REVIEW: The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask

I would always prefer cream-based masks that you apply on the skin over sheet masks, where you have to constantly remind yourself to not move your face muscles too much, should the sheet mask detach from the skin and hence is less effective.

Definitely cooling, since it contains menthol, and tea tree oil itself gives a slight cooling, tingly feeling as it is.

For anti-acne purposes, the honey cinnamon mask was my go-to mask, until we ran out of honey in the house, and I couldn't find any pure natural honey from the supermarkets (I also blame laziness in general). And recently I went shopping at The Body Shop and picked up this pot of magic.


Paying MYR48 for a 100ml (3.85oz) tub of product is quite economical, given that it might last for quite some time.

Think clay mask + tea tree oil, except this mask isn't supposed to dry on your skin.

The Body Shop says:

Apply generously to face and neck with fingertips. Leave for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off with clean water. Mask doesn't dry. Use weekly. Breakouts are minimized with regular use. With menthol, tamanu oil, lemon tea tree oil and Community Fair Trade organic tea tree oil. Avoid eye and lip area. If contact occurs, rinse with clean water. Stop use if irritation occurs.

I think I'll call this the Hulk mask...

The mask product itself is a pale-ish green cream product, which you're supposed layer quite thickly onto a freshly scrubbed and pat-dried face (I use The Body Shop's seaweed scrub).

Best. Game. Ever.

What I do while waiting for 10-15 minutes? Finish missions on Jetpack Joyride, my current game obsession, because Zombie Tsunami still isn't on Android.

Asian face. LOL. Your skin is left feeling fresh, light, and clean. My skin is originally a little patchy.

Rinse off with warm water, and follow with your remaining skin routine (mine is TBS Seaweed Clarifying Toner, TBS Vitamin E Intense Hydration Face Cream, and TBS Shiso Moisture White UV protection [UV protection is needed even if you stay in the whole day]).


Pros:

• relatively economical
• actually works ("minimize breakouts" being the operational term here)
• gives a slightly tingly, cooling effect to the skin during and after use
• as with all other The Body Shop products, it's animal cruelty-free
• easy to use
• isn't messy (drips, smears, etc)

Cons:

• comes in a tub (bacteria build-up due to the repeated dipping)
• definitely more expensive than the honey & cinnamon alternative
• might contain colorings (natural or artificial)
• might be too strong for people with sensitive skin

Repurchase? Definitely!