For several years, I used Queen Helene Mint Julep Mud Mask (left).  It cleans out the pores, exfoliates and rejuvenates the skin.  The mask helps the acne and the redness, but I always found it to be a bit drying.  And when the skin dries out, you need to apply more moisturizer, which causes more acne…it’s a vicious cycle.

For the price, you cannot do better than the Julep, but you can do better.  

The Borghese Fango Active Mud Mask for Face and Body is, in a word, amazing.  It has brightened and detoxified my skin in ways that the Julep mask could never hope to accomplish.

When you put it on, you get this immediate tingling sensation.  Unlike the Julep mask, you only leave it on for a couple of minutes before you remove it, so your skin doesn’t dry out.  And when you remove it, your skin looks smoother, brighter, feels softer and the acne is smaller.  

If I could, I would use it every day.  But you’re only supposed to use it once or twice per week.

Comparing the Julep mask with the Fango mask is like comparing Britney Spears circa 2000 with Britney Spears circa 2009.  In theory, it’s the same commodity but in reality, one is an unsatisfying discount replica of the other.  The Fango is easily $30 better than the Julep.

Verdict: Splurge. Seriously, SPLURGE!