CLAY MASK IS MY BAE
I am obsessed with clay masks. I will always have at least 2 clay masks in my bathroom. I'd used them every time after I shower for 2-3 times a week. Recently, I have come across the Mugwort Pore Clarifying Wash Off Pack from AXIS-Y. Although it doesn't say on its name that it is clay mask, it contains Kaolin clay, which is known for its abilities in extracting impurities and absorbing excess oils without causing inflammation or redness.
INGREDIENT LIST
Artemisia Princeps Extract, Kaolin, Dipropylene Glycol, Bentonite, Betaine, Phaseolus Angularis Seed Powder, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Pteris Multifida Extract, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera (Indian Lotus) Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2Hexanediol, Methylpropanediol, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, *Chromium Oxide Greens, Charcoal Powder, Water, Beta-Glucan, Polyquaternium-51, Fructooligosaccharides, Allantoin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Powder, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil
Bolded are the good/star ingredients in the product whereas underlined are those flagged as 4 & above under 'Safety index' in by EWG. Safety index ranges from 1-9 and the lower the number means the less hazardous. Those with asterisk (*) are more likely to cause acne or irritate skin than those without.
You can read other product reviews containing the ingredients by clicking on them in the ingredient list above.
Note: This is free of paraben, sulphate, alcohol, silicone and EU allergen and is fungal acne safe.
YAS, THE GOOD ONES
Artemisia Princeps is a type of Japanese mugwort (known as yomogi in Japanese). Mugwort is very popular for its antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Its extracts can soothe, heal and nourish the skin, reduce redness and alleviate psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and other irritations. Not just that, being loaded with antioxidants and vitamin E allows it to protect the skin barrier as well.
Kaolin is absorbent so it is frequently used in clay mask to suck up excess oils. This allows it to help balance our skin's oil production if used over a period of time. If you have ever taken some clay mask made with Kaolin and massage between your fingers, you would feel that it is a little rough. This is due to the crystals in it, which in turn makes Kaolin an excellent but gentle exfoliant. With long term use, it can help tone and tighten our skin!
YAS, THE GOOD ONES (contd.)
Phaseolus Angularis Seed Powder is an antioxidant with skin-protecting properties. It can also help gently remove dead skin cells from our skin.
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Laminaria Japonica Extract can moisturise the skin and is great for detoxing the skin, therefore giving the skin a long lasting glow, healthy and even looking tone. It also works wonder in preventing skin pigmentation and skin discolouration.
Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract contains Vitamin C which makes it an amazing antioxidant. As we all know, vitamin C aids the repair of damaged skin cells, can even skin tone and brighten the skin. As a result of the high levels of antioxidants that this extract contains, it is also known to prevent oxidative stress.
Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract is the ground kernel of oats which has a high concentration of Vitamin E. It is known for its anti-inflammatory, moisturising and soothing properties on the skin. Hence it can used to protect injured or exposed skin from harmful or annoying stimuli and may therefore provide relief to the skin.
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract is good for fighting acne, skin brightening and calming the skin. It can also diminish the appearance of under-eye dark circles, discolouration and even age spots as well as acting as a powerful antioxidant to protect the skin from environmental stressors and balance oil.
Vigna Radiata Seed Extract is also known as Mung Bean Seed Extract, which is great at locking in our skin's natural moisture. As it contains vitamins A and C, it can help brighten the skin, improve skin texture and protect the skin against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage. It is also rich in an enzyme called phytoestrogen, which stimulates the production of collagen and elastin in our body, thereby strengthening our skin barrier.
YAS, THE GOOD ONES (contd.)
Also known as Heart Leaf, Houttuynia Cordata, is a flowering plant indigenous to Southeast Asia. Its extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties, thus, allowing it to soothe the skin, control sebum, refine pores and reduce germs. It is also shown in researches that the polysaccharides it contains, which when present in skincare, can act as humectants and skin hydrators, which can help to maintain the skin’s moisture levels, rendering it a beneficial ingredient in skincare for dermatitis/eczema-prone skin.
Nelumbo Nucifera (Indian Lotus) Leaf Extract contains a large amount of anti-oxidants and vitamins. It therefore is loaded with anti-aging benefits as antioxidants can protect the skin from free radicals that damage skin and cause signs of ageing.
Sodium Hyaluronate and Butylene Glycol are both powerful moisturisers. So don't worry that this mask will be too drying!
