Every time that I try a PCA Skin product I end up impressed. So of course I loved PCA Skin (pHaze 9) Purifying Mask when I gave it a try. This came in my first edition of Beauty Fix (read review), and is one of just many products in the kit that I love, proving once again that the editors there have great taste.
What is great about the PCA Purifying Mask is that it really does double duty as an acne treatment, pore cleansing type of mask, and as a scrub. This fascinating mask (yes, fascinating!) has general the texture of a clay mask, but it contains pumice as a scrub. So when you apply it, it does all those great things that a purifying mask should do, and then when you wash it off, you get a nice little exfoliating scrub as well. I truly love the concept!
The active ingredient list is quite nice, with treatments for acne and ingredients for general brightening and protection:
Algae
Pumice
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil
Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil
Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)
Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A)
Wine Extract
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Olivate
When I used this mask, it left my face bright, and between the active ingredients and the scrubbing action, it left my skin quite ready for serums and moisturizers. One item of note: The pumice in this gives a medium to slightly heavy scrub, so sensitive skin types might was to rinse the product off without rubbing. Those who like a heavier scrub can get one by firmly removing the mask with circular motions. So it is rather flexible in that aspect.
This one very well might make the best of 2009 list in December (yeesh that is a long way off, I just finished the 2008 one!) along with another product or two from the Beauty Fix kit. They sure can pick em!
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This product sounds really interesting! I love hearing about great facial care! My favorite spot is Garden Girl. They have a Cookies + Cream Masque that is really unique. I love that they offer eco-friendly refills and don’t use parabens, sulfates, phthalates or petroleum products. You can check them out online at http://www.gardengirlskincare.com.
This is awesome, isn’t it? While it is too heavy for my face, it has made such a difference on my hands.
Does pumice present in this product act as a mechanical scrub? Paula Begoun states that AHA and BHA are better exfoliants than mechanical scrubs like pumice which cause abrasion, irritation and damage to all skin types. What is your opinion?
Sheetal: The pumice is a mechanical scrub. As for which is better between chemical exfoliants and mechanical ones, that can really depend on the person.
Both kinds can irritate if overused, while both can also not work well if under used. Many products with chemical exfoliants don’t have enough actives to actually do much, while ones that have quite a bit might irritate those with sensitive skin. Mechanical scrubs vary in coarseness, so some might be too much for some people. Plus a mechanical scrub should not be used every day. The upshot is knowing your skin and what it can handle. If sensitive, a very light mechanical or chemical scrub might be all that you can take. In that case, consider just scrubing a bit with your washcloth, it does the same thing! If you aren’t sensitive, you likely can happily use either the good chemical exfoliators or a heavier mechanical scrub.
Personally I like both. I use mechanical scrubs once or twice/week and retinol or glycolic acid on and off. But unfortunately I am a bit sensitive to retinol, which is one of the best exfoliators and anti-aging actives.