[SKINFOOD] STRAWBERRY BLACK SUGAR MASK *WASH OFF*

I was always a bigger fan of mud masks but recently I also love to use sheet masks. I got tons of those masks from Korea and Taiwan like Kieskin, My Scheming, My Beauty Diary, innisfree, DERMAL, VANEDO, PUREDERM and so on.

I like that I just put the sheet on my face, leave it on for about 20 minutes and remove it without washing it off. The quality of the sheets are different: some are a bit too thick, so that it feels not very comfortable on the skin, others are so thin that they easily break when I unfold them.
I got different types while my favorites are always those for troubled skin (tea tree, charcoal, propolis, mango) or just for moisturizing (bamboo, watermelon, seaweed, herbs).
I would like to try japanese sheet masks as well but I never find interesting ones except of the moisturizing LuLuLun FACE MASK.

Back to mud masks: I received two new ones. One of these is the [SKINFOOD] STRAWBERRY BLACK SUGAR MASK WASH OFF. Most of the korean masks I used were from [SKINFOOD] and I decided to get this one because it is a mix of a facial scrub and face mask. In addition, strawberry is often used in products for oily or troubled skin with enlarged pores.

Description: A facial mask that contains mineral-rich Brazilian black sugar along with strawberry seeds and strawberry seed oil. Applies smoothly on skin and leaves skin fresh, clean and fragrant with a strawberry scent.

Like all face masks from [SKINFOOD] the STRAWBERRY BLACK SUGER MASK also comes in a milky white, slightly see-through plastic container with a white twist-off lid and 100g inside.

The description is written in English and Korean!

The ingredient list is only written in Korean and hard to read for me. The only things I could find out are Sucrose/ Sugar (16,500mg), Glycerin, Candelilla Wax, Lanolin, Macadamia Seed Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Strawberry Seed (1,000mg), Berry Seed Oil (500mg) and Caramel.

The consistency is rather thick and feels kinda oily. When applying the mask to the skin you can instantly feel all the sugar in it. The strawberry seeds are also visible in this reddish-brown 2-in-1 product.
The sweet strawberry scent is nice but I don't think that the scent last very long on my skin.

I use a spatula (not included) to take the product out and mix it with a bit water before I apply it to my face. Then I massage the STRAWBERRY BLACK SUGAR MASK for about 1 minute - the sugar will start to melt away and makes the mask more soft. It reminds me a bit of [Holika Holika]'s Pig-nose clear black head cleansing sugar scrub!
After another 5~10 minutes I wash it off with clear water.

Afterwards my skin really feels smoother and cleaner. The sugar works as a scrub and removes dead skin cells while the strawberry inside cleanses the pores.
Since I have sensitive skin I use it only once a week!

How to use: After cleansing, massage onto damp face, avoiding the eye and mouth areas. To minimize irritation add water or toner while massaging.
Leave for 10~15 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

Price: around 9,- €/ US$12  
Bought at: eBay (f2plus1)  
 
What I love:
My skin feels smoother and cleaner afterwards!
 
What I don’t like:    
The sugar might be too harsh for sensitive skin but when mixed with water it's way better.
 
Will I buy this again? Not sure yet because I always like to try out new stuff.

[Holika Holika] Pig-nose clear black head *3-step kit & cleansing sugar scrub*

I'm back!!! My short break was longer than I planned it to be but now I'm finally back with a new review.
The two [Holika Holika] products I will review today are for blackhead removal. My favorites are still the [Bioré] PORE STRIPS I got in Taiwan, nevertheless I don't mind trying out some new products from time to time.

Not too long ago [Holika Holika] released this cute Pig-nose clear black head line which consists of six (6) different products, all for blackhead removal:
- Perfect sticker
- 3-step kit
- steam starter
- peeling massage gel
- Deep cleansing oil balm
- cleansing sugar scrub

I decided to get the 3-step kit and sugar scrub but it might be that you get better results when you use the whole line.

Description: Did you know there are no blackheads on the nose of a pig? And guess what else? You don’t have to either! Say goodbye to your blackheads with Pig Nose Clear Series. This series gets rid of blackheads that are deep-rooted in pores and makes your nose soft and fair.

3-step kit:

 Description: Pig Nose Clear Blackhead 3-Step Kit contains all three steps necessary for perfect pore control. The first step opens your pores to allow for easy blackhead removal and cleaning. The second steps eliminates all waste and removes even the deepest blackheads. The third step minimizes the pores for a fresh and smooth look and feel.

The 3-step kit is for a single-use only and contains three different kinds of sheets for your nose.

 STEP 1: The sheet in step 1 is a soft mask sheet for your nose and soaked with a essence. Apply it to your nose and leave it on for 15~20 minutes, then remove it and wash the remaining solution off.

STEP 2: This pink sheet is the typical pore strip for removing blackheads. Wet your nose, apply the sheet and gently remove it after 10~15 minutes or when the strip is completely dry.

STEP 3: The last step contains a clear gel sheet which is also soaked with a essence. Apply it to your nose for 5~10 minutes, remove it and gently tap to help absorbtion.

Benefits: 

Full Pore Control 

Opens Pores 

Removes Blackheads 

Removes Whiteheads 

Removes Dead Skin Cells 

Tightens Pores  

Smoothes Skin 

 

I used this kit only once and I didn't see any difference on my nose. Even the pore strip from step 2 didn't remove my blackheads, another reason why I will continue using the [Bioré] ones.

  

cleansing sugar scrub:

Description: The cleansing sugar scrub is an exfoliating blackhead removing wash-off scrub. Contains soft white sugar for exfoliating rather than the traditional rough black sugar in other exfoliators. Removes dead skin cells, allowing for easier extraction of blackheads and other impurities from pores. Also, contains pink clay ingredient to help absorb excess sebum without over drying. Lemon extracts and Aloe Vera gel provide a brighter complexion and nourish the skin.

The sugar scrub comes in a small, pink container with a twist-off lid.
It contains 30ml and has the description on the bottom (Korean only!).

The consistency is rather thick and you can feel all the sugar in it - especially when you rub it over your dry skin. It has a slight lemon scent!

Benefits: 

Removes blackheads 

Removes Impurities in Pores 

Nourishes 

Helps to control excess oil 

Moisturizing 

Brightens

I tried it out only once as well but I like it result. It didn't remove all my blackheads yet but it made my skin very sleek and soft.

How to use: After cleansing, apply an appropriate amount on areas with blackheads and massage into skin. After 15 minutes, wash off with lukewarm water. For best results, use 1-2 times a week.

Price: around US$4 (3-step kit)/ US$8 (sugar scrub) 
Bought at: eBay (f2plus1)  

What I love: 
There is nothing I really love atm!     

What I don’t like:  
The 3-step kit didn't change anything. My nose still looked the same afterwards but the sugar scrub made my skin more soft. 

Will I buy this again? No, would only try out another product of this line!