Note: In Her Element Skincare is the sister brand of Project Vanity. Reviews below are based on the writers’ experience.

As someone with dry skin, I always thought that moisturizing would be the key step in my skincare routine. For many years, I would slather thick and heavy creams all over my face in the hope that they would get rid of my dry patches and ashy gray complexion. And then I learned about the existence of acids. I researched about chemical exfoliation feverishly because “acid” sounded so intimidatingly potent and I was afraid of burning my skin like Liz did when she did a chemical peel. The treatment worked for her but I didn’t want to deal with the downtime!

Fortunately, acids proved to be exactly what my skin needed! It removed the (admittedly) few blackheads that I had, and made my skin look bright and clear. But some dry patches of skin still remained and I learned that I needed to also include physical exfoliation to my routine. Scrubs and peeling gels helped but I had to be careful about overexfoliating my skin. The solution? Use a product that can do both!

In Her Element’s Petal Skin Rose Clay Mask (P875 available at inherelement.ph) combines both physical and chemical exfoliation in a single product. It contains white kaolin clay, which is the gentlest type of clay mask and suitable even for sensitive skin. The clay draws out deep-seated dirt and unclogs pores, making it an ideal solution for those with pimples and oily skin. The mask also contains glycolic acid, an AHA that’s used to create a smoother skin texture and reduce the appearance of dark spots. Additionally, glycolic acid has humectant properties so it actually helps skin absorb moisture better!

Thanks to the Rose Clay Mask, I no longer need to use a separate product or do an additional step for physical exfoliation, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the great results it gave my skin. But hey, why just settle for my opinion? I asked PV girls with different skin types and concerns to try it out, too, and share about what it did for their skin.

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Angeli (oily-combination skin)

The packaging looks very chic, and when I opened the jar, a whiff of rose scent greeted me. I used the mask right after washing my face with a facial foam cleanser, applying it to my face in a circular motion and avoiding the eye area. The texture is not too thick or too thin, and it spreads evenly onto the skin. At first, I felt a stinging sensation, which is common in products that contain glycolic acid. It lasted for about 2 to 3 minutes then was gradually replaced by a cooling sensation. The mask dried in about 5 minutes or so, but I usually leave masks on for a good 10 to 15 minutes to get maximum results.

After rinsing the mask with lukewarm water, my skin felt really clean and refreshed. It did not feel stripped or dry at all! I also immediately saw a brightening effect. More importantly, my skin looked matte, and the mask improved the appearance of my pores and overall skin texture. It is so dope that it really suits my skin type! I use it about three times in a week now, and have been not been using my usual mask as I grab this more frequently. This has become a new fave of mine!

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Frankie (oily-combinaion)

After several traumatic run-ins with AHA-based products, I was hesitant to tangle with acids again. But my curiosity about clay masking - coupled with the comparative accessibility of IHE's Petal Skin Rose Clay Mask versus something pricier by Origins - led me to add this mask to my cart soon after it was released. It did take me a bit of a while to try it, partially due to aforementioned wariness of AHAs and partially due to my busy schedule. Then something happened to make me MAKE time.

A few days before I was set to attend a wedding, I tried a new face base product and found myself with what looked to be some form of allergic reaction/breakout hybrid. My skin texture, particularly around my jawline, was shot, and my skin felt dry and itchy. Worse: it LOOKED dry and textured, even under makeup so I could not hide how dull and angry my skin had gotten.

Desperate for anything to "reboot" my face, I turned to the Rose Clay Mask. I applied a moderate amount of the product to my face after washing with a low pH foaming cleanser, spreading it around my face in circles to create a thin but "solid" layer. Immediately I noticed a stinging effect which lasted about 2 to 3 minutes, corresponding to the "drying time" of the mask. Once the clay had more or less "set", the stinging subsided into a slight tightness that was not unpleasant nor really uncomfortable. I washed off the clay after 10 minutes and immediately found my face felt smoother: not miraculously so, but enough that I was pleasantly surprised. There was also a slight brightening effect, one I attribute to the mask stripping off the excess dead skin brought about by my skin's irritation.

I used it about two more times in the following days, and the mask improved my skin's texture enough that I could hide the blemishes quite easily with makeup, making it possible to achieve the dewy, chok-chok look that has become my signature. All in all, I'm pleasantly surprised by both how gentle yet effective this clay mask is, with its slow-and-steady results working for me just fine. Because of this, I try to squeeze using this mask in at least once a week now, ramping it up to two uses when any breakouts arise.

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Tellie (dry and flaky)

The first and biggest thing I enjoy about the IHE Petal Skin Rose Clay Mask is the botanical scent. Some fragrances can seem cheap and having them on my face for any length of time can be annoying, but this feels like aromatherapy! I almost feel like I’m at an upscale spa.

I apply the mask with a silicone brush, which sometimes results in too thick a layer. I feel like I can do a thinner layer using my hands, but I just think it’s too messy. Upon first contact, the mask feels ultra smooth and warm. It stings a little on the apples of my cheeks, which are normally my most sensitive areas. It didn’t feel out of the ordinary though, and was definitely peanuts compared to the pain of using Glamglow, so I kept it on for the full ten minutes. The warmth and stinging went away after about five minutes, and shortly after I just started to feel the mask drying or tightening up.

I like how the mask is easy to wash off, without leaving any gummy or sticky residue. Once I wet and wash off the dried mask, it’s pretty much completely off. Despite the heat and the sting, I’ve never noticed any redness. All I see is my skin looking so glowy! It also feels super smooth and weirdly moisturized. I often expect exfoliating treatments to dry me up, but I’m so in la-la-love with how soft and supple my skin feels after an IHE masking sesh. It also gets through this onion-skin layer that my dry skin tends to develop every few weeks or so. I guess that’s why I look way more glowed up from within. It’s definitely like nothing I’ve ever tried! But because this is recommended for oily skin, and mine is dry, and I do feel the strength of the acid in it, I use it once a week at most, or whenever I feel flaky and crusty. It’s my go-to whenever my skin needs some kind of reset button!

Like all skincare products, your mileage may vary (YMMV) so I hope that sharing our experiences will help you get a better idea of what the Petal Skin Rose Clay Mask can do for your skin type. If you’ve tried it, do share about your experience down in the comments!