Specializing in pH-balanced face masks, hair masks, and serums, MUDMASKY creates beauty routines with the body’s natural equilibrium—and the environment—in mind.
The Making of MUDMASKY
Majid Mousavi, founder and CEO of MUDMASKY, didn’t start with an affinity for skincare. When looking for a moisturizer, a dermatologist explained how harmful some skincare products are. When Mousavi discovered how opaque the skincare market had been for over 50 years, he started researching and was determined to change the industry.
With the same vision in mind, Mousavi and Lloyd Diamond—a Swiss-born dermatologist with more than 30 years of experience in skincare—set out to develop the first pH-balanced face mask. However, no one was willing to produce it because the ingredients were too expensive and the formula too complex.
Eventually, the pair created MUDMASKY and launched its first product, the Facial Detox Purifying Recovery Mask. Following its launch, this mask was voted the best skincare product of 2016 and the Best Skincare Product at the Beauty Awards, as well as the best skincare product of 2017.
The MUDMASKY brand became popularized in the U.S. initially thanks to its partnership with Ipsy, then grew in the UK with GlossyBoxUK.
Why the Emphasis on pH?
The pH level of your skin is the most important indicator of its health and refers to its acidic or alkaline balance. This a scale of 0-14—with 0 being the most acidic and 14 the most alkaline—the average healthy pH of the skin is 5.5. Unlike water, which should have an even pH of 7, the skin is naturally more acidic due to factors such as sweat.
The sebum and sweat that form a film over the Stratum Corneum combine to form the acid mantle. This physical and chemical barrier protects the skin from harmful microorganisms, irritation, allergies, and dehydration. Vulnerable pH-unbalanced skin can lead to infection and breakouts, and an intact acid coat also has a natural deodorant effect.
In a study done by students from the Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, almost 96% of skincare products are not pH-balanced, and almost 85% of those affect the acid mantle both short- and long-term.
In short, pH-balanced skin is more healthy, resilient, hydrated, clear, supple, and radiant.
Eco-Friendly Beauty
MUDMASKY is a PETA-Certified and Cruelty-Free brand, and some items are even 100% vegan. As well as avoiding buying ingredients tested on animals, the brand doesn’t sell in China.
Chinese law requires animal testing. The mainland announced that animal testing was not going to be necessary starting in 2021, but also made it difficult and almost impossible to get an exemption. MUDMASKY does sell in Hong Kong, however, as it is not part of mainland China.
MUDMASKY is also a sustainable brand with a 100% sustainability goal to support and cherish the environment. Currently, more than 95% of the ingredients are sustainably harvested, most are organic, and since March 2019, none have flown in for the formulation process.
The high-quality ingredients MUDMASKY uses are friendly for any age, gender, or skin type, and come only from natural sources. Necessary components, such as polysorbate 20, are synthetically modified, but there are always less than 3% modified ingredients.
With more than 3,000 banned ingredients, MUDMASKY products are made without any harsh chemicals. This includes not only parabens and sulfates, but also talc, silicones (D4, D5, and D6), propylene glycol, microbeads, phthalates, formaldehyde, mineral oil, chemical UV filters, and many, many more.
Internally, all MUDMASKY vehicles are 100% electric, there’s an emphasis on online communication, and all necessary paper is FSC-certified.
When it comes to packaging, MUDMASKY uses partly recycled tubes (with a goal of 100% recycled PCR plastic tubes) and 100% recycled paper. Orders shipped by MUDMASKY also come in cardboard made from 100% freshly mowed grass.
Moroccan Lava Clay
Also known as Rhassoul or Ghassoul, this clay is mined from the Atlas Mountains in eastern Morocco. Rich in minerals, Moroccan Lava Clay helps to treat dehydrated and sensitive skin, build and strengthen elasticity, and minimize enlarged pores.
For more than 1,500 years, Rhassoul Clay has been used as a soap, facial cleanser, shampoo, and even a skin conditioner. While it was mainly used in Morocco as part of a traditional ritual, it was also used in ancient Rome and Egypt.
While synthetic soaps not only remove dirt and impurities but also moisture, they leave the skin unprotected. Without moisture, the skin is also stimulated to produce even more oil, leading to why so many deal with oily and combination skin. As well as being naturally free of artificial emulsifiers, fragrances, and preservatives, Moroccan Lava Clay gently binds dirt and excess oil and leaves the protective moisture barrier intact.
MUDMASKY uses Premium Light Brown Lava Clay—the mildest of all the clays—making it ideal for people with sensitive and dry complexions. This Premium Light Brown Lava Clay helps rebuild, moisturize, and nourish the skin.
Dead Sea Salt
Maris Sal, or Dead Sea Salt, comes from the Dead Sea of Israel or Jordan. Rich in magnesium, sodium, potassium, and other essential minerals, research shows this salt minimizes wrinkles, reduces inflammation, improves the skin barrier’s function, and enhances hydration. The high magnesium concentration, for example, is specifically beneficial in improving skin hydration and reducing inflammation.
Maris Sal also detoxifies the skin, making it a game changer for acne and psoriasis. Bromide and magnesium can help to alleviate skin allergies by reducing inflammation, and The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends the Dead Sea Salts as effective psoriasis treatments.
As well as being used by ancient Egyptian people, Dead Sea Salt has been utilized in various unguents, soaps, and skin creams since.
MUDMASKY Originals
Of MUDMASKY’s plethora of incredible solutions, there are a couple we cannot get enough of and recommend to anyone wanting to try the brand.
The first, of course, is the classic and original Facial Detox Purifying Recovery Mask. High-quality montmorillonite clay safely rids your skin of toxins and impurities. It brings fresh blood to damaged skin cells, which tightens pores and revitalizes the skin’s appearance.
This mask uses MUDMASKY’s mineral-rich Moroccan Lava Clay, which is the only pH-neutral Moroccan lava clay, making it ideal for people with sensitive skin. The formula also includes Allantoin to reduce redness and flaking, soften and smooth the skin, and stimulate the growth of new skin cells for accelerated wound healing.
Citric acid from the calamondin fruit removes dead skin cells, accelerates the skin turnover cycle, and causes a natural brightening of the skin. Indonesian bamboo slows down the degeneration of skin, Japanese matcha tea protects against harmful UV rays and repairs environmental damage, and finally, black elderberry contains powerful antioxidants packed with naturally occurring flavonoid compounds.
Another great option is the Vitamin-A Booster French Clay Mask. New to the MUDMASKY lineup, this pore-refining, smoothing, firming, tightening, and clarifying formula is the fastest-working clay mask available.
Crafted with Grade 1 Kaolin Clay and Premium French Clay, impurities are drawn away, excess oil is absorbed, and the skin is detoxified. This results in a clear, refined, and glowing complexion.
Along with these rejuvenating clays, Jamaican Castor Oil helps to create this mask’s creamy texture, and seamlessly merges the benefits of a clay mask with a moisturizer. Bakuchiol, a natural retinol alternative, firms the skin, while Centella Asiatica Extract promotes collagen synthesis and improves elasticity for a lifted appearance. Antioxidant-rich natural vitamin C also helps brighten the skin, even out the complexion, and promote a clearer appearance while reducing the appearance of blemishes and rejuvenating the skin.
Some other mud and clay masks we recommend are the Pearl Polish Superglow Pink Clay Mask for a natural glow, Melting Mud Cleansing Mask as a morning cleanser replacement, Vitamin A Booster Blue Clay Mask as a retinol alternative, and Mineral-Infused Double Cleansing Mask. We also love the Morning Boost Mask for puffiness, Sleep Repair Renewal Nourishing Mask as a non-sticky overnight moisturizer, and seasonal-specific Leave-Me-On Masks such as Autumn, Spring, and Summer.
After all of those mud masks, you need to try the Aftermask Vitamin Serum. This skin-loving, anti-aging formula nourishes with a combination of algae, smooths and moisturizes with amino and essential fatty acids that help maintain the skin barrier, relieves inflammatory conditions such as acne and rosacea and protects the skin.
If you’re looking for hair and scalp solutions, the Root Feeding Hair Mask uses pro-vitamin B5 to strengthen strands, and the Hair Mask Scalp Treatment & Miracle Shampoo is the perfect 3-in-1 treatment. You can also treat undereye bags with the Serum-Infused Eye Mask, brighten dark circles with the Vitamin-Infused Eye Serum, or combine your daily serum and moisturizer into one with the collagen-boosting, dullness-reviving, hydration-retaining Serum-Infused Moisturizer.
PURE Body & GlamCare
The MUDMASKY PURE line combines five or fewer ingredients to clean, nourish, and heal your body. When body care contains a lot of chemical ingredients, there can be a higher chance of getting an irritation or allergic reaction to one of the many ingredients.
PURE Body stands for uncomplicated ingredients, so you understand exactly what you put on your skin. This line has even blacklisted 417 body care ingredients, does not use ingredients derived from animals (this one’s especially for you Vegans!), and up-cycles its packaging and some ingredients, such as re-used coffee grounds.
Saved by the Scrub has a pH of 6.5 and fights underarm odor for up to 16 hours of freshness. It also brightens and smooths the skin, removes dead cells and bacteria, and minimizes bumps with gentle exfoliation.
GlamCare marries skincare with makeup to offer translucent coverage, treat and conceal wrinkles, nourish the skin, and keep the completion hydrated and moisturized. The lightweight formulas apply smoothly and feel like you’re not wearing makeup at all. The ingredients are also Certified Clean and 99% natural!
Both the POREfection Primer and POREfection Serum-Infused Primer are non-comedogenic to minimize the appearance of pores without clogging the skin. The POREfection Primer blurs skin imperfections, balances excess oil for a mattifying effect, creates a smooth and long-lasting makeup base, and nourishes the skin throughout the day. The silky-smooth Serum-Infused Primer uses skin-loving ingredients to replenish moisture, alleviating dry patches and tightness while leaving your skin plump, supple, refreshed, and rejuvenated.
There is also the Glowy Illuminating Blush Drops, which create a natural but subtle glow with light, shimmering glitters and dewy color. Lightweight and with a 16-hour wear time, this liquid blush feels soft on the skin and creates a smooth, silky finish.
For questions, concerns, or article ideas, feel free to reach out to our eCosmetics Beauty Editor directly at [email protected]
