First Impressions: Blue Corn 3-in-1 Mask (The Body Shop)

Recently, I've been testing around with different masks and scrubs for my face. My goal? To minimize pores and get rid of unwanted dead skin! I didn't take care of my skin growing up, so I have a lot of sun spots and huge pores. I've heard lots of great things about SKINFOOD masks and ordered the Black Sugar Scrub Mask and Egg White Wash Off Mask online, but since they are going to take a while to arrive I decided to try some local masks as well ^^

At first, I tried the THE BODY SHOP Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask (retails $22), which was rated highly for clearing pores, but... although it was for combination skin, it really really dried my face out. I think it might have been all the clay in the mask.

When I went back to exchange the seaweed mask, they recommended the Blue Corn 3-in-1 Mask (retails $17) which is meant to "cleanse, exfoliate, and purify." Not only does it scrub your face, but it also moisturizes, which helps prevent your skin from drying out. I believe there is also some clay in this mask, but not nearly as much as the seaweed mask.

This is what the product looked like when I first opened it. Such a pretty blue color! Some reviews said there was a strong smell, but I didn't think the smell was very strong at all. I found the scent to be a soothing herbal/baby powder smell. The product itself also picked up easily and was easy to spread over my face.

You don't need much product to cover your entire face in a thin layer of the mask. So although the container seems small (100ml), it actually lasts a long time!

I didn't want to use too much in case the clay dried out my skin, so the mask dried quickly and I couldn't really rub the blue corn in my face much after application. I ended up rubbing the granules in while wiping the mask off my face with a wet towel and warm water. If you apply it on a damp face, it is much easier to rub over your skin initially, but I did find the effects a bit better when put on dry skin.

Overall, I really like the mask so far! It definitely made my face and pores feel really clean, and definitely cleared up the dry/dead skin on my face. It also didn't leave my skin feeling parched. I think I'm going to try to use this twice a week for now. Also, it is recommended to use a toner afterward to get the last bits of mask off your face, and a good moisturizer to prevent your skin from drying out.

Definitely way better for me than the Seaweed Ionic Mask! The Body Shop actually has single-use packets for $2.50 of some of their masks if you want to try them out! I have heard great things about the Tea Tree Mask so I might pick up a single-use packet of that (I hear they last for 2-3 uses actually). They also have a Vitamin C/Micodermabrasion and a Vitamin E Sink In Moisture Mask I want to try.

Note: THE BODY SHOP always has 40% off sales, or Buy 3 Get 3 sales, so I definitely recommend purchasing from them when they have a sale up online. I got my masks for 40% off so it was only around $10 instead of $17. They also have a great membership program that discounts 10% off everything you buy for the year. It costs $10 I believe, but it basically pays for itself since you get $10 for your birthday and you get additional credit for your purchases.

They also are up on eBates, so if you shop online a lot, you can get cash back on any orders you make if you log in to eBates first and click on a link to redirect to The Body Shop's website. Right now you get 4.0% back for using eBates at The Body Shop ^^