I usually don’t like clay masks. They always seem so stripping, and while my combination skin can be prone to breakouts, it’s rarely from an excess of oil. This one, though, I like – in certain situations. Onto my Inkey List Kaolin mask review!
What it is
A gentle clay mask that’s supposed to help with impurities and oily skin. It’s super cheap (around 5€ for 50ml), and I threw it into my basket to avoid shipping fees (I know!!!) when I repurchased my fave Hyaluronic Acid. IF I suffer from a lot of breakouts and have a feeling that my skin needs a deep clean, I usually resort to mixing Fuller’s Earth with yoghurt. Because TIL’s Kaolin Clay mask is advertised as suitable for all skintypes, I was intrigued.
The Inkey List Kaolin mask review: They say:
Great for blemish-prone skin, this white clay helps to draw out impurities and improve oil control. It can be used regularly without drying the skin. Kaolin Clay is gentle, so it’s perfect for all skin types as a deep clean once or twice a week.
The Inkey List
Kaolin clay helps remove skin impurities.
Smectite clay helps to absorb excess oil.
A quick word on clay masks
The eternal question with skincare: Does it do anything?!?! Clay of all kinds is supposed to absorb sebum from your skin, and thus ‘removing’ or ‘drawing out’ sebum and accumulated dirt from your pores. It’ll make your pores appear smaller. (‘Appear’ is the operative word here, because pores don’t change their size, but will appear smaller if accumulated matter is removed). It’ll also minimise the risk of turning clogged pores into spots.
There’re different sorts of clay used in clay masks, and the white Kaolin clay used in TIL’s is supposed to be the most gentle one.
Harsher clay masks with perceptible particles might also rely on physical exfoliation to give your skin a brighter and smoother aspect.
Ingredients
Aqua, Kaolin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Magnesium Aluminium Silicate, Sodium Stearate, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, 2-Phenoxyethanol, Dimenthyl Sulfone, Centella Asiatica Extract,Glyceryl Caprylate, Decyl Glucoside, Cellulose Gum, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Carbomer, Tocopherol, Macrocystis Pyrifera (Kelp) Extract, Sea Water Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Vitis Vinifera seed oil, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract,Sodium Hydroxide, Lonicera Japonica Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Formula
Beware! There’re two different formulations floating around, this being (I think) the more recent one (I bought it in March 2020). It has notably MORE oils and emollients than the other one. Confusingly, on TIL’s website, the ingredient list differs from the one I posted here, which is printed on the box of my version.
There’re a strikingly high amount of oils and emollients in the formula: sunflower seed oil, safflower oil, coconut oil, grape seed oil, and rice bran oil.
On top of that, we have some centella asiatica and aloe to soothe. There’s even some antioxidant action from some of the oils and the Tocopherol. (In a wash-off mask, I always think there’s no real benefit from them, but it’s nice?!?!)
Application/Texture
TIL’s Kaolin Clay mask actually feels very creamy and gentle when you apply it to your face. The Kaolin Clay doesn’t dry down and suck out all moisture out of your skin. When you start to remove it after the advised 10mins, it doesn’t flake off your skin, but takes a bit of time, patience and water to remove. You’ll definitely feel the included oils.
TIL’s site recommends to use a grape-sized blob (I used the double amount, rebel that I am). (Actually their site and descriptions is rather helpful and worth a peek.) It feels rather cooling on the skin, but doesn’t include alcohol, essential oils or fragrance. Usually menthol or peppermint oil are used for that cooling feeling. This alone makes it a worthy clay mask in my book.
Effect
I definitely need some added moisture after using it, although my skin doesn’t feel as stripped as with other clay masks. It does leave my face pleasantly soft, and feeling very clean. Right now, it’s rather unpleasantly hot where I live AND additionally I wear cloth face coverings quite often. After wearing them I always feel rather grimy underneath.
I love to use TIL’s Kaolin Clay Mask at least once a week. Using it and some Azelaic Acid seems to keep the worst breakouts at bay. Does it leave my pores smaller, and my skin brighter? I wouldn’t necessarily say that, but I’m not mad at it. The clean, pleasant skin feel after using it seems to do the trick for me, and trumping extraordinary effects.
Worth it?
While I, at this point, rather like it (hot weather that makes me feel sweaty and oily, wearing face coverings due to Covid-19), I don’t see the use for it during the colder months. Also, if you’re suffering from truly oily and acne-prone skin, I think this could even be too gentle. The many oils trigger breakouts on top of that.
The price, of course, is excellent. TIL even claims you can also use it on other parts of the body that might need a bit of clearing up. And while it doesn’t give me spectacular results, it’s definitely pleasant to use.
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
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