I was browsing Sephora one day (as you do) and felt the need to purchase something. Despite how it might look, I don’t buy a lot of stuff from Sephora. For some reason, I get terribly disoriented and confused when I enter a Sephora store, and I usually walk out without a bag. But I ended up by the Caudalie shelf and my eye fell on a range of masks. I think they’re new? At least I’ve seen them being touted around.
There are 4 different masks for 4 different concerns, and I decided to pick one up. RM115 a tube. It was a little pricey but not terribly so.
The one I picked was the Caudalie Glycolic Peel Mask which promises radiance in 10 minutes. Ah, instant claims! The sceptic in me just had to see if it was true :D
What Caudalie tells us this will do is to renew skin texture, tighten pores, lighten dark spots, reduce oil, provide an immediate burst of radiance to the skin… without irritating the skin! Is there anything this mask can’t do?! But the main reason I got it was because it said it was a Glycolic Peel Mask and I like the whole glycolic acid thing.
The mask is a cream mask that comes in a tube and squeezes out a white cream. Can I just pause for a moment to say that I happened to also like the wood-effect cap against the mint green tube? For some reason that slightly rustic aesthetic appeals to me :D
Glycolic acid has been used for ages as a chemical peel and as a chemical exfoliant for skin and I’m a loyal user of Alpha H Liquid Gold so I knew all about its benefits. The thing of course, is that I don’t know what sort of percentage of glycolic acid is in this mask. I don’t think it’s very high if I’m to be honest, because I do feel it to be fairly mild.
But Caudalie were right about this not being irritating, because it isn’t. That said, I am less sensitive than a lot of people when it comes to things involving acid so perhaps I’m not your best gauge. If you have very sensitive skin, do a patch test first. Don’t be like me and slap on a thick layer of mask and hope for the best – this is best left to the professional guinea pigs ;)
How to use the mask is simple. Put on a thickish layer of product all over and lie down and relax. I felt nothing, but those with sensitive skin might feel a bit of a tingle. The instructions say 10 minutes, but I usually have it on for longer. Sometimes, I watch a whole episode of a TV series which is about 40 minutes and then head off to wash it off. My face hasn’t fallen off yet :P Incidentally, the 10 minute claim does work.
I tried leaving it on for just 10 minutes (Yes, I timed myself) and it does leave my skin feeling just as clean and soft and smooth and refreshed as when I leave it on for longer. Does my skin also look more radiant in 10 minutes? To a degree, yes. It looks calmer and brighter so it’s nice to use this just immediately before a big event, like a fancy dinner or party. You can then crash after that LOL! :D
The nice thing is that this cream mask is easy to wash off. I hate using masks that don’t wash off properly. But this one rinses off with water, turning into a light texture like a face wash, and leaves skin feeling lovely, smooth, soft and clean. I experience no irritation but I didn’t quite like the sweet smell which is supposed to be the grape seed extract that’s infused in all Caudalie products. I find it a bit too sweet for my tastes, but then scent is a personal thing.
After use, I do experience softer, clearer, smoother skin which is very nice. But does it last? It’s debatable. If you use this mask regularly (2-3 times a week) then you might notice a difference to your skin. It feels smoother, any acne or pimple spots fade more quickly and skin looks and feels less congested. If you use it once a week, you may notice a difference almost immediately, but it doesn’t last past a day or two. Naturally, this also depends on the condition of your skin. If you’ve never used a peeling product before then you may notice more pronounced effects and if you’re used to using these sort of products then you may find it too mild or that there is no effect.
However, if you are also using other peeling products or glycolic acid products, be careful and don’t use this one too regularly or together with other peeling products. You don’t want to over-exfoliate your skin which can irritate it. While this one doesn’t feel drying on skin, I do also recommend that you follow up with a hydrating skincare routine thereafter just to calm things down and prevent any dryness you may feel.
I think this pretty decent and if you get it during the Sephora 20% off sales, then it’s a good buy. Don’t expect a miracle, because I do think it a bit mild since it is a home-use product after all. But then it also means you are less likely to burn your skin and have your face fall off. A good thing, I can assure you :D
IN A NUTSHELL
The Caudalie Glycolic Peel Mask is a mild, non-irritating cream mask that you apply and leave on skin before rinsing off with water. It rinses off very easily without leaving residue on skin. I experience no irritation using this product and I can attest to smoother, clearer, softer skin almost immediately. The effects last a day or two depending on the condition of your skin. I’m quite happy with it except for the sweet scent which I’m a little put off by. But as a gentle chemical peel mask, I think it’s a decent product for the price.
