The prettiest one of all? Azulene Calming Mask!

What they say: “Soothing Azulene, a Chamomile Extract, along with Balsam Peru, a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient, come together in this non-hardening mask that comforts irritated, red, and very sensitive skin types. Also made with Kaolin (clay) and Wheat Starch to absorb impurities in the pores. Best when followed up with our Control Cream.” (for all skin types)

At first sight: This light blue-green product is like a thick moisturiser, or a very strange molasses! It smells a little like old person and a little like clay and a little like soap – not too shabby, I guess. It has little bubbles, and was the other product I really wanted to try (the first being the Strawberry scrub).

At first use: I’ve used this a few times now (you can get about three uses out of the sample) without any noticeable improvement. Contrary to its description, it does harden, though not uncomfortably. I found the scent to be pretty okay, though I can easily see people hating it! It washes off easily and I don’t have any complaints about it – it was not smelly, waxy, rough, or otherwise unpleasant.

The verdict: I don’t know. I didn’t have any issues with this, but it didn’t really seem to do anything to my skin, either. As mentioned, I didn’t notice an improvement in texture or amount of breakouts, and it didn’t make my red patches any more red. However, it didn’t make my skin any worse, either!

The one Mario product that looked…fun! This Strawberry Face Scrub has actual strawberry bits in it, which got me all excited!!

What they say: “Made with real Strawberry seeds that gently buff away flaky skin while natural AHA’s breakdown dull build-up to unclog pores. It improves overall texture to the skin by revealing healthy, glowing skin while preventing blackheads.” (for all skin types)

At first sight: This pearly pink scrub looks creamy and fun! And there are strawberry seeds! Real strawberry seeds! The smell, though, is not so real – kind of fake. Like fake strawberry poison. Or real strawberry poison, I suppose…

At first use: The buffers in this product are seeds – just as they said. I find this too harsh and rough; I really prefer small beads to buff away my dead skin. It felt like the seeds were stabbing my face! Also, there was no lather, and it made my skin feel congested, like there was a thick waxy layer clogging my pores. And the chemically scent? Disgusting!

The verdict: The worst exfoliator I’ve ever tried. I can only see this working for someone with really thick skin (ie no pain receptors) that’s also really dry – otherwise, I think it’ll make you break out.