Alba Botanica • Hawaiian Papaya Enzyme Facial Mask • Masks

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EastmeetsWest on 4/25/2013 2:37:00 AM more reviews by EastmeetsWest

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

I am an esthetician so I am pretty picky.

Applied in a thin layer in the shower, this product works wonders. You get a nice tingle, gentle exfoliation and glowing skin.

I wish it came with a pump, I hate scooping product out with my fingers.

For an added oomph I sometimes use this product with my clarisonic.

This is HG for me.

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*TOP REVIEWER* simi531 on 4/14/2013 10:11:00 AM more reviews by simi531

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

You know when you repeatedly buy a certain product but can't figure out why? This is something that I just keep coming back to. It is gentle yet effective at tightening and shrinking my pores with no side effects like burning or redness. Makes my skin glow and helps shrink breakouts. Loving the wipes that they have just come out with under the same name. Worth the price. Lasts a long time and has great ingredients.

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Teaspenc on 4/14/2013 12:10:00 AM more reviews by Teaspenc

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

This is my favorite mask. My skin feels fresh after the enzymes eat away at those dead skin cells. It stings a bit at first but nothing to bad by any means. I like to use this then before even taking it off use a very mild scrub to get the dead skin cells off even further. It leaves my skin glowing and I've noticed the blackheads on my nose get smaller.

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cameobear on 3/22/2013 3:22:00 PM more reviews by cameobear

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I've used this mask for a while now, and only recently found it on amazon! $20 for 2?! I used to pay $15-18 for one, so this is a great deal!

This is a great, gentle relaxing mask. If you're looking for the peel-off gel type masks, this isn't it; it never totally dries on your face. I love masks, and peels, and once a week I give my self a spa day at home, and this is one of my favorite masks to use! It's also great if your skin is being temperamental, because you only leave it on for five minutes! Some of my mud masks take almost 20 minutes to dry, so this is great in a time crunch.

I have mildly sensitive skin, and this does sting a bit for the first minute or so, but then it gets much better!

Don't expect miracles, but I think it's a nice simple addition to any routine.

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Neelaaaa on 1/31/2013 2:09:00 PM more reviews by Neelaaaa

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Olive, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I like masks like this specific one because they won't dry on you. I tend to not really like that crackly dry feeling you get when using other face masks. In the past I've used Queen Helen's Mint Julep, Aztec Healing clay mixed with ACV (gross smell!), and Montagne Jeunesse Passion Peel off Pomegranate Masks. These all have worked really well for my combination skin! (I have blackheads on my nose, my temples get a bit oily, and everywhere else is "normal" skin type and I only get hormonal monthly breakouts (2 or 3 zits at the most). The only issue is the drying flakiness that occurs if you don't sit still.sometimes they make a mess.
Anyways, I've been using this mask for a couple of weeks so I think it's safe enough to write a legit review now.
-Use: I always stick to the 5 minute rule. I saw a few other reviews about leaving for as long as 10 or 15 minutes but it took me years and year of using natural products and stuff to achieve my nice skin. I'm not willing to jeopardize since I don't see it necessary to do so. The 5 minutes actually work really reeeally well in my opinion and I consider myself to be an exfoliating queen. (I have face sponges, face brushes, and my favorite, olay pro x spinning brush.) I use this once a week ( saturday is always my "pamper myself" day) and sometimes twice if I'm feeling I need it.
Smell: I've noticed most of their products have these tropical smells that aren't very chemical and totes love that!!
All in all, I love this mask! It's so quick to apply. You literally have to time the 5 minutes or you might forget about it.
*I do experience tingling in my skin but would describe it more as a "warming" sensation rather than "stinging" like products with alcohol do.
Results: Smooth glowing skin! I like to apply moisturizer after washing. This is great for getting off the last bit of dry flaky skin winter gave me!!
Note: I recently went on an Alba Botanica haul and bought a few of their popular items I thought I could benefit the most from. Check out my other reviews!! (I write an essay for each review :P ha ha!) I purchased all of them from iHerb.com which is a wholesale website for tons and tons of natural products like Burt's Bees and Yes to Carrots. check out their prices as well because they were actually cheaper than my local Walmart! If you do decide to purchase, use my referral promo code, FOJ790 , and you'll get $5 off of your first order of any amount total (or $10 off if you buy $40 or more)

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*TOP REVIEWER* jatkins on 12/29/2012 9:14:00 PM more reviews by jatkins

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

This stuff is just ok for me. It did nothing good or bad. I really don't like the smell or the sticky consistency. I wish for my masks to dry and this doesn't.