PROS: Easy to use and rinse off with water, Leaves skin feeling smoother, softer and more radiant almost immediately after use, Not irritating and non drying
CONS: Sweet scent, Not very high concentration of glycolic acid so anyone used to using peeling or acid products may not notice much results
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants a gentle at-home peel mask for softer, smoother and more radiant skin
Here is the ingredient list for the Glycolic Peel Mask for your reference.
Apologies for the blurry pic. Curved surfaces don’t photograph well apparently.
TIP: I sometimes follow up this mask with a hydrating or rejuvenating sleeping mask or a face oil mask. I don’t know if Caudalie does one, but I like thinking that since my skin is all peeled, I can have all the benefits of my other masks seep in.
Have you used this mask or any of the other Caudalie masks? Is there another I should try from this range?
I was thinking about the Moisturising Mask but I’m not sure. If you’ve tried it or the Instant Detox mask, I’d love to hear your thoughts on them.
Paris B
Caudalie Glycolic Peel Mask Price: RM115 | US$39 for 75ml Availability: Ken’s Apothecary stores, Caudalie counters and Sephora
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Oh ya… I am like you who always leaves the mask on for a longer time than suggested. I’ve tried the Purifying Mask previously. I found that if I keep spraying water on my face after I put on the mask, the result is much better. Perhaps you can give it a try :)
Is the purifying mask like a clay mask? I find when I use a clay mask and leave it on too long, it feels like my face is about to fall off! LOL
The old version of purifying mask is a clay mask. Ya.. it would be too dry if leave for too long, that is why I keep spraying water….
Good idea! I’ll take a peep at the Purifying mask next time then, thanks Phay! :)
I thought I was the only one who leaves mask on for ages. Like for example, those sheet masks I leave on and go do stuff until it dries, instead of the 10 or 20 minutes as suggested on the pack haha. Also, I’m surprised the peeling mask is washed off, was expecting some peeling action going on. Y’know, those film-formers that creates this transparent plastic thingy on your face so you can literally peel-it-off.
Oh no Robert you are most certainly not alone! :D I find 10-20 minutes too short most of the time anyway and it’s always neither here nor there. Can’t really read anything nor can you watch TV without having to interrupt yourself. I don’t leave sheet masks on too long though, because I was previously told that if you leave it on too long till it dries, it can actually be detrimental, in that the osmosis works the other way, to remove moisture from the skin. Not sure how true it is, but I play it safe and leave it on till it’s a bit dry around the edges, then remove it :D Ooh and speaking of the literal peel off masks, I actually dislike them! >.<
OMG DOES REVERSE-OSMOSIS REALLY HAPPEN WITH SHEET MASKS? Have been leaving them on for years! Oh dear. There’s a side of me that is umm… “cheap”… in a way that wasting even a drop of something (like sheet masks) will bug me. Even worse if the sheet mask is high-end (thank goodness it isn’t haha). Aw sad to hear you dislike those types of peeling masks, I find peeling them so satisfying hahahaha. I s’pose everybody is different. Like watching those acne popping/extraction videos bug me and gives me the goosebumps. Till this day don’t know how people can watch through the whole thing *shivers*.
It’s what I was told, Robert but it’s stayed with me since LOL Better be safe than sorry eh? ;) Now I remove them from my face but if there’s still leftover product, I put the mask on my neck. Waste not want not! As for the peel off masks, I remember the days when I first started messing with skincare and used peel off cucumber masks. Love them because it’s so satisfying to try to peel them off in one piece! haha!! But I now find these sort of masks too drying, like clay masks – so enjoy them while your skin allows you to! ;) Oh and people put those disgusting videos online?! WHY?!?!
You’d be surprised about those videos… they have millions of views too. The thought of it.. I can’t. hahaha.
Ugh, this shiver just went up my spine!
I am all for a product …. cream/mask …(whatever) which is able to add a dash of brightness to my face or tightens my (puddle like) pores and your review seems that this Caudalie product is able to give the face a some degree of radiance ,though the lasting power of the brightness is capped by a maximum period of 2 days. But honestly ,do we really expect the effect of the mask to last for a week?……..I love masks and currently use a bunch of Japanese masks and I am liking the effect of these masks. One such review is available in my blog. But Girls, would always like to try new things even if they have a stash of products. So I am game for this product and will definitely try. Sorry Paris My review has become long….
Nope, I personally don’t expect a home product mask to give me very long lasting results, but you’d be surprised at the people who expect it! LOL Realistically, it’s not possible I’m sure you agree :)
I never thought to try a mask with glycolic acid in it. I usually use the products in toners and serums. Looking forward to trying this one. New to your blog, happy to keep reading!
Hi there! I never thought a glycolic mask would work either, but it did :)