I’m conflicted about this product. I really like using lactic acid on my skin, but there’s something about the Blithe Energy Yellow Citrus & Honey Splash Mask I just have a hard time with.
The directions. The whole idea of the thing.
Here’s the thing, I like the product, I just think there’s an easier, less messy way to get the product on your face. It wasn’t until I fixed that part, that I actually started using the product more. Read on…
My skin type
Oily, PIH, large pores, and acne scars on cheeks
What it’s supposed to do
The second ingredient on the list is lactic acid; as I mentioned before, it’s one of my favorite acids for its ability to improve the texture of the skin and gradually face dark spots. The brand, in the directions, claims that the formula is “highly concentrated,” but I noticed there isn’t anything on the package that indicates the actual concentration of lactic acid in the product, only that it should be diluted. There are some citrusy ingredients on the list as well that are supposed to brighten and help out with unwanted hyperpigmentation.
Ingredients
Water, Lactic Acid, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Panthenol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated castor oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Lactate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Flower Extract, Dextrin, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Salicylic Acid
A note about the ingredients: I pasted the ingredients list from the Sephora website (this was purchased as a gift for me from Sephora last year), and I noticed that they are substantially different. Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract has moved to the bottom of the list and there are many ingredients missing entirely from the ingredients lists listed on retail websites than on the box the I received. Interesting. I am assuming that the ingredients have changed and that is pretty f-ing annoying. In the end, though, the lactic acid is still second, which is most important.
How I use it
Method 1: In-shower splashing (version 1)
As I was reading the directions, I knew darn well I wan’t about to fill my sink with water and make a Blithe soup for my face. Just feels like a waste of water, and kind of gross. As far as using a bowl, to me it’s still a waste and I imagined the mixture getting everywhere. In the end, I figured the shower method was the most feasible for me. I washed my face with my regular cleanser, then patted this on, rinsing off after a minute or so. Nothing happened. I am using a couple of other lactic acids, and ingredients with lactic acid and all of them produce some sort of stinging (unless it is included in a moisturizer or cream). The splash mask didn’t do that with this method.
In-shower splashing (version 2)
I read another review on this from Tracy at Beauty Reflections and she does not wet her face before she uses it. I tried this method by cleansing before getting in the shower and then patting it directly on my face as soon as I got in. There goes the stinging! Now, it was a pretty mild stinging effect but I at least felt like I had lactic acid on my face. So for me, the key was using it on a dry face.
Method 2: Diluted in a spray bottle
The in-shower splashing just kind of got on my nerves after a while. Mainly because it’s incredibly wasteful; I always poured out too much product and ended up spilling some of it from my hands into the tub. I ended up ordering a few spray bottles from Amazon to dilute the splash mask into. One cap-full is supposed to be “ideally” diluted into 700ml of water (1:100)… I just kind of eye it. Actually, in all honesty, it never comes that close. My spray bottle only holds 2.5 fl oz or roughly 74 mL, so the way I dilute it is more concentrated than what is recommended. I fill the spray bottle around two fingers and fill the rest with water, right after I get out of the shower. This way, I don’t waste any product, I am able to cleanse my face in the shower without having to think about where to put the splash mask, and actually dry off my face before using the splash mask instead of having to wait for the splash mask to dry down. I still get that tingling that lets me know it’s working, too.
How long I used it
I have been using the splash mask for six months! The first three months I was giving this mask a pretty hard side eye. Once I decided I was going to start spraying it on my face, it became a painless, weekly routine with no side-eyes involved! Speaking of weekly, I use the splash mask at least three times per week.
Short term results
Lactic acid isn’t really something that you should expect short term results with, so there weren’t any significant differences I noticed in the short-term.
Long term results
I think six months is a more than adequate amount of time to judge a beauty product! Being real careless about my super flawed method of diluting has not had any negative consequences at all. No breakouts, no weird splotches, and no worsening of my hyperpigmentation. My skin is glowy and radiant (in my opinion) and since this is the only lactic acid product I use weekly, I can’t help but attribute some of that to the splash mask.
Joy Factor
On a scale of 1-10, the Blithe Energy Yellow Citrus & Honey Splash Mask is a solid 6. While my spray bottle method has really made the product easier to use, getting there was rather complicated and makes me hesitant to repurchase.
Where to indulge
Sephora | Glow Recipe | Cult Beauty (UK)
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