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kaejlarh92 on 9/9/2012 7:13:00 PM more reviews by kaejlarh92

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Other, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I use this mask as a pre mask before I use my usual mud mask and I have noticed a huge difference! Mud masks tend to show how huge my pores are while it's drying & I've noticed that from using this beforehand, my pores are getting smaller & smaller each time I use it. I have combination/oily & acne-prone skin with a slight sensitivity to some products. This stings ever so slightly around the nose for a couple of seconds when I first put it on but that's nothing to me. I also love how it only needs to stay on for 5 minutes! I'm not too fussy on packaging as I only ever use it after a shower so my hands are clean anyway. All in all, a fabulous mask/pre-mask & I will continue to buy it! I paid around $9 on iherb for this which is definitely cheap considering its not available in Australia & if it were, it would be double the price at least.

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Isleta on 7/30/2012 1:24:00 PM more reviews by Isleta

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I was disappointed in this product. It has a very weak exfoliating effect. It leaves my skin a little bit better, but not nearly as good as a homemade honey & cream masque.

There is a slight tingling effect when I first applied it so I thought it was doing more than it actually did.

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candibubblz on 7/11/2012 3:20:00 PM more reviews by candibubblz

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Blue    

This stuff helps keep my blemished skin in check! I can tell it makes my pores less noticeable as well as making my over all skin tone better.

I love the gel consistency and the fact that you only leave it on for five minutes! Sometimes a girls gotta do beauty in a hurry :)

The only thing I am not wild about is the packaging. But that is how plenty of face masks come. I just wish there was a better way than a jar....

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lightsout91 on 6/27/2012 4:07:00 AM more reviews by lightsout91

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This is an example of a product that I used years ago but never understood the purpose of it, so I stopped using it after a few times. Recently I was looking for a new exfoliant that wasn't chemical based or a physical scrub, and it hit me...why not try the Alba mask that I used as a teenager? So I bought it, have been using it now for a few months, and I LOVE IT. It's sooo great as a gentle enzyme exfoliating mask. I use it every other day and it really does refresh my face and sloughs off the dead skin. It's soothing, hydrating, and even helps bring down zits. (note: HELPS, not eliminate.) I am very, very satisfied and for $10?? Hello, fantastic deal. I do wish it was in a squeeze tube rather than a jar, but it's not that much of an issue. I am definitely repurchasing this and I believe it is a new staple in my skincare regime!

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tequnicolor on 6/2/2012 2:03:00 AM more reviews by tequnicolor

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This mask is an excellent gentle daily exfoliator that helps remove dry patches and makes my tinted moisturizer go on smoother. It also seems to make my skin a bit brighter. I have acne prone skin and this does not make me break out- it may even help prevent breakouts a bit. If you are looking for drastic results, this natural product is probably not for you, but if you are looking for a great fuss-free maintenance product, this is fantastic. My mom, who is in her early 50s, also uses and loves this product. She says she can tell the difference when she doesn't use it. You probably won't notice drastic results, but it is a great maintenance product that I will continue to buy. Also, you get a lot of product for the price, and a tub will last you a long time.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* kupo_baby on 5/30/2012 5:05:00 PM more reviews by kupo_baby

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I'm on the fence about this since I'm not sure it really does anything for my skin. It smells nice, only stings a little around my nose (I have allergies so my nose always kind of red, etc). My skin already seems fairly exfoliated from my night cream so maybe I don't need this? IDK. I will continue to use as I do like the product itself & its fun to do the occasional mask. I will experiment w/different applications, etc to see if I can get a more noticeable result from it

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*TOP REVIEWER* chayaNY on 5/14/2012 1:26:00 AM more reviews by chayaNY

