Product Review -My favourite Exfoliators: @GlamglowUK Tingling Exfoliating Mud Mask

I am an avid fan of exfoliation and it has been a part of my skin care routine for many years! I exfoliate EVERY day – and yes, this can be done without aggravating the skin – as long as the correct products are used!

As I began to write this post, it took me back to my school girl skin care regimen, which included the Body Shop’s Japanese Rice Washing Grains. Below is the modern version if this product, but it used to come in a maroon cylinder tube…did any of you used to use this product too?

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I also used to use The Body Shop’s Blue Corn Scrub and Avon’s Clear Skin ranges!

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#throwback!

As I got older (and l got a Saturday job!) I would spend my pennies on more premium products such as Dermalogica’s Skin Prep Scrub, Origins’ Never A Dull Moment (I loved the name just as much as the product! ) and when I came to London to attend university, I ‘graduated’ to using high performance products such as Dr Sebagh’s Deep Exfoliating Mask (of which I have written about here).

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Why l value exfoliation.

Here are 3 reasons why I exfoliate regularly:

1) Treatment of Hyperpigmentation

Like many women of colour, I suffer from the effects of hyperpigmentation – especially that caused by the after effects of spots/trauma to the skin.

Regular exfoliation removes the dead skin cells to reveal the newer, unblemished skin underneath. Don’t get me wrong, exfoliation alone will not treat hyperpigmentation fully but it certainly accelerates the renewal process for me.

2) Superior penetration of serum/moisturisers.

It goes without saying, once the dead skin cells have been removed from the surface of the skin, one’s skincare products will be absorbed more readily. I especially find this to be the case with my serums, which dissappear deep into my skin after exfoliating.

3) Skin resurfacing

I still suffer from the odd breakout every now and then and exfoliating helps to speed up the healing process and re-smoothing of the skin.

Over the years the formatulations of exfoliators have become increasingly sophisticated as new ingredients are discovered and incorporated into the latest products- be it a granular scrub, a chemical peel or an exfoliating pad.

Over the next few months I will be featuring some of my favourite exfoliators – both past and present!

To kick off the series here is my review of one of the current hot products of the moment : Glamglow Tingling Exfoliating Mud Mask.

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I first tried this product after receiving a sachet in the ample goodie bag that was given away at last year’s BBloggers Xmas Lunch organised by the fabulous Victoria (aka VIK Beauty) and Lola (aka Lola Starhearts).

Described as a ’10 minute mud mask facial’, I was keen to give it a more rigorous trial.

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This product has been hyped to the max and has garnered rave reviews…but did it live up to its reputation?

The mask claims to deliver instant results that leaves your complexion revived and glowing for 3 days after application by providing a ‘multi-level resurfacing exfoliation which penetrates into the deepest layers of the skin.

The mask is a grey clay mud and contains flecks of dried green tea leaf which the brand has called TEAOXI™. TEAOXI™ is the ‘magic’ ingredient.

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As the product name suggests you WILL feel a tingle upon application…as I exfoliate regularly, I didn’t find this to be too uncomfortable but I have read a number of reviews by other bloggers, some of whom found the sensation to be extreme or even painful, so I suggest that if you have sensitive skin or if you have not used a deep exfoliator for a while, do a patch test before going for the full monty!

I liked how this product dried like an old school traditional mask – apparently it is during this process that the clay is at work drawing out impurities and delivering the TEAOXI™ deep into the skin.

I then washed the product off with tepid water. Tiny granules provide an additional topical exfoliation.

I was impressed with the look and feel of my skin after removing the mask…I wouldn’t go as far to say it was glowing but it was radiant and felt very smooth.
I also felt that the effects lasted for at least another day..but would be hard pressed to validate the ‘3 day’ claim…but overall I liked it!

The product comes in two sizes: a 15 ml pot and a 50 ml pot – which can set you back up to £50 (do shop around though, prices vary quite a bit online).

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Many reviews and comments have stated that the product is just too expensive for what you get in the pot…but looking at the source of the clay concoction it does look like the brand has used the best of the best – with inclusion of volcanic rock and clay from the Mediterranean sea!

The brand instructs the user to apply the product with a foundation brush…which I didn’t do! This will obviously make the mask last that bit longer and stretch those pounds!

Personally, I would save this mask for those special occasions, where you want to give yourself an extra treat.

Effective but pricey…but ultimately a thumbs up from BPL!

For more information visit the Glamglow website.

*pr sample

5 comments for “Product Review -My favourite Exfoliators: @GlamglowUK Tingling Exfoliating Mud Mask

  1. royalpriestess
    May 6, 2013 at 2:18 am

    Interesting read, I look forward to your future posts on exfoliaters… How do I know if I need to exfoliate daily, and which exfoliaters would you suggest for daily use?

    • May 14, 2013 at 9:32 pm

      Thanks for reading! Everyone can exfoliate daily – I will be sharing my favourite daily products soon xxx

  2. Ayomide
    August 7, 2013 at 11:43 am

    Hi,
    I am a Mary Kay beauty consultant, mary Kay offer a free skincare and makeup party. Would you be interested in trying our products, and giving your opinion?
    Our UK website is http://www.marykay.co.uk
    You can Emily m back; beautymagssx@hotmail.com
    Ayomide Magbagbeola

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