The review: Caudalie Vinoperfect Enzymatic Peel Mask

I absolutely love my skincare and I realised I don't blog about it very often so I think I will start doing more skincare product reviews.  Obviously I am not an expert at all on skincare but it is something I enjoy reading and learning about and I have learned SO much this year and now know what sort of ingredients suit my skin.

The Caudalie Vinoperfect Enzymatic Peel Mask is a cell renewing, chemical exfoliating mask promising to clear the complexion, tighten pores and add radiance.

Harsh as it may sound, 'chemical exfoliation' is actually gentler on the skin than traditional exfoliation such as using a scrub as it's not as abrasive on the skin and does not contain any granules or grains.

This mask is a thick smooth white cream, you apply it to dry skin for 10 minutes and then remove-I use a wet flannel.  The mask doesn't dry on the skin but you may find your skin absorbs some of the goodness.  Although it contains chemical exfoliants such as Glycolic Acid I do not find this mask makes my skin tingle.  Having said that, I use glycolic acid every day so my skin may have a higher  tolerance to it.  If your skin does tingle though this would be perfectly normal.  The formula is recommended for even sensitive skin.

This mask contains Viniferine 200 which is a natural compound from the sap of grape vines which helps to brighten skin and even the complexion.  Caudalie have patented this ingredient and say it is 62x more effective than Vitamin C at lightening dark spots and boosting radiance in the skin.  It also contains Glycolic Acid and Papaya enzymes.

Glycolic acid is a natural ingredient derived from sugar cane, though it is now often made synthetically. It falls into the set of ingredients called AHA's, or alpha hydroxy acids. There are five ingredients that fall into the AHA category; glycolic (sugar cane), lactic (milk), citric (oranges and lemons), malic (apples and pears) and tartaric acids (grapes).

Glycolic acid is probably the most common alpha hydroxy acid and has the reputation of being one of the safest forms of alpha hydroxy acid.
 
Glycolic Acid is an exfoliator. It safely removes the outer layer of dead skin cells on the surface your skin, bring fresh new skin to the surface. This is beneficial for those who are looking for ingredients that help with anti-aging. Glycolic acid can also help lighten discoloration of the skin, such as sun spots, age spots or acne scarring and help those with acne-prone and blackhead-prone skin.  If you use glycolic acid though it is highly recommended that you use additional SPF as your skin will be more sensitive to UVA/UVB rays.

Papaya is a powerful enzyme that dissolves dead and damaged skin cells, leaving new and healthy ones intact.

Here's a full list of ingredients taken from the Caudalie website.  I did notice that the Sephora US and the feelunique.com (UK) website both listed different ingredients for this mask-Sephora listed that it contained Shea Butter (also listed as butyrospermum parkii) which I try to avoid but feelunique didn't.  I emailed Caudalie to ask if they had different formulations for different countries, as many brands do but they emailed me straight back to say that no they only had one formulation for each product, wherever it was sold and that there must be mistakes on the websites.  They also pointed out where I could find a full list of ingredients on their website which matches what it says on the box I have.

INGREDIENTS : AQUA (WATER), GLYCERIN*, ISONONYL ISONONANOATE, SORBITAN STEARATE*, GLYCERYL STEARATE SE *, GLYCOLIC ACID, CETYL PALMITATE*, CETEARYL ALCOHOL*, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED OIL*, HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER, PANTHENOL, SQUALANE*, CETYL ALCOHOL*, DIMETHICONE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE), BISABOLOL*, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), BENZYL ALCOHOL, POLYSORBATE 60*, SODIUM PCA*, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, ARGININE, PALMITOYL GRAPEVINE SHOOT EXTRACT*, TOCOPHEROL*, CARBOMER, DEHYDROACETIC ACID, CARBOMER/PAPAIN CROSSPOLYMER*, SODIUM PHYTATE*, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, ALGIN** Plant origin 

This mask is very similar to the Ren Glycolactic Radiance Renewal mask in terms of it's benefits to the skin.  After using it my skin feels baby soft although I don't feel I can see the instant glow I see after using the Ren mask.  I've used it 6 times now and think there is 1 or 2 more applications in the tube.  I haven't experienced any breakouts after using it and using glycolic acid regularly is keeping my skin blemish free but also helping to fade old scars.  A really good all rounder, I use this mid week in my mid week pamper and then the Glamglow mask at the weekend which I reviewed here.  

I bought my mask from Space NK for £29.

I am really passionate about skincare so I am well aware I might have gone on a bit here!  Let me know, would you prefer a shorter, snappier, less detailed review of skincare products or is this useful?

As a final note, when I was little, my nan used to be an Avon lady and she got me an Avon peel mask.  It was a lemon flavoured clear gel that you applied to your skin, let dry and it literally peeled off your face like an extra layer of skin which was a couple of minutes of fun!  When I saw this Caudalie mask was also called a 'peel mask' I kind of expected the same!  I guess things have moved on since the 90's haha!