Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores, 3.4 Fluid Ounce,U-SC-4618

Since I hit puberty I have suffered from horrible acne. Blackheads, whiteheads, deep acne, surface acne, you name it. My skin oils are thick, white and gooey. It's hard to get them cleared away without irritating my sensitive skin. I've tried every treatment imaginable and had very little success. I tried proactive among other things. Proactive just cost a lot of money and my acne didn't go away because the chemicals in the treatment products just irritated my skin and encouraged infection and inflammation. I felt hideous when I saw myself in the mirror and hated going out because I had to wear so much makeup that it didn't look good and even didn't cover up the acne very well.Then my husband found this product and ordered it for me as a pre-deployment gift. I used it for six months while he was gone. Every night I put it on and I took it off in the morning. (they recommend 15 minutes a day but I went over board..) I didn't steam my face before applying it but I probably should have, but usually I applied it after taking a hot shower. I've always been a acne picker. Had serious trouble with touching my face and pinching it. Wearing the mask helped with this because I wasn't interested in picking at it and it was easier to resist the normal habit. During the day I applied a scar lightening cream and some acne fighting make up. As time went by I had to use less and less of it. Now I only have to spot treat at night with the charcoal mask and wear a dab of makeup here and there for a the occasional zit from my period. This stuff is AWESOME! It gave me my life back. I feel beautiful again. My pores are tight and my skin is smooth. I still wear the full mask about once a week. I need to apply it to my back where I still struggle with some acne. I haven't ever applied it there before. It was awesome getting to face my husband when he came home and not feeling ugly. Feeling pretty for him instead.

This is a bit spendy at $30.00 but it is amazing, and I rarely buy any skin masks or toners. I've found the all natural ones work better and without any adverse reactions. I was exposed to some chemicals due to a fire and my immune system has been out of whack ever since. I started getting hives or something on my face and chest.I've never had acne and what was happening on my skin wasn't acne. I have a masters in bioscience, which doesn't make me an expert here but I know active charcoal is used to pull out impurities, toxins and is used in ER's for overdoses. Active charcoal capsules are also supposedly help with hangovers by absorbing the excess alcohol toxins. I've not tried the capsules for that purpose, but interesting side note I thought.I used this several time after washing my face with a really warm washcloth and soap. Then I placed the washcloth on my face to open the pores. I applied it very liberally and left it on for almost two hours. Then I washed it off with soap and water again. I was amazed, over the course of the next week spots on my face I was told were age spots started to wash away - like dead skin.My skin had so many different tones and spots and welts. After using this, when I washed with a washcloth dead skin seemed to almost roll of my face and chest. My skin looks clear, tone is even, skin glistens now I've told I look younger! I had been embarrassed to be seen in public.Your skin tells you when something is wrong, it's important to pay attention to it. Most doctors quickly right off skin disruptions as rosacea, age spots or acne. None of which are diagnosis. I've also learned dry skin is dead skin, don't put lotions (most with wax) to make it better - it will make it worse, keeping the dead skin on your body.The old fashioned remedy - tried and true - use warm water, unscented soap (with lye, lye surrounds dead skin, bacteria, fungus from your skin and sends it down the drain). Forget the 'anti-bacterial soaps really, even doctors will tell you this, they are worthless hype.Use a washcloth or scrubber of some sort every time you shower/bath. Avoid the temptation to put on lotion or oil after getting out of the shower. Let your natural skin oils do the work, it takes a few weeks to 'retrain' yourself and your skin. But it works, lotions and oil clog your pores and keep the dead skin on you rather than letting your body rejuvenate itself naturally. It's worth a try and doesn't cost anything. I'd be curious to know what other found.Scary fact: You know the white dust around your home & carpet - that is dead skin cells. Gross, but true. Icky creatures feed on dead skin cells both on and off your body.

My daughter has suffered from cystic acne for a few years. She has been on prescription acne creams and tried Neutrogena acne kits as well. All of them helped for awhilebut then acne came back. She has modified her diet, etc with nothing helping.Finally after a few months using this charcoal mask, her skin looks almost clear. She cleanses her face with Eminence all natural products but this charcoal mask works better for her than the probiotic mask by Eminence. Also it is about half the price per ounce.I read a review before ordering this product that recommended using it several days in a row to really purge the skin. My daughter had to do this a few times and still uses the mask about 4 or 5 days a week for 15 minutes or longer. She uses it on her back as well when her back gets very broken out. This mask does seem to pull up the impurities because my teenager's skin is looking better and better the longer she uses it.