Ask the Expert: What is a detox face mask?

Enter Charcoal: A beautiful but not so beautiful ingredient at the moment. It's taken over Instagram in the form of exfoliating masks (you know what we're talking about) and viral blackhead removal videos. Its popularity is not at all surprising. After all, charcoal is known to help detoxify the surface of the skin. Most detox facial masks contain charcoal, which helps prevent nasal congestion by drawing impurities and excess oil from the skin like a magnet.

If you're looking to brighten up a dull complexion and detoxify your skin, look to a charcoal-infused face mask like L'Oreal Paris' Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Face Mask. To learn more about the benefits of charcoal and how a detox mask like the Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Face Mask can improve the look of your skin, we reached out to Dr. Rocio Rivera, Head of Science Communications at L'Oréal Paris.

What is a detox face mask?

A detox face mask is exactly what it sounds like - a face mask that can help cleanse the surface of your skin of toxins. This can include drawing out impurities from the pores and reducing congestion, which can ultimately help your skin not only look clearer and brighter, but also reduce the appearance of your pores over time. With benefits like this, it's safe to say that detox face masks are good for your skin, but not everyone is created equal. For a detox face mask to be truly effective, powerful ingredients must be included. That's why you'll find charcoal in many of them. "Charcoal comes from bamboo, so it's not a chemical product," says Dr. Rivera. It is boiled, then carbonized and used in various products to remove impurities. Although daily skin cleansing is very important, there are times when the skin needs a little pampering, and then a detox face mask made from charcoal comes to the rescue. 

Who can use the detox charcoal face mask?

According to Dr. Rivera, all skin types can benefit from charcoal ingredients because we have different skin types at different times of the day and on different areas of the skin. Sometimes our T-zone is oilier than the rest of our face and sometimes we have drier patches. Whatever skin type you have, a little detox from pollution, sweat, and other impurities can always be helpful.  

Ready for a skin detox? Wash your face with a cleanser that contains charcoal to remove impurities. Dr. Rocio recommends L'Oreal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Cleanser. She also suggests listening to your skin and treating these steps like a pampering session. Next up is a detox mask, specifically the L'Oreal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Mask. 

L'Oreal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brightening Mask

This mask is able to detoxify and brighten the skin in just ten short minutes. Powerful pure clays and charcoal act like a magnet to deeply cleanse pores and draw out impurities. The uniqueness of this clay mask is that its formula does not dry the skin. “The right formulation doesn’t need to be left to dry completely,” says Dr. Rivera. "This clay mask is made up of three different clays that help the formula absorb dirt without drying out the skin." Expect this mask to leave your skin clear, velvety and balanced. You will immediately notice that the complexion has become fresher and more even, and dirt and impurities have been removed. To use, start by applying all over the face or along the T-zone. You can apply it during the day or evening, but try not to use it more than three times a week.