Glycerin can help keep the skin hydrated and keep the overactive oil glands under control.
Beta-Glucan is a soluble fibre found in the cell walls of plants such as oat kernels and mushrooms. In many skincare products, Beta-Glucan is usually extracted from oat as it has a long history of safe use and is able to give fast, temporary relief of itching and pain associated with minor skin irritations. It has also been used frequently in skincare products to provide skin-smoothening effect and help wound healing.
Then, we have Allantoin, an ingredient that aims to improve dry and rough skin as it provides our skin with intensive moisture. Being a skin conditioner, it is also known for its ability to soothe irritated skin and protect our skin from external irritants and dirt.
It comes with a protective lid and a spatula.
YAS, THE GOOD ONES (contd.)
As we age, collagens in our skin are being generated more slowly than they are being broken down. This is why most of our skin gets drier and we tend to get more wrinkles and fine lines as we grow old. With Hyaluronic Acid, it can help stimulate collagen synthesis and is wonderful at retaining our skin moisture, which makes it a magical anti-aging ingredient because youthful-looking skin is one that is properly moisturised, supple and with minimal wrinkles and fine lines! It is also known for its ability to promote wound healing, as well as alleviate other irritations like eczema.
Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Powder is a rich source of epigallocatechin gallate, which is one of the most powerful antioxidants available. Moreover, it is a good anti-inflammatory agent. It can help reduce skin inflammation (go away acnes!) and inhibit the action of collagenase (an enzyme that breaks down collagen).
NAH, THE BAD ONES
For sensitive skin beauty lovers, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil may potentially irritate your skin if it is at a concentration too high. However, seeing that its position in the ingredient list above is quite low, indicating that its concentration here is not too high, so I don't think it should be causing you to have any concern. I would still recommend patch testing (I always do) before applying it to your whole face.
61% IS A LOT
According to AXIS-Y, this wash off pack contains 61% Mugwort extract (see above for Artemisia Princeps, i.e. Mugwort extract's benefits to our skin). Combining with Kaolin, it allows this wash off pack to have the power to rid the pores of impurities and soothe inflamed and irritated skin. Its Adzuki Bean granules can also gently exfoliate our skin to reveal a brighter and smoother complexion.
SMELL IT FEEL IT
Like any other clay mask, this pore clarifying wash-off pack has the typical clay mask smell. But what makes it stand out from the other clay masks I've tried is that it also carries a tinge of mugwort smell, which makes it smell slightly better than the other clay masks. Like its tub, the mask is green in colour and, again, has the typical clay mask texture. It does not feel drying on the skin after application, which makes it a darling to me.
HOW TO USE
I'd use it 2-3 times a week during my night routine. After I've washed my skin, I will wipe it dry before I use a brush to apply the mask on my face. I'd recommend using a rubber brush because the granules within might get trapped if you use a normal brush to apply. Once applied, I will wait for 15 minutes before washing it off. The mask will dry up and tighten the skin in the 15 minutes, so try to refrain from making any sort of facial expression during that 15 minutes to avoid creating unwanted wrinkles!
When applied on the skin, it looks a little like a gel mask.
GREEN FACED ALIEN
The smell of the mask lingers during the entire 15 minutes. The mask does not drip or budge at all so I'd go watch some YouTube videos or TV drama while I wait it out. Thereafter, I will wash it off with lukewarm water as recommended by AXIS-Y. It could take some time to wash off due to the Adzuki Bean granules. You can either use a cloth/sponge (highly recommend those with smooth-surfaced), or just wash it off with bare hands and use a cotton pad to wipe off the residues later.
LOOKING FOR NEW CLAY MASKS?
The price of AXIS-Y's mugwort clay mask is by far one of the lowest in the market from what I found and this is extremely worth it in my opinion considering its high concentration of Mugwort extract (ranking first in its ingredient list). It is specially formulated for these trying times where masknes have become a new concern among us all. So if you're running out of ideas on how to keep your skin clear while having to wear face mask all day, or if you're thinking of which clay mask to try next, give this one a try!
Where to buy:
International
AXIS-Y Website - USD20 (approx. RM81)
Find Axis-Y at:
Read my other AXIS-Y product reviews here:
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The product was sent to me for review. The review is 100% my personal opinion of the product after personally trying it out. Please make sure you consult whoever is selling you the product and ask for samples if you can! Read my disclaimer here.
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