Nong, nong ago, there was a land and time when I didn’t give two hoots about the skin and thought that calming the skin meant rubbing ice cubes on the skin. It did work to a certain extent I suppose, but these days, I know that beauty (as well as the skin irritation) goes beyond the surface of the skin. These days, whenever my skin gets irritated, I soothe it with this mask.
I say…
The Packaging: It comes in the usual Belif tub – flat base with a screw-on cap that looks vaguely like a top hat. It’s stable, gives a good grip and is pretty much a simple design.
The Scent: It has a mild herbal scent that’s somewhat similar to that of the tincture. It’s soothing and non-irritating.
The Texture: It’s a lightweight gel texture that applies easily and glides across the skin. It holds some little bits in it, which are chamomile petals. They’re really minute so it doesn’t really have any abrasive effect on the skin (and not that you should be enthusiastically rubbing it all over your skin!). Simply apply a layer over your freshly-washed damp skin, leave it for 10 mins and it will gradually be absorbed into the skin (but not completely). Rinse off any remaining product with warm water, finish off with cold water, and then continue with your daily skincare regime.
The Verdict: My skin feels distinctly more hydrated, softer and smoother. I’d also say it’s calmed down (if it were red and irritated before application). Some might find it slightly tedious to have to rinse off (in this age of throw-away sheet masks as well as leave-on overnight sleeping masks), but hey, just think – it’s a few extra steps to your daily step count. Personally, I find this perfect for use after those home extractions (I know, I know, I should not be picking at my face, but I just can’t resist squeezing that almost-there blackhead out). Overall, a decent mask to use during the hot months as well as during the hazy months, and for those with sensitive and easily-flushed skin types.