Biore Free Your Pores Charcoal Pore Minimizer Cleanser/Exfoliator -- review, pics, swatches

Hello, Beautiful!

Even though I've been sticking with the Dr. Dennis Gross skincare routine to keep my acne under control, I can't help but try other skincare products from time to time... after all, I am a beauty blogger and my curiosity far exceeds my ability to self control. I especially love anything that seems unique and/or seems like an easy add-in to my current routine.

I don't currently use an exfoliator in my routine (I have peels and masks, but not an actual exfoliating cleanser), so when I received the Biore Free Your Pores Charcoal Pore Minimizer in the mail, I knew it would be an easy add-in.

Biore Free Your Pores Charcoal Pore Minimizer Info & Review

Cost: $5.99 to $9.99 depending where you shop (3.11 oz full size)
Availability: Available at Target, Ulta, and everywhere Biore is sold.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses

PRODUCT DETAILS & CLAIMS...

Infused with natural charcoal and micro-crystals, this innovative polisher cleans pores by drawing out oil and washing dirty away. Activated with water to gently exfoliate. Skin is left smooth and pores are left clean.

Use 2 to 3 times a week.

Biore Free Your Pores
Charcoal Pore Minimizer

 

It's dispensing "pump" (not sure what else to call it) reminds me of a toothpaste dispenser... you remember them, right? Am I crazy for thinking that? Do you see it too?

When you press down the little cover lifts up and the product comes out.

It's black in color and has little micro-crystals to gently exfoliate skin.

FINAL THOUGHTS...

This product is intended to be used 2 to 3 times per week. Seeing as how I can get lazy on skincare, I was aiming for twice a week. I'll be honest, one week I used it once and the following week I forget all together (see what I mean about how I can get lazy with a skincare routine?!).

I did test this out over almost two months prior to writing this review. I didn't notice any skin reactions to using this product, which was a good thing.

The exfoliation was gentle, but it wasn't so gentle that it was weak. It definitely made my skin feel softer and I do think it cleaned out my pores nicely.

I personally found this helpful to use after wearing a lot of heavy makeup... it made my face feel cleaner and like every ounce of makeup was gone (I cleansed prior to using this).

I don't know if the micro-crystals are best for the skin... there's been a lot of talk about certain things being used that could actually do more damage than good. Damage we can't see at eye level, but damage that can be seen under special microscopes. So on that topic, I really can't comment. I can just comment and say that I didn't have any reactions using this.

I think this is a nice drugstore exfoliator... it's a great add-in to any skincare routine, since it's not a daily use product.

I would recommend this to those that have more congested skin.

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of this product? Have you tried this, or would you consider adding this to your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below!

xoxo with love & beauty,
Crystal Valentine

Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post. However, these products were sent to me for consideration. I am not being paid to make this post, nor has the company influenced me in any way. I have made this post because I wanted to, not because I had to. These are my honest opinions, thoughts and experiences.

Biore - Self Heating One Minute Mask - pics, review

Hello, Beautiful!

I've said it before and I'll say it again: If there is one skin care product I am obsessed with, it's masks/peels! I will continue to try more and more, and it's often the first item in any skin care line that I check out. I have yet another mask review. This is the Biore Self Heating One Minute Mask. It really intrigued me, so I had to try it! Check out all the product info, along with my full review, after the pics!

Biore Self Heating One Minute Mask

Biore Self Heating One Minute Mask Info & Review:

Cost/Availability: $6.49 to $7.99 depending where you shop (per box; each box comes with 4 single-use packets. Each packet is 0.25oz). Available at Target, Walmart, Ulta, Walgreens, at Drugstore.com, and pretty much everywhere else Biore products are sold.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses!

Product Info...

Melt away the stress, dirt and oil! Infused with natural charcoal, this thermal mask opens pores and draws out dirt. It finishes with a cooling sensation for tingly-smooth skin in just one minute. Oil-free. Dermatologist tested. Mix this charcoal face mask with water to increase heating action by 2x.

May be used up to 2 to 3 times per week.


To Use: 

1. Wet face and leave your face wet. This mask is activated by water and won't work properly without it. 
2. Then apply mask with dry hands. Just open the packet and squeeze out into your hand, and spread it onto the face - avoiding the eye area. Like mentioned above, add some water (just a little) to your fingers to help spread the mask and activate the warming. 
3. Massage onto your face for about 1 minute. As you massage the mask will heat up. For more heating action, or for your preferred consistency, massage in a little water. NOTE: This mask does NOT dry or harden!
4. After one minute, rinse off to remove the mask.

My Review...

I'm going to start off by saying what I didn't like/what I wish was different. I don't like the fact that you only get four uses out of a box, and they're each in individual packs. I feel like masks in a jar or tube are easier to control how much you use. For example, maybe I only wanted to use the mask on my t-zone but with the single-use packets that this box comes with, I would have extra that would go to waste.

With that being said, that may be my only negative to this product!!!

This stuff really works! You will definitely feel it heating up.... it's pretty intense the first few seconds, but dulls down a bit. You can intensify the heat by adding water. The heat is key for this mask to open your pores, so if you're not a fan of masks that get warm, you may not enjoy this.

