What do you do for self-love and self-care? For me, I love some me time at night and put some face mask on. It’s a very relaxing way to end your day.
When it comes to a face mask, I always struggled to find a brand that doesn’t contain synthetic and chemical ingredients. While many brands claim their masks are natural, but as soon as you read the label you realize the mask contains fragrance.
When it comes to face masks, here are the ingredients I like to avoid:
- Paraben– A commonly used preservative but it gets absorbed into your skin! This ingredient goes by many names, so be sure to avoid anything that uses methylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, and isopropylparaben.
- Phthalates– Often used in the cosmetic and plastic object! Keep an eye out for dibutyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, and dimethyl phthalate.
- Fragrance– While fragrance may not sound so scary, but this ingredient includes tons of chemicals that can cause allergies, hormone disruption, and lead to more significant health problems.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and/or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)– These ingredients are known to cause skin irritation and trigger different allergies.
- BHA and BHT– Synethic antioxidants that are used to extend shelf life and is likely carcinogens and hormone disruptor.
- Retinyl Palmitate and Retinol – This ingredient may damage DNA and speed the growth of skin tumors when used on your skin.
- Formaldehyde
- Triclosan– Technically a pesticide according to EPA but it contains antibacterial properties. However, not all bacteria are harmful to you.
- Resorcinol– A popular ingredient in bleaches. This ingredient is known to cause skin irritation and allergies.
- Hydroquinone– Reduces the melanin in your skin to get rid of dark marks, but in doing so, it hurts your skin in many ways. It can weaken the elastin and collagen in your problem area, irritates your skin, and some suspicion that it is a carcinogen.
- Petroleum– Look out for petrolatum, xylene, toluene, mineral oil, liquid paraffin.
- Artificial dyes and synthetic colors
I am all about organic, natural, and clean beauty and you should be too. Skin is the largest organ in our body, and it absorbs everything we put on top of it. It deserves being fed with organic, natural and clean ingredients. And your rule of thumb should be, you shouldn’t put anything on your body you wouldn’t want to put on your plate.
Let’s talk about Andalou Naturals
Andalou Naturals products are made with a blend of non-GMO verified, certified organic, naturally derived, sustainably sourced and fair trade ingredients. It’s cruelty-free, vegan-friendly (most) and gluten-free verified! Each year, 100% of the net profits from every Act® purchase supports women and girls’ education, equality, and empowerment. And most importantly, Andalou Natural’s product is accessible and affordable. This means you can probably get your hand on them soon and try them out for yourself!
My skin condition:
Fair Medium
Combination/Dry
Blackheads, Dark spot, Dullness, Dry, Pore
Andalou Naturals Mask Reviews
Avo Cocoa Skin Food Mask | BioActive 8 Berry Fruit Enzyme Mask |Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask |1000 Roses® Rosewater Mask | Instant Luminous Turmeric & Gold Clay Mask Pod | Instant Clarity Argan Oil & Blue Clay Mask Pod|Kombucha Enzyme Exfoliating Mask | Coconut Milk Firming Mask |
Advanced Fruit Stem Cells, nourishing avocado, rich in Vitamin E, and pure cocoa, abundant in antioxidants and amino acids, effectively slow cellular damage and stimulate healthy cell renewal, replenishing moisture balance and dermal structure for soft, smooth skin.
Pros
- Smells divine! And even look like chocolate frosting… But please don’t eat it!
- Makes your skin feel smoother, softer, brighter, hydrated and gives you a glow.
- Texture is soft like mousse. In this case, chocolate mousse.
- You don’t need to use a lot so a little jar will go a long way.
Cons
- If you don’t like the smell of chocolate, you may not like this product.
- If not removed correctly, can leave a layer of residue on your face.
- You may experience the initial burn, but not everyone experiences it.
Andalou Naturals features Fruit Stem Cell Science in their BioActive 8 Berry Enzyme Mask. This formula consists of Resveratrol Q10, BioActive 8 Berry, and Fruit Stem Cells along with aloe, cranberry, sunflower and vitamin E. Gluten free. Non-GMO. No paraben preservatives, sulfates or phthalates.
Pros
- It smells amazing like a berry jam.
- Light cream texture, but not greasy.
- Great for dry and revive your skin.
- Leave your skin feel smoother, softer, rejuvenated, cooling effect, tightened and give your skin a glow!
- Available in single-use and it is travel-friendly (carry on friendly).
Cons
- You may experience the initial burn which is typical for an enzyme mask, but not everyone experiences it.
- May not be great for people with sensitive skin due to the enzyme. Your face may turn red but its individual based.
