Press sample
I was at an event for Clarins last week and it dawned on me that this was the first skincare brand I actively started using when I turned 21. I remember going into Shoppers Drug Mart on West Broadway and saying that my skin was now suddenly feeling very dry. I was recommended a Clarins Comfort Cream and from there I moved my way into the Multi-Active collection. I would never have thought I would get to explore more from the brand through their press list, but I am grateful that I will be able to grow old with this brand and hopefully continue to share their products here or in some form of virtual space. One of their newest launches is the Cryo-Flash Cream Cold Face Mask ($90.00 CDN), a mask that utilizes the anti-aging effects of cold therapy. While this isn’t a treatment I have ever had done, I was extremely curious as to just how cold this mask was going to feel!
What makes this mask special? I am not normally a cream mask person, but what got me interested enough in this mask for me to crack it open almost right away was what Clarins refers to as a “cryo active texture”. An innovation that has been developed using both molecular and plant technology capable of reproducing the mechanisms of cold on the skin. This technology is referred to as a combination of the “M.G.A. molecule” which is a menthol derivative that less irritating to the skin than menthol itself and evening primrose extract, which revives skin radiance.
As you may have guessed, this mask has a minty cold feeling once applied to the skin which not only feels refreshing, but also hydrates the skin and hopefully in the longterm, has similar anti-aging effects to cryotherapy. The texture is very much like a thick, cold cream and feels very comforting when massaged onto the skin. The second thing I really like about this mask is that I do not need to rinse it off as it is acts like a moisturizer. Just tissue off the excess and that’s it! I use this as a sleeping mask and even when applied fairly generously, I find that my skin absorbs most of the product and rinse off in the morning is very easy. The scent is very faintly floral and very much a “Clarins” type of scent for those of you who are familiar with their products. It’s all very subtle.
In terms of ingredients, the list looks like it is more focused on hydration and the M.G.A. molecule which I am totally fine with. Evening Primrose extract and some of the other more well-known anti-aging plant extracts like edelweiss, are much lower in the list.
INGREDIENTS: AQUA/WATER/EAU. GLYCERIN. BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER (moisturizing). OCTYLDODECANOL. COCOCAPRYLATE/ CAPRATE. 1,2-HEXANEDIOL. AMMONIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE/VP COPOLYMER. PROPANEDIOL. MENTHONE GLYCERIN ACETAL (Menthol derivative). ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER. POLYACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER-6. BORON NITRIDE. HYDROXYACETOPHENONE. SODIUM HYDROXIDE. ESCIN. ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN. TOCOPHERYL ACETATE. CHENOPODIUM QUINOA SEED EXTRACT. PARFUM/FRAGRANCE. DISODIUM EDTA. INULIN LAURYL CARBAMATE. LEONTOPODIUM ALPINUM FLOWER/LEAF EXTRACT (EDELWEISS). OENOTHERA BIENNIS (EVENING PRIMROSE) FLOWER/LEAF/STEM EXTRACT. HYDROXYSTEARIC ACID. T-BUTYL ALCOHOL. SODIUM BENZOATE. CITRIC ACID. CI 42090/BLUE 1. CI 19140/YELLOW 5. TOCOPHEROL. [V4240A]
Final verdict: I liked this mask enough that I have used it more than the recommended 1-2x/week whenever I felt like I wanted that cooling tingle on my skin! My skin felt and looked good once I applied the mask as well as in the morning, but I often say that my skin is pretty good right now so there wasn’t too much of a before/after difference which is no real fault of the product. If I end up seeing some lasting lifting results or tightening in my more saggy facial areas, that would be great, but for now this has been one of my favourite sleeping masks! I used to collect sleeping masks like Pokemon, but I realized that many of them I did not enjoy because they were a bit sticky or hard to rinse off just with water in the mornings (that’s the only thing I use to wash my face). This mask absorbs quickly, hydrates and my favourite thing about skincare that is so hard to find is a cooling, minty feeling so for me, this is now probably going to be my ONLY sleeping mask for awhile! I think if you want real cryotherapy results, probably still best to go to a medispa, but if you are looking for a new refreshing way to go to bed or start your day, this mask is VERY cool. Pun intended!
You can find the Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream Cold Face Mask at Clarins.ca and Shoppers Drug Mart! I would get the mask at one of these places if you are buying at regular price as it 20% MORE at Sephora!
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