I was gifted the Dr. Brandt Pores No More –Vacuum Cleaner- Pore Purifying Mask through Octoly. The process required me to test out the product and post a review. I’ve been testing out the mask for several weeks and I feel like I can finally make a full review on it.

Directions: Apply a thin layer to areas of concern. Massage into the skin until beads break. Leave on for 5-10 minutes until dry. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Recommended usage: 2-3x per week

Texture: gel texture

Fragrance Free –will discuss further in review below.

Price: $42

First 5 Ingredients:

Ingredients: WATER (AQUA), SILICA, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, BENZYL ALCOHOL, MANNITOL, ALCOHOL DENAT., XANTHAN GUM, CELLULOSE, LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA (LAVENDER) OIL, GLYCOLIC ACID, MENTHONE GLYCERIN ACETAL, ENANTIA CHLORANTHA BARK EXTRACT, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, DISODIUM EDTA, GLYCERIN, SALICYLIC ACID, OLEANOLIC ACID, ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE, IRIS FLORENTINA ROOT EXTRACT, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, ROSA MULTIFLORA (ROSE) FRUIT EXTRACT, CI 77007 (ULTRAMARINES), CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE) , CI 77120 (BARIUM SULFATE)

1-Water

2-Silica- Absorbing agent- Silica is a mineral found naturally in sandstone, clay, and granite, as well as in parts of plants and animals, and is used as a versatile ingredient in the cosmetics and skin care industry because of its ability to serve as a an abrasive, anticaking agent, bulking agent, opacifying agent and suspending agent

3- BUTYLENE GLYCOL- a conditioning agent- that add a layer of softness or improved texture to your hair or skin

4-BENZYL ALCOHOL- Organic alcohol that occurs naturally in some fruits (apricots, cranberries) and teas. Its chief function in cosmetics is as a preservative.

5-MANNITOL- primarily as a humectant, but can also be found serving as a binder, masking agent, moisturizing agent, flavoring agent

Overall Review

What initially caught my attention about the Dr. Brandt Pores No More –Vacuum Cleaner- Pore Purifying Mask was that the mask is formulated for those with oily skin textures like myself with ingredients like Salicylic Acid and Glycolic acid. I’ll admit this is not a mask that I’ve seen people mention often, but I always thought Dr. Brandt to be great brand. I like to keep an open mind when reviewing new products and not the let the opinions of others sway my own opinions.

The mask itself is a clear-white color gel. It has blue beads that dissipate once the formula is massaged into the skin. During this process the mask then changes to a light blue color. Only a light coating of the mask is needed, therefore this full size would last several months if it were being used 1-2x a week. The mask dries fairly quickly (less than 10 minutes). During this time the mask is on a strong cooling sensation can be felt. My problem starts here. After the mask is removed I can still feel the cooling sensation up to 1-2 hours after. The feeling is not painful, but I find it uncomfortable

My next problem lies within the scent and ingredients. The product is label as being fragrance free but is smells very strong of mint/menthol. I’m not one to be disturbed by the scents of products, but this one truly bothers me.

I looked at the first 5 ingredients of the mask and I didn’t see any major red flags with the ingredients. The 9th ingredient, Lavender Oil, I find to be problematic. I personally have not had any issues with essential oils in my products, but for many lavender oil can cause a reaction. I’m not sure if this is added for the calming effects that the oil has with the body or for its scent. Either way it draws a red flag to me.

After the mask is removed my face looks smooth and my pores look clean, but at the same time my skin appears to look lifeless and dry. I see the directions encourages usage 2-3x a week all over or to targeted area. This is not a mask I can or would want to use multiple times a week. I hate leaving negative reviews but for me this product was a no go. I wouldn’t even go as far as saying as I hate the mask, because it works! I just can’t get over the scent.