My combination skin’s been acting up lately (annoying little pimples on my chin, clogged pores on my cheeks, dry patches around my nose… the usual crapalicious bullsh*t 🙂 ), so last night I took it as a blogger’s blessing and decided to test oil-free Boots Botanics Conditioning Clay Mask ($9) for the first time.
Just shake (it sounds like canned soup!), slather and let dry for between 10-20 minutes before rinsing with warm water. The mineral-rich clay, which is harvested from the sea and combined with burdock root extract, contains a negative electrical charge that, according to Boots, draws the crud from pores without over-drying the skin.
I kept it on for a full 20 minutes before rinsing, breathing in the earthy scent and enjoying the tightening sensation. While it was on, I could actually SEE the product settling into my pores, too, hopefully working its magic. ‘Twas fascinating AND disgusting — both at the same time!
Right away my skin felt noticeably softer and hydrated, but I’ll have to keep using it to see how it handles my chin zits (I’ll let you know!). If in the meantime you’ve got any pores that need vacuuming… 🙂
Available at Target 
and Drugstore.com, and suitable for normal skin, combination skin and for folks who need deep hydration.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Radhika says
September 1st, 2010 at 10:15 amAt that price…I could do with some vacuuming 😀 Wonder how much spare space my sis has in her suitcase…my list is getting longer!
Melissa W. says
September 1st, 2010 at 10:16 amI love Boots products in general. I laughed at “negative electrical charge” though, haha. But if it works, it works. Keep us posted!
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Jenn says
September 1st, 2010 at 10:17 amYou can actually SEE the mask settling into your pores?! Amazing!
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Kim says
September 1st, 2010 at 10:45 amI’m with Melissa W – that’s some fancy science! 🙂 I’ve always found Proactiv’s mask to work well. It smells God-awful (sulfur) and can by drying, but it definitely clears the skin. Great as a spot treatment too. The only problem with them is their pesky/aggressive customer service. They really don’t like you to cancel your membership!
Michelle says
September 1st, 2010 at 11:07 amI just might have to check this out next time I’m at Target. There is a lil colony of pimples that have decided to settle on my forehead — gag. I’ll have to try it!
Nina says
September 1st, 2010 at 11:09 amI might give this a shot. I actually have a clay mask of another brand and while I do feel the effects, I cant stand the texture of that particular product. It is so sticky so its a bit hard to spread. When I do get to spread it, it sticks to my hairline and is impossible to wash off. Ive taken to rinsing it off in the shower. I mean – it works and all that but its just too much of an effort to use sometimes.
I was actually thinking of stopping by the Target near my house to get a Rimmel mascara …. ill check this out and most probably end up buying it! 🙂
Kayann says
September 1st, 2010 at 11:28 amI love “fascinating AND disgusting”! Weird but so true! 😀
Trisha says
September 1st, 2010 at 11:39 amI could really use this right now. My skin has been feeling…icky…lately. It feels fine for the first few hours after cleansing, but by the end of the day it feels greasy and eww.
I’d say a mask (or masque) is in order.
Vanessa H says
September 1st, 2010 at 11:46 amOhh, I want to try it just to shake the bottle lol. I can’t give up my Queen Helene’s Mint Julep mask though, it clears any breakouts and leaves my pores super clean every time I use it. The funky green color is awesome too lol
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Mai-Huong says
September 1st, 2010 at 11:54 amI love Queen Helene’s Mint Julep Masque too! The crazy green color is definitely a plus – freaks out my brothers every time I use it, hahaha!
Nina says
September 1st, 2010 at 11:56 amHey Karen! My skin is acting up too with all those little pimples and naughty pores, but my clay mask hurts like hell. It’s from TBS’ Seaweed line and it’s really working, has a real nice texture but whenever I put it on I feel like I just slathered chili on my face! Do you think this is normal? Or do I have to find another mask (we don’t have Boots over here)?
Jessica says
September 1st, 2010 at 3:00 pmHi Nina, does the mask you’re using have menthol in it? That can burn sometimes (my boyfriend’s skin is more sensitive than mine and he says it burns). Just a thought. =)
Kristie says
September 1st, 2010 at 12:05 pmLove your blog. I currently host a blog with makeup tutorials, I would love to collaborate. 🙂
Tiffany says
September 1st, 2010 at 2:23 pmI neeeed this! My pores are terrible!
Principessa Grassa says
September 1st, 2010 at 2:55 pmInteresting! I’m having the EXACT same issues w/ my (also combination) skin right now … will be very curious to hear how this works for you over the long haul!
kali says
September 1st, 2010 at 4:30 pmGosh I’d love to try this. Do you think it’ll work for very dry-skinned people like me??
