I love a good mask and vitamin C is one (of my many) fave actives so when SVR Hydracid C50 masque eclat (R595, Clicks) crossed my path I knew we’d become friends.

Packaged in an aerosol pump, it’s a foam that contains a super high concentration of vitamin C, a great antioxidant collagen-encourager with brightening properties. But that’s not all. It also contains 4% gluconalactone, a polyhydroxacid that works a lot like other AHA’s in that it exfoliates, but does it gently, so it’s less likely to irritate those with sensitive skin.

Other goodies in the mix? Brightening, soothing niacinimide and hydrating and plumping hyaluronic acid!

SVR suggests you leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing it off and that’s great but if you really want to get bang for your buck you can leave it on for longer or, do what I do, which is apply it before bed, rub it in (the foam eventually sinks in so it just feels like you’re wearing a lotion) and sleep in it*. If you’ve got sensitive skin I wouldn’t advise it but as it stands my face is super used to all the aforementioned actives in the same, if not higher, concentrations and I get to wake up to softer, smoother-looking skin.

In a way, SVR’s new mask reminds me a lot of Exuviance’s Bionic Oxygen facial mask (R1 054) in that it also contains loads of gluconalactone but it costs almost half the price and serves up a lot more bang for your buck thanks to the vitamin C, niacinimide and hyaluronic acid. Sure, you’re not getting the ‘oxygen’ effect and it doesn’t contain the ingredients that cause it to bubble (perfluorocarbons, in case you were wondering) but, for me, the jury is still out as to how beneficial that is for your skin.

Love, love

Leigh

*Like I said, I’m very used to high concentrations of AHAs, which are even stronger than a PHA, so if you try this and your face melts off please don’t drive past my house and throw a rock through my window.