I haven’t really gone on too much about my “pregnancy” skin; mostly because, if truth be known, all has been quite plain-sailing. Actually, I’d go one better than that and say that my skin throughout pregnancy (apart from a few dodgy months at the start) has been the best that it has ever been. Very clear, quite bouncy and fresh-looking and with an evenness of tone that has surprised me. (Thinking about that evenness of tone; I have been using the Olay Regenerist Luminous serum a lot since I did the sponsored trial at the end of last year, so it would be nice if that had something to do with it! You can read the posts here, the serum is online here.)
Two things I’ve noticed about my pregnancy skin, though: firstly it has been a little drier than usual, meaning that I’ve been slathering on all of the oils and rich, buttery moisturisers that I wouldn’t usually dare touch; secondly, it has been quite a bit more sensitive. As a total acid-exfoliator-addict, I was quite taken aback at how suddenly my skin did a U-turn on my favourite peels and masks. The Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask, one of my all-time favourite treatments for dull and congested skin, stayed on for five burning seconds before I had to quickly rinse it off again. Alpha-H’s Liquid Gold was too strong for me, many of the acid toners and treatments that previously I’d used almost daily had to be relegated to the back of the beauty cupboard.
So for quite a while, the skincare routine of choice was a good cleanse, followed by a bit of serum and then an oil (Neal’s Yard Remedies Argan Oil, more often than not) or a moisturiser. I did the odd bit of exfoliation (I got on well with the Microdelivery Peel from Philosophy, also the gentle version of Kate Somerville’s Exfolikate) but there was a big gap in my weekly routine: I was missing an effective, targeted face mask. Something that would instantly brighten and clarify my skin, make it feel as though it had been through a mini-facial, but that would also be gentle enough for my newly sensitive skin.
Read about my usual mini-facial face masks…
That “gentle-yet-effective” gap in the weekly beauty routine has been very adequately filled by the two new treatment masks from Pai Skincare. The recently launched Copaiba Deep Cleanse AHA Mask and Rosehip BioRegenerate Rapid Radiance Mask have been formulated for even the most sensitive of skins, yet they seem to do a very decent job of clarifying, brightening and plumping out. The Copaiba AHA contains fruit acids, lactic acid and clay to deep cleanse and exfoliate at the same time – if you’ve always loved the idea of the Glamglow range but worry that it would be too harsh for your skin then this is your perfect solution! (It’s also loads cheaper and beautifully formulated.) You can see a full ingredients list and buy online here.
Glamglow Super-Mud Clearing Treatment Review…
If the Copaiba AHA Mask satisfies the need to “instantly brighten and clarify”, the Rosehip Mask is bent more towards hydration and achieving a dewy, plumped-out glow. If Copaiba was my “red carpet overhaul” mask then the Rosehip would be my soothing, wind-down treatment. It’s far more suited to my current skin type than the Copaiba, but it’s definitely not quite as striking in terms of visible results. The glow and clarity from the AHA mask is instant and long-lasting, the effects of the Rosehip (£30 here) are more noticeable to the touch than to the naked eye. Soft and springy skin, whereas it’s more on the smooth and toned side after using the Copaiba AHA. Both, though, are absolutely brilliant additions to skincare routines that require a little more care and thought to avoid triggering sensitivities and flare-ups. For those who have been desperate for an effective deep-cleanse to treat spotty-but-sensitive skin, or a gentle mask to help with incredibly dry, dull skin, these should shoot up to the top of the skincare wishlist.
The new targeted treatment masks from Pai Skincare are £30 each – full details and ingredients lists are online here.
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