The story behind GlamGlow begins in Hollywood, California where husband and wife team Glenn and Shannon Dellimore set out on a quest to create a product for actors and actresses to get them camera ready fast. With the help of chemists, Glenn and Shannon created a mud mask with luxurious ingredients that could help improve the look of skin quickly. Word spread about the “Magic Mud” they had created, and soon there were celebrities and Hollywood A-Listers demanding their product. And this is how GlamGlow Supermud Mask — a clay-based face mask with activated charcoal — was born.
What are the Best Skin Care Products of 2021?
GlamGlow is certainly a buzzed about brand on social media, but is there really anything that special about the GlamGlow masks? To answer this question, we’ll have to evaluate the research that supports the use of clay and activated charcoal in skincare. We’ll also discuss the supporting key ingredients that you’ll find in GlamGlow products, and we’ll share GlamGlow reviews so that you can get an idea of what customers really think of these products.
What Are The Top 10 Best GlamGlow Products?
While the GlamGlow mask products are what this brand is known for, GlamGlow also offers cleansers, toners, moisturizers, eye care, and serums. Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 GlamGlow products.
GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment Mask
- A charcoal face mask that is said to lift dirt, toxins, and excess oil from pores and loosen dead skin cells to exfoliate and sweep them away, leaving fresh, smooth skin behind
- Ideal for acne-prone skin, oily skin, and clogged pores
- Key ingredients include kaolin clay, activated charcoal, eucalyptus leaves, and a six acid blend of alpha and beta hydroxy acids (mandelic acid, tartaric acid, pyruvic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid)
- Contains synthetic fragrance ingredients
GlamGlow Bright Eyes Illuminating Anti-Fatigue Eye Cream
- An illuminating eye cream that is said to instantly brighten dark circles and reduce the visible signs of fatigue around the entire eye area for a well-rested, glowing look.
- Ideal for dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles, and dryness
- Key ingredients include shea butter, sodium hyaluronate, caffeine, vitamins C and E, and acetyl hexapeptide-8
- Formula also includes mica and titanium dioxide to add a shimmering effect and reflect light from the face, creating the illusion of a smoother, softer, and more radiant skin tone
- Fragrance free
GlamGlow BerryGlow Soothing Mask
- A creamy, soothing mask that is said to instantly boost skin’s health, restore radiance, and help promote skin’s microbiome for strengthened skin
- Ideal for dry and dull skin
- Key ingredients include jojoba oil, shea butter, probiotics, and a “superberry blend” (blueberry, cranberry and goji)
- Contains synthetic fragrance ingredients
GlamGlow BrightMud Mask
- A dual-action exfoliating mask treatment that is said to chemically and physically buff away unwanted dead skin cells with lactic acid (AHA), salicylic acid (BHA), and microfine pumice to reveal bright, even glow instantly
- Additional key ingredients include niacinamide, acetyl glucosamine, and vitamin C
- For optimal results, it’s recommended to use this GlamGlow mask three days in a row, and then use 2 to 3 times per week
- Contains synthetic fragrance ingredients
GlamGlow GlowStarter Illuminating Moisturizer
- A daily moisturizer and soft highlighter cream in one that is said to instantly hydrate and add buildable glow with illuminating pearls that blur and enhance the complexion
- Available in 2 shades (nude glow and sun glow)
- Key ingredients include dimethicone, synthetic emollients, jojoba oil, shea butter, vitamin E, and sodium hyaluronate
- Formula also includes mica and titanium dioxide to add a shimmering effect and reflect light from the face, creating the illusion of a smoother, softer, and more radiant skin tone
- Contains synthetic fragrance ingredients
GlamGlow Super Water Gel Moisturizer
- A lightweight water gel moisturizer for acne-prone skin that is said to instantly hydrate, clarify, and control shine without instigating new breakouts for balanced, healthier and clearer-looking skin
- Ideal for oily, combination, and normal skin types.
