Today, I’m going to review 2 highly effective skincare products from vegan and cruelty-free brand Maysama.

I’ve been lucky enough to try the Maysama Green Rooibos Pressed Serum in the past, which I absolutely fell in love with. The more I tried this product, the more I appreciated it. So when Maysama asked if I’d like to try the Green Rooibos Brightening Mask and the newly-launched ABP11+ Green Rooibos Gentle Resurfacing Toner, I leaped at the opportunity.

What is Maysama?

Maysama is a UK-based skincare brand that aims to offer high-performance products that are eco-friendly and inclusive.

With the strapline Skincare with a Conscience, Maysama is conscious not only of giving transparency to consumers but also providing products and packaging that don’t cost the planet.

Maysama
All of the company’s skincare products are vegan and cruelty-free, as approved by the Vegan Society and the Leaping Bunny programme. Maysama also places a strong emphasis on sustainability, with the packaging being predominantly glass, which is infinitely recyclable, with recyclable/recycled plastic lids.

1.Maysama ABP11+ Green Rooibos Gentle Resurfacing Toner

Product claims
The ABP11+ Green Rooibos Gentle Resurfacing Toner promises to gently resurface and condition the skin, containing Maysama’s signature Aspalathin-enriched Green Rooibos Extract.

This toner gently exfoliates dead skin cells, whilst moisturising and brightening. Regular use will improve skin tone and texture and reveal more radiant skin.

Maysama
With no added fragrance, colour or essential oil, this toner claims to be suitable for all skin types, including those with sensitive skin.

Key ingredients
Excluding water, the top 5 ingredients listed in this toner are:

• Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice: a skin-soothing and hydrating plant extract with antioxidant properties
• Gluconolactone: a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that exfoliates the skin but is less sensitising than, and as effective as (according to Paula’s Choice), the more popular alphahydroxy acid (AHA) group
• Lactic acid: an AHA extracted from milk that helps exfoliate the skin. It helps brighten and hydrate the skin
• Glycerin: has hydrating properties
• Sodium hydroxide: used in small amounts to adjust pH levels in cosmetics

My thoughts
At a first glance, I was super excited to try the newly-launched Maysama toner. I’ve not tried many products that contain a PHA, nor have I tried many with lactic acid, so I couldn’t wait to see how these ingredients worked on my skin, particularly as I’d heard great things about both.

I wasn’t disappointed.

The Maysama ABP11+ Green Rooibos Gentle Resurfacing Toner feels gentle, hydrating and refreshing on the skin. Yet it still exfoliates to reveal a brighter and more even complexion.

Just like the brand’s Green Rooibos Pressed Serum, I love the toner’s earthy, warm scent. I find the product comforting to apply because of the aroma of green tea and the reddish-brown liquid makes a welcome change to the more transparent formulae I’m used to seeing.

The eco-friendly glass bottle feels sturdy, high-quality and luxurious. I love that it’s recyclable too.

Since using this toner for the last few weeks once a week, my skin looks more radiant. It also never feels aggravated when using this product, whereas other exfoliants I’ve used in the past can leave my skin feeling a bit stripped and parched.

Rating: 5 stars
I’m very impressed with this toner, which combines a PHA, AHA and BHA together. The results speak for themselves and I believe the toner meets all of its claims.

2.Maysama Green Rooibos Brightening Mask

Product claims
The Maysama Green Rooibos Brightening Mask promises to gradually improve the appearance of discolouration, dullness and uneven texture, whilst leaving your skin hydrated and silky smooth.

Our 11% brightening complex combines tranexamic acid with other brightening agents which increase its efficacy, together with our signature Aspalathin-enriched Green Rooibos Extract at 1%, as a potent anti-inflammatory agent.

Maysama
According to the brand, regular use will help treat melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or make the skin appear more radiant.

Key ingredients
Excluding water, the top 5 ingredients listed in this toner are:

• Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice: a skin-soothing and hydrating plant extract with antioxidant properties
• Glycerin: has hydrating properties
• Niacinamide: a truly versatile ingredient. It targets breakouts, minimises pores and decongests confused complexions by regulating sebum production. Niacinamide also helps renew and restore the surface of skin against moisture loss and dehydration by helping skin improve its natural production of skin-strengthening ceramides
• Squalane: a natural component of human skin oil, squalane is excellent at nourishing the skin and is a source of replenishing fatty acids and antioxidants
• Tranexamic acid: fades discolouration and dark patches, and can help reduce skin redness

My thoughts
I like the Maysama Green Rooibos Brightening Mask. It’s got a silky smooth texture that is both easy to apply evenly and to take off gently. After using this luxurious face mask, my skin looks a bit brighter and feels smoother.

It’s got the same earthy scent that the rest of the Maysama line has, which I’m a big fan of. Rich and aromatic, without added fragrance.

You don’t need much of this niacinamide face mask to cover your entire face either. 2 pea-sized dots cover your face and neck. This means the face mask is going to last you a while, which offsets some of the high price tag.

Personally, I don’t feel the brightening mask helps with hydration or reducing redness. Rather, I find it helps get rid of some of my dull complexion and contributes to skin smoothness. More than anything, I just love how this face mask feels on the skin as it’s soft and calming.

As much as I like this face mask, it’s not blown me away. It’s also pretty pricey for what it is when you consider face masks are an extra in your skincare routine.

But if high-end face masks are your thing, you’ll love this one. I think people with hyperpigmentation will especially appreciate this product.

Rating: 4 stars
It’s good but it’s not my favourite.

Overall review of these Maysama products

Overall, I’m very impressed with the Maysama products. The INCI lists look fantastic and are packed with high-quality and effective ingredients. The packaging is eco-friendly and luxurious, which makes for a lovely skincare experience.

Out of the 2 products I was kindly gifted, the APB11+ Green Rooibos Gentle Resurfacing Toner is my favourite. The results are noticeable and immediate. I love anything that gives my skin a gorgeous glow and this exfoliant excels at that. It’s made me want to try more products containing a PHA or lactic acid as my skin seems to have taken to both ingredients very well.

I’d definitely recommend the toner to anyone looking to add an exfoliant into their skincare routine.

While the face mask isn’t my favourite, I still think it’s worth checking out as the experience of applying it is great.