Are you familiar with Aesop? Its the Australian skincare brand that carries products made from plant based ingredients. I might have used something from them many many years ago but I can’t remember anymore. I’ve since remedied that with 2 Aesop products – Aesop Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque and the Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Oil. Today, you’re going to hear about the mask 🙂
What the Aesop Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque is, is a clay mask. Did I just hear a cheer go up from the oily skinned gals? 😀
Clay masks as we know, are great for oily skins because it helps to reduce sebum. In the case of the Primrose Facial Cleansing Mask, it is supposed to also contain anti-oxidant plant extracts and Vitamin E and is for deep cleansing of the skin. What this tells us therefore is that this isn’t a mask you can use everyday. At most, perhaps twice a week if you have problem skin, or at best, once a week.
I don’t have oily skin, so I use this once a week or once a fortnight. However, a couple of months ago, I ran into problems with my skin. I don’t know what I was messing with then, but I had a bad case of congested skin around my chin and cheek area. I nearly despaired, until I remembered this clay mask so I slapped it on twice in a week, and it solved my problem!
The mask comes in a jar and you are only supposed to apply a thin layer on your skin, as it can feel rather drying. The scent of rose geranium is very strong so if you aren’t into that scent, you are hereby warned! I usually leave it on for about 15 minutes by which time, it would have dried, and then I wash off. Washing off is a task in itself. The bits around the hairline are a pain to remove!
So my suggestion to combat this hassle is to do this mask just before you go for your shower so you can wash your hair at the same time, thereby solving this problem LOL! 😀
When it is first applied on my skin, I feel a slight tingly feel but it isn’t uncomfortable. After washing off, my face always feels super smooth without redness, and I follow with my regular skincare regime thereafter to combat any dry feeling. I don’t get a very tight or dry feeling on my skin after washing though so it feels quite comfortable for me.
Pros: Help clear congested skin, Leaves skin feeling very clean and smooth
Cons: Pricey, Geranium scent is very strong, Not for dry skinned gals
If you are interested, here’s the ingredient list
If you aren’t sure whether you’d like this one or if it’ll suit your skin, I could suggest that you approach their counters and request a sample – I’ve gotten samples from Aesop before 🙂 If you have very sensitive skin, I might not recommend this for your use. Essential oils, despite being plant based can be quite strong.
I know some of you have already tried or are using this clay mask, based on some comments I received before. If you are, are you still using it and do you like it? 🙂
Paris B
Aesop Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque retails at RM99/60ml or RM135/120ml and is available at all Aesop counters. In Malaysia, Aesop counters are at Bangsar Village II, 1 Utama, Parkson Pavilion, Isetan KLCC, Metrojaya Midvalley and Gurney Plaza Penang.
Hanny says
February 17, 2011 at 8:44 amFascinating find indeed… But I still have a full bottle of Clinique’s clay mask left ahahaha
ParisB says
February 17, 2011 at 11:47 amYep this worked well for me.
juan says
February 17, 2011 at 8:45 amI’ve always been intrigued by Aesop products because of their simple packaging but never dared to try because of their essential oil content. Would love to give this mask a go though.. Wait until I finish up my Kiehl’s and Herbalife clay masks 😉
ParisB says
February 17, 2011 at 11:48 amIf you want, I’ll decant some for you next time I see you so you can see if it works for you or not 🙂 I too have always been intrigued by the whole apothecary look and the fact they do use glass bottles still. There’s that old school charm about it 🙂
juan says
February 17, 2011 at 10:33 pmhey, that’ll be great!
ya, i love that their products are all in glass bottles. i always feel that the contents are better preserved in the dark glass bottles.
xin says
February 17, 2011 at 9:04 ammy friend is a fan of aesop essential oils, as much as i would like to try, but they did not have samples, so, i had to put the thought off for the fear of buying something that might not work for me at all
ParisB says
February 17, 2011 at 11:48 amEssential oils aren’t quite for everyone I think. Even if it sounds quite harmless (fruits and flowers) it can be very strong, without us realizing it.
sesame says
February 17, 2011 at 9:12 amHmm…alcohol denat so high up the list? I’ll pass.
