Where I got it
A couple of years ago, I managed to buy a bottle of the cult-favourite Lotion P50 from Biologique Recherche and I had to get it shipped to me via Youshop. It ended up to be around NZD$109 for a bottle of toner. See my review here. In hindsight, $109 doesn’t sound too expensive to me now that I have ventured into some Chanel skincare as well as some more artisan skincare. I guess the cost added up because of shipping to New Zealand. The Lotion P50 was USD$69 which did not really go up in price since 2018.
Anyway, in late 2021, I wanted to try out more of their skincare. So I contacted Sofitel Spa in Auckland for some BR products because they are the only retailers in NZ. I bought the Placenta serum as well as this Masque Vivant. The Masque Vivant was $124 and the Placenta serum was $153 (it has now been reformulated). I will talk about the serum in another post.
Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant Serum Placenta and some free samples
Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant Serum Placenta and some free samples
What I got
This is the Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant (100ml). One of our most famous masks, Masque Vivant is purifying, balancing and revitalising. Containing high concentrations of the famous Biologique Recherche Yeast Extract, gives this mask a unique colour, texture and smell. Australian beauties liken this mask to the famous yeast spread, Vegemite. The Biologique Recherche Yeast Extract helps to encourage beneficial epidermal microflora to crowd out P.Acnes bacteria. Rich in B group vitamins, this Yeast Extract helps to regulate sebum secretions, revitalise epidermal functions and revives your complexion.
Ingredients: YEAST EXTRACT (FAEX EXTRACT), WATER (AQUA), PROPYLENE GLYCOL, BENTONITE, KAOLIN, ALCOHOL DENAT., CUCUMIS SATIVUS (CUCUMBER) FRUIT EXTRACT, GLYCERIN, VINEGAR (ACETUM), LACTIC ACID, HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA BARK/LEAF/TWIG EXTRACT, HYPERICUM PERFORATUM FLOWER/LEAF/STEM EXTRACT, ACACIA SENEGAL GUM, XANTHAM GUM.
How I find it
So after cleansing, you are supposed to use the Lotion P50, which I was given a small sample of (I managed to squeeze 2 uses out of this). I applied the Lotion P50 on a cotton pad and then just sweep it all over my face. My face tingles and turns slightly red which is expected. It does smell funky so be aware if you have not tried Lotion P50 before. After that, I just squeeze about a walnut size of the Masque Vivant onto a surface (maybe a lid of something or a little plate). The texture of this mask is not runny, it is a little thick and sticky. It smells and looks like marmite/vegemite, no doubts about it. I scoop up the product with my favourite silicone spatula (I use this for scooping up the product from the jar, and application) and I just apply it on my face.
I actually weirdly enjoy the smell of this mask. It’s not a very luxurious scent, nor do I feel like I’m in a fancy spa or a sea of roses. It kind of makes me hungry for something savoury (lol). I really like how smooth my skin feels after rinsing this off. It does not sting or scrub, so my skin won’t turn pink after using this, but I always make sure I remove it well by swiping my skin clean with micellar water (it often turns the cotton pad yellow).
Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant
Overall
I have been using this when my skin needs it, which means when I have breakouts. I have been using this all over my face instead of treating specific areas because my skin can tolerate it and it can benefit from a deep cleanse from time to time. In saying that, this mask is not your typical deep cleansing clay mask. It works quite differently and it does focus on the acne bacteria so it doesn’t really “dry out” my skin or imperfections. A tip I would suggest to store this mask is upside down because the mask does kind of ooze out to the lid if you place it upright with the cap down. I wasn’t able to commit to using this twice a week, but at the most once a week and I do really enjoy it and see an improvement on my skin everytime I do.
I have since purchased the Lait U cleansing milk and the Lotion P50 from the same place and I am very pleased with the products. I have not yet tried any of their moisturisers, but I need to do some more research on the brand to see what is recommended for oily/break out prone skin, as most of their products focuses on dry skin issues.
