The warming eye masks are not new to the K-beauty world and today I’d like to review the one of the funniest looking warming masks – the SNP Tiger Animal Warming Eye Mask.
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Claims from the manufacturer:
This warming eye mask provides increases blood circulation and provides moisture to fatigued eyes. Perfect for heavy computer users!
Directions from the manufacturer:
Tear the cutting line in center of the mask and hook it on your ears. Illustration should face outward. Heat should last for 20 minutes. Each mask is meant for one time use.
Ingredients:
Polypropylene film, Polyethylene, Felt, Active Charcoal, Iron.
My experience:
sealed up
I’ve got my SNP Tiger Animal Warming Eye Mask from the mask subscription box from the local littlewonderland.nl vendor. this mask is not for sale in individual pieces and it came as a part of the set of 10 different masks that are usually connected to one theme. Since October was the month of the World Animal Day, the theme was obviously “Animals”. So today, after a terrible sleepless night I’ve decided to release my inner beast and soothe my tired eyes with a roar.
ready to use
The SNP Tiger mask is coming in a cute orange packaging and contains a transparant vacuum sealed sachet inside. Once you open it the mask starts to heat up. I presume some of the active ingredients start to oxidize producing that heat/steaming effect. If you wear lenses remove there prior to using the heating masks. Also if your eyes are very sensitive try to use it for five minutes and see if you get any irritation signs first before proceeding to the full 20-minute wearing experience.
There is no scent to the mask and it remains dry on the face for the entire wearing time. Don’t forget to separate the earflaps ont he back and place those over your ears for a tighter fit. It is tough to describe how it feels on the face but believe me, the feeling is very relaxing. I always have the feeling that I got a facial in the spa even though this is a sauna for the eyeballs. I mean it in a good way 🙂
ZEN!
My face feels relaxed after using these types of masks and I love them in my routine. I do have a feeling that I don’t usually reach much for them though-out the day leaving them more for the evening experience. But actually it is very nice to use one in the morning after a rough night. Comparing this mask with the others I’ve tried, this one has the softest earflops ever. They are vey gentle and flexible and will fit everyone without causing any discomfort. The print is fun for using in the public spaces as it loos like a regular sleeping mask that you would put over your eyes. Anyone who likes to enjoy their zen in the plane should definitely invest in a pack of those tiger babies.
Summary:
Pros:
+ Soft comforting fabric
+ Great fit
+ Perfect for travel
+ Amazing spa-experience on the go
+ Does not smudge the make-up
Cons:
– Hard to get in the EU
– Not suited for very sensitive skin
Where to buy: NL and BE: Not available for an individual sale Internationally: Available at amazon, beauteque, charlotterusse and other webshops Price is around 3€ for one mask
MISSHA Tiger animal mask is very soothing ampoule-type of mask that intensely hydrates your skin and is a good mask for daily use. You can use it both in the AM and PM routines and see the calming and nourishing results while amusing yourself and others with the tiger face print.
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Claims from the manufacturer:
Wrinkle care cosmetics Rapsberry extract and yeast extract make skin healthy by providing energy and adenosine with the wrinkle care benefit helps make skin more elastic and beautiful
Directions from the manufacturer:
After washing your face, prepare the skin with toner. Spread the sheet mask evenly over the face. Leave it for 10~20 minutes and remove the mask. Gently pat until fully absorbed.
Rose is one of my most favorite ingredients in my skin care routine. That’s why I didn’t hesitate when purchasing the entire 10-pack from the local online shop. the mask comes in a cute foil-type packaging with the tiger face on it. This particular mask is targeted for the wrinkle care and more drier skin types.
Today my face is feeling very dry after my daily bike rides to work and it was so windy that I felt that my skin is nearly cracking from the cold and the wind. I immediately decided that this is the best time for this review as this mask immediately returns my skin to it’s normal state. The sheet itself has a nice fit but it feels a bit stiff on the skin due to the print/paint on it. One side is definitely more rough and the other one remains soft so be careful and apply the softer surfaced side onto your face.
The essence is clear and runny like in ampoule. It has a rose scent to it that is very mild and fresh and does not give you the “granny perfume” vibe at all as some skin care products do (ekhm-ekhm such as in a lot of Lancome products). To the touch it feels like it is a bit oily but after everything is absorbed into the skin I am left with a nice dewy yet soft and non tacky finish. When it comes to the colder days this is a good base product for under the make-up even for the oilier skin. In the summer it can be too much for that purpose and I use it as an evening mask.
