I Tried A Peel-Off Charcoal Mask To Pull Out My Blackheads. Here’s How My Skin Felt Afterward

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not exactly a champion of self-care. I have a few products that I trust and have been using for years, but I don't go out of my way to try the newest, latest beauty trends.

With that said, my roommate has turned me onto face masks lately, like this funky wrinkle-fighting concoction.

Most of the time, I have no idea what I'm actually putting on my face, or whether it will even actually help my skin. What I do know? It's fun to spread some goop on your face in the name of treating yourself.

My face-mask experience is more or less limited to whatever my more knowledgable pals are keeping in the medicine cabinet.

However, there is one type I haven't tried, though I've stared longingly at it online: peel-off charcoal masks that look like a vinyl suit for your face and promise to pull the gunk out of each and every pore.

I needed to know what that felt like!

I've seen reviews and ads for peel-off charcoal masks everywhere and have wondered whether they were worth the hype. So, I decided to take the black matter into my own hands and find out for myself.

How The Activated Charcoal Mask Works

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Kate Taylor for LittleThings

When deciding what mask to opt for, I chose one with the best reviews.

One user on Amazon shared, "Love, love this product!!! Works exactly as described."

According to the product description, the mask is supposed to remove blackheads and blemishes, clear the effect of computer radiation, and help improve blood circulation in the skin.

Activated charcoal is said to have all kinds of purifying properties, but its only proven medical purpose is to help counteract the effects of poisons, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The theory is that activated charcoal can perform a similar trick on your skin by absorbing bad stuff and toxins, though there isn't a lot of evidence to back that up.

My skin isn't usually problematic, unless it's that time of the month. But still, who can't use a little pick-me-up?

The Experiment Step #1: Pre-Application

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Kate Taylor for LittleThings

Per the directions on the box, I put a hot towel on my face for about three minutes to help open up my pores.

I resist the urge to plant a hot towel on my face when I get them at barbecue restaurants, so it felt wonderful to have an excuse to do this.

The steam relaxes your skin, and makes it respond better to the mask.

Step #2: Application

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Kate Taylor for LittleThings

The mask itself was thinner than I expected. It squeezed out easily and spread onto my face nicely.

I don't know what I was expecting the mask to smell like, but it doesn't smell like anything, which I assume is better for your skin anyway.

Beware Of Mess

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Kate Taylor for LittleThings

FYI: This mask is very messy. The mask sticks to your skin, which it is what it's supposed to do, but that also makes it tough to wash off.

I would wear a T-shirt that you don't care about, and prepare to scrub your hands a few times to get rid of the last traces.

Step #3: Smooth It Into Place

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Kate Taylor for LittleThings

Spoiler alert: I'm not very good at putting on face masks.

You're going to want to be careful to avoid your eyebrows and hairline, neither of which I was skillful enough to do. Learn from my mistakes!

This mask is sticky and will hurt like a son of a gun when it's time to pull away from any areas with fine hair.

Step #4: Waiting Game

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Kate Taylor for LittleThings

The instructions for the mask stipulated that I wait 10 to 15 minutes before attempting to peel it off.

I lathered mine on a little too thick, so I waited the full 15 minutes to remove it.

As you wait, the mask tightens up and has a cooling effect on your skin.

Step #5: Peel Time

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Kate Taylor for LittleThings

This is hands down the most satisfying part of using a mask like this.

The black liquid dries and you can peel it off your skin the same way I used to peel Elmer's Glue off my hands in preschool.

This doesn't hurt at all, though you do get the feeling that your skin is a little more raw than it may have been before.

Step #6: Get The Last Little Bits Of Mask

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Kate Taylor for LittleThings

The mask definitely doesn't peel off perfectly into one face-shaped piece.

Instead, it looks like I stuck my head in a puddle of mud. But hey, peeling is fun, so I'm not complaining.

Step #7: Moisturize

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Kate Taylor for LittleThings

The last part of the instructions say to apply moisturizer to your face. At this point, I could really tell that the mask opened my pores.

My skin felt super soft and almost velvety. In fact, I couldn't stop touching it. I will mention that my skin was slightly red, but perhaps that has to do with the heightened blood circulation.

Conclusions

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Kate Taylor for LittleThings

How did I feel about the face mask process? Did it work? I loved this experience! My skin still felt soft the next day, making me wish I could peel off the black stuff all over again. Also, my face was less red!

Would I recommend it to a friend? Overall, I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who wants to give their skin a little TLC while having fun in the process.

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