Masks I am currently using

With winter in mind, you'd think I have been using a couple of moisturising and hydrating masks but that's not the case. I have normal skin and even with the dry winter air, I am able to keep up with it's hydration needs. What I struggle with all year round is pore and the blackheads some of them harbour. I don't have large pores all over my face, but mostly concentrated around my nose which is a common occurrence for many women. Many of the clay masks on the market (you know the ones that leave you skin tight when they are dry) are aimed at acne prone skin. I don't have acne prone or oily skin so for me finding the right balance of pore cleaning but non-drying.

Currently I am trying out two masks. One of them I am really happy with and the other has been a bit of a disappointment.

The first one I have been using once a week is the Avon Clear Skin Pore Penetrating Black Mineral Mask. They are out of stock at the moment, but I think I paid $6 for this mask which is a huge bargain. The black color is not from charcoal though, I think it's an oxide dye and the ingredients list contains eucalyptus extract which can cause irritation. But despite all those issues, I love this mask. I have used this twice so far and even after the first use I saw an immediate reduction in the blackheads in my pores. There is no way to reduce the size of pores but you can shrink them slightly by making sure they are clear of any dirt or oil (these are what form blackheads).

The second mask is one that I use twice a week as it's less harsh than the Avon one. It's called the Soap and Glory Fab Pore Facial Peel or as they have rebranded this the Soap and Glory Fab Pore 2-in-1 Purifying Mask and Peel (£10). Firstly, I don't think this mask is available in Sephora any more, maybe because they are re branding it and will bring it over to the States soon. It is however available in the UK. I have the mask in it's old packaging with the old name. The name is misleading, I bought it thinking it was a peel off mask, however it's not. It's consistency is that of a thick shaving cream! It has green beads in it that help exfoliate the skin while you apply the mask. The smell is that of toothpaste which might feel strange. I am not sure I have seen any changes in my skin even after using this mask 4 times in the last 2 weeks. It's not drying though which means that you can use it often without worrying about drying out your face. I will use it up but I am not going to repurchase. Have you tried this mask? What was your experience with it?