It does a really great job at drawing out the impurities in your skin. Feels good going on too. I don't necessarily use this for any other reason but to draw out impurities. I don't care that it doesn't exfoliate, because I can use a scrub if needed (or another mask that does just that). I love this for getting rid of all the nasty stuff that needs to leave my face! After I use this mask I will take a toner and go over my face because sometimes you can see some things still on your face, but the toner will take them away and your pores will look and feel cleaner! One of the best masks I've used - drugstore or high-end - to get rid of impurities!

I guess the only other negative is you get 4 packets in this box, and they say you can use this 2 to 3 times a week -- which means every 1.5 to 2 weeks you'd have to get another box if you were to use it 2 to 3 times a week. Using it once a week would mean you could get a month's use from it. This needs to be sold with more packets in the box - although I guess that would increase the price and they probably want to keep a lower price point so you'll buy it.

If you want to get the most use of a single box I'd probably recommend using it once a week, and if it's that time of the month and your face is acting up, use it twice that week.



Final Thoughts...

This is a great drugstore mask that heats up and draws out impurities. It has an affordable price point (it's about $1.62 per mask if you purchased it for $6.49). I'd recommend picking this up if you're looking to remove impurities from your face because this will do a really good job! Try to find a coupon or sale, because since it's a drugstore item you can do that and it will reduce the cost even more for the per-mask-price!

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of this face mask? Have you tried this or is this on your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below.

Biore Warming Anti-Blackhead Cleanser - pics, swatches, review

Hello, Beautiful!

I am absolutely in love with the new Biore Warming Anti-Blackhead Cleanser! I have tried other warming cleansers, but the Biore one is by far the most warming of them all and leaves my face feeling really clean. Does a great job at keeping pores clean and preventing acne from showing up. For sure one of my new favorite drugstore cleansers!

Check out my pics, swatches, info, and review... click on pics to view them larger.

Biore Warming Anti-Blackhead Cleanser

Biore Warming Anti-Blackhead Cleanser Info & Review:

Cost/Availability: $6.00 to $8.00 depending where you shop (4.5 oz full size). Available at Walmart, Target, on the Drugstore.com website, at Ulta, Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid, and everywhere else Biore products are sold. Click here to find a store near you that sells Biore.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses!

This soothing, self-heating formula cleanses away pore-clogging dirt and oil as it helps control blackheads and prevent acne. Effectively wash away stubborn dirt, oil, and makeup with a powerful formula containing salicylic acid (2%) and pore-opening warming clay. Oil-free.

Removes over 90% of dirt and oil from skin's surface. Helps reduce skin flakiness in just a single use. To use, just wet face and apply product with your fingers, massing over your face. Then rinse and pat dry. The water is what helps to activate the warming effect, so if you don't wet your face prior to using this you won't be using this cleanser effectively.

This warming cleanser has a really intense warming sensation, which of course doesn't last long so it's tolerable even if you don't like warming cleansers on your face - but yes, for a second or two it's pretty intense. That warming sensation will open your pores and allow the cleanser to clean them out - way better than using a traditional cleanser, which doesn't warm. This cleanser also smells good too! The consistency is almost like a thick gel, but it's easy to massage onto face.

This cleanser doesn't foam, and it's more of a scrub in my opinion, but it's a very gentle scrub. It still gets your face clean - and at least for me, my face felt very clean after using it without feeling dry. I do have combo/oily skin - leaning more towards oily - but I had a friend test this out who had dry skin, and another friend who had sensitive skin, just to see how this reacted with different skin types. Both loved it and felt their skin felt clean after using it. My friend with dry skin said she did feel she needed to use a moisturizer afterward, but that was pretty typical for her because of how dry her skin was - but it didn't dry-out her skin.

I don't use this every day, but I do like it for every other day or basically whenever I'm in the mood for it. I love the warming sensation! Overall, I really recommend this product!

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of this cleanser? Have you tried this or is this now on your wish list? Discuss in the comments below.

Winners of my Biore and my Marj's Naturals Giveaways!

Hello, Beautiful!

I recently ran two giveaways... on for a set of 2 Biore products and one for a set of 5 soaps from Marj's Naturals. Both giveaways have ended, and I thank everyone who entered! The winners are posted below. Winners selected using random.org -- If they do not reply a new winner will be selected. Congrats to the winners, and stay tuned for more giveaways!


The winner of my Biore Giveaway is....

Krystal L.

The winner of my Marj's Naturals giveaway is....

Stephanie P.

Congratulations to the winners!

GIVEAWAY: Win a Biore Duo Pack! Ends 02.28.13 - USA Only

Hello, Beautiful!

Want to win two fantastic products from Biore? Well here is your chance! I'll be reviewing these products in the near future on my blog, but wanted to give these away to one lucky reader as well.

One lucky winner will receive the Biore Warming Anti-Blackhead Cleanser and the Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips!

Giveaway Rules & Details:

• Open to my blog readers in the United States (sorry international ladies)
• If you're under 18 you must have your parent's permission to enter.
• Must be a follower of my blog. New followers are always welcome!
• Bonus entries available!
• Giveaway ends February 28, 2013
• A winner will be selected via Random.org within a few days of the giveaway end date, and notified via email.
• If the winner does not respond within 72 hours of notification a new winner will be selected

To Enter:

Simply fill in the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway