Several months back. I was contacted by the Founder and Owner of Avant Skin Care, Jeanne Oberstar, to see if I would be interested in trying their Charcoal Exfloiating Age Defying Masque, in exchange for a review.  As I’m always trying new beauty products and Charcoal Masks are very popular, I agreed.

The packaging is clean and simple. It comes with a Thank you card and instructions. I was very happy to learn that this mask does not harden like many charcoal masks on the market that have been reported to rip off your skin.

All Avant products are made in Florida, USA which is a huge plus.

I contacted Jeanne to learn more about the mask and her company before I agreed to try it.

Jeanne told me that her inspiration for starting Avant Goods came from dealing with many side effects of thyroid disease.  She wanted to create a line of skin care products that were non-toxic, non-endrocine disrupting, and healing.

To differentiate Avant’s Charcoal Masque from other facial skin care masks on the market, Jeanne told me that it has contains botanical oils that heal and hydrate. The mask  detoxifies, exfoliates and is a crème consistency that does not harden like some of the other charcoal skin care masks on the market. The list of ingredients are quite extensive and are sourced from around the world. However, according to Jeanne if any of the ingredients are  readily available in the US they will try to source them domestically.  Avant’s main ingredients in their mask is Kaolin Clay and Bamboo Charcoal. The white  Kaolin Clay  base has many healing properties, including purifying and detoxifying the skin. Kaolin Clay has many potent antioxidants. It helps clearing up breakouts, exfoliates dead skin cells and soothes irritated skin.

The Bamboo Charcoal, known as the “Black Diamond” in Asia, contains 300 types of micro-organic minerals that draw out toxins to clear pores allowing them to breathe. Avant’s sources the Bamboo from South Korea.

The Avant Masque contains:

(98.5% Naturally Derived / 70% Organic) Ingredients: Deionized Aqua (Water), Organic Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe), Organic Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower Oil), Glyceryl Stearate, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Octyl Palmitate, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil), Kaolin, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa Butter), Cetyl Alcohol, Potassium Stearate, Organic Beeswax, Pumice, Charcoal Powder (Bamboo Charcoal Powder), Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Cellulose Gum, Purified Smectite Clay, Citrus Limon (Lemon Essential Oil), Eucalyptus Globulous (Eucalyptus Essential Oil), Organic Syzysium Aromaticum (Clove), Eugenia Caryophyllata (Clove Essential Oil-active, nosmell), Organic Juniperus Communis (Juniper), Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel), Organic Capsicum Annuum var. Aannuum (Cayenne), Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Oil), Calophyllum Tacamahaca (Tamanu Oil), Spirulina Maxima (Spirulina), Macrocystis Pyrifera (Kelp), Organic Borago Officinalis (Borage Oil), Organic Linum Usitatissimum (Flax Seed Oil), Organic Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose Oil), Organic Rosa Canina (Rose Hip Oil), Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Organic Arnica Montana (Arnica), Organic Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender), Organic Calendula Officinalis (Calendula), Organic Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile), Grapeseed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia (Macadamia Nut Oil), Sodium Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethyl Hexyl Glycerin, Organic Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola Extract), Organic Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail Plant Extract), Organic Pelagonium Gravoleons (Geranium Extract), Organic Taraxacum Officinalis (Dandelion Extract).

I’ve been using the Avant Charcoal Masque several times a month. Upon opening the jar, the mask looks grey and very creamy. I like to have a home spa day on the weekends and use the mask as one of  my skin care routines. I used a mask brush and coated my skin avoiding the area directly under my eyes. It was easy and fun to apply. The instructions say to rub it into the skin. But, I prefered to apply it with a brush first. I will try it next time on my neck and chest.  I’d actually love to coat my entire body, but I’d use up the jar and it would make a mess in my bathroom. The instructions say to keep it on for 10-20 minutes, I kept it on for 40 minutes with no adverse reactions.  It washed off easily, but since it the mask is dark grey I made sure I rinsed it all off using a dark-colored wash cloth to gently remove it. My skin felt soft and had a nice pink glow afterwards.

I have not had any break-outs or irritation from the product and my skin tends to be sensitive to new skin care products. The price point is good at $27.99 for a 4 oz jar. The jar should last quite some time, if covered tightly and kept away from moisture.  As with any skin care products, it should be discarded after 2 years.  Please check with your plastic surgeon or dermatologist if you plan on using this product after any cosmetic procedures.

Given the quality, ingredients and price point, it’s a good buy.  I’d give it a try!!

Click her to purchase  Avant Products. 

Photo: Michele Garber-BNT

Photo: Michele Garber: BNT

Disclaimer: The featured product in this post was provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase I may make a commission.