Welcome to Internet Famous, a monthly series in which we ask our Instagram followers to vote on a viral beauty product that's taken social media by storm. Then the beauty team will take the winning pick for a spin and share their reviews—pictures included.
I'm low-key a face mask hoarder. My arsenal is full of everything you can imagine, from serum-soaked sheet masks and overnight hydrators to detoxifying mud masks and peeling masks. I love affordable options, but some are admittedly trendier and more expensive than others. But no matter their price or purpose, they all have a special place in my beauty cabinet. When it's been an impossibly long day, when I'm feeling low, or when my skin is in dire need of a quick pick-me-up, nothing comes through like a good ol' face mask. I don't discriminate, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a soft spot for clay masks. They just understand me and my need for instant gratification. They unclog pores (and minimize their appearance) while improving your overall skin tone in a matter of minutes!
That's why Caudalie's Instant Detox Mask ($39) has piqued my interest. Aside from blowing up my TikTok, it has actually earned praise from all corners of the beauty world for its radiance-enhancing and oil-controlling properties and its impressive list of ingredients. The clay-based formula helps cleanse visible impurities and excess sebum while tightening the look of pores. It's also infused with caffeine, which does exactly what you'd expect: It helps wake up your skin. Grape-seed polyphenols are moisturizing, provide antioxidant benefits, and help limit sebum oxidation, which is responsible for blemishes. And since I'm a bona fide mask collector, this formula was impossible for me to ignore. So I asked my co-workers to do a test run with me, and the reviews are in. Keep scrolling to see what we all had to say and see if the viral formula has earned a permanent place in our routines.
Sarah Yang, Managing Editor
"I was a bit nervous to try this mask at first because my face was already a little dry and I was afraid that, since it's a purifying mask, it was going to dry my skin out even more. To my surprise, it didn't at all. In fact, it helped get rid of some of the dead, flaky skin around my nose and also made my skin glow."
Katie Berohn, Associate Beauty Editor
"I'm not a big clay-mask person because my skin is so dry, but I really liked this one! It noticeably pulled dirt and oil out of my pores, and it left my face feeling really clean. I don't think the pictures really do it justice—it works like a pore vacuum, so the results are a little less noticeable in photos but definitely noticeable for me. My skin also looked amazing the day after. I had a few blemishes beginning to crop up, and they've definitely gone down. I will continue adding this mask to my routine!"
Caitie Schlisserman, Beauty Director, Branded Content
"Whenever I try a new mask, I ask myself a few questions: Does it clean out my pores? Is my skin taut or overly dry? Do I look glowy? There aren't many times when I feel like a mask has delivered on everything I want, but this one sure understood the assignment. I slathered myself with the mask, waited for it to dry down, and was pleasantly surprised to see how much dirt and oil was sucked out of my pores—it was equally alarming and satisfying. (I mean, is anything as satisfying as seeing a clay mask do its intended job?) It not only cleared out my pores but also made my skin noticeably brighter and just happier overall. This baby is therapy for the skin and has rightfully earned a spot in my weekly routine."
Aniyah Morinia, Associate Editor
"As much as I love a good self-care practice, I'm not someone who masks often. I typically only grab one off my shelf if I feel like my skin needs extra love, but I had to test this one out after seeing it on TikTok and getting a recommendation from my co-worker. This one was easy to apply and had a nearly instant firming effect. But unlike other masks, I didn't feel like I couldn't move my face after the first five minutes. I love how I can actually see and feel the mask working. As it dries, the mask fades from pink to white and zeroes in on those filled pores. After rinsing, my skin felt super radiant and my face felt a lot tighter than it did before application. Overall, the mask was quick, easy, and effective, and I can see myself using this on a weekly basis."
Shawna Hudson, Associate Beauty Editor
"I did really like this mask, but I actually feel like it made a couple of zits on the left side of my face worse the next day! (It happens.) I guess that means it really does clean out your pores and bring impurities to the surface. I loved the way my skin felt after using this, too. It felt so soft, like my skin's oil production was really balanced. Overall, I definitely like it and hope to see better results as I use it more, but by no means were there any dramatic results on my end."
