Ren Skincare: Glycol Lactic Face Mask - My Summer Review

Hello ladies! 

It is time for a beauty review! Have you ever heard about REN Clean Skincare? If not, you’re at the right place! While I was living in the UK, one of my favourite activities was going to beauty stores and discovering new British brands. I have constantly felt that UK cosmetics are of such excellent quality, and so far, I have never been disappointed. 

About the brand: REN Clean Skincare

A brand that I encountered during one of my frequent trips to House of Fraser was REN Clean Skincare. As vegan and cruelty-free, it immediately caught my devoted attention! A big bonus was that all of their local products are made in the UK, which means - reduced transport pollution, manufacturing costs, and unpaid labour. How can you not support this? :) 

Due to the coronavirus, I have been avoiding going to the stores for a while now. However, what I do lack is talking to staff working in the store, and getting professional advice on which product suits my complexion the best. Luckily, at their site, you can arrange an extensive consultation and instantly get a Skin Assessment by REN Clean Skincare professionals, without leaving your cosy house! 

I enjoyed a great chat with one of their representatives, and we talked for almost half an hour about my skin concerns. I would enthusiastically recommend anyone to check this service, as their staff can thoroughly advise you on the product that is the best for your skin type. Check it out here. 

REN Skincare Glycol lactic mask

For this post, I want to properly introduce you to one of their successful products I genuinely like the most: the REN Skincare Glycol lactic mask. I have undoubtedly tried countless masks but this one rightfully belongs in the top five. So, how does it work? 

The mask helps gently exfoliate your complexion and in that way removes excess dead skin cells that clog your pores. By combating congestion, your skin radiance is improved and you can instantly mark improvements in your skin complexion. In my case, already after three uses, I undoubtedly noticed that my skin looked more fresh, refined, and experienced a healthier glow. 

If you naturally struggle with small fine lines and wrinkles, which can be especially annoying and visible during summer, I recommend this product. My wrinkles were meaningfully reduced after only a few successful applications. What about the ingredients? 

I always avoid using cosmetic brands that use unhealthy ingredients. Hence, I’m delighted to say that REN cosmetics do not use synthetic fragrances and colours in their products. Their products, in addition, do not contain PEG's, propylene glycol, phthalates, sulphates, silicones and parabens, all unhealthy for you. The three main ingredients that make your complexion looks so great after using the REN Skincare Glycol lactic mask are: 

The Glycolic Acid from Pineapple Extract

The Glycolic Acid, as an AHA, helps exfoliate your skin and is frequently used to treat skin discolouration, scarring, fine lines, and wrinkles. Furthermore, the pineapple extract contains an enzyme called bromelain, the latter breaking down connecting layers between skin cells and helping exfoliate the skin. Besides removing dead skin cells, the enzyme also improves your complexion’s elasticity. 

The Lactic Acid from Passion Fruit

The lactic acid from the passion fruit is consumed to treat hyperpigmentation, age spots, and wrinkles, helping refine your skin’s texture. The lactic acid is not as strong as the glycolic acid, naturally making it perfect for more sensitive skin. 

The Papain from Papaya

The enzymes found in papaya are great for your precious skin as its protein-dissolving features help decrease inflammation. Papain is equally successful in removing damaged keratin that builds upon the surface of your skin, reducing slight bumps. 

How can you use it? 

This mask is super simple to apply! You first need to cleanse your skin and properly apply a slight amount on your face. I currently use the Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic before use. It carefully helps exfoliate, brighten and hydrate my skin, leaving it fresh, soft and energized. After that, I tap the mask onto my face as I typically feel like it will help soak it easier, but of course, you can apply it in circular motions as well. 

If you’re wondering how long you should keep the mask on your face, I usually leave it between ten and 15 minutes. Ultimately, I rinse it with lukewarm water and leave my face dry in a natural way. My initial experience with using the REN Skincare Glycol lactic mask was relatively unusual, as I felt little tingles. However, that is completely normal, and it is due to the features of the ingredients, so don’t freak out! 

As this mask typically contains glycolic acid, keep in mind that your skin will be more sensitive to direct sunlight after frequent use. Therefore, make sure to apply SPF after. Due to its AHA properties, this mask is appropriate for acne-prone skin, and not ideal for super-sensitive skin. When it comes to frequency of use, I usually apply it twice a month. 

Moreover, as with every mask, avoid the eye area! If the mask gets in contact with your eyes, make sure to rinse it out well.

Where can you buy it? 

REN Skincare Glycol lactic mask - £36.00 

You can typically buy the REN Skincare Glycol lactic mask online, at Sephora, or at luxury department stores like House of Fraser and de Bijenkorf. You can check all the specific details here. 

For £36.00, you get the 50-ml bottle. I am aware this is an investment, but due to its features, using it every two weeks is enough. If you’re a student, you can typically get a 10% REN Skincare discount here. 

Return policies 

If you’re unhappy with the product, you can return it within 30 days, and receive either a refund or exchange. To conclude, I want to emphasize that most of their products are recyclable. In case of the REN Skincare Glycol lactic mask, the cap and bottle are 100% recyclable!

I am genuinely delighted with the REN Skincare Glycol lactic mask, and I enthusiastically recommend carefully checking it out! Do you have any specific questions regarding the product? Make sure to leave them below,  I’m happy to help!

Love, 

Una