Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask.

I love a good clay mask. Find the right one and it can work wonders, hoovering gunk out of pores and leaving skin fresh and clean.

The problem is I find a lot of clay masks too harsh. They often dry out some areas of my skin to the point of soreness, without really making any major impact on blemishes. My drugstore fave clay mask is the Good Things Five Minute Facial - See my review HERE.

Moving into winter, means changes in skin. Mine has intensified in its usual combination of dehydrated tightness and blemishes around the chin and jaw area. The dehydration I can deal with - I use these products filled with Thermal Spa waters and they have worked wonders, but the blemishes are kind of annoying... Not full on zits, not milia, more just tiny bumps under the skin. Very irritating.

So I was interested to see how the new offering from Liz Earle (AKA "The Duchess" would fare... This is available from the Liz Earle Website and costs £12.50 for a kit containing a 75 ml tube of the mask and two cleansing sponges...

Packaging wise, this is fine and comes in a standard squeezy tube. I doubt there will ever be a solution to the usual problem of grubby clay covered finger marks over the tube, but this rinses easily once you've finished applying.

The mask itself is a glorious green gloop. Less grey than other clay masks I've tried, and with a slightly looser consistency, which makes it easy to spread a nice layer - its not too thin that it glides off, nor too thick that it can't be spread.

Whilst on this does actually feel like its doing something - it tingles in a way I don't mind, although the website does state that this is NOT suitable for sensitive skin... I don't find it painful or unplesant at all, more just refreshing, and somewhat reassuring that something is actually happening with the mask.

The two sponges are really great as well when the time comes to remove the mask (5-10 minutes is the recommendation). They do a really good job of getting it all off, and they make you feel like a proper beautician, in your own home. Bonus.

I'd recommend going over your skin after removal with a decent toner, as I do find this removes leftover traces which are revealed as a greenish tint on the cotton wool pad.

After removal, toning and moisturising (I just use a serum or something quite light, so as not to undo the work of the mask), my skin doesn't feel tight or uncomfortable. I notice surface blemishes are drawn out, and dry up faster too. Overall my skin looks fresher after use as well. On the downside I would only use this once per week for my skin type, as I think it would dry me out eventually. Obviously not ideal to use just before a big event as it does draw out imperfection.

I think this is a winner - thorough but not too harsh, and I'd be very likely to repurchase.

Have you used this one? Are you a fan of clay masks? Tell me about your faves!

Disclaimer - the product reviewed was sent by a PR. My review is honest and reflects my own experience with the product. I wasn't threatened by Liz Earle or any of her employees to give this review either. The Duchess wouldn't do that.