It’s at this time of year when your skin is typically looking a little worn out and dull. Having been deprived of sunshine and exposed to central heating, your skin is more than likely in need of some TLC. Mádara’s Brightening AHA Peel Mask could just be the skin SOS that I need – with claims of the mask being able to reveal smoother, more radiant skin, I’m naturally intrigued/hopeful. Plus, having spent far too much time as a teen experimenting with face masks, just the mention of a peel mask sends me on a nostalgic trip.

AHA stands for alpha hydroxy acid, and if the idea of putting acid on your skin gives you the fear of god, relax. They are naturally occurring acids that have exfoliating properties – a big hoorah for those who have been seeking an effective alternative to microbead rich exfoliating products. AHAs provide a gentler way of removing dead skin cells than exfoliators, and the smaller molecular size means that they can penetrate the skin more effectively and give you the bright and smooth complexion that you crave.

Mádara is a much-lauded Latvian brand, and their products make use of the region’s plants and short summers to create beauty products that are packed full of active botanical extracts. You may be wondering why I mention the short summer, but the effect of a short growing season means that the harvested plants have a concentrated amount of nutrients to allow them to take full of advantage of the Baltic summer; the ingredients are more powerful and intense. Mádara products are certified as ECOCERT which means that the products are free from chemical nasties, preservatives, and not tested on animals. The Brightening AHA Peel Mask is vegan friendly, nut free and gluten free – just packed full of great ingredients.

What’s inside?

There are a host of active ingredients that combine to make Brightening AHA Peel Mask, but they are all from organic sources. This is where Mádara excel – they are serious about their organic credentials and the addition of each ingredient is science led - only included to heighten the effectiveness of their products.

Lavender Floral Water

Lavender is one of those ingredients that is prevalent in so many health and beauty products. Its versatility is as diverse as the benefits of balance that it brings. It’s antiseptic and promotes the healing of a variety of skin defects including spots, wrinkles and can even balance skin tone. The lavender floral water also soothes and moisturises and encourages cell regeneration.

Galactoarabinan

This is an extract from the Larch tree and acts as an accelerator for oxygenation. Oxygen is essential for your skin’s overall health – it encourages your skins cellular activity and the production of collagen and elastin cells – key for maintaining a healthy and youthful complexion. Galactoarabinan is also an enzymatic exfoliate which revitalises ageing and tired skin.

Quince Fruit Extract

Supercharged with vitamin C, the quince fruit extract is also the provider of organic acids that brighten the skin and neutralises and eliminates free radicals. It also has soothing and hydrating qualities which nourish the skin. Blended with lactic acid, the quince fruit extract is a powerful ingredient that helps to reduce breakouts and diminish signs of ageing. Soothing elderflower extract is also added in to the mix, so you are less prone to irritation than with other types of AHA products that include acids such as glycolic.

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How do you use it?

The Brightening AHA Peel Mask is fluid, so a small amount goes a long way when you apply it to your whole face (I avoided my eye area). Harking back to my youth, I was expecting the peel to harden like the face masks of yesteryear, but it didn’t – I was looking forward to a Copydex-on-the-back-of-your-hand type of peel, but this formula remains creamy and gel like (and not at all sticky as I was expecting) but this makes its application less messy, it’s very user friendly.

You’ll notice the pleasant gentle fragrance before your skin begins to tingle as the active ingredients get to work. It’s recommended to leave the peel on for between three and ten minutes, but I leave it on for the full ten minutes after which you simply rinse and wash away with warm water.

Mádara recommend that you use the Brightening AHA Peel Mask once a week at night, and I can see why, applying makeup on top would just feel wrong – like driving a newly valeted car down a muddy lane, you can do it, but would you really want to? Having washed the Brightening AHA Peel Mask from my skin, it feels hydrated but stripped down and renewed, ready for further moisturising and/or treatment.

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Is it worth the money?

I’m a big fan of organic beauty products that perform more than one function, Brightening AHA Peel Mask not only makes your skin look and feel more radiant, but provides a clean canvas to optimise other products that you use.

Exfoliates the skin to encourage new cells and skin regeneration and uncovers dead cells
Diminishes the appearance of age spots and fine wrinkles
Provides a deep cleanse by unclogging pores which improves the absorption of other products that you use in your beauty regime

My skin was noticeably brighter, and a friend commented (without prompting) how my face looked blurrier, which I think means that the lines are less defined. The Brightening AHA Peel Mask currently retails at around £24.00 for 60ml, and I think that it is worth every penny: it’s powerful, a little goes a long way, and you can see the benefits after the first use. I do officially love it.

Is it suitable for a gift?

Yes! Absolutely! The Mádara branding is clean-lined, unpretentious and attractive – just what you would expect from a Nordic company. Not only does the product look great but it is a highly efficient product – although if giving as a gift, you need to double check whether the lucky person you are giving it to has very sensitive skin; if so, it may not be suitable.

How have you found using the Brightening AHA Peel Mask? Were you expecting a mask that you could peel off? If you have sensitive skin, has it felt too extreme? Or are you like me, a devoted fan?

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