Murad Pomegranate Exfoliating Mask - a review

It's not often I pay too much attention to samples added to purchases. Sometimes it's great to try a different product - I like getting primers especially. But skincare is another thing. I never know if my skin will react poorly to products - it's pretty sensitive and doesn't jive with heavy products at all. When I received Murad's Pomegranate Exfoliating Mask as a sample however, I was intrigued. My skin loves exfoliation so I thought I'd make an exception and try something different on my skin! 

First off, I thought this product would have exfoliating beads - it did not. It actually exfoliates your skin by dissolving dead skin cells with AHAs and natural fruit enzymes. And it does it smelling delicious! It's consistency is pretty much like a clear gel that sits on your skin. It makes you look like you have a greasy face, but I think that's better than having some green/brown stuff on it. What I love most about it is that my skin feels plump, soft and glowing after using it. It feels better than when I just exfoliate with my Clarisonic. Plus, the mask doesn't dry me out like most clay based masks do.

The only tiny downside is that the mask comes in little individual packets. Each packet gives me 3-4 uses, but after my first use I have to put the remainder of it in a little pot.

To me though, that's a small disadvantage for such a good product. This is definitely one that I will be repurchasing in the future.

Buckling down on my skin care routine for winter!

Anybody else lazy or inconsistent with their skin care routine? I'm guilty of this. But my skin has always looked its best when it is exfoliated and moisturized, so Annick is going to have to make an effort.

Here's my current usual routine.

Morning: 
- Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser
- That's it.

Yes, that's right, no moisturizer. It's a sin.

Night: 
- Say Yes to Cucumbers Facial wipe for makeup removal OR Bioderma. I make sure that my eye makeup is FULLY removed. Cleanse with Cetaphil to remove any residue.
- I usually spritz my face with Caudalie Eau de Beauté.
- Sometimes I moisturize with my Nuxe Crème Prodigieuse.

That's it! I really should be ashamed. I don't do much to my skin, and it shows.

I would like my skin care to look like this.

Morning:
- Cleanse with Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser
- Moisturize with Nuxe Crème Prodigieuse

Night:
- Ditch the use of facial wipes, and use Bioderma for makeup removal. It is much less irritating to my skin.
- Cleanse with the Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser + Clarisonic OR cleanse with a non-abrasive exfoliating cleanser. Point is, re-introduce regular exfoliation to my routine. My skin loves being exfoliated.
- Use a non-drying toner such as the Caudalie Eau de Beauté regularly
- Moisturize every night with the Nuxe Crème Prodigieuse, or a heavier moisturizer.

Weekly:
- Do a clay-type face mask once a week, or more.

Goals:
- Introduce some type of exfoliating cleanser when the Clarisonic feels a bit too much.
- Hopefully introduce a night cream as it gets colder.
- Perhaps find a gentler makeup remover than my Bioderma ... like a cleansing balm. They've always intrigued me (I may or may not have an Antipodes cleansing balm on its way to me right now).

I feel like my skin easily goes on oil-production overdrive if I don't keep moisturizer in my routine. And I'm such a lazy bum when it comes to applying it.

Winter always wreaks havoc on my skin. As an oily skinned gal, my skin become oily and flaky by the end of the day, yet tight and dry at other times - it's just terrible. This is why it becomes important for me to crack the whip!

Do you have any skin care goals for winter? Does your routine change dramatically?

Don't forget to enter my 100 follower giveaway here!