Age: Unknown   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Update, still loving this stuff and wanted to add other uses. If you have an especially stubborn patch of self tanner, rather than scrubbing skin raw as ive had to in the past, apply this prior to shower and what wont wash off is easily removed otherwise. Same goes for feet which in summer can get so dry looking, then self tanner looks worse on them, i apply this and that problem is fixed, same for hands, still using on neck and chest area. Its great for applying a little longer on dry elbows then heels. Moisturizer goes on better and absorbs more deeply or so it seems. Original review, This mask is working well for me. The results are so good I fear jinxing myself by saying this because with my dry, uber sensitive, very reactive skin, I never believed I could use this. However I can't handle physical scrubs I once did, the grains always do more harm than good. I can no longer tolerate even buffing in mineral makeup. But when this didn't irritate my neck or chest I did a patch test on my face. I get no stinging, tingle, just a shiny face. Then I rinse with plain water, no soap and I'm kind of amazed. I felt I needed exfoliation especially for my upper cheeks where I am prone to clogs and redness. My clogged pores manifest in small bumps making makeup application difficult. But this mask minimizes those bumps and redness. My skin looks calm and clear after and younger. Will update further in the future but hopefully will only say the same. Ive just updated on more uses. Wish it came in a tube, or pump bottle as I wish with most products, but also wish I were an astronaut, good luck to me on both counts!;)

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jafleur74 on 4/17/2012 12:11:00 PM more reviews by jafleur74

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I love this mask! Fruit ezymes like papaya are a more gentle, natural exfoliant than scrubs like, St. Ives with those rough crushed walnut shells. It does sting/tingle a bit when you put it on, but it's nothing unbearable or uncomfortable, at least for me. The mask has a jelly-like consistancy, and doesn't harden. You leave it on for for 5 minutes like the instuctions state (although I go a bit longer: 10 to 15 minutes to really benefit from the exfoliation of the enzymes) and rinse it off. If you leave it on longer, it is a little more difficult to rinse off, so a wash cloth or a facial sponge helps. And you're left with soft, smooth glowing skin. I use it every other day, but my skin can handle it, not sure about sensitive skin types. Maybe a couple times a week would be good for those skin types. This is relativiely affordable for a store brand enzyme mask, I bought mine at Walmart for $10.47 It comes in a plastic tub, but I would have rather preferred a squeeze tube for sanitary reasons. Overall, I am satisfied with this product and it will remain a stable in my beauty routine for a long time!

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DAndrea on 4/9/2012 12:08:00 PM more reviews by DAndrea

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Tan   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this mask at walmart after trying the cleanser. Well let me say that I have sensitive and acne prone skin. The cleanser broke my face out bad. I used it for about 2 weeks hoping that my face needed to adjust to it, but it didnt. So I used the mask. It didnt burn. I didnt see anything that it done to my face, yet. It just smells good and it has a good texture.

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mellowlove on 3/29/2012 7:49:00 PM more reviews by mellowlove

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Wow, I'm really shocked at the great reviews. Used it for the first (and last) time last night. My skin started stinging and turning bright red within a minute. It was so horrifying I had to wash it off right away. Not sure if I was allergic to something in there or if this was a bad/expired lot, so too scared to try this again.

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*TOP REVIEWER* beebop808 on 2/15/2012 3:31:00 PM more reviews by beebop808

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Olive, Cool   Hair: Black, Wavy   Eyes: Brown    

I've used this few months back and yes the entire jar. I must say I was amazed at how well it worked for my sensitive skin. This honestly did shrink my pores...a lot! It also helped to minimize some discoloration on my cheeks, not completely, but it did help.

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lmr007 on 2/9/2012 12:44:00 AM more reviews by lmr007

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Leaves my face very smooth. It does shrink my pores pretty well also. Pleasant fragrance, and sensation. It did not feel like it was stinging me at all.

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makeupfan80 on 1/1/2012 2:49:00 PM more reviews by makeupfan80

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I love this stuff! If I am breaking out, it clears up my pimples immediately. Even if I'm not, its still nice for use as an exfoliating mask, it shrinks pores and leaves skin glowing. Its less expensive than department store brands, but works just as well. I'm not sure if it would be good for people with really dry or sensitive skin, it does sting a little. But if you have oily to combination to normal skin, especially with some mild acne, give it a try. I have combination skin and find I can leave it on for much longer than 5 minutes. I use once a week.

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ls468 on 11/10/2011 3:37:00 PM more reviews by ls468

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

This stings the living daylight out of my skin. Have tried many other products from this line and I'm disappointed I have such a reaction. I can't bare this mask for more than 30 seconds, its stings so badly. My skin is not super sensitive, not breakout prone, not oily/dry. It's fairly normal. I have never had a reaction like this to a product before.

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