Paula Choice Skin Balancing Carbon Mask

I ordered some samples from Paula Choice. I sent them email writing about my skin type and my concern in curing acne. The customer service replied my mail and gave me complete explanation about what treatment type should I take accordingly. She said that as a new customer, I might ask for three samples. One of it is the Skin Balancing Carbon Mask which is suitable for Normal to Oily/Combination Skin.

Here I’d like to give my review on Carbon Mask. But before I go there, I want to share about the Paula Choice’s way in treating the customer. I dropped them e-mail and they replied me by giving me a form to be filled. They also listed some products which may suitable for my skin type. They did assist me in finding the right products. I actually sent them two emails before, but they didn’t replied. I think it’s because I only said that I want to try their product without telling them about describing my skin condition. But my latest email with more complete explanation was replied. This was my first experience with local cyber company which implements such good communication with their customers.

Now, let’s back to the Carbon Mask review. It functions to:
Absorb excess oil, minimize the occurrence of blackheads, and leave your skin beautifully soft and smooth with this unique combination of clay and carbon. This gentle, fragrance-free formula contains soothing anti-inflammatory agents to help reduce redness and irritation, setting you on the path to clear skin.

• Absorbs oil without drying or stripping the skin; Carbon has a mild disinfecting action on the skin, which is helpful for blemishes
• Soothing blend of anti-inflammatory agents
• Cools the skin without irritating menthol, peppermint, or alcohol found in many other oil-absorbing masks
• Won't clog pores
• Rinses easily
• 100% fragrance- and colorant-free

Back label of the sachet displays the ingredients of the mask:
Water, Glycerin (water-binding/slip agent), Bentonite (white clay/absorbent), Magnesium Aluminum Silicate (mineral-based absorbent) Decyl Oleate (emollient) Sorbitan Stearate (emulsifier), Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Stearate (thickeners), Sea Whip Extract (anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent), Silt (Sea Mud) (absorbent), Fucus Vesiculosus (Bladderwrack) Extract (antioxidant), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract (antioxidant/anti-irritant), Carbon Black (charcoal/absorbent), Salix Alba (Willow Bark) Extract (anti-inflammatory), Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben (all preservatives).

The instruction says to apply thick layer on the skin, so I smeared a thick layer and my sachet was empty. The sample size’s content was enough for one application only.

The mask doesn’t make my skin feel tight. But, it stings my skin instead. I bet it’s a sign that the formula was working. It felt a bit uncomfortable but the stingy feeling subsided after about five to ten minutes.
The mask texture is thick enough and mud-like. Its color is grey. I spread the mask on my whole face easily. It took a while before the mask dried thoroughly. Then I rinse it off with warm water.

The immediate result is clear looking and smooth skin surface. And maybe more oil control. I said “maybe” because I was using another clay-mud mask on those days: Queen Helene Mint Julep and this one also helps to control the extra oil. Hence I couldn’t objectively see if Paula Choice was also doing something on my excess sebum or not.