GlamGlow PowerMud Review

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Fans and proponents of the original Glamglow Youthmud will probably hate me for saying that I don't like it, it tingles like hell, and it's simply an overhyped and over youtube'd mud mask that does nothing. The sensation is much more intense than glycolic acid, retinol and benzoyl peroxide combined. And that's telling a lot because I'm no noob to masks, peels and all sorts of facial treatments. So while at Sephora few weeks ago, I picked up another mask called Powermud (still from Glamglow) which claims to remove weekly build up of dirt, oil and makeup. Is it a glowing review this time? scroll down for the great reveal.

What the website says: a mud-to-oil, gentle cleansing treatment that removes dirt and grime; it has OILIXER™, a custom-blended complex of four powerful, rare, non-greasy, and fast-absorbing cleansing oils; CLAYTOX™, a carefully balanced four-clay blend for gentle skin detoxification; PUREIFIER™, a complex mix of cleansers, astringents, and exfoliators to purify and condition the skin.

What my maturing skin and clogged pores say: Beyond the trademarked and obviously-play-of-words a.k.a marketing jargon, this mud mask is more tolerable than Youthmud; yes it does tingle but it dissipates after few minutes. The consistency is thinner than Youthmud and Thirstymud. It smells like apple and it feels slightly gritty on application. I can't specifically pinpoint which from the ingredients contribute to it (crushed seeds maybe?) but for reference, here's the breakdown:

Water, Bentonite, Glycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Kaolin, Calcium Carbonate, Squalane, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Methyl Gluceth-20, Montmorillonite, Niacinamide, Xanthan Gum, Verbascum Thapsus Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower/Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, Sapindus Mukurossi Peel Extract, Verbascum Thapsus Extract, Plankton Extract, Boswellia Carterli Oil, Commiphora Myrrha Oil, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Powder, Panthenol, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Betaine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Disodium Edta, Inositol, Taurine, Trehalose, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).

This mud mask transforms into a cleansing oil as you rinse. There is mild exfoliation or unclogging as I call it. On the first occasion I have used it, I had three tiny zits on my chin the following day. Unperturbed, I knew it's "purging the bad out" or deep-cleansing my face. After several uses, my skin has finally adjusted to it, tingle-immunity included. Most of all, I like how it makes my face feels clean and taut after 10 mins of masking. With that said, a repurchase is definitely happening!