THE PRODUCT
HERBIVORE BOTANICALS: BLUE TANSY RESURFACING CLARITY MASK
Ah, blue tansy. We meet again! There have been quite a few products that have surfaced in the last few years featuring or including blue tansy as its starring role (or supporting role) ingredient. But not much is really out there when it comes to traditional academic research that (without a shadow of a doubt) pinpoints to blue tansy having any major beautifying impact. Perhaps its true effect lies in its collaboration or synergy with other potent ingredients.
Who knows.
Yet, whether you are a novice beauty patron or a long-time worshipper to all things within the skincare realm. Blue tansy seems to be making its mark in the beauty/skincare industry – with its most notable and lavishly marketed blue tansy containing Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil. I’m completely fascinated by its implementation into products and (as always) determined at demystifying its potential beneficial use to you, my lovely readers and fellow consumers.
So without further adieu, my happy readers, here is the breakdown of Herbivore Botanicals‘ Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask.
UPDATE: Since my review, the folks at Herbivore have since updated their ingredients list. I’ve included both the old and new formulation list.
THE INGREDIENTS
OLD FORMULATION
NEW FORMULATION
THE CLAIMS
Ok, the claims as detailed on the Herbivore website for the Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask.
“A truly natural mask that gently clarifies blemish-prone skin with Fruit Enzymes, White Willow Bark, Aloe, and Blue Tansy Essential Oil to soothe the appearance of redness.
White Willow Bark: A natural beta hydroxy acid (BHA), it is high in anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial Salicin to help clarify skin.
Fruit Enzymes: Papaya and pineapple work to gently exfoliate and leave the complexion smooth and refined.
Blue Tansy Oil: Naturally high in Azulene which in addition to giving the oil its beautiful blue color, works to reduce the appearance of redness and soothe irritated skin.
Truly Natural. Vegan. Cruelty-Free.
Herbivore products are truly natural, vegan, and cruelty-free. They contain no synthetic ingredients— this includes no dyes, no fragrances, and no synthetic preservatives. Additionally, they are concentrated blends containing no fillers and using the minimum amount of ingredients necessary to achieve the maximum results.”
Ok, let’s parse this baby to its bare bones based on its ingredients:
Substantiated | Claims | What's the Problem? |
---|---|---|
👍🏻 | Natural mask that gently clarifies blemish-prone skin with Fruit Enzymes, White Willow Bark, and Aloe. | None |
🚫 | Blue Tansy Essential Oil to soothe the appearance of redness. | No correlative publications linking blue tansy oil with these claims. |
👍🏻 | White Willow Bark: A natural beta hydroxy acid (BHA), it is high in anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial Salicin to help clarify skin. | None |
👍🏻 | Fruit Enzymes: Papaya and pineapple work to gently exfoliate and leave the complexion smooth and refined. | None |
👍🏻 | Blue Tansy Oil: Naturally high in Azulene which in addition to giving the oil its beautiful blue color. | None |
🚫 | Blue Tansy Oil: Works to reduce the appearance of redness and soothe irritated skin. | No correlative publications linking blue tansy oil with these claims. |
👍🏻 | Truly Natural. Vegan. Cruelty-Free. | None |
👍🏻 | Contain no synthetic ingredients— this includes no dyes, no fragrances, and no synthetic preservatives. Additionally, they are concentrated blends containing no fillers and using the minimum amount of ingredients necessary to achieve the maximum results. | None |
SKIN TYPE & USE
According to Herbivore’s website, this mask is specifically formulated per the following:
Apply a thin layer to clean skin. Slight tingling is normal with this mask as it works to gently exfoliate and resurface the skin. Leave on 15–20 minutes or until the mask is completely dry. Rinse with warm water. Sensitive skin: Leave on 5 minutes and rinse with warm water.
Warning: For external use only. Although slight tingling is normal with this product, if tingling becomes severe or painful, please remove the mask immediately with warm water. Avoid direct contact with eyes or mouth. Do not ingest. Discontinue use if skin becomes irritated.
Normal, oily, and combination. Since this has natural AHA/BHAs — I would tread lightly with this product for my sensitive and dry skin friends.
With any product — I always advise to retrieve a small test sample and do a patch test.
THE GOOD & THE BAD
I could not find any discernible reason to hate (or dislike) this product. In fact, for my skin, it seemed to deliver good results in lightening some minor hyperpigmentation.
Now granted I am using my trusty The Ordinary’s Alpha arbutin serum morning and night – used for minimizing hyperpigmentation – so some of the lightening credit should be given to the serum. But when I apply this blue goo and use it as an overnight mask (which I admit isn’t what they typically recommend – I’m a rebel, I know), the next day my face is taut, slightly clearer, with pores noticeably reduced, and with visible dark spots slightly lighter.
But be forewarned – it is slightly tingling when applied to the skin and I could see how some people might find it irritating. But if you have skin similar to me or are in search of a blue tansy product that won’t break the bank – then I would recommend Herbivore Botanicals’ Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask.
THE UGLY (PRICE)
Herbivore Botanicals’ Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask ($48)
Not bad!
DO I NEED THIS?
Again, whether you’ve stumbled upon this site trying to make the educated decision to purchase or not to purchase this blue face mask — I would suggest to take to your local Sephora and request a sample. That’s what I did initially. And after using it a few times – I decided to take the plunge for a jar of this blue goo.
So far, I’ve used it countless times – applying a good portion every time; and I have hardly made a dent to the amount. It’s a good size. So for the price point, product amount, and all the lovely packed ingredients – I think this is worth the investment if you are looking for an AHA/BHA face mask.
DUPES
May Lindstrom Blue Cocoon (Reviewed here)
Sunday Riley Blue Moon Tranquility Cleansing Balm
Leahlani Skincare Bless Beauty Balm
HOW TO MAXIMIZE THE BENEFITS?
The best way to utilize this mask is to be regimented about your skincare. Simple and to the point. That’s it, folks. There is nothing I can stress more than enough – than just being diligent about treating your skin with regular face masks.
If you have sensitive skin – I would plan to use this once every other week. If you have oily/combination/normal skin – this face mask seems to work well when breakouts are concerned.
ARE THE CLAIMS BACKED BY SCIENCE?
Whether you stumbled upon this cool blue facial mask and was curious about its claims and benefits. Or read various reviews touting its awesomeness. Herbivore Botanicals‘ Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask is one to be reckoned with.
At first, with most products, I start off skeptical. Laughing at the idea that a product would actually have relevant ingredients matching their claims. But my foray into the Herbivore line did not disappoint.
Venturing into this investigation of Herbivore’s product has instilled a breath of fresh air into a sea of “natural” skincare products I’ve tried (and reviewed). Not only does each individual ingredient included provide relevance or necessity to the formulation – but the claims actually match.
Can you actually believe it?
And as millions of people begin to resort to this new transitional approach to skincare with purchasing products packed with medicinal plant extracts to treat all forms of ailments and issues – there definitely will continue to be this global shift toward more natural products and less usage of synthetically processed ingredients.