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Kate & Zena says
September 1st, 2010 at 5:17 pmOh, I know. It’s disgusting and fascinating to see a good mask in action…or looking at your pore strips. I use my precious precious Jurlique mask ($98 for the size I have…yikes. Thank God I got it when Zena won WHT’s Pet of the Month. The tube may say it’s not fresh anymore but it still works like it’s fresh, ha ha ha!) on my nose where all my awful blackheads are. I don’t break out in zits much (thanks to going back to the OLD skin care regime), but pore strips aren’t enough to get all those icky blackheads out of my nose. That stuff is wicked. It’ll go on all nice and smooth (and green) and by the end of 20 minutes, you can see all the bumps in my mask where it vacuumed out the gunk in my nose pores. Sooooooooo gross but utterly fascinating.
Vonvon says
September 1st, 2010 at 6:21 pmI have always liked Boots Botanical facial scrubs and polishes, and I also like clay mask a lot. So looks like I gotta try this! 🙂
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Scientific Housewife says
September 2nd, 2010 at 7:05 amI’m going to have to try this!
Sydney says
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:45 amLooking forward to seeing if this works!! I also have combination skin that is acting up (when is it not??) But my biggest worry is blackheads & clogged pores. I am always hesitent to buy new products though, because so far I haven’t found a single product that REALLY works for me. But, if this works for you, I will just HAVE to buy it!! How could I resist at such a low price!!
sharan says
September 2nd, 2010 at 7:59 pmi tired the product about a month ago, cuz all the natural stuff called to me, and i agree, it totally goes on smooth and makes le skin feel all nice and sweet and awesome. 🙂
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Jennifer says
September 6th, 2010 at 4:10 pmOooh. I got to try that!
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holly says
September 6th, 2010 at 8:52 pmI’m a sucker for a good mask. Especially one this cheap and available at Target. I have a target issue.
Pretty much ran out the door and snapped it up right away. I love it. I have another really similar mask (down to the showing little spots where troublesome pores and such are) by Booths which I also love and find it a little less drying than I found this one. However, that one has a super heavy scent that sometimes gets on my nerves. This one is pretty much completely unscented and works really well. So really, it’s just a trade off between whether I can take the smell and if I want to go black (Booths) or green (boots).
And the shaking? Totally fun.
Erika says
September 9th, 2010 at 4:07 pmI got this and tried this out last night…..
BOMB
No joke, it cleaned out blackheads Ive has for YEARS
CiCi says
September 17th, 2010 at 2:57 pmI’m going to take you all word for it. I’m going to target tomorrow, hope they have it. Thanks
CiCi says
September 20th, 2010 at 7:47 pmI went and bought it today. I’ll let you know how it worked out soon. It was found in the section by the makeup bags, if your was to check in the face section like I did, and said they most have sold out, but I kept looking and
Chantal says
October 22nd, 2010 at 1:43 pmI have this mask on right now. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now and it’s amazing. I love the cool feeling I get when I first put it on, and than how smooth my face feels after I wash it off. You really can see the clay settling in your pores (hence the gross part lol). And the nice thing is, it’s so easy to put on and super easy to wash off. I just rinse a facecloth in warm water and wipe and it’s gone. Also it’s super cheap and no membership required! This stuff is amazing!
Leah says
January 4th, 2011 at 8:42 amBoots is really great! I use the Expert Sensitive Moisture Boost Hand Cream by Boots daily at work. It lives next to my phone and I love it because it does not stink (good for work) and is not greasy (good for typing). Thanks for this review–I’ll have to give it a try.
J says
March 27th, 2011 at 3:52 pmI loved this stuff when I used to live in the UK, but I didn’t realize it had made it over here until recently. I happened to be in Target searching for a decent mask, moaning at the “loss” of my favorite Boots products, and suddenly this display appeared! I was so happy I almost bought everything, but I stuck to just buying this wonderful mask.
Megan says
March 10th, 2012 at 5:13 pmI actually just used this today, it’a amazing. I could see little spots of oil surface, it was gross but very fascinating. I have oily skin, so I’ll have to use this a few more times to see if it is a keeper :]
Cassie says
September 27th, 2012 at 9:31 pmSo can you use it every day or do you do 1-2 times a week? Help?!
SHANNON says
October 21st, 2012 at 1:38 amAbsolutely DON’T use it everyday! It’s great to use about once a week, but if you use it too often it could dry out your skin and cause a breakout. How do I know you ask? Past month of 1,000,0000,000 new pimples. Use in moderation.
katie mcloud says
June 8th, 2014 at 2:23 pmI have been using the Citrus Clear Clay Mask for about 3 weeks now. I only use it once a week. The one thing I noticed when I opened the jar was the very strong mint/menthol smell. It is a good smell, but very strong.
You simply apply the mask to your face and leave on for 5 to 10 minutes and then remove with warm water. In the time I have been using the Citrus Clear Mask, I have had fewer breakouts and blimishes. I LOVE the tingly-ness that is leaves when I am finished. My face just feels clean!