With summer in full swing, our glands are working overtime to produce sebum, which in turn can pave the way for clogged or enlarged pores. This can create an environment in which oil, dead skin, and dirt can build up and cause blemishes and other types of inflammation. But fear not! There’s one pore-purging powerhouse we have in our skin-care arsenal: exfoliants.
And Dr. Brandt Vacuum Cleaner Mask (now $31) is one of our go-tos. Aptly named, this mask was designed to extract gunk. The product is formulated with salicylic acid, which clears up oil buildup and keeps skin clear, as well as silica, a gentle exfoliating agent that sloughs off dead skin cells.
Originally $44, now $31
Pros
- Gel-like consistency
- Extracts gunk from pores
- Absorbs oil
Cons
- Has exfoliating beads that may be rough for sensitive skin
How it works
The mask removes impurities in your face by breaking dirt apart and absorbing excess oil. “Pores don’t actually physically change size, but they may look bigger as they accumulate oil throughout the day,” Purvisha Patel, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare, previously told W+G. By clearing these tiny tunnels, the mask can help pores appear smaller.
Exfoliants don’t always have the best reputation for being kind to the skin, but this one is really hydrating. The product is enriched with moisture heroes like glycerin and bark extract. “… glycerin is not only so great at drawing water into the skin, but it’s also super gentle,” Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut, once told W+G. Bark extract, on the other hand, acts as an emollient and retains moisture. Together, these hydrators keep skin plump and make skin look radiant.
Consistency-wise, this mask has the texture of a gel, making it easy to apply. It’s important to note that the product’s micro exfoliating beads may not be ideal for sensitive skin, so conduct a patch test on your hand or arm to test out the waters before applying the formula to your face. Simply apply a thin layer and massage in circular motions until the beads break. For optimal results, leave the mask on between five and 10 minutes until the product dries and turns blue. Then rinse!
If you head to the reviews, you’ll find shoppers over 50 singing their praises for this mask. One shopper said, “Hands down the best pore-cleansing mask I have ever used. [It] smells like sulfur, but I can get past it. I seldom experience any kind of purging with any product, but the first and maybe second time I used this, it brought gunk up from the most congested area of my face (the area where my cheeks meet my nose). I had no problem with that either because I knew it was doing its job. As if that wasn’t enough, it didn’t leave my skin feeling tight and dry afterward. I only use it on my T-zone, and I’m happy to say that between this and taking good care of my skin, my pores are significantly less visible. I love it!”
“I discovered this several years ago and I absolutely love it,” said another customer. “I have very large pores and now in my 50s, I have several aging concerns. After a couple of uses of this product I have noticed a dramatic difference in my pores! It made me feel so much better about skin and actually made putting on makeup so much easier. The main thing I like is you get the same results as the peel off masks (if not better) without all the pulling on your skin! Definitely worth the cost. A good investment!”
You heard the shoppers: this mask soaks up gunk pore-fectly. The sale runs from now until July 14. Don’t forget to enter code JULY30 at checkout to redeem your discount.