ParisB says
February 17, 2011 at 11:48 amGlad it didn’t irritate my skin! 🙂 I must have skin of leather 😛
Alene says
February 17, 2011 at 10:08 amwow, Kaolin AND Bentonite? that IS some deep cleansing indeeeddyyy.
and i agree with sesame, alcohol denat so high u on zee list? think i’ll pass to. the first three ingredients sound super drying and “wreak-havocking” on skin.
btw, just a curious question – u seem to have a blind spot when it comes to Bio-essence products, is there a reason?
if it isnt true and u do use them, then i’d advise you NOT to buy the new tri-action hydra boost serum (the green packaged one) not because it doesnt work, because it DOES work for me when no other serum works, but because there is something seriously wrong with the pump. it squirts (no matter how slowly i press the nozzle) serum up to distances of three feet/dribbles down the side.
zzz.
ParisB says
February 17, 2011 at 11:51 amYep it does do some serious deep cleansing 😉 I never leave it on for more than 15 minutes. Yes, I do miss out on Bio-Essence and the real reason? They just hit my blind spot! I always pass over them at the pharmacy. I think it started with that whole “no more bread face” cream they have. I have no idea what a “bread face” is or is supposed to be 😛 I guess I just couldn’t identify with the brand. I have read that it works for some people though. Who knows if I might try it some day. They have a 24k gold cream/eye cream that has intrigued me for a while 🙂 Do you use anything else from the brand? I’ll bear your advice in mind about the serum!
Hanny says
February 17, 2011 at 12:14 pmCould it be that “bread face” means a face has a lot of pores and is puffy? I don’t know, just a guess ^.^
ParisB says
February 17, 2011 at 12:19 pmYour guess is pretty much as good as mine. I never saw the definition anywhere and I believe its translated from a Chinese phrase but they don’t explain it so it sorta put me off. I can’t “cure” something if I don’t know my “problem” 😛
Alene says
February 17, 2011 at 2:16 pmok then let me give u advice on this brand, as i’ve tried almost everything.
1. Youth Essence range with Pine Pollen – BREAKOUT CENTRAL!
2. 24k gold eye stuff – no difference after 6 months of usage religiously. (mom’s feedback, not me)
3. Thanakha white range – me LURVE!! but a bit drying, so please do not use the whole range together.
4. New tri-action hydraboost, just started using the serum, but so far no breakouts and definitely helps with moisture, and you KNOW how badly my skin eneded moisture after the nasty hormal breakout i had for the past 4 months.
so there. in a nutshell.
ParisB says
February 17, 2011 at 4:27 pmWoohoo! Thanks for the tips! It looks like there’s only 1 item really worth trying – the tri-action hydraboost?
Alene says
February 17, 2011 at 4:58 pmno actually the thanakha white facewash is cheap RM19.90 and sometimes on sale, and last pretty much forever while being darn good. it’s my HG cleanser, i’ve never used any other cleanser besides this since for the past 3 years till today.
and the whole range is pretty good as well, just not together. i wud guess u can use everything except the skinwhite perfecting lotion. thats the drying one.
the toner works great for me, the ONLY toner that works for me i might add.
ParisB says
February 17, 2011 at 5:02 pmOoh goody! I’ve heard you say often enough that the Thanakha facial wash works for you so I might give that a go 😀
Isabel says
February 18, 2011 at 11:03 pmthat 24k gold eye stuff (lol), not sure if it’s the same one my mum is using but hers is for eye bags and it’s working for her. Both my sis & I can see the big difference as her eye bags are greatly reduced but not completely gone.
