Lush’s face Mask of Magnaminty: A constant Sold-Out in Singapore

First Impression

Packaging

For those who are familiar with Lush, you’ll know that their products are handmade in England, and they store their skincare products in 100% black recycled plastic round pots with screw-on lids (some in tube forms). There are many reasons I can do away with the usual fancy packaging of beauty products in this case. For one, Lush does not test on animals. Two, they are handmade by someone you can identify on the sticker label that bears her name and a caricature of her face. Thirdly, I get to have a free fresh mask for every 5 empty pots I bring back to them. The packaging and the products are eco-friendly and personalized, what more could I ask for?

Here’s a quick look at the biggest Lush store at Oxford Street London outlet if you’re keen:

 

Scent

The Mask of Magnaminty has a pretty strong minty smell attributed to the peppermint oil, not that I mind. It bears a strong resemblance to toothpaste but in an even fresher, citrus way due to the presence of limonene.

Consistency & Colour

This facial mask is of a pastel, celadon green colour, and has a much thicker consistency compared to other clay masks that I’d used. It has a paste texture as a binding base with coarse exfoliant pieces within. It dries up to a few shades darker.

Size

Lush’s Mask of Magnaminty comes in two pot (or tub) sizes: net weight of 315 grams (11.1 oz) and 125 grams (4.4 oz).

A Facial Mask for Acne and Blackheads

How it works

Lush is known for their handmade cosmetics and skincare with natural and the freshest ingredients you know. As such, the shelf life of their products are mostly short-lived; the Mask of Magnaminty face mask with Best-Used-By dates as soon as 4 months from the date they were made.

Let us go through some of the key ingredients and their functions.

Ingredients

Clay Base & Skin Detoxifier: Bentonite gel, Kaolin (hydrated aluminum silicate)

Bentonite gel is derived from volcanic earth and acts as a binder for the base of the face mask as well as an oil and dirt-absorbing component that is vital in purifying and detoxifying the skin.

Kaolin is a China clay mineral responsible for drawing out toxins and other impurities like sebum and pollutants from deep within our pores. Kaolin is also an excellent base that serves as an effective delivery medium to bind beneficial nutrients and help them penetrate deep into our dermis. It is highly absorbent, as such it regulates oil and moisture well and keeps greasy and shiny skin at bay.

Exfoliants & Blackheads Remover: Ground Aduki (Azuki or Adzuki) beans (a.k.a. Phaseolus Angularis)

Aduki beans are high in mineral content and are known to have great brightening effects on skin. Because they are organic like clay minerals, they incorporate well with Bentonite clay and Kaolin to hold the formula well for application on the skin. When scrubbed, they are great for exfoliating the skin to get rid of dead skin cells to reveal a radiant and brighter skin tone. They also have a vital astringent role in the mask formula; they have the ability to draw out blackheads and then tighten up the pores thereafter.

Anti-microbial, Anti-oxidative, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-septic & Humectant:

Honey, Glycerine, Evening Primrose Oil, Peppermint Oil (Mentha Piperita), African Marigold Oil (Tagetes Erecta)

Honey is naturally-derived and not only is hydrating, it also has anti-bacterial and anti-oxidizing properties. It has an overall anti-ageing effect because it keeps the skin from drying out and protects it from the attacks of bacteria, germs and micro-organisms as well as from sun and free radical damages.

Glycerine is a clear, viscous liquid compound that is commonly used in cosmetics especially in lotions and moisturizers for its lubricating properties, i.e. the ability to retain moisture for the skin.

Evening Primrose seeds has high GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) and fatty acids content and is also responsible for keeping the skin hydrated. It also has anti-inflammatory and healing properties so it is extremely essential for those with hormonal acne problems as it is great for balancing hormones and fading blemishes, acne or pimple scars.

Peppermint oil contains menthol that has a cooling, soothing sensation on skin that calms skin irritations like hot rashes and itch. It also has antiseptic properties that prevents and inhibits the growth of bacteria and micro-organisms that can further harm and irritate the skin.

Marigold oil is more commonly known as Calendula oil in the skincare business. Calendula is an anti-septic, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent all in one. It encourages skin cell regeneration and stimulates collagen production, moisturizes and also speeds up scars or wound healing.

Vanilla aroma & Skin Tone Restoration: Fair Trade Vanilla Absolute (Vanilla Planifolia)

Fair Trade is a certification that produces carry to indicate that they are farmed according to labour and environmental standards. Vanilla Absolute gives the face mask its concentrated sweet vanilla aroma that makes it a pleasant-smelling product to lather on your skin.

Vanilla Absolute also contains various vitamins and minerals that helps in restoring our skin tone through its healing ability.

Verdict: Best Facial Clay Mask

How to Use

Apply a coat of the face mask to cleansed skin and spread the product evenly (thicker if you want, on problematic areas). You may also apply on other affected areas, for eg, if you have bacne (acne on the back area) or even breakouts on your neck area. It will take about 20 minutes for the mask to completely dry on your skin if you are in a non-air-conditioned environment, and only 10 minutes or so if you are in an air-conditioned place. It will turn dark green upon drying.

Wipe off with a clean warm wet towel or simply rinse off with warm water. You may continue with your moisturizing regime after that.

For optimal result, apply generous coat of the product each time, and use it on alternate days.

Price and Where to Buy

The Mask of Magnaminty is available in all Lush store locations in Singapore. It is retailing at SGD$45.00 for 315 grams and SGD$26.00 for 125 grams. They have just opened a new outlet at Orchard Gateway #-01-07.

Verdict

Let me begin by saying the Mask of Magnaminty has been an absolute life savior for my acne-prone skin. It was by chance that I went to Lush that I picked this face mask up. I had wanted to get their Ocean Salt facial and body scrub, another wonderful product that is highly raved in the beauty community. I was immediately recommended the Mask of Magnaminty obviously; the smaller pots were completely sold out, and since the salesperson managed to totally buy me into it, I took one of the 2 large pots that were left in the Lush Store. Never did I realise I was lucky enough to even lay my hands on one, because as I type, I am still waiting for the stock to be replenished since two months back when I decided to re-purchase it.

Unlike many acne treatment products they dry out the skin in order to slow down the oil production of the sebaceous glands, the formula in Mask of Magnaminty still manages to leave my skin soft and supple even after using it every other day for a period of 2 months. The acne became smaller in sizes, bumps flattened and pore sizes shrank after about a month’ use and the skin started to become more glowy and radiant at the end of the 2nd month of use. Mine is a clear case of hormonal acne, hence I would say this product is also a face mask for men since both men and women go through hormonal imbalances and experience acne outbreaks at some points in their lives.

The Mask of Magnaminty by Lush is a real keeper. However since this face mask is not paraben-free (it contains Methylparaben), we would recommend periodic intensive skin regime with it, but not on a continual basis.