Review: Dr. Hauschka Revitalizing Mask

I’ve been feeling sick lately. I thought it’d be nice to pamper myself tonight and decided I wanted to try something new. After rifling through my samples drawer, I found a sample of this mask. I want to say I got it from Sephora, or perhaps Beautylish, but neither website lists Dr. Haushka as a brand they carry. The locator on this brand’s website lists it as being carried at my local CVS.

Claims

Pulled directly from the official website: Refines and minimizes pores, diminishes redness and breakouts, evens skin tone, supports skin’s process of renewal, clarifies and smooths skin. It sounds like this product does it all… but does it?

Ingredients

Water (Aqua), Pyrus Cydonia Seed Extract, Alcohol, Glycerin, Anthyllis Vulneraria Extract, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Arachis Hypogaea (Peanut) Oil, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Bentonite, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Bran Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Propolis Wax, Fragrance (Parfum)*, Limonene*, Geraniol*, Linalool*, Citronellol*, Citral*, Eugenol*, Farnesol*, Lysolecithin, Xanthan Gum, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex (CI 75810).

From DrHaushka.com

Application and Removal

After cleansing and toning, I ripped open the sample pack and applied the mask using an old foundation brush, with even downward strokes. The product itself has a creamy texture with a yellowish tan color. Immediately, I noticed it has an odd smell to it. It’s unusual for me to notice or become bothered by fragrance of any kind, but this was not in any way a pleasant scent. I think I can still slightly detect the scent on my skin after having removed it.

The directions recommend leaving it on for 20 minutes. That is the minimum amount of time that I like to leave masks on (exfoliating masks are the exception). I left it on for about 40 minutes, which I know is excessive. It took about 10-15 minutes for the mask to completely set. I washed it off as I normally would. It creates a soft, creamy lather. I rinsed and then wiped off the excess with a damp, round facial sponge.

Results

It appears to do most of what it claims! My skin looks less red, it feels supple, even, smooth and balanced. The only thing I’m puzzled about is how it is supposed to support the skin renewal process. It does not contain any type of exfoliating ingredient. Overall, I am impressed and happy with the immediate results. 

Allergy Warning: This product contains peanut oil. Always research the ingredients of products prior to use.

This post originally appeared on Tumblr, dated June 28, 2016.