little white truths

I received this mask as part of a five-piece set from Peter Thomas Roth (unboxed here), and while I didn't buy the set for this particular mask - I had my eye on three of the others - I have to say that I was expecting a little more from the product, given its description and the brand that created it.

While I wasn't expecting wonders, I was definitely expecting something - especially because I opted to use the mask (almost) every day as suggested for intense repair, which I really didn't get. But more on all that below.

There's what it looks like above and below. It's a thick, pink coloured gel that looks as though it will be soothing and cooling on the skin, and while it is those things, it's the effect it gives after use that I feel is lacking.

This really did nothing for me, and for a product that I used almost every day for over a month - besides the two days each week that I used other masks I own - you'd expect to see some impact. Unfortunately I didn't with this, so it's not one I recommend and I've put it to the back of the cupboard for now because I need something more.

It's a thick, pink gel with a faint rose scent that's not overpowering and doesn't linger, so you can't smell it after the mask is applied. It feels beautifully cooling and soothing on the skin for a good while after application, and that's probably the only good thing I've noticed about it in terms of impact - I think it does calm down the skin if you're feeling sensitive and irritated, as I have been.

Having said this, the mask does sting a little when applied over those extra dry patches around my mouth and nose, so I'm not sure what's in it that's causing the stinging, but I'd test this first if you have super sensitive skin.

When I wash it off, I notice no difference in how my skin looks and feels. It may look a tiny bit more plumped and feel a touch softer for a short while after use, but that's about it. I've also seen no cumulative effect over the good month that I've applied the product religiously.

I'm also using my HG Ren Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask once a week at the moment (reviewed here), and that one runs rings around this one in terms of effect. Since they both claim to do the same things and are in a similar price bracket, I would absolutely recommend that one over this on any day.

Also, I tried the Peter Thomas Roth 24k Gold Mask yesterday (which also came in the set), just to compare it to this one, and while the gold mask made a huge difference to my skin after only one use, this one has sadly done nothing that it's claimed to do over a good month of use.

I should say that I'm a difficult test subject - even more than usual, because I am picky with face masks anyway - since my skin is super dry and dehydrated at the moment (pregnancy and cold weather ain't a good mix for already dry skin!), so this mask was always going to have to work hard to earn its stripes, and it really hasn't.

On the claims: I don't think it rejuvenates or repairs at all; I do think it's cooling but it doesn't encourage younger-looking skin; it doesn't help with radiance but it does make the skin feel a touch softer; and it definitely doesn't address things like fine lines and wrinkles, dehydration, dullness and sagging as claimed.

All in all, this is a bad product and I've given it a disappointing products tag. Maybe it would be ok for younger, normal and/or oily skin that doesn't need much hydration (which isn't what it's designed for!), but for my dry, ageing skin, this mask fell sorely short and I've put it aside to use in summer, for the cooling effect alone.

Avoid this one. It's just not worth the effort or the pricetag.