There are days when no matter how hard you’ve worked on your skin (cleanse, tone, moisturise, maybe a bit of exfoliation too – not in that order) when it just looks a little duller than usual. That’s when you know it’s time to bring out the big guns – the brightening face masks. There are two in my collection that I reach for when things are looking, well, a bit grey. Ladies, I present to you my two favourite brightening face masks – the Ren Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask and the Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask.*
I’ve been using the Ren Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask (full review
here) for just over a year now after scoring it in an M&S 20% off beauty sale and I must admit it is my favourite of the two. An exfoliating mask, it is designed to brighten skin, improve skin tone, reduce the appearance of fine lines and just generally renew the complexion making your skin look healthy and happy. What I love about it, besides the heavenly citrus smell is that is also targets blackheads and blemishes and fades scarring while it’s there. The combination of all these traits leaves the skin looking bright and healthy. It’s so simple to use; place the mask all over the face and leave it for 10 minutes before taking off with a warm muslin cloth or flannel. It will make your face tingle when you first apply it so sensitive skinned gals should proceed with caution (or avoid altogether!)
The Liz Earle offering is used in a slightly different way. Packed with naturally active ingredients such as aloe vera, white clay and witch hazel it only requires two minutes to do the job. I think this face mask is a quick brightening treatment whereas the Ren Mask is more of an exfoliant. The Liz Earle offering was cooling on the skin but I didn’t notice much of a tingle unlike the Ren mask. Like the Ren however, the results are immediate. After washing off with a muslin cloth my skin looked fresher with not a hint of dullness in sight. I think the combination of the natural ingredients and the gentle exfoliation when taking it off with a muslin cloth is a winning combination. Another thing I do from time to time is mix a pump of this in with my Cleanse and Polish in the morning, leave it on my face for about 45 seconds then swipe it off. Your skin is instantly brighter and cleaner to boot.
So they are my two favourite brightening face masks. Both play a different role in my skincare routine when I reach for them which is probably once a week. I’m really careful not to over exfoliate and keep in mind what other exfoliating products I’m also using in my routine. Now, there is a bit of a difference in price; the Ren Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask is available from
M&S for £30.00 (50ml) and you can get the Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask Starter Kit from
John Lewis for £14.75 (50ml). Even though I’ve put these two in the same post you can’t really compare them as they do slightly different things – I think the Rens extra traits make it worth it’s price tag.
What’s your favourite brightening face mask?
♥
*Giveaway prize
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