Review: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask

Where to Purchase: Available on Cult Beauty HERE

Price: £41.00

Volume: 80ml

Description: A gel-type, watery sleep mask containing AHAs which are supposed to refine pores.

What the company says: ‘Along with hydrating hyaluronic acid and pore-refining alpha hydroxy acids – this pillow-proof, gel-textured formula gets to work while you sleep, exfoliating and moisturising so you can wake up to baby-soft, gorgeously glowing skin every morning.’

Good for: I’d say oily, greasy skins that don’t want anything heavy on their skin.

Directions: ”As a sleeping mask: use two scoops or a generous layer on skin as the final step of your evening routine. Pat gently until absorbed and wash thoroughly in the morning.”

How I use it: I used this mainly as a sleeping mask. I did use this a few times as an exfoliating treatment mask, but I gave up and simply used it as an overnight mask at the end of my routine.

Texture: This really really reminds me of a slightly thicker version of the Dear Klairs Vitamin E Mask. This is like a jelly that is runny (it doesn’t keep its shape). The product does separate into two layers after a while (the watery liquid and the jelly texture) so you have to mix it before applying.

I will say however that this is a light texture. It doesn’t feel thick and heavy on the skin. But the texture is weird. It dries down relatively fast and becomes an ‘occlusive’ type layer.

Note: The next day, I could feel this ‘slip’ covering my face before washing the mask off, and it does have a sort of slip while washing this product off – so it’s not the easiest to remove.

Full Ingredients List: Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Caulerpa Lentillifera (Seaweed) Extract, Simethicone, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit, Silica, Propanediol, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Extract, Musa Sapientum (Banana) Fruit Extract , Paeonia Suffruticosa (Peony) Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata (Cabbage) Leaf Extract, Ipomoea Batatas (Sweet Potato) Root Extract, Betaine, Beta Glucan, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol, Fragrance

You can see both AHAs in the form of fruit extracts and the regular Glycolic acid and Lactic acid. We do not know the % of the AHAs but I’m guessing it’s relatively low – reminds me of the Huda Wishful Skin Glow Scrub in terms of many fruit extracts with acids for an exfoliating effect.

NOTE: Skincharisma have a full product breakdown HERE

I’m disappointed to see alcohol in this too. perhaps that’s why I didn’t find this all too hydrating.

• But the addition of many fruit extracts and AHAs means this does provide some exfoliating benefits. Also like the addition of licorice root extract as I believe that helps brighten the skin. Beta Glucan is also a nice skin-loving ingredient.

Fragrance?: Oh boy, yes this has fragrance. If you like watermelon flavoured bubble gum, this should be a delight for you.

How long have I been using this?: I used this until it ran out (because it was so expensive I felt semi-obligated to do so).

The Effect: This does provide the effects of a very mild glycolic acid toner. like the Pixi Glow tonic. But my skin didn’t feel incredibly hydrated or moisturised. THIS MAY STING IF YOU HAVE OPEN SORES/CUTS OR OPEN PUSTULES (like very fresh/sore acne).

What I like:

• Mildly hydrated my skin (I like how light and refreshing the texture was, regardless how slippy the texture was – I always prefer watery gel-type products over creams.
• Does provide some AHA effect.
• I appreciate that they added something more to a sleeping mask i.e. AHAs – I think that’s a neat trick, to get some exfoliation while you sleep.

What I don’t like:

• The texture (slippy feel)
• Difficult to pick up and apply (messy and ultimately unhygienic if you end up having to use your fingers)
• Can’t stand the spatula (doesn’t pick product up easily)
• Don’t like the fragrance (sickly watermelon flavour – like a sweet).
• Not a fan of the Alcohol
• Didn’t hydrate my skin ENOUGH (it didn’t feel like it sunk into my skin, but just stayed on top).
• Didn’t moisturise my skin (because this is so watery, there aren’t any oils or cream-like ingredients in here.

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 2/5 – not my type of thing. I don’t like the fragrance, I don’t like the jelly/slip feel of it which makes it really hard to pick up product. I’m not a fan that it’s coloured, I don’t like the spatula and also the packaging itself, because it’s square, means you’ll always miss a little bit and be unable to pick all the remnants up. I like that this is a light texture AT LEAST. But it’s not hydrating or moisturising, so it’s not my fav.

Would I repurchase?: No I would not. I do not like the texture. It feels like slippy, highly fragranced, artificially coloured jelly to me personally. I think that this is way too expensive for what it does. I much prefer the laneige sleeping mask and tying in the Ordinary’s glycolic toner every other day and that could provide you with a nice glow.

Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.