To start out, my skin is very pale and sensitive. I have a UV(sun) allergy; while that is it's own problem, it causes a lot of other complications with my skin in the long run. I love Freeman's products- they are effective and dirt cheap.
For this mask in particular, I have seen many reviews that say it is not a mask, just a scrub. When you first use it, you will understand why it seems that way. But it is a mask as well and should be used as one. Charcoal in skin care products is beneficial because when it left on the surface of skin, it pulls oil from the inner part of the pore(which is hard to do without STRIPING the oil from the pore). So leaving this product on your face for 5-7 minutes like it says to do is a key part of the process. It's just not what people are used to in a mask. The black sugar part of the product is what is going to scrub away the dead skin. AND if you left the mask on prior to scrubbing, all the excess oil the charcoal pulled to the surface, the black sugar will remove.
Now, my funny story! The first time I used this product, I had horribly rough skin(repairing from a bad sunburn). I smeared this on thick and watched TV for a bit. I left it on a lot longer than it says to, but there was no discomfort. It was kind of soothing and warm. When I hopped into the shower to wash it off, the mask was still sticky and I started massaging it into my face, adding only a little water at a time. I put my hands into the water to get a little more and my hands felt so soft it startled me! I choked on some of the mask(which tastes just like sugar…) and washed the rest off. My face was as soft as my hands, and I've never felt such a huge difference in the texture of my skin with just one use of something. I am a firm believer that you need to take care of your skin every day for it to be healthy and beautiful. Nothing works over night, nothing is a miracle potion. Everything takes time because your skin goes through cycles. If you cut yourself, nothing you put on it will heal it right away. It's the same for your skin. But this mask/scrub threw me for a loop because it gave me a very significant result with the first use. It's kept my skin from overdrying and from getting too oily- a good balance for about 2 days after use. It's a great exfoliator, without being harsh. And the prices is beyond reasonable. I'd recommend it to anyone, it's my new favorite mask!