Review: Oxygenated chocolate mask saves time with 3-in-1 action

Review: Oxygenated chocolate mask saves time with 3-in-1 action

What is it like to have chocolate smeared all over your face?

Well, it felt choco-liciously pampering! To be honest, at times I wanted to lick the chocolate off my face as the fragrant smell of cocoa was just so inviting.

But no, I wasn't having real chocolate on my face - instead, it's an inedible choco mask that has a 3-in-1 function.

Over a period of a week, I tried Klarity's Oxymud Cacao Duo Cleanse and Renewal Mask.

It works as a make-up remover, cleanser and mask.

Naturally derived from the Theobroma Cacao plant, chocolate is known for containing natural anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing properties. It is also formulated with French sea clay, floral stem cells and tea extracts.

However, Oxymud is not specifically an anti-ageing mask. It is more for detoxification and deep cleansing. 

The special formulation also contains an infusion of oxygen with the chocolate mud. So when you open the tub, you'll see bubbles as soon as you smell the scent of cocoa.

Klarity Oxymud Cacao Duo Cleanse and Renewal Mask works like a make-up remover, deep cleanser and mask all in one. Photo: AsiaOne

The steps for application are simple and you don't have to use a separate product to remove your make-up first. 

1. Evenly apply a spoonful of mask all over face, including neck area. (Applicator is provided in the kit)

Tip: Avoid dipping your fingers directly into the mask as it will oxygenate the product. 

2. Leave it for a couple of minutes until you see the mask foam up and change colour from dark to light brown like the colour of Thai iced milk tea.

3. Gently wipe off with wet cotton pads and rinse with warm water.

The foaming effect of the Oxymud after leaving it on the skin for a few minutes. Photo: AsiaOne

Upon application to face (avoiding the eye areas), you might find yourself transforming into an ugly troll as the oxygenated mask creates unsightly, bubbly pores on your skin as it foams up. This bubbling effect is part of the oxygen therapy. I looked so hilariously hideous that my colleagues had a good laugh (at my expense) when I first tried the product in the office.

Thankfully, the result was just the opposite after removal of the mask.

Klarity claims that with the help of this cleanser, any skincare product you apply after this absorbs 10 times faster into the skin. 

My skin appeared seemingly lightened and lifted, although it felt a little too tight for comfort and there was some redness on my skin. I reckoned the first application of the mask was too generous, so for subsequent applications, I used less of it and the tightness went away.

After removal of Oxymud. Photo: AsiaOne

Chief Executive Officer of the cult brand, Ms Karine Cheong, told AsiaOne that she came up with the product to suit her busy lifestyle. Admittedly, she said she's very "lazy" and was looking for short-cuts for her beauty regime, so the 29-year-old mother of two worked with dermatologists to create this product. While this method of cleansing is "unconventional", it saves her time.

This time-saving benefit is something that I can identify with and appreciate, being a mother myself. When I used Oxymud for a week, I liked the idea that I didn't have to go through the typical "3 steps" routine. I could speedily cleanse my skin of make-up and have a mask therapy in one action and all in a matter of minutes! My evening beauty regime was done and dusted by shower time. I didn't have to wait another 20 minutes for a mask to take effect and I could hit the covers shortly after. 

Verdict: I love the convenience. However, after one week of using the Oxymud, I felt that it was a little too drying for my skin as the area around my jaw line started to become a little scabby.

Klarity's Diamond Glow Overnight Mask looks like an egg custard and is quite difficult to spread out on the face, but the rich texture is rather pampering. Photo: AsiaOne

Another product that I tried - and absolutely love - is the Diamond Glow Overnight Mask.

Interestingly, this skincare product, which has a glamourous packaging, reminds me of food too!

The cream itself is yellow in colour and looks like custard.

The texture is gunky so it is rather challenging to apply onto your face initially. But once you smooth it out, it absorbs really well into the skin. Tip: Remember to apply generously to the neck as well, as it is an often neglected part of our skin.

As it is an overnight, leave-in treatment, the masque is meant to be richly textured. It claims to promote skin collagen production.

Verdict: Similarly, I used the Diamond Glow Overnight Masque for 7 days. You'd wake up with a sticky-icky feeling on your skin, but the effect was pretty amazing. My skin appeared more plumped up and had a certain healthy glow on my face (or so I'd like to think). Plus, I like the scent of the product.

Oxymud Cacao Duo Cleanse and Renewal Mask retails at $49 for 30ml and $89 for 100ml. Diamond Glow Overnight Masque retails at $59 for 15ml and $99 for 50ml. Also, available at retail stories at BHG, Sasa and Pink Beauty; and online at Zalora, Sephora and Secretive.sg.

maryanns@sph.com.sg

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