Some day I’m going to have to tell you about why 2 of my favourite skincare items are serums and masks. But today is not the day. Today, I’d like to tell you instead, about 2 new face masks to join the Kiehl’s Mask Wardrobe, as I like to call it.
Before this, we had the Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque which I rather enjoyed using, because it was fairly affordable, came in a large tub and wasn’t too drying. Despite having dry skin, it’s nice to occasionally slap on a clay mask and get the gunk out of there you know. Apparently, there was later a Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque, which flew under my radar so I never knew about it until now.
But the 2 new additions to the Kiehl’s Mask Wardrobe are 2 very interesting ones that I’m particularly enjoying using. Oh yes, I am!
The one I was first most intrigued by is the Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque in the orange tub. The reason I was, is because of the use of turmeric, a spice and ingredient often used in South Asian cooking. Traditionally, it’s also been used in skin and body masks and scrubs to purify skin. If you go for an Asian spa, you might see it used (a yellow powder) and I went for a spa once that left my skin stained yellow for a week. Naturally, I was a little concerned when I saw that this mask was just as yellow 😛 So do you end up with a yellow-stained face?
Happily, no you do not! LOL! 😀
Kiehl’s Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask – RM138 | US$32 for 75ml
The Turmeric & Cranberry Seed mask is meant to energize the skin, so skin looks brighter and more radiant. Goodness knows, we could all do with some of that! Due to the addition of turmeric, the thick cream mask is a strong yellow colour, with crushed cranberry seeds that act as exfoliants.
So, what you do is apply a layer of mask over your skin, let it dry, and then add some warm water to gently scrub your skin. This therefore acts rather like a 2-in-1 product – mask and scrub. It rinses off quite easily and the exfoliants are not too harsh on the skin, which is nice. It isn’t drying when washed off and yes, you do notice a slight immediate brightening of the skin, but I won’t chalk it up to this – just wash your face – you intantly look better too 😛
I had people come up to me and swear up and down that this was THEIR HOLY GRAIL MASK! They loved it sooooo much and it made their skin soooo much better. I had high expectations, therefore. So to me, no, this is not earth-shatteringly good. It’s a decent, non-drying, radiance-boosting, gentle-exfoliating face mask that is quite nice to use. But to me, it wasn’t special. For me, its sister, the Cilantro & Orange Extract Pollutant Defending Masque was a much better experience!
Ingredient list: Aqua/Water, Kaolin, Sorbitol, Bentonite, Butylene Glycol, Silica, CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Oil/Jojoba Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, Polyacrylamide, CI 77492/Iron Oxides, Glycerin, C13-14, Isoparaffin, Curcuma Longa Extract/Turmeric Root Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Laureth-7, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Extract/Peppermint Leaf Extract, Menthol, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract-Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/leaf/stem Extract, Aminomethyl Propanol, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Fmla 942012 F.L.L. Code D176277/1
Kiehl’s Cilantro & Orange Extract Pollutant Defending Masque – RM138 | US$32 for 75ml
This one, I again found interesting, because of the use of cilantro aka coriander – another common cooking ingredient in Asian cooking. I actually detest eating coriander, but I’m not as averse to putting it on my face! LOL 😀 As I expected, the cream mask does have a rather sharp, green scent, a little reminiscent of this pungent herb so be sure to take a sniff to see if you like it.
The Cilantro & Orange Extract mask is a wipe-off and leave on mask, that is targeted to protect skin from pollutants and external aggressions and to leave you with radiant skin.
The texture of this mask is of a smooth, thick cream, and it leaves a visible green cast on the skin when applied. There are a couple of ways you can use this.
- Recommended method: Apply a thin but visibly green layer on the skin after all your skincare at night, wait 10 minutes, wipe off excess and go to sleep without washing off.
- Alternative: Apply a thin but visibly green layer to the skin after all your skincare routine, but just before moisturiser so this replaces the moisturiser step, and go to sleep.
- Alternative: Apply a slightly thicker layer of mask to the skin after cleansing, wait about 30 minutes, then rinse off.
I find that there isn’t much to tissue off, so I prefer the 2nd and 3rd method outlined above. I was told you can even use a very thin layer under your makeup in the day, but I personally won’t recommend it. The reason is because there is a warning on the tub that says that this product contains AHA acids and that can make skin photo-sensitive. In the day, when you’re more likely to be exposed to the sun and UV rays, it won’t be advisable to have this on your skin as well. Always wear a good sunscreen and stay out of the sun when using this product, but then if you read my blog, you already do that. Right? RIGHT?! 😛
Personally speaking, I prefer this Cilantro & Orange Extract mask to the Turmeric & Cranberry Seed mask, because I feel that I get better benefits from using this mask. I like how soft my skin feels in the morning, and if I go the intensive route, and put on a thicker layer on my skin (where it makes my skin look very noticeably green, like the Hulk) and then rinse off, it actually seems to make my skin feel even softer and smoother, and absorbs my night skincare better too. It might be due to the AHA action, which I prefer to a physical exfoliation.
