Review: Freeman Feeling Beautiful Avocado and Oatmeal Clay Mask

Facial masks are life—or at least they're a great way to give your skin a boost. Some masks are formulated to hydrate parched skin, others are anti-inflammatory and soothe redness in a matter of minutes. But perhaps the most satisfying mask of all is the classic clay mask. Not only does it decongest and purify pores, leaving skin fresh and glowing, but also the experience of slathering it on and wearing it just feels like the epitome of self-care.

Freeman Feeling Beautiful Avocado and Oatmeal Clay Mask ($4) is a facial mask that draws out impurities from the pores while leaving your skin feeling smooth and clean. It's a real treat. And it's super affordable, so it's worth a try at any budget. 

About the Mask

This is your typical green clay face mask that hardens as it dries. The star ingredient is kaolin clay, a mineral that you'll find in many detox masks. It works by sucking dirt, impurities, and excess oil from your pores, detoxifying skin and amping up your glow. The beauty of kaolin clay is it's relatively gentle. Avocado oil and oatmeal add moisturizing properties.

The mask is best used two to three times a week. However, it's mainly for oily to combination skin—not the best for dry or sensitive skin since clay masks can leave your face feeling dry and tight.

The Experience

Here's how it works: Cleanse your skin first. Apply the mask to your face, avoiding the eyes. (All you need for your entire face is about a quarter-sized dollop of product, and it spreads out easily on your skin.) Leave it on for five to 10 minutes (until it dries). Then rinse with warm water. Easy breezy.

This mask really does help reduce oil and impurities on your skin and in your pores. It leaves skin feeling fresh, and adds a little glow. Note that it does have a strong scent, so if you're sensitive to fragrances, this might not be for you.

Since the mask has avocado oil, it seems as though it would be more moisturizing than it is. Truthfully, the avocado and oatmeal don't seem to add much in terms of hydration. You'll still probably need to follow this with a healthy dose of moisturizer if your skin type leans more toward combination.

If you have dry skin, definitely pass on this mask and maybe try Freeman Feeling Beautiful Honeydew and Chamomile Sleeping Mask ($6) instead.

All in all, the Avocado and Oatmeal Clay mask is effective, and it's a real steal. It's obviously not the most luxurious clay mask on the market. If you're looking for a more high-end experience, you might want to splurge on something like LOLI Beauty Matcha Coconut Paste ($38), which also brings in a more sensory ritual of blending up your own clay mask. But if you're in a pinch and want to stick to the basics, the Freeman Avocado and Oatmeal mask does the trick.