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Image shows a woman using a green mask spatula to put the Beauty counter AHA mask on her face.

Expert Review: Is Beautycounter’s AHA Smoothing Face Mask Safe and Effective for Your Skin?

posted:

10/06/2022

@caroline__potter

MEET

Caroline

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Beautycounter’s new Reflect Effect AHA Smoothing Mask is finally here…and it’s a total skincare game changer—I’m obsessed! Considering I’m a minimalist and pretty particular, I don’t think I’ve ever instantly loved a skincare product so much! Learn all about the AHA Smoothing Face Mask’s review.

Natural Skincare Tested: Is Beautycounter’s Reflect Effect AHA Smoothing Face Mask worth adding to your Routine?

WOW—it gives your skin and complexion INSTANT results!

Think of it like an in-home facial—glowing, soft and smooth skin in just 10 minutes. But you can get a whole jar with 50+ uses for less than the cost of one facial. 

It’s a unique clear, gel-like formula that won’t dry out your skin or make it tight like traditional clay masks do. I love to apply it at night as I clean up the kitchen or brush my teeth. Afterwards, this is a Multi-tasking while wearing a skincare mask is one of my favorite nighttime rituals!

My skin looks better than ever and it’s the perfect boosting, pick me up!!

Image shows a woman spreading AHA Smoothing Mask on her face with a green plastic beauty tool.

Beautycounter AHA Smoothing Mask Review

What are AHAs?

AHA or alpha hydroxy acid, are plant based acids that act as chemical exfoliants to help remove dead skin cells, improve skin texture, even complexion and boost radiance. On this AHA Smoothing Face Mask’s review we’re going to take a deeper look into it.

Glycolic acid, one AHA found in the AHA Smoothing Mask, is the smallest of the AHA molecules and is able to penetrate deep into the skin, increasing effectiveness, removing dead skin cells and boosting glow.

AHAs work hand in hand with Vitamin C, due to their similar pH levels, so pair the mask with All Bright AHA Toner and All Bright Vitamin C Serum.

AHAs used too frequently or in harsh chemical peels (gaining popularity these days) can actually damage the skin’s sensitive protective layers and even burn the skin. This mask contains an effective yet gentle level of AHAs, even for sensitive skin, so you notice the difference but your skin and hormones stay profected!

Image shows a picture of an unopened Beautycounter AHA mask on top of a white background.
Let’s learn all about Beautycounter’s AHA mask!

Benefits of Beautycounter’s AHA Smoothing Mask

I found on this AHA Smoothing Face Mask’s review that this mask is truly a facial in a bottle and unique because it contains BOTH chemical + physical exfoliators! The outermost layer of the skin is very important to the skin’s appearance (which is continuously undergoing natural cell turnover) and long term vibrancy, aging and elasticity. Exfoliation maintains the uniformity of the skin’s properties by removing dead skin cells. It also increases the effectiveness of any products you use as they are actually able to penetrate the skin and do their work.

Benefits:

  • ​​reduce the effects of fine lines, wrinkles and aging
  • smoothes skin texture and improves skin tone
  • decrease the appearance of melasma and acne
  • transform tired and dull skin into a youthful glow
  • clears clogged or large pores

Ingredients + How They Benefit You

  1. Bamboo particles: Physically exfoliate and dig deep, removing dead skin and grime in your pores. Bamboo is eco-friendly and very gentle on all skin types! Most conventional exfoliators use endocrine disrupting plastic particles that can damage your skin’s sensitive outer layer and even “burn” it. 
  2. Glycolic (AHA) + Phytic acids: This combo can quickly remove dead skin and any skin build up. Boosts your skin’s glow and youthful appearance, helps reduce fine lines and any discolored or sun spots. Glycolic acid is a very small molecule size so it’s easily absorbed by the skin.
  3. Saccharide Isomerate: A sugar based moisturizer that delivers the ultimate hydration that locks in your skin’s unique moisture levels and combats dryness—never leaving you oily! You’ll feel that “baby soft” skin!
Image shows a hand holding an opened Beautycounter's AHA mask in front of a white background.
AHA masks have great benefits for the skin.

AHA Smoothing Face Mask’s review Q & A

Q: How should I incorporate the mask into my existing routine?

If you are a minimalist like me, you’ll find this your new go-to product! 

Use this AHA Smoothing Mask only 2 times per week at night for 10 minutes. You want to make sure to remove all makeup and cleanse your face first. I find it works best if your face is slightly damp before applying.

Here’s the steps:

  1. Remove makeup.
  2. Cleanse.
  3. Smoothing Mask for 10 minutes.
  4. Facial Serum
  5. Moisturize

This mask is considered a hero or treatment step. If you use the Overnight Resurfacing Peel or Clarifying Mask, use this new mask on alternate days. Good rule of thumb, don’t use more than one hero, mask or treatment step per day as that will overwhelm your skin. These hero products are highly concentrated and you want to give them space to do their job!

Q: How much AHA is too much?

Generally you only want to use AHA products 2 times a week—however you can incorporate other AHA products into your routine on the same or alternate days. I recommend alternating products on different days so you don’t overwhelm your skin. Make sure to properly moisturize your skin after using or applying skincare items with AHAs as for some people it may dry your skin a bit.

Q: What are other ways to exfoliate?

Exfoliation is an important step to remove grime, dead skin cells, reduce acne and increase cell turn over—but many conventional exfoliators use endocrine disrupting plastics and harsh chemicals that actually destroy your skin’s sensitive top layer. These are all great clean, non-toxic and gentle exfoliators. 

Q: Can AHAs reduce acne and acne scars?

YES! AHAs penetrate deep into the pores and exfoliate, helping remove clogged pores, bacteria and excess oils that result in acne. Just like with any routines, consistent use is key as this keeps pores open and clear. AHAs also help increase cell turnover thus reducing the visible effects of scaring overtime.

Q: Is the AHA Smoothing Mask worth the cost?

YES! Considering going to get a facial will cost you $150+, this in-home facial in a bottle saves you big time and is very effective. A little goes a long way, so this AHA Smoothing Mask will last a long time. I used it consistently 2 times a week and it lasted me 6+ months—that’s a little under $2 per use for a facial, exfoliation and anti-aging treatment.

This isn’t your daily cleanser, this is similar to a facial spa treatment within the comforts of your home. The more potent + concentrated the ingredients the more effective they are…and the more expensive.  It’s also tested for contaminants, free of harmful endocrine disruptors and screened extensively for your safety!

Q: How can I save the most money?

Oh so glad you asked! Beautycounter’s Band of Beauty membership is sort of like the Amazon prime for clean beauty. No strings attached, just all the rewards. I think of it like a coffee shop punch card! You’ll get free shipping on all orders over $100, a welcome gift (always very generous and instantly pays for the membership cost) and 10% rewards back on all purchases.

So if you spend $100 today you’ll have $10 waiting for your next order. It’s a great way to slowly and intentionally build up your clean beauty wardrobe.

Add the membership >

If you are new to Beautycounter you can use the first time buyer code CLEANFORALL20 for 20% off your first order. If you want other skincare suggestions to take advantage of that discount, simply send me a message!

You can also test the mask out with this limited edition MINI Smoothing Facial Mask. These make for great gifts, are refillable for travel and still contain so much product!

Image shows an ipad showing a website, with a text on the left that reads "What you put on your body is just as important as what you put in your body".

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