The Glacial Facial Purifying Mineral Mud Masque by Alaska Glacial Mud Co., $34
It all started in the summer of 2001 during an extraordinary trip down the Copper River, on a raft where wilderness offered the most unexpected spa experience. Since then, every time a local resident mentioned that someone should bottle this stuff, biologist and dedicated environmental activist Lauren Padawer realized she is the person to do just that.
In 2006, she founded the Alaska Glacial Mud Co. which sustainably hand-harvests and processes glacial mud from the Copper River Delta. It is this river along with its inhabitants that gave voice to the importance of sustainability and activism in the company’s philosophy. Ten percent of profits are donated to land preservation, habitat restoration, environmental education, and sustainable community development.
Pure Alaska glacial mineral mud is the basis for their line of glacier-derived spa therapy products. No synthetic fragrances, colors, or fillers are used. The packaging is recyclable and the company uses green hydropower to process the mud.
Their products are available at Henri Bendel, CO Bigelow Apothecary in New York, exclusive spas, skin care boutiques, and natural/organic products stores.
We received the glacial facial purifying mineral mud masque in lavender-peppermint (also available in unscented and vanilla-lavender), with an application brush. The masque retails for $34 and the brush retails for $6.
The glacial masque is 100% natural and mineral-based with more than 60 major and trace elements that promote anti-aging, help skin hold moisture, and form collagen resulting in radiant skin. The pure mud, further enriched by wildcrafted and certified organic extracts, is also an antioxidant and moisturizer.
When I received this, I was a bit apprehensive about using it because I’m a Philosophy girl. I have very sensitive skin and the Philosophy skin care line has been working well for me. With the holiday season upon us, the last thing I wanted was to try a new product and have my skin react badly to it. To make things worse, I read in the instructions that you’re supposed to rinse the product out with a washcloth. I don’t use one! A washcloth has not touched my face in years because I’m afraid it’ll cause my skin to breakout.
I do use an exfoliant, the Philosophy Oxygen Peel, but it’s foam so I scrape it off and then wash it out, no washcloth. What convinced me to try is the fact that I’m not super happy with the results I’m getting with the oxygen peel. I was using the microdelivery peel before, but that was too abrasive and that’s why I switched to the oxygen peel. It doesn’t cause me to breakout like the microdelivery one, but I also don’t feel like my skin is getting exfoliated enough.
So I decided to ditch the peel altogether and try the glacial mud for the next three weeks. I have normal-oily skin so I used it twice a week, normal-dry skin usage is once per week and up to four times per week for more oily skin.
The best way to apply it is with a brush because you get twice as much use out of it, as opposed to applying it with your fingertips. It feels cool when you apply it, quite refreshing. After allowing it to dry, it was time for the washcloth. It took me a while to work up the nerves to scrub the mud off my face with it, but I did it and I’ve done it twice a week for the last three weeks.
The verdict? Incredible product! The exfoliating effect is remarkable, made even better by the fact that it’s a natural dermabrasion for the skin. The silt in the mud is a natural and gentle exfoliant while the clay in the mud absorbs impurities on the surface of the skin. I have never felt my skin so soft and smooth.
Price-wise and results-wise, the glacial mud masque wins over Philosophy’s oxygen peel by a mile. In the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to try the glacial mud. In the end, I’m not sure what to do with my oxygen peel because now that I’ve gone mud, no way I’m peeling back!
Reviewed by: Chic Techie