applied
Once the mask is on your face don’t forget to take some silly selfies or scare some of your family members. My daughter for is loving this print so much that she roars at me and runs after me when I wear it. I absolutely adore the 20-minute play time with her while I’me having this sheet mask on. Once removed my skin is visually brighter and more even in tone. this mask has some effective soothing results on my skin while making it look glowy. I let the essence absorb for 10 minutes and proceed with the rest of my make-up or skin care depending on which half of the day I use it on. Is it worth trying? Yes, if you love the clean rose scent, if your skin is dry and angry at you, if you want to have some sheet masking fun and definitely when you have kids who you can amuse with it 🙂
Summary:
Pros:
+ Paraben and sulfate free formulation
+ Rejuvenating and moisturizing on my skin
+ Improves my skin glow and balances out my skin barrier
+ Rich in oils and moisturizing ingredients
+ Good overall fit on my face frame
+ Fun for kids and selfie times
Cons:
– Contains fragrance and alcohol
– Sheet is quite stiff and rough on one side
– Not suitable for very sensitive skin
Where to buy: NL and BE: missha.nl and bbcreamshop.eu Internationally: Available at amazon, ladymakeup and other online stores Price is somewhere between 10 and 25€ for the pack of 10 masks
GOODAL Water Full Firming Mask is a total fail in my books. It reeks of alcohol and seems to be doing nothing on my skin. Dear reader, please invest into better products than this. Dear GOODAL, reformulate!
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Claims from the manufacturer:
Formulated with marine collagen which improves skin elasticity and gives a healthy-looking complexion. Mineral moisture from Salicornia harbacea water. Mineral rich deep seawater and punified enzymes
instill moisture deep into skin.
Directions from the manufacturer:
Cleanse and tone your face. Place the sheet over your face. After 10-20 minutes, remove the sheet and lightly tap the remaining solution for further absorption.
Oh boy where do I begin. Everything about the look of this mask tells you “buy me I’m pretty). The ingredients list is outrageously long, filled with all nutrient stuff so it is easy to miss the enemy. This mask is full of good and bad including alcohol, fragrance and bunch of silicone. Packaging is vibrant and pretty, very loveable for someone at younger age.
I got this mask as a part of a monthly subscription box so I rolled with it and tried it out when I got 20 minutes while my baby was napping. Once I opened the packed I immediately smelled something like Old Spice scent aftershave. The scent was strong and reeked of alcohol. I was hesitant to put it on my first but seeing how long the ingredient list was I thought “Oh well, plenty of nourishing stuff there, shouldn’t be that bad”.
applied
The fit and adherence of this mask are admirable. Synthetic sheet is very thin synthetic fiber that is absorbent and adheres extremely well to the skin. The essence is watery and translucent and couple of drops have escaped onto my shirt. After 5 minutes my face started warming up so I thought that the mask was doing something good. Within another 5 minutes I changed my mind and removed the mask. Upon the inspection my face was red and glowing. It has triggered some reaction that looked like allergic rash after 2 days.
Surprise ya’ll, I was never allergic to anything until GOODAL came along. I would never advise this mask to anyone no matter what skin type you have. It also feels weird to supply you with the links where to buy it from. I still included them in case you have had previous experience with this mask that didn’t end up in a disaster.
Summary:
Pros:
+ Good fit of the sheet
+ Highly adherent to the face
+ Pretty packaging
+ Low price
Cons:
– Contains alcohol, silicones and fragrance
– Smells like alcohol the entire wearing time
– Broke me out after couple of hours
– Left me with a skin rash for 2 days
– Not suitable for any skin types
– No effects of anything but pain on the face
– Not available in EU
Where to buy: NL and BE: Not available Internationally: Available at amazon, yesstyle, roseroseshop, and other online stores Price is +/- 2€ per one sheet mask
Whamisa Organic Fruits Peeling Finger Mitt Sebum Care pads are a great way to exfoliate skin with naturally occurring acids. The cleansing process is very easy and the end result is a soft skin with less texture and flaking.
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Claims from the manufacturer:
97.2% organic ingredients Gently exfoliate your skin with this organic peeling finger mitt, designed to easily remove dead skin cells. The organic exfoliating essence is cleverly formulated with plant-derived exfoliants such as betaine salicylate and fruit acids to gently exfoliate skin and cleanse pores effectively, while nourishing/moisturising skin with apple and raspberry ferment filtrates, sodium hyaluronate, and beta-glucan. Ingredients fermented with our signature process increase efficacy and better nourish skin.
Directions from the manufacturer:
After cleansing, slip fingers into mitt and gently buff in a circular outward motion from center of face. For neck, begin at the collar bone and move upwards. Rinse off thoroughly and follow with a Whamisa toner.
Tip: Use 2-3 times a week. Best used during evening skincare routine.
The container of the Organic Fruits Peeling Finger Mitt Sebum Care pads has 25 pads that are entirely soaked in the peeling solution. These pads are unique to the brand and are something in between the famous NEOGEN and MISSHA peeling pads. Whamisa pads are made of 2-layered soft embossed cotton sheets and have a similar embossed pattern as in MISSHA peeling pads. At the same time, the way these pads are made resembles the NEOGEN ones. The exception is that these do not have a gauze layer for extra mechanical exfoliation making them super suitable for people with sensitive skin who doesn’t want to have that extra scrubby feeling on the skin.
In terms of scent these pads have a mild herbal fragrance to them and I can distinctively smell the apple seed oil. Overall it is similar to the Apple sebum treatment from this brand. You do smell a trace of alcohol in these as well. The size of the pads is similar to other brands and they are thoroughly soaked in the peeling solution. There is no dripping and you can use the pad on the rough skin areal of the body as well.
