Mary Kay’s Charcoal Mask Unclogs Pores Without Ripping Off Your Skin

A charcoal mask that won't do more harm than good to your skin.
A charcoal mask that won’t do more harm than good to your skin. (Photo: Mary Kay)

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You’ve probably watched one of those hilariously painful viral beauty videos of someone peeling off a charcoal mask. (If not, scroll down to the bottom of this article for an example.) It’s all laughs until you look into the mirror and notice that your skin is red, irritated, and probably worse off than before.

Activated charcoal works wonders when it comes to pulling out impurities, oil, and toxins from the skin and body. But thanks to Instagram and YouTube, many people believe that pain is the only indicator that this deeply detoxifying ingredient works. To prove this assumption wrong, allow me to introduce you to Mary Kay‘s latest skin care product.

The Clear Proof Deep-Cleansing Charcoal Mask goes on super smooth and rinses off just as easy. Made with kaolin and bentonite clays, honeysuckle and navy bean extracts, and, of course, activated charcoal, this face mask is packed with ingredients that trap dirt, minimize shine, and even out skin tone.

I first got my hands on a press sample of of the mask two weeks ago. The overzealous beauty editor that I am squeezed the white tube in haste without realizing how lightweight the formulation was. Oops!

It takes only two nickel-size amounts to cover my entire freshly cleansed face. I love the subtle herbal scent and cool, minty feeling that this face mask delivers.

You can immediately see the activated charcoal go to work, as the mask’s hue morphs from dark to light gray — except there’s absolutely no unbearable tightening sensation. But with closer inspection, you can really see your pores starting to unclog.

The instructions recommend wearing the mask for 10 to 20 minutes, so I like to apply it while I’m reading a magazine or catching up on reality TV shows. That way, I’m not in a rush.

Since using Mary Kay’s Clear Proof Deep-Cleansing Charcoal Mask, the texture of my skin is dramatically smoother and dark spots that inevitably pop up after a hormonal breakout are fading away. I hit a rough patch a week ago, when I spotted tons of dead skin cells, likely the result of the abrupt transitioning from winter to summer. However, the compliments I’ve received from my fellow beauty editors reaffirms that this mask is noticeably reviving my complexion.

Mary Kay Clear Proof Deep-Cleansing Charcoal Mask ($24) is available at marykay.com.

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