Optiat Purifying Hemp Face Mask

Inside the #CarnLIVal goody bags was a tiny little sachet from a brand called Optiat, who make scrubs and face masks. The face masks are made from repurposed hemp husks, and they come in three different variations: purifying, nourishing and mens. I tried out the Purifying mask*, and here's how I got on...

Now, I'd forgotten it was one of those masks that comes in powder form and as per usual I didn't read the back of the packet when I was actually about to use it, so I ripped it open and black powder went everywhere. Miraculously I managed to salvage some, mix it with a few drops of warm water to make a grey/black paste, and smother it on my face. It smells quite nothing-y, just fairly natural, and it's not as gritty as I imagined it would be - I think you can make it more/less gritty depending how much water you add, too.

When it was on my face, it felt quite irritating - my face was stinging, but I persevered so see if I got good results anyway. And truth be told, I did. I was expecting my face to be a bit red and tight after I washed it off but it just felt normal until I added moisturiser, and then it was soooo soft. It's stayed that way since (it's been about 3 days now) which is amazing. My skin also looks brighter and my spots don't seem to be as glaringly obvious as they were.

At £17.95 for 30g, it's a bit pricey but you only need the tiniest little bit and it's really easy to store and re-use because you mix it yourself as and when you need it. I can get past the stinging sensation and the mess for the results it delivers, so if your skin needs a bit of a refresh then I'd definitely recommend this one! It's also vegan, cruelty-free, certified organic and has nice packaging.