Erin Jahns, Senior Beauty Editor
"Let me start by saying I have a huge weakness for any product that feels like it's working, and the tightening effect this mask from Caudalie yields definitely satisfies that craving. Normally, my skin veers oily and acne-prone, but for whatever reason, it's been on the drier side lately, and I haven't been experiencing as many breakouts. That said, I did go to sleep with a face full of makeup last weekend, and I had a little bit of dermatitis around my nose, so I was curious if the pore-vacuuming powers of this detox mask would help the bumpiness around my cheeks and chin and the patch of redness underneath my nostril. I really like that this mask only takes about five to 10 minutes to work its magic, and I'm obsessed with the scent. I applied it in the middle of a stressful workday and immediately felt more relaxed, as if I were in an expensive spa and not my tiny bathroom. After I removed the mask, my skin felt a lot cleaner (almost like it could breathe more easily), significantly smoother, and as soft and silky as a baby's bum. The area around my nose was a little less inflamed and angry, and I also think my skin looked a tad brighter. To be honest, I was hoping for a more drastic before-and-after, but I still think it did a good job of subtly decongesting my complexion and also softening some rough texture. Plus, I'd use it purely based on how lovely it is. It's not my all-time favorite, and there are other oil-control masks I like more, but I'm still a fan."
Shop More Editor-Favorite Masks
If your skin is looking meh (aka it's dry, dull, and kind of splotchy), slather it with this and call it a night. It's infused with a blend of niacinamide, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants, all of which nourish, hydrate, and calm your skin. Is there anything better than waking up to a much healthier-looking complexion?
Does your skin get easily stressed? This weekly purifying mask can help reset and restore balance with its special blend of panthenol, calendula, and cacao, all of which can calm, soothe, and improve the appearance of redness and irritation.
This mask is formulated with natural enzyme exfoliants that dissolve dead skin cells while vitamin C brightens and protects and vitamin A helps revitalize skin.
This number does exactly what its title implies: It works overtime. It uses vitamin-packed pumpkin and exfoliating apricot-seed powder to help remove dead skin cells and leave skin looking and feeling its best.
If you're looking for a unique mask to add to your arsenal, look no further. Not only is this drenched in exfoliating acids and skin soothers that help unclog pores, improve uneven texture, and soothe irritation and redness, but it uses penetrative graphene tech, which is a material that basically syncs with your body heat to increase your skin's conductivity and ability to absorb ingredients. Don't knock it til you've tried it!
If you have oily skin, uneven skin texture, and lots of visible pores, this clarifying clay mask is just what your routine needs. Upon application, it subtly warms up (which helps open pores), absorbs excess oil, and gently exfoliates and decongests skin without drying it out.
This has been a favorite for years for its ability to visibly clear pores after just one use. It's made with kaolin clay, activated charcoal, and a six-acid blend, which all work together to help with skin congestion, clogged pores, and dead skin buildup, resulting in clearer skin.
This mask is Luxury with a capital L. It's infused with 24K gold, silk extract with antioxidant properties, a probiotic, and a combination of peptides that help firm and tone skin while adding a nice glow. It has a whipped texture and feels like pure heaven when it's on. Pro tip: Slather some on before bed and wake up to an incredibly soft and glowy complexion.
This has some of my favorite product features. For starters, it's a super-lightweight formula. It's extremely hydrating but doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy. Plus, the gel texture makes it extra soothing to slather on at night. All you need is a thin layer on your skin before bed, and boom! You'll wake up with a much more radiant complexion.
PSA: Anyone with dry skin needs to have at least one of these on hand at all times. The creamy rich texture is everything. It's made with avocado-fruit extract, avocado oil, and evening primrose oil, which leaves skin soft and supple while sealing in moisture.
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