easily and it's easy to get a nice, even, thin layer without any patchiness. 

Another thing I love is that I literally only have to use about 1/3 to 1/2 of what is stuck to the inside of the lid (pictured above) for my entire face. After using this mask several times, I still never had to dip my finger into the actual jar. I was able to just use what was stuck to the lid after closing and opening it. So one jar yields many applications since you don't need much per application. That's great given the price ($12.99 for 1.7 oz.) and it really makes me feel that I'm getting my money's worth.

Before we get into performance, let's do a quick comparison of ingredients:

• L'Oreal Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Mask (1.7 oz., $12.99; $7.46 per oz.): 
• Aqua / Water, Kaolin, Montmorillonite, Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, Butylene, Glycol Propylene, Glycol, Ci 77499 / Iron Oxides, Oryza, Sativa Starch / Rice Starch, Moroccan Lava Clay, Charcoal Powder, Caprylyl, Glycol Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Polyglycerin-10, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Linalool, Limonene, Parfum /Fragrance

• Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask (1.7 oz., $17; $10 per oz.) :
• Water, Myrtus Communis (Myrtle) Leaf Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Butylene Glycol, Montmorillonite, Polysorbate 20, Peg-100 Stearate, Charcoal Powder, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Peg-150 Distearate, Propylene Glycol Stearate, Sorbitan Laurate, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol Laurate, Simethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Trisodium Edta, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol

• GLAMGLOW Youth Mud Tinglexfoliate Treatment (1.2 oz., $69; $57.50 per oz.) 
• Water\Aqua\Eau, Montmorillonite, Kaolin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Synthetic Wax, Pumice, Camellia Sinensis Leaf, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Quartz, Hedera Helix (Ivy) Extract, Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey) Leaf Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Lavandula Hybrida (Lavandin) Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Pvp, Xanthan Gum, Fragrance (Parfum) , Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Cinnamal, Geraniol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol

As you can see, the first three ingredients in the L'Oreal mask are water, Kaolin (clay) and Montmorillonite (clay). A little further down, you see the charcoal powder. Looking at the Origins mask, it too contains water, Kaolin, Montmorillonite, and charcoal powder, although the proportions are slightly different. But what's interesting to note is that the GLAMGLOW mask and L'Oreal mask share the same first three ingredients (Water, Montmorillonite, Kaolin).

It has been almost a year since I used the Origins mask and I have used many masks since, so I can't even attempt to tell you how the two compare. My memory about that mask is too fuzzy at this point to be of any use to you. However, I do currently own the GLAMGLOW Youth Mud mask, so I CAN tell you how I think the L'Oreal mask compares (and I'll do just that in my review below).

But before I move into the actual review of this mask, here's a quick cost comparison:

• L'Oreal Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Mask (1.7 oz., $12.99; $7.46 per oz.)
• Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask (1.7 oz., $17; $10 per oz.)
• GLAMGLOW Youth Mud Tinglexfoliate Treatment (1.2 oz., $69; $57.50 per oz.) 

As you can see, L'Oreal offers the best value of the three, coming in at $7.46 per ounce. And of course it's even better if you wait for a sale (like the one I outlined at Ulta up top) and use coupons and/or store rewards.

So now for my review. I have been enjoying this mask quite a bit! As mentioned above, the texture is great. It looks thick and intimidating in the jar, but it actually breaks down quickly when you're spreading it onto the skin and it truly does glide on easily. It's effortless, really, and you can easily get a thin, even coat onto the skin in probably less than a minute. It also rinses very easily with warm or cold water (I've used both), even on my hairline. And unlike the GLAMGLOW mask, which has bits of tea leaves in it, there are no chunks of anything in this mask, so it doesn't leave any residue in the sink.

L'Oreal claims that you only have to leave this mask on for 10-15 minutes, and I can attest to that. After 10 minutes, this mask is completely dry and it does give you that "stiff" feeling that masks are known for. I have been leaving it on for the full 15 minutes lately (sometimes even 20) and it still rinses easily after 20 minutes. If you've ever used the GLAMGLOW Youth Mud, you know that it can be challenging to rinse off. This mask is almost the opposite--I am so happy with the quick and easy removal.