- Key ingredients include silicones, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, pyruvic acid, sodium hyaluronate, eucalyptus leaf, and caffeine
- Contains synthetic fragrance ingredients
GlamGlow ThirstyMud
- A creamy, ultra-hydrating mask treatment that is said to instantly quench and soothe extremely dry, parched or dehydrated skin
- Ideal for dryness, dullness, dehydration, and uneven texture
- Key ingredients include caprylic/capric triglyceride, apple fruit extract, coconut fruit extract, honey, vitamins C and E, and sodium hyaluronate
- Contains synthetic fragrance ingredients
GlamGlow YouthMud
- An exfoliating clay mask treatment that is said to instantly smooth and polish to revive skin’s youthful glow and reveal soft smooth skin in as little as 10 minutes
- Ideal for dullness, uneven texture, fine lines and wrinkles
- Key ingredients include volcanic pumice, kaolin clay, montmorillonite clay, and green tea leaf extract
- Contains synthetic fragrance ingredients
GlamGlow Super Toner
- An exfoliating toner for acne-prone skin that is said to instantly clarify and unclog pores
- The highest concentration ingredient (after water) is denatured alcohol, which helps to reduce excess oil on the skin — but not in a healthy way! Keep reading below to learn why alcohol-based products are likely doing more harm to your skin than good
- Contains synthetic fragrance ingredients
GlamGlow Gravity Mud Mask
- A chrome peel-off face mask treatment that is said to help skin feel firmer, tighten and lift skin in an instant
- Key ingredients include polyvinyl alcohol and denatured alcohol
- Contains synthetic fragrance ingredients
Which GlamGlow Mask is Best?
The #1 best selling GlamGlow mask is the Supermud Clearing Treatment mask. This mask has received over 1,000 raving 5-star reviews on the brand’s website. Some reviews for the GlamGlow Supermud mask call it the “holy grail” and others call it the “best mask ever”. And after evaluating the product formulation, we do think the ingredients in this GlamGlow mask should help to promote smooth, clear skin.
Which GlamGlow Moisturizer is Best?
The best GlamGlow moisturizer depends on your skin type. Since the GlamGlow Super Water Gel Moisturizer is oil-free, this moisturizer is best for those with oily, combination, and/or acne-prone skin. The GlamGlow WaterBurst moisturizer is great for those with normal to dry skin types due to the inclusion of emollients like meadowfoam seed oil, hazel seed oil, and squalane. And the GlamGlow GlowStarter Illuminating Moisturizer is best for those who want the benefits of a moisturizer, primer, and highlighter in one product.
What Are The Key Ingredients in GlamGlow Products?
GlamGlow uses a variety of both natural and synthetic ingredients in their products, but a few of the key ingredients they use throughout the collection include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), salicylic acid (BHA), shea butter, jojoba oil, and hyaluronic acid. These are all very commonly used ingredients.
Plus, you’ll find kaolin clay and activated charcoal in several GlamGlow mask products, such as the popular GlamGlow Supermud Mask and GlamGlow Youthmud mask. Kaolin has excellent absorption properties, which means this clay can absorb excess oil from the pores and help to reduce shine.
According to a publication in the journal International Geology Review, “The high adsorption and absorption capacities, cation exchange capacity, as well as the extremely fine particle size of certain clays, e.g. smectites (expandable clay minerals) and kaolin group minerals are important reasons why these minerals are used to remove oils, secretions, toxins, and contaminants from the skin.”
Similarly, the activated charcoal that’s used in the GlamGlow mask formulations works by trapping toxins and impurities in its millions of tiny pores. Rather than absorbing the toxins, however, activated charcoal works through adsorption (the chemical reaction where elements bind to a surface). Thus, activated charcoal helps to purify and detox the skin.
While there are beneficial key ingredients used in GlamGlow products, we did notice that some product formulations contain ingredients that could be potentially harmful. For example, both the GlamGlow Super Toner and GlamGlow Gravity Mud Mask contain a very high concentration of denatured alcohol. So why is this a problem? Let’s take a closer look at what high amounts of denatured alcohol will do to your skin.
The problem with this type of alcohol is that, at first, it seems like it’s benefitting the skin. Initially, alcohol gives products a quick-drying finish, immediately degreases the skin, and imparts a weightless feel. This is why you’ll notice that GlamGlow Super Toner really does reduce excess oil on your skin. But not in a healthy way!
The immediate de-greasing effects of alcohol-based products can actually stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, causing skin to look even more shiny and oily than it was before. This excessive oil production combined with the possible irritation that denatured alcohol can cause may lead to an increase in acne breakouts.
Another major problem with using high concentrations of denatured alcohol is that this ingredient is well known to cause skin dryness, irritation, and even disruption of the skin barrier. According to a publication in the journal BBA Biomembranes., alcohol disrupts the lipids that make up the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of skin). While alcohol may provide short term benefits, it’s not doing your skin any good in the long run.
Lastly, keep in mind that nearly all GlamGlow products contain synthetic fragrance ingredients. While these fragrance ingredients do make the products smell nice, they can be a problem because the brand can use a proprietary blend of chemicals to create the fragrance, and they do not have to disclose which chemicals they use on the label. They are allowed to list this blend as “Fragrance (Parfum)” on the ingredient list.
A 2018 study by Women’s Voices for the Earth discovered that in over 3,000 chemicals reportedly used for fragrances, 1,242 were chemicals of concern – and that included at least 7 possible carcinogenic (cancer-causing) agents. Fragrance ingredients also have the potential to cause skin irritation and sensitivity.
