Koh Gen Do: Brightening Moisture Mask

Koh Gen Do: Brightening Moisture Mask is a facial mask that promises tighter pores and brighter skin tone. Who doesn't want those benefits? Read on to see what I thought about the mask and if I'd recommend it for those with sensitive skin. (See all of Mary-Ellen's sensitive skin reviews)

Koh Gen Do: Brightening Moisture Mask Description

Brightening Moisture Mask by Koh Gen Do (or KGD) is a clay mask that works well on sensitive skin. It retail price at the time of this review is $67 for a 3.53 oz. tube.

Koh Gen Do explains that this mask is designed to clean and tighten pores. It contains Morocaan lava clay which was added to help to remove pore-clogging impurities. It also contains these botanical extracts:

• Artichoke Leaf
• Thymus Serpillum
• Sage Leaf
• Melissa Officinalis
• Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root
• Rosemary Leaf

The mask is a smooth and creamy blueish-grayish cream that feels pleasantly cold when first applied. It also does not contain any artificial colors, fragrance, petroleum based mineral oil or parabens and only has a light clay smell.

How to Use

Here are the directions provided on the product: Apply this mask after you have washed your face. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes (5-6 minutes during the winter) then gently rinse and remove with lukewarm water. Follow the rest of your daily skincare regimen. You can also use it in T-Zones as a spot treatment. Use the mask 2-3 times a week.

Things We Love:

• No Irritations: The mask didn't cause any irritation to my sensitive skin and didn't cause any breakouts or other unwanted effects. I also liked how the mask never got hard. Sometimes masks can get so hard that they are almost painful to get off, but that didn't happen with this clay mask.
• Doesn't Interfere With Skincare Regimen: I thought it was great that you could just use the mask and then go on and use your regular skincare products. It's nice because you don't feel like you have to "schedule" time to use the product.
• Doesn't Over-moisturize: Since my skin isn't overly dry, I was wondering if this mask would make my skin too greasy, but it didn't at all. It was really nice to apply this after washing my face because it immediately eliminated that tightness sensation.
• Nice Spa Feeling: The cool feeling from the mask and reading about all of the minerals, botanical extracts, special lava clay and other interesting ingredients makes it feel like you are giving yourself a nice treat.

Something We Weren't Crazy About

• Price: I know good masks are not cheap, but at almost $70 for just a 3.53 oz. tube - that might make me use the product more sparingly.
• Slightly Messy:It takes some work to make sure you get all of the clay off of your face. Once I realized that, I started using it while in the shower since that made it easier to wash off.
• No "Brightening":The product promises some things that I didn't experience. My face did feel nice and smooth after using it, but it didn't feel brighter or have less redness.

Final Thoughts

This is a good mask, not great, but good. It's a nice find if you have been searching for a hydrating mask that won't irritate your sensitive skin. It would also make a nice gift if you are looking to splurge on someone, but as for brightening, I just didn't see it happening.

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.