Note: Before we begin, this product was not gifted to me but purchased through ulta.com. I will not receive any compensation for my honest review.
Welcome to Skintuition’s first product review! Although I don’t intend to do many of these, I figured it would be appropriate to share my thoughts on any new products I try or add to my routine.
After discussing some of my favorite clay masks, I got an impulse to try something new. My skin was due for a deep cleanse, and it seemed like the perfect time to commit myself. After trawling through dozens of options, I finally came across Kinship Mint Mud ($26).
About the Brand
As a brand, Kinship says it is committed to producing products specifically formulated for sensitive skin, and that its products are created using skin-soothing plant extracts, and free of synthetic colors and fragrances.
According to their website (lovekinship.com), Kinship products are cruelty-free, sustainably packaged, and feature Kinship’s patented Kinbiome technology, plant-based prebiotics designed to strengthen the skin barrier and support clear, healthy skin.
First Impressions
Being a fan of mint anything, I was especially excited to try this mask. I was pleasantly surprised by the natural, not-too-strong scent of mint mingled with the earthy fragrance of the clay.
Since my skin can be sensitive to fragrance, I felt confident that this product wouldn’t cause any problems due to being too heavily scented. The color of the mask was also appealing, a lovely, wholesome sage green rather than the artificial mint green I had been expecting. Overall, I couldn’t help but be reminded of my beloved Youth To The People Superfood Skin Reset Mask, a former favorite that has since been discontinued. Could Kinship Mint Mud fill the void?
The Pros
This mask is like an Altoid for your face. It has a beautifully smooth texture, save for the tiny jojoba esters meant to provide light physical exfoliation. Peppermint oil and lactic acid give the mask a cool, tingling sensation that lets you know it’s working (and this product does tingle quite a bit, so be mindful if your skin is especially sensitive). The mask does begin to tighten as it dries, but my skin was soft, smooth, and completely comfortable upon removal.
The Cons
Although I appreciate the inclusion of a physical exfoliant, I felt that the jojoba esters were too fine to provide any significant physical exfoliation. Fortunately, because this product also includes lactic acid, you still get the benefit of some mild chemical exfoliation.
In addition, because the mask is clay-based, it can be a little difficult to remove. But that’s something that can be said of most clay masks and is certainly not a problem that’s unique to this product. I recommend using a warm, damp washcloth to remove the majority of the product and then giving your face an additional rinse (or two) to ensure you’re not leaving any residue behind.
My only other issue is that, like many beauty brands, Kinship has marketed Mint Mud as a “detox” mask. If you’ve read my previous post, you’ll know that a detox for skin simply doesn’t exist, nor is it necessary.
The Verdict
Ultimately, this mask gave me exactly what I’d been craving: clean, fresh, and renewed skin without over-drying. While it doesn’t quite live up to the standards set by Youth To The People’s Superfood Skin Reset Mask, it does make good on its promise of cleaner, smoother, and brighter skin.