Caudalie launched four facial masks in their skincare line: Glycolic Peel Mask, Instant Detox Mask, Purifying Mask, Moisturizing Mask ($39 each for 75 ml/2.5 fl oz). Although I’m a huge fan of Caudalie, this is my first experience with their masks and I am thoroughly impressed. There are four masks each designed for different needs – you can mix and match masks to can create your own custom mask treatment. The options allow to to tailor your treatment to each area of the face. For example, if you’re looking for skin clarity, your T-zone might need oil absorption while the cheeks might need brightening. In this case you would use the Purifying Mask in the T-zone and Glycolic Peel on the cheek areas. The concept is quite clever and I tried all four of their pairing suggestions (you can find the face charts on the Caudalie website). Here is an overview of the four options:
Each mask retails for $39 each for 75 ml/2.5 fl oz, all Made in France. They come packaged in a beautiful sleek squeeze tube.
- Glycolic Peel Mask is a non-irritating exfoliant that activates cellular renewal for fresh, bright and even skin. It’s recommended use is to leave on for 10 minutes then rinse off, 2x per week. Main ingredients are glycolic acid, papaya and Viniferine (ingredient from grapevine sap for dark spots and radiance, said to be 62 times more effective than Vitamin C).
- Instant Detox Mask is designed to eliminate impurities and toxins to tighten pores and renew skin texture. Recommended use is 5-10 minutes and rinse, 2x per week. Main ingredients are pink clay, grape marc and coffee.
- Purifying Mask is a non-drying mask that eliminates impurities and absorbs excess sebum for clarified and even skin. Recommended use is 10 minutes, then rinse off. It contains white clays, sage and zinc.
- Moisturizing Mask is created to provide intense moisture and relief for dehydrated skin to feel comfortable, supple and soft. This one is recommended to leave on for 15 minutes and remove excess, or as an overnight treatment. Main ingredients are grape oil, Vinolevure, and Hyaluronic Acid.
Below you can see the texture is slightly different for each mask:
My thoughts on each mask after testing them. I do think to see long-term results one needs to put skincare products to the test for an extended period of time, but in the two weeks that I’ve tested these, I can say that after each use, you can definitely feel a difference in skin texture and overall feel. I have already seen some improvements in my skin from these. Each mask has a different purpose, texture, consistency and feel, but are gentle on the skin. None of them irritated, dried out or broke out my skin. If you are one who found the Glamglow masks a bit too strong for you, the Caudalie ones are extra gentle but still effective.
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Glycolic Peel Mask is a gentle non-irritating exfoliant. This is the most gentle peel mask I’ve ever tried. I think with many peel masks you can expect some kind of tingling sensation but there was no tingle or burn with this one. This one will show results over time rather than overnight but it is a really good treatment to help remove dead skin from the surface in the gentlest way possible. By comparison, I adore the Ole Henriksen Lemon Strip Flash Peel Mask. It’s the only other peel mask that I’ve liked enough to use multiple times. The Ole Henriksen is a stronger version in a gel form while the Caudalie is creamier and feels more gentle on the skin. My skin does look brighter and the texture is more even. It’s very lightly scented, if you’re familiar with the Caudalie Cleansing Water, this mask smells like that one. Three main ingredients:
– Viniferine: Diminish the appearance of dark spots and delivers radiance.
– Papaya Enzymes: Provides immediate radiance.
– Glycolic Acid: Delivers non-irritating peeling.
Full list of ingredients: Water, Glycerin*, Isononyl Isononanoate, Sorbitan Stearate*, Glyceryl Stearate Se*, Glycolic Acid, Cetyl Palmitate*, Cetearyl Alcohol*, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil*, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Panthenol, Squalane*, Cetyl Alcohol*, Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Bisabolol*, Fragrance, Benzyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60*, Sodium Pca*, Caprylyl Glycol, Arginine, Palmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract*, Tocopherol*, Carbomer, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Phytate*, Papain*, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Algin. *Plant Origin.
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Instant Detox Mask is the strongest treatment of the four. It’s like a traditional clay/mud mask that will draw out impurities, oils and tighten pores. This one shows instant results, I found a thin layer dried within 6 minutes (although you can leave it on the skin up to 10). This comes in a pink clay color that will dry and tighten after you apply it. As it dries you can see small dark spots where it’s drawing out the oils from your pores. I have never seen a mask shrink and tighten pores like this one does. It’s non-irritating and leaves the skin feeling super clean. If you have dry skin you may want to leave this on for a shorter period of time or just use this on spots.