Jo says
June 6, 2011 at 5:02 pmSome months back, I tried the Bioessence Tri-action sleeping mask and I think it does a pretty good job in hydrating your skin. I recall your recent post about going back to the basics of hydration for breakout skin and that very night, I slattered on this mask and I believe it has truly moisturise my skin! You should give it a go. 😉
Sweetspring says
February 17, 2011 at 11:29 amI love this mask. The scent is lovely and refreshing, not the old generation rosy kind of smell. Its almost therapeutic. The effect is pretty good on my skin too, I usually put it on problem areas such as cheeks, nose and chin where it is congested sometimes. It tightens the pores, but doesn’t feel artificially strong like chemicals do. Mine comes in a tube though, because I bought it together in a trial pack (in generous amounts!) so its very convenient to squeeze out. I recommend that you use lukewarm to slightly warm water to rinse off (if not getting into the shower afterwards) and its pretty easy 🙂
ParisB says
February 17, 2011 at 11:52 amThanks for the tip! I wish I had a tap at my basin that dispenses warm water. You’re right. When I wash it off in the shower with warm water, it washes off very easily 😀
AnT says
February 17, 2011 at 11:59 amWow~ I might ask for a sample to try it out 😀 I guess it is good to use this once a week for my combination skin 😛
ParisB says
February 17, 2011 at 12:02 pmDefinitely try out a sample first to see if it might be too “strong” for you. And don’t leave it on too long and only apply a very thin layer 🙂
yuki says
February 17, 2011 at 1:03 pm*hands up* hahaha… Sounds like a good one… I stopped using clay masks because *shy* I used to use the samples I received from Keihl’s but ever since my sister stopped using that brand, I don’t get anymore… hahah.a.. Why I don’t buy it is because of the smell… I don’t really like the smell… Mask time is pampering time and if I don’t like the smell then it’s not relaxing… lol… ooo… might wanna try this~ thx for the review…
ParisB says
February 17, 2011 at 4:25 pmI fully agree with you! When we do masks, we should be relaxed or I don’t think it does our skin any good. If a mask smells yucky I wouldn’t like it too 🙂 Try and see if you can snag yourself a sample 😉
aurora says
February 17, 2011 at 1:22 pmI love everything about this mask..the scent and the amazing effect it does to my oily skin! Although I also have sensitive skin which usually reacted badly to alcohol products, but this mask is surprisingly mild and effective to my skin condition. It’s one of the best clay masks I’ve ever used.
ParisB says
February 17, 2011 at 4:26 pmGlad you’re liking it too! 😀
Sasmita says
February 17, 2011 at 3:21 pmYour review seems intresting! But I don’t think we have that brand in india! Any idea… how can I get that?
ParisB says
February 17, 2011 at 4:27 pmI’m not sure if they have the brand in India. You can check at http://www.aesop.net.au
Monstro says
February 17, 2011 at 4:20 pmI’ve used this before in a sample pack. For some reason I wasn’t convinced to spend on a masque. I think it’s just me…I find all masques a waste of time. Maybe because the effect seems temporary? For me at least. Though I’m a sucker for the rose geranium scent. I enjoyed having it on lots 🙂 I love the Aesop geranium bath gel though–check that one out!
ParisB says
February 17, 2011 at 4:29 pmI love the rose geranium scent too! Now you got me curious about the bath gel – you know me and shower stuff! 😀 As for masks, I find myself prefering to use sheet masks because of the convenience factor. I like that I can just use it whenever I want and I’m not bound to finish up a whole tube or tub of product. That said, masks are great if only just to relax. I tend to do mine on a Sunday evening. Perfect before the madness of a Monday starts 😀
Charmaine says
August 10, 2011 at 12:58 pmBought this after reading ur recent post titled Tip:double masks!
I love it! Thank u..but one question. To compare this with Kiehl’s rare earth clay, which do u prefer more?
However d price has increased to rm149 for 120ml.
Keep on d good work Paris! 🙂
ParisB says
August 10, 2011 at 5:00 pmI’m glad my rec worked for you Charmaine! 😀 Yeah they raised the prices recently – boo 🙁 I like the Kiehl’s Rare Earth one if I have a real acne problem. But for less problem skin, I think this Aesop one is better and less drying 🙂
Thea ong says
November 8, 2016 at 4:32 pmUseful for white head problem?