While I'm wearing this mask, I do not feel the tingle that I feel with the GLAMGLOW mask, but to be fair, L'Oreal doesn't claim that there's a tingle to this mask. However, I do feel a VERY slight burn for the first few minutes after application, but I think that's mostly due to the fact that I've been using a retinol serum lately and that has made my skin a bit sensitive to masks in general.

Immediately after rinsing, I find that my skin is incredibly soft (very comparable to how soft my skin feels after the GLAMGLOW mask). But I do not find that I get the same "glow" from the L'Oreal mask that I get from the GLAMGLOW mask. In fact, there's no glow at all. I also don't see the instant, temporary tightening of my pores like I see with the GLAMGLOW mask, but it does make my skin feel lighter and, well, detoxed (yes, that's in the name of the mask but it's true!). Having oily skin, I tend to always feel greasy (even if I may not look greasy) and I feel like the three different clays in this mask really "suck up" all the gunk from my skin and, as the packaging states, my "skin feels as though it can breathe again." I really can't describe it any more accurately than that!

After using this mask once or twice a week now for over a month, I have not noticed any "purging" of my skin (post-mask breakouts) and I feel like it really is doing a nice job at keeping "the gunk" from building up on my skin. My one complaint is that the fragrance of this mask is pretty strong. If you're a longtime reader of this blog, then you know that I can easily tolerate a heavy dose of fragrance. So this isn't a deal-breaker for me, but I just want you to know that I can certainly detect the fragrance when I open the jar, all through application, and for almost the entire time I'm wearing this mask (by the 10 minute mark, it does fade and is barely noticeable, but for those first five minutes or so I can definitely smell it). This may not be an issue for you, but I just want to mention it in case you're sensitive to fragrance. To me, the fragrance is pleasant; it's sort of a fresh, slightly sweet, spa-like scent.

A quick recap of how this mask compares to GLAMGLOW Youth Mud. Is it a perfect dupe? No. It is a nice, affordable alternative? I think so! As mentioned above, both masks have the same first three ingredients (Water, Kaolin, Montmorillonite). The L'Oreal mask lacks the tingle of the GLAMGLOW mask, and the GLAMGLOW mask smells more "natural" to me, with a less potent fragrance (the L'Oreal fragrance is pretty strong). I find that the L'Oreal mask both applies and rinses far more easily than the GLAMGLOW, but my skin lacks the "glow" of the GLAMGLOW mask when I use the L'Oreal mask (but both masks make my skin feel incredibly soft after rinsing). When I use the L'Oreal mask, I don't notice that instant, temporary tightening of my pores that I see after using the GLAMGLOW. But that's not to say I'm unhappy with the results of the L'Oreal mask. I love how it makes my skin feel so soft and clean, and it just feels lighter and truly "detoxed" whenever I use it.

FINAL VERDICT: not a dupe for GLAMGLOW Youth Mud, but a solid choice if you're looking for a charcoal and clay mask at the drugstore that can suck the "gunk" from your skin and leave it feeling softer and lighter. Cost per ounce is good with this one (as outlined above) and even better considering that you only need a small amount per application. One jar should last you a good, long while. I'm absolutely pleased with the entire experience of using this mask, and the only people I wouldn't recommend this to are those who are sensitive to fragrance, since the fragrance of this mask is pretty strong. That said, I really love that this is a quick mask that you could do right before bed without it becoming a major production. You can apply it under a minute, you only need to leave it on for 10 minutes, and it's effortless to rinse. I think it's ideal for those who don't like to spend a lot of time fussing with masks, but still want to see some results.

Just a reminder: now through 9/24/16, all L'Oreal skincare and eye cosmetics are BOGO1/2OFF at Ulta, and when you spend $20 on any L'Oreal skincare and/or eye cosmetics, you'll get this FREE L'Oreal makeup bag with samples. PLUS, you can use code 308920 for $3.50 off your $10 non-prestige purchase if you're ordering online. UPDATE: thanks to reader Kiernanlm for the tip that there's a $2 off printable coupon for this mask HERE, which you can use in-store at Ulta, drugstores, or anywhere else that accepts manufacturer's coupons!

The products featured in this post were purchased with personal funds. For more information, click here.