Main ingredients:
– Grape Marc: Detoxifies and drains.
– Pink Clay and Coffee: Purify.
– Papaya Enzymes: Delivers immediate radiance.
– Eight Essential Oils: Nourish skin.
Full ingredient list: Water, Bentonite, Glycerin*, Acacia Senegal Gum*, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Alcohol*, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil*, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract*, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil*, Sodium Citrate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract*, Coffea Robusta Seed Extract*, Citric Acid*, Papain*, Cupressus Sempervirens Oil*, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Oil*, Commiphora Myrrha Oil*, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil*, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil*, Petroselinum Crispum (Parsley) Seed Oil*, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Algin, Limonene, Linalool. *Plant Origin.
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On the nails, Formula X Extraordinary (also swatched here)
Purifying Mask is one of the most gentle purifying masks I’ve tried. This one comes in a white paste. A little goes a long way and it smells like the Beauty Elixir spray from Caudalie, but is still very gentle in terms of fragrance. It has a similar effect to that of the Instant Detox Mask, but is a gentler version and not quite as potent. I prefer this one to the Instant Detox for right now because my skin is normal/combination, although once the warmer and more humid weather arrives, I think the Instant Detox will be really good. Main ingredients:
– White Clays (Bentonite and Kaolin): Purify.
– Cypress, Sage, and Lavender: Astringents.
– Chamomile Extract: Soothes.
– Zinc: Regulates sebum.
Full ingredient list: Water, Kaolin, Glycerin*, Olus Oil (Vegetable Oil)*, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate*, Cetearyl Alcohol*, Glyceryl Stearate*, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil*, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride*, Bentonite, Cetyl Alcohol*, Ceteth-20 Phosphate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Benzyl Alcohol, Dicetyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate*, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil*, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil*, Caprylyl Glycol, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil*, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract*, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax*, Dehydroacetic Acid, Cupressus Sempervirens Oil*, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Oil*, Sodium Hydroxide, Commiphora Myrrha Oil*, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil*, Sodium Phytate*, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil*, Petroselinum Crispum (Parsley) Seed Oil*, Zinc Pca, Silica, Limonene, Linalool. *Plant Origin.
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Moisture Mask is a creamy gentle white mask. I usually prefer sheet masks for hydration because I find creamy ones too rich, but this one by Caudalie is really amazing. Reports indicate this is the same formula as the original moisture mask, just in improved packaging. I didn’t try the older one so I can’t compare, but this works wonders on my forehead (above the T-Zone) and also cheek areas which tend to get dry. It gives the skin a nice boost of hydration and helps calm down areas that are irritated or red. It has a light and clean refreshing scent. Main ingredients:
– Vinolevure: Strengthens and soothes.
– Grape Seed Oil: Nourishes.
– Hyaluronic Acid: Moisturizes.
Full ingredient list: Water, Glycerin*, Isononyl Isononanoate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil*, Sorbitan Stearate*, Peg-100 Stearate*, Glyceryl Stearate*, Ceteth-20*, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane*, Cetyl Alcohol*, Cetyl Palmitate*, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol*, Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Sodium Dehydroacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 60*, Parfum (Fragrance), Tocopherol*, Carbomer, Sodium Phytate*, Sodium Hydroxide, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract*, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol. *Plant Origin.
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As one who loves masks, I can say that I’m thoroughly impressed with each of these. I had just used the last of my Aesop Parsley Seed Mask which is something I will definitely repurchase, but the Caudalie Masks were released just as I was getting to the end of my Aesop and I decided to try something new and I am glad I did. Normally I wouldn’t have splurged on four skincare items without being able to test, smell or see in person first, but given the fact that I’ve loved every Caudalie skincare and body care items I’ve tried, I knew there was a good chance that I would really like these.
I purchased mine from Sephora individually but there are also a couple of minis in the Prep for Radiance ($49) and Founder Favorites ($79) sets. There are still a few more days of the Beauty Insider Event so you may want to take advantage of the discount if these interest you.
My top two picks include the Purifying Mask and Glycolic Peel Mask, however the concept of mixing different masks on the face at one time is something I had never tried before. I really like using the Moisture in areas that need that hydration boost while using the Purifying one on the T-zone. The Instant Detox Mask is something I think will be extremely popular, especially for those with oily skin, it’s potent but still very gentle on the skin and won’t irritate or sting like some other lines will.
You can find each mask individually for $39 at Sephora, Nordstrom and Caudalie. Have you tried these yet? What did you think? If not, what are your favorite masks right now?