Brightening Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask from Andalou Naturals helps exfoliate, resurface and revitalize skin with organic pumpkin, Manuka honey and citrus glycolic AHA for a brighter complexion, with a BioActive 8 berry complex, fruit stem cells and certified organic aloe vera.
This revitalizing mask, with alpine rose stem cells, delivers essential hydration and dermal vitality to soothe and nourish sensitive skin as pomegranate uplifts tone and hyaluronic acid and aloe vera help revive skins moisture barrier for a flawless looking complexion.
Pros
- Leave your skin feel soft, hydrated, moisturized, soften, brightens and glowing.
- Rose smell is subtle and doesn’t linger after wash off.
- Light and non-greasy.
- Available in single-use and it is travel-friendly (carry on friendly).
Cons
- You may experience slight burn/ tingle feel and cause redness, but this is individually based.
- If you don’t like rose scent, this product may not be for you.
- Depends on your situation, it may be light for a very dry day. You can add a few drops of oil to beef it up.
Fruit stem cell complex, turmeric, and french clay instantly nourish and energize to illuminate tone and help smooth texture for an uplifted appearance and a soft, luminous complexion.
Pros
- Brightening for normal and combination skin.
- Leave your skin feeling soft, smooth and healthy.
- Smells wonderful. Don’t let turmeric scary you.
Cons
- You may experience slight burn/ tingle feel and cause redness but this is individually based.
- Only come in one size. Not available in a bigger size.
Argan Oil & Blue Clay Face Mask Fruit stem cell complex, argan oil, and french clay instantly nourish and begin to clear away impurities, minimize clogged pores, and stimulate circulation for a clean, clear complexion.
Pros
- Provide your skin with a clear, smooth complexion, brighten and tight skin.
- Offers a cooling effect that makes you feel relaxed.
Cons
- Only come in one size. Not available in a bigger size.
- Mask for oily skin. If you don’t have dry skin and tried this mask, you may feel dry afterward.
- You may experience slight burn/ tingle feel and cause redness but this is individually based. This product does contain peppermint oil and camphor which can irritate sensitive skin.
For Oily & Overactive Skin Fruit stem cell complex with argan stem cells, grapefruit kombucha, pineapple and papaya enzymes gently dissolve and exfoliate dull, dry surface cells that can clog pores and cause breakouts as willow bark uplifts circulation for a clear, balanced complexion.
Pros
- For oil and overactive skin.
- Cleans and shrink pores while leaving completion smooth, silky and glowing.
- Polish look without stripped moisture or drying.
- Lightweight and transparent.
Con
s
s- Color is transparent so don’t forget to wash it off.
- Texture is gel-like and it is not what you typically expect for exfoliating skin care.
This nutrient-rich facial mask, with coconut milk amino and essential fatty acids, hydrates, fortifies, softens, and conditions, improving the appearance of skin tone and texture for a healthy, smooth complexion. AquaCacteen, derived from prickly pear cactus, nourishes and soothes as water-binding nutrients provide lasting hydration for a lifted, firmer appearance and renewed vitality.
Pros
- For Parched/Depleted Skin.
- Light and creamy absorbs quickly into the skin.
- Non-greasy.
- Leave skin feeling hydrated, smooth, and soft.
- Improves skin tone, elasticity, and firmness.
Cons
- This product smells like coconut and if you are not into coconut scent, this product may not be for you.
Review Summary:
Pros
- The masks smell amazing. So amazing, you want to give it a lick.
- It works. And if it doesn’t, it will at least hydrate your skin.
- Easy to apply and remove.
- Easily absorbing.
- Lightweight and creamy. And it is non-greasy.
- Ingredients are 98-99% nature derived.
- NO sulfates, GMOs, phthalates, petrochemicals, artificial dyes, synthetic fragrances, or paraben preservatives (paraben-free).
- Overall brand scored 1-4 on EWG, which majority of the product score 1 or 2.
- Very affordable. You can get the mask for under $20.
- Some of the masks are available in single use. It is carry on and travel size friendly. So you can use this mask on a long flight, a vacation, pretty much no matter where you are!
- No sheets involved, which I love because I don’t like scaring people in my house nor get laughed at… nor getting weird looks from my cats.
Cons
- We all have scents that we don’t like but you should still give the mask a try.
- You may experience slight burn/ tingle feel and cause redness but this is individually based.
- If do not remove the mask properly, you will find residue on your face.
Where to buy Andalou Naturals products
Andalou Naturals masks are under $15, which is the very affordable price point for masks. You can find their products at Whole Foods, Sprouts, CVS, Walgreens, Amazon, Ulta, Iherbs, Vitacost etc..
Disclaimer: This review was not paid for by Andalou Naturals. It is a third-party review of the product, written in order to educate consumers on whether or not it is a good option.