Ingredient List Aqua/Water, Propanediol, Butyrospemum Parkii Butter/Shea Butter, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Arginine, Glyceryl Stearate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil/Apricot Kernel Oil, Lauroyl Lysine, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea Oil/ Olive Fruit Oil, Cetearyl Glucoside, Squalane, Neohesperidin Dihydrochalcone, Coriandrum Sativum Seed Oil/Coriander Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Saccharum Officinarum Extract/Sugar Cane Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Ferulic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water/Orange Fruit Water, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract/Lemon Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil/Lavender Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil/Peppermint Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil/Rice Bran Oil, Acer Saccharum Extract/Sugar Maple Extract, CI 77288/Chromium Oxide Greens, Linalool, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil/Sunflower Seed Oil, Phytic Acid, Limonene, Citral, Geraniol, Citric Acid. Fmla 685699 F.I.L. Code D178150/1
IN A NUTSHELL
These 2 new cream masks for Kiehl’s address primarily the problems of skin radiance, in different forms. The Turmeric & Cranberry Seed mask acts also as a scrub, which may or may not appeal to people. It functions more like a clay mask and is a wash off mask. The Cilantro & Orange Extract mask is a leave on mask akin to a sleeping mask and it is recommended to wear a good sunscreen when using this product as it has AHA that acts as a chemical exfoliant. I like both, but I prefer the Cilantro & Orange Extract mask because I find it more effective over the long run as opposed to the instant results from the Turmeric mask. Both aren’t drying and are very comfortable to use.
PROS: Fairly affordable, Not drying, Leaves skin looking more radiant after use, Easy to remove
CONS: The Cilantro mask has a rather strong green scent, The Turmeric mask can get messy to remove
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who enjoys using a cream mask, Anyone who wants a mask treatment for radiant skin
PRICE: RM138 | US$32 for 75ml
AVAILABILITY: Kiehl’s stores and counters
Which mask to pick?
It depends on what you want and prefer. If you like something skin to a clay mask and like using physical scrubs, then you might like the Turmeric & Cranberry Seed mask. The results are more easily noticeable. If you prefer something akin to a sleeping mask and aren’t too crazy about physical exfoliation, then go for the Cilantro & Orange Extract mask. But be sure to give it a proper sniff first.
But if you’re lucky enough to own both, here’s what I like to do. I’ll do the Turmeric & Cranberry Seed mask first. Leave it on for about 40 minutes, wash it off, and then do my skincare followed by the Cilantro & Orange Extract mask. Next morning, I wake up with skin so unbelievably soft and comfortable, you have to feel it to believe it! 😀
Have you tried either of these new Kiehl’s cream masks? Have you used other Kiehl’s masks?
They’ve just been launched and from experience, Kiehl’s stores are pretty good with samples. So while I don’t know if these come in sample sachets (they should) there’s no harm asking and see! After you’ve given a go, let me know which you prefer 😀
Paris B
Victoria Shanti says
Oooh…I am so tempted with the Cilantro mask :-). Thanks for the timely review because I really need to start using mask regularly again. Fallen off the mask bandwagon after the birth of my son. Lol. Just to ask your opinion, I have 2-3 tubes of masks that I have opened 2 years ago and have stopped using it for the last 1 years plus as I could not find the time. Should I discard it now as I am not sure how effective they are anymore and probably past the expiry date as well? 🙂
Paris B says
Masking actually does make a difference but I can understand that not everyone has the luxury of time. Maybe consider a sleeping mask? 😉 As for your question, if it’s been open a while, better not use it. While it may not smell off or look off, it may no longer be efficient and it might cause more harm to the skin. That’s also part of the problem with masks – so often, I don’t use them up! Wasted only
Applegal says
You make me want to try these masks! But at RM138 a tub, ouch!
Paris B says
It’s actually not too bad, Applegal 🙂 They will last quite a while, as you don’t use a lot each time, and you won’t use it everyday 😉
Lily says
Serums and masks are my favourite skincare as well! They’re potent, and they make a difference. I’m using a lot of radiance masks at the moment. When I’m done, I might have to try these. I might be hungry, but these masks look like cheese dip, and avocado dip. I just need some Doritos. Hahaha!
Paris B says
Now that you mention it… I need some chips too! 😛 But you’re right about serums and masks – they are what I feel makes a difference to our skin on top of a proper routine. Sometimes, that’s all you really need! A good serum and a good mask 🙂
Skygazer says
In general I love Kiehl’s products, so I may try the turmeric mask, it does sound like the type of mask I’ll like- physical exfoliation and clay like mask sounds good!
Paris B says
Yes, the 2-in-1 function is quite fun actually. Once you start to remove it, all these bits exfoliate the skin so it’s very therapeutic!
Cynthia says
I am loving both of these masks! They work well together tho… =) I like the warm feeling on my skin when I used the Turmeric& Cranberry Mask. But i have to say it’s quite messy to wash off. Sometimes I found 1-2 seeds left on my skin. LOL! My skin feels brightens up but not as good as some others say it is. While like you, I like the Cilantro mask too! The next morning my skin felt so soft and radiant with it. 🙂
Paris B says
LOL Yes, the Turmeric one can be a little messy! All the bits dropping everywhere especially if you try to keep a dry bathroom like I do, and then have to splash everywhere just to make sure everything is washed off 😀 Happy to know you like the Cilantro one too! I think it’s a little underrated
Momoko says
I like the Cilantro one too. Like you, my skin felt really soft after using it. Try the Overnight Hydrating Mask. It works really well for my very dehydrated skin.
Sam Still Reading says
I bought this today based on your reviews – thanks Paris!
Paris B says
Did you like it?! 😀
A says
Kiehl’s just open another store near me – yes, now we have two of them in Prague! 🙂 Now I’m tempted to get both of them! Should I or should I not? 😀
Paris B says
Wait, I didn’t even see the 1 in Prague when I was there! LOL I must have been blind 😛 As for whether to get these masks, it will depend on what you think you need. I prefer the Cilantro one, but if your skin is sensitive, then maybe try the Turmeric one instead 😀
tiara says
can this mask used by women pregnant?