REN Invisible Pores Detox Mask
If you follow any skincare related blogs you will have undoubtedly heard of REN, the luxury skincare brand famous for it's face masks and moisturisers. I've always been a bit put off by the hefty price tag, but Red magazine recently gave away a miniature travel set in their August issue which included a coupon for 20% off on their website. Added to this, REN were offering free delivery, 15% off a first order, and three free samples with any order that week. Impossible to resist right? I opted for the Invisible Pores Detox Mask as I've read so many rave reviews, and at £18 it was one of the cheaper masks available.REN products are full of good, high quality ingredients, no nasties whatsoever, and this mask is part of their combination skin range so is a good all rounder. It claims to draw out impurities, reduce the appearance of pores and blackheads, and leave skin looking smoother, firmer, and clearer. The packaging is smart and simple, and the mask applies via a pump so is mess free, and no product is wasted.
I use this once a week, as REN recommends. It takes about 20 minutes to dry but I typically leave it on for about 30 before washing it off with warm water. The mask applies as a fairly thick white cream, I use a full pumps worth if I'm doing my whole face, or about an inch (see above) just to cover the areas where I'm most spot-prone and where my pores are most evident (forehead, nose, and chin). It has quite a smooth silky texture which hardens into a clay like texture on application but is really light, almost unnoticeable. Once you go to remove the product the texture becomes smooth and creamy once again, kind of like a slightly exfoliating cream cleanser. I'm not a huge fan of the scent of this product, it's hard to describe as it's not very strong, but I'm maybe getting a hint of lavender?
After rinsing off, my skin feels amazing soft and silky (honestly nothing I have ever used has left my skin feeling this good), and very moisturised, which is great considering this is aimed at oily/combination skin. My skin does look clearer immediately after use, and my pores and blackheads less obvious, but it doesn't completely get rid of them. The first few times I used this I was pretty frugal (due to the price), and didn't really see results from using a pretty sparse layer. You do have to be generous to see/feel the effects of this mask, so layer it on! What I love most about this mask is that it leaves my skin feeling like I've had a really thorough, deep cleanse, but doesn't leave it feeling stripped and tight as so many masks do.
If you're in need of a bit of skin SOS or like a luxury mask for weekend pamper sessions then I wholeheartedly recommend checking this one out. You can buy REN in M&S and John Lewis beauty departments, as well as online on REN's website and even ASOS! For similar reviews you can follow me on Bloglovin.