Where to Buy GlamGlow Products?
GlamGlow products are sold on the brand’s website, as well as several third party online retailers, such as Sephora, Amazon, Nordstrom, LovelySkin, and many more.
What is The GlamGlow Return Policy?
The GlamGlow return policy states, “If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your online purchase, simply return the unused portion and we will be happy to remit your account for the amount of the purchase. If you prefer, you may exchange it for another item(s).”
Is GlamGlow Cruelty Free?
No, GlamGlow is not cruelty free because GlamGlow products are sold in mainland China where animal testing is required by law. The brand’s animal testing policy states, “We do not test our products on animals, nor do we ask others to conduct animal testing on our behalf, except when required by law.”
GlamGlow Reviews
GlamGlow reviews on the brand’s website are overall very positive. The product with the most reviews is the GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment Mask, which has earned an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars after more than 1,500 customer reviews.
Like we mentioned above, there are many raving 5-star reviews for this GlamGlow mask from customers who love the instant effects of this mask, such as clearer skin, less redness, and smaller pores.
For example, one review for the GlamGlow Supermud Mask says, “I have been using this mask for about a year now and it has done wonders to my skin. I have very sensitive skin and have struggled with acne for years. I use this mask twice a week and have had no troubles with it drying out my skin or any irritation. It works great as a spot treatment as well if I feel a breakout coming.”
However, there are a handful of GlamGlow reviews for the Supermud Mask from customers who experienced adverse reactions from this mask, such as redness, burning, and itching.
For example, one review says, “I would not describe my skin as sensitive and I have never had an issue like this but I just used this mask for the first time and as soon as I put it on, my face started burning. After five minutes, since it hadn’t stopped, I removed the mask and was left with red, hot, blotchy skin. I thoroughly cleansed my face and applied aloe vera but the sensation has not stopped. It looks as though it started to burn off the top layer of skin.”
There are even some reviews that describe the reaction as a chemical burn. For example, one review says, “I never had sensitive skin, so when I tested out the mask for the first time and felt a fire hot burning sensation, I knew something was up. I immediately removed the mask and was left with a red, hot to the touch, burned face. It’s been over an hour now and still hasn’t gotten better.”
Our Verdict
Overall, we think that most GlamGlow products are formulated well, but we would recommend avoiding the products that contain high concentrations of denatured alcohol.
Pros
- GlamGlow products contain beneficial key ingredients (AHAs, salicylic acid, shea butter, jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid, etc)
- Many positive GlamGlow reviews
Cons
- GlamGlow is not cruelty free
- Nearly all products contain synthetic fragrance ingredients
- Some products (like GlamGlow Super Toner and GlamGlow Gravity Mask) contain very high concentrations of denatured alcohol
- Some GlamGlow reviews mention adverse reactions to the Supermud Mask
What Are Some Alternatives to GlamGlow Products?
While some of the GlamGlow products are formulated well, we dislike that nearly all of the products contain synthetic fragrance ingredients. It’s also concerning that there were so many GlamGlow reviews for the Supermud Mask from customers who experienced chemical burns. That’s why we’d like to recommend a couple alternatives for you to consider.
One brand we recommend is Formulyst because, unlike most skin care brands, Formulyst maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones. The result is clinically advanced skincare solutions that help to promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin.
For hydrated and dewy looking skin, try Formulyst Super Hyaluronic Water Moisturizer. Hyaluronic acid helps keep skin plumped, hydrated, and dewy looking. This oil free formula is packed with multiple types of hyaluronic acid and it works as a moisture magnet by drawing water to the skin.
Another brand that balances the power of plants with cutting edge science is Carrot & Stick. Not only is Carrot & Stick good for your skin, it is also good for the environment as the formulas skip harmful chemicals commonly found in skin care products.
References:
Int Geol Rev. 2010 Jul 1; 52(7/8): 745–770.
BBA Biomembranes, May 2012, pages 1410-1419
Bryttani Original review: Feb 24, 2018.
I absolutely love this mask, but it cost way to much!! I received the trial size super mud and mega illuminating moisturizer for my birthday (if your a beauty insider at Sephora) I loved It so much I went to purchase it online but it’s nearly 60 dollars!! And the container isn’t even that big. I’m so disappointed because that’s a shit ton of money for a face mask that you can’t even use often. As a mom with a budget that is just too much. Eyeshadow pallets are cheaper than this mask and you get more use out of those. It does work but so does the tooface masks for 30$ drop your outragouse prices and more people would be willing to purchase these awesome masks.