Product Review: REN Skincare, Invisible Pores Detox Mask (£18.00, 50ml)

My review of REN’s glycolactic radiance renewal mask was full of positivity. And I can tell you straight off the bat that this isn’t going to be much different.

REN’s invisible pores mask, as the title makes obvious, is designed to reduce pore size and leave the skin purified, smooth and toned. Like other REN masks, I have found that this lives up the blurb and the premium natural content makes this worth the very reasonable price tag of £18.00.

You just smooth just a relatively generous amount over the desired area (likely spots include your t-zone and/or on the cheekbone) after cleansing and leave on for a few minutes. You can then wash the mask off with warm water. Use a pad to remove if you wish but I certainly haven’t found this necessary.

The result is immediately satisfying. The biggest impact is definitely on the smoothness of the skin. My skin feels baby-ish smooth for a (relatively) short time after using the mask. Pores are visibly reduced, and my skin is left feeling toned but not tight. I would still normally follow up with an active serum (perhaps something from Aesop) to keep hydrated, though just see how you go.

As this is a clay-based formula (with fatty acids (from red tea) to get that smoothness) is a good choice for skin that produces excess sebum and is prone to oily shininess. If you have dry skin I’d steer clear and stick to more gentle cleansing.

Use as and when required, but probably not more than once or twice a week – you don’t want to leave the skin devoid of any natural oils (which are frustratingly required).

Enjoy!

In Rotation: November 2013

Changes in my routine as autumn ends and winter begins. Deeper scents for the ever-lengthening night-time - including winter rose, black pepper and frankincense - to soothe and add spice for some manly grooming.

From left to right:

Clinique: Post-Shave Soother

Byredo: Rose Noir Bath Soap

REN Skincare: Invisible Pores Detox Mask

Kiehl's: Facial Fuel Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Molton Brown: Re-Charge Black Pepper Bodyscrub Bar

Diptyque: Frankincense Scented Candle

Bluebeards Revenge: Ultimate Pre-Shave Oil

Product Review: REN Skincare, Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask (£30.00, 50ml)

The lovely people at REN sent me a sample of this glycolactic radiance renewal mask a while ago. I've now tested it out four or five times, so I finally feel able to say something about it.

I've had limited success with masks in the past. I remember using an awesome matifying mask from Dior Homme Dermo System circa 2008 (it really worked), but other than that I've been underwhelmed on a number of occasions. 

But this award-winning offering from REN has, I must admit, left me feeling pretty good about face masks of late. With a beeswax-like texture, and a scent of grapefruit and papaya, I almost felt like I was in a spa in Bali rather than my Barbican bathroom when I put this on for the first time.

And the tropical fruits are not just to perfume this product. The natural acids from the lemon, grape and pineapple all detoxify and cleanse, while helping reveal a new layer of fresh epidermis to the world. Because this is REN, there's no chemical peel here, which should make this product fairly safe to use for all except those with incredibly delicate skin. I've certainly not found the mask to cause any irritation.

After leaving the mask on for around 10 minutes (I usually go a little longer because I'm too busy inhaling the tropicana), you wipe off the excess gel-like goodness from your face and then rinse. 

Although not particularly cheap, as you only need to use this weekly (or maybe even just before that night out or special occasion), the £30.00 should take you quite a long way. I've used a 15ml sample and I've had around five applications with still some to spare.

Just one warning: there will be no taking of "face mask selfies" using this. The mask is almost translucent, and is not a mud mask or similar where you get to answer your front door to strangers and scare the sh*t out of them.

In Rotation: October 2013

I've got some excellent products to test out this month, including a couple of face masks to give my skin that extra love and care as the weather gets colder. I've already given my humble opinion on the Kiehl's cleanser and the Clarins Men Fatigue Fighter. But I'll be bringing you views and reviews on the rest of these products in good time, so keep an eye out!

Clockwise from centre top:

Korres: Saffron, Amber & Cardamom Eau de Toilette

Aesop: Bitter Orange Astringent Toner

Clarins: Foot Beauty Treatment Cream

Gentlemen's Tonic: Traditional Shave Cream

Clarins Men: Fatigue Fighter

Elemis: Post Shave Recovery Mask

Kiehl's: Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser

REN Skincare: Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask

Product Review: REN Skincare, Guerande Salt Exfoliating Body Balm (£20.00, 330ml)

REN hits the spot.

Body scrubs are pretty confusing (I say so only slightly in jest). Some are hard, grainy and downright offensive, others soft, mild and only good for a tickle. I think that this product may be the best in-betweener I’ve found.

REN has produced this salt based scrub, which does not feel particularly oily, and is leaving my body feeling pretty darn good. Having said that, it does contain basil, olive, peppermint, rosemary leaf, and sweet almond oils, but then this is what makes for that smooth and moisturised finish. It is, as well, free of synthetic ingredients (think parabens or mineral oils), just like the entire REN range.

I fully agree with Sali Hughes that this is a great product and, like she says, it does seem that it will last bloody ages (although I can’t vouch for it, having only made the purchase a wee while ago). Because of that, though, I do tend to be fairly liberal with my usage.

The only thing is, do modern men use body scrubs? I just don’t know the answer to that question and would love comments from readers on this. They certainly have their uses – the REN scrub acts as an exfoliant as well as moisturising and nourishing the skin, which means it does more than the average body wash. I'm not sure about the claim that it will make your skin glow, but other than that I'm fully on board with the advertised effects.

If you are tempted, you only need to use the scrub once a week (maybe twice, especially if you have a day where you want to feel particularly smooth and attractive). I have tried using it both before I shower and during – the exfoliation is obviously more intense in the former, but massaging the scrub onto your body during a hot shower is also pretty wonderful. If you are applying pre-shower, then make sure you're standing somewhere you can wash away any excess salt (I may or may not have stepped out of the shower onto a load of salt crystals...)

If a tub of specifically entitled “body balm” isn’t manly enough for you, then you could try something like the Molton Brown Re-charge Black Pepper Bodyscrub Bar. This is a very mild exfoliant but (a) is in a bar of soap form and (b) is scented with black peppercorn oil, bergamot and oakmoss, making it totally masculine!