You should know, I'm not a fan of clay masks. At all.
Why? Because I find them drying, irritating and, anecdotally, I swear I wake up with more congested skin after using one... even though the whole point of a clay mask is to... help clear congestion.
Despite giving dozens of cult clay masks a chance, I was yet to meet a clay mask I didn't dislike... until I tried these new ones on Adore from Minenssey.
I never thought I'd say it, but they've officially changed my mind about clay masks. And if you usually hate clay masks too, let me tell you how and why.
What Is the Minenssey Australian Clay Mask Set?
Minenssey is an Aussie-made natural beauty brand that specialises in performance-driven products made with botanical ingredients.
All the products look lush, but it was the Minenssey Australian Clay Mask Exploration Set 4x9ml that caught my clay mask-despising eye.
Inside this mask set, you'll find four individual masking pods containing four different clay masks suitable for all skin types - yep, even sensitive skin.
Each formula is made using Kaolin clay (rich in minerals silica, magnesium, selenium and zinc), and different ingredients to target various skin concerns. Here's the breakdown:
1. Minenssey Australian Clay Brightening Mask.
What: Minenssey Australian Clay Brightening Mask 9x9ml - A brightening mask that rebalances and restores for that lit-from-within glow.
Best for: Dull, uneven or tired skin.
Key ingredients:
Black Clay (Kaolin clay + iron oxide CI 77499) - rich in minerals, removes impurities and improves the look of overall skin texture, tone and suppleness.
Snowflower - a native antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory ingredient full of phyto-actives.
Moonstone - a luminous mineral element that brightens and detoxifies the look of skin, and is said to possess 'an innate feminine energy'.
2. Minenssey Australian Clay Rejuvenating Mask.
What: Minenssey Australian Clay Rejuvenating Mask 9x9ml - A rejuvenating mask that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and boosts radiance at the same time.
Best for: Ageing, stressed or tired skin that needs a coffee, stat.
Key ingredients:
Australian Pink Clay (Kaolin clay + iron oxide CI 77491) - mineral and antioxidant-rich clay containing iron oxide and copper to soothe, comfort and calm stressed-out skin. It also has firming and hydrating properties.
Kakadu Plum - a native ingredient with high levels of vitamin C that brightens the skin, protects against free radical damage, reduces inflammation and minimises the appearance of wrinkles.
Pomegranate - a powerful source of antioxidants with anti-microbial and anti-ageing properties to help stimulate keratin and collagen production for improved skin elasticity and suppleness.
3. Minenssey Australian Clay Deep Cleansing Mask.
What: Minenssey Australian Clay Deep Cleansing Mask 9x9ml - A purifying mask that draws out impurities clogging up congested skin.
Best for: Normal to oily skin types with congested or acne-prone skin. (If you like traditional clay masks, you'll love this one.)
Key ingredients:
Australian Green Kaolin Clay - a strong, astringent, mineral-rich clay that rebalances and softens the skin while boosting cell turnover and collagen production.
Pepper Berry - a native ingredient high in vitamin C that conditions and hydrates the skin, helps to promote collagen production and is a natural anti-blemish treatment.
Parsley Seed - rich in vitamin C with antibacterial and antifungal properties to exfoliate the skin, helping to prevent breakouts and minimise the appearance of inflammation.
4. Minenssey Australian Clay Hydrating Mask.
What: Minenssey Australian Clay Hydrating Mask 9x9ml - A deeply hydrating mask that's a big drink of water for the face AND hair.
Best for: Dry, dehydrated or damaged skin (or hair!).
Key ingredients:
Mineral-rich White Kaolin Clay - (same as above!)
Flannel Flower - a native Australian coastal plant used to soothe, hydrate, assist with skin recovery and help reduce the appearance of dark circles.
Rosella - a potent natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient that helps to calm and soothe the appearance of acne-prone or irritated skin.
Plus, at $33 for the mini mask exploration set, it works out to be $8.25 per mask = great value.