I usually take one pad an use one side of the mitt to exfoliate. Then I turn it around and use the clean side to remove the last traces of dirt and grime off my face. With the same side I proceed to exfoliating my knees and elbows to keep the dry skin there at bay. Once I’m done I just rinse my face and proceed with my skincare routine wether it is AM or PM.
I am using these pads every other day and went through half of the packaging. For the results so far, I’ve seen that my skin is looking way better than before. The surface of the skin is definitely more smooth and less textured than before. I can’t say wether it is only the pads or the fact that all of the Whamisa products in my current routine are doing so great that I barely have any blemishes appearing on my skin.
side 2side 1
Anyhow, straight after use you will feel how soft and smooth your skin is. Also try doing the 7-skin method after those peeling pads and you will probably notice that all the layers are absorbing much faster and the freshly exposed new layer of the skin remains super hydrated, especially on the next day. If I would have to make a choice based on the performance of the pads after one month’s use, I’d rank it as follows: Whamisa, NEOGEN, MISSHA. Simply because I see most results in terms of softness, hydration and less blemishes from Whamisa. Overall, I’m super happy with these pads even though the price is on the steeper end when compared to similar pads.
Summary:
Pros:
+ Beautiful packaging
+ Soft double sided cotton mitts are gentle on the skin
+ Rich in naturally occurring acids and skin softening ingredients
+ Immediate smoothing result after one use (both face and body)
+ Skin smoothing, de-texturizing, brightening and hydrating results on my skin within long term use
+ Reducing breakouts on my skin
Cons:
– 25 pads in a pack seems to be so little
– Price is very steep when compared to similar pads from other brands
– Contain alcohol, may not be suitable for skin that reacts to ethanol
Once in a while I like to treat my skin to something extra special. Being a working mom, raising a toddler and keeping with all of the household chores takes it’s toll on my skin because I don’t have much free time on my hands during the week. My weekend is my special time for me and that is the time when I treat my skin with my favorite skin products. Hereby I present you with, ta-daaaaa, my weekly pampering routine!
*If you click on the green links you will be redirected to the webshops where I bought my products from.
Today’s pampering routine
So what does my pampering ritual consist of? To me one of the core products for this purpose is a two-step peel. I usually rotate between 3 sets of peels, one is from PHILOSOPHY and two are from NEOGEN (with rice and with vinegar). This time I was in the mood fore some vitamin C and brightening of my skin so I opted for the Microdelivery Resurfacing Vitamin C/Peptide peel from PHILOSOPHY.
Of course I start with the two-step cleansing. As with every product mentioned today I also indulge myself with more luxurious and most aromatherapeutic cleansers for this purpose. For the first step I use the MISSHA Time Revolution White Cure Oil Cleansing Balm. It removes all of the dirt and grime from my skin as well as all traces of the SPF and waterproof make-up. It is bright yellow and smells like bouquet from jasmine and lillies-of-the-valley. For the Second step I grab my most favorite heavy duty foam cleanser ever – the WHAMISA Organic Flowers Foam Cleansing Cream. It also smells like flowers but the scent is more sweet than from the cleansing balm.
After my skin is as clean as it can get, I proceed with the peeling kit. All of my two-step peels have the same idea behind them. First you apply the cream step containing abrasive crystals and scrub your face with it for around 60 seconds. Then you take the peel liquid containing some kind of acid (AHA, BHA, PHA or combination of several acids) and apply it over the scrub on your face.
PHILOSOPHY Peeling Kittextures of both peeling steps
You feel a light warming up sensation when acid liquid comes in contact with the crystals. Once the warmth subsides, gently rub your face for another minute or two. You will notice that when both products are in contact on the skin, the mixture not only gets warm but also bubbly. Don’t be scared, that is what supposed to happen. After you are done with buffing your skin, rinse everything off and be careful not to get any of the mixture in your eyes.
chemical reaction of 2-step peelPeeling in action
After the peel I always feel that my skin has lost a lot of moisture so I proceed with 3 – 5 layers of the MISSHA Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence Mist. This product is wonderful to use after the peels as it soaks into the skin in no time. I always go for the mist type of toners because I don’t want to tap my sensitized skin straight after peel as it is not always pain-free. If your skin is dry, you may opt for something more heavy duty and use more viscous toning agent. Yet again be careful with tapping or applying the product with your hands because it may sting your skin.
wonderful for calming and hydrating the sensitized skin without
After my skin is hydrated it’s time to focus on the large blackheads that thrive on my nose. I use the Lioele pore cleansing liquid and apply it on two 1/3 Cotton Pads from Pyunkang Yul that are perfect for doing at home DIY patch treatments. Once my blaackheads are loosened I proceed tot he nose strip set. Today I’ve used the nose strip from The Face Shop but to be honest any will do.
Pore cleansing trio: Lioele Blackhead Clear; The Face Shop JEJU Volcanic Ash Nose Strips; Pyunkang Yul 1/3 Cotton Pads
Lioele Blackhead Clear liquid is quite effective at lifting the blackheads to the surface so that even the mediocre-performance nose strips improve their action due to this product. If you want a suggestion on which is the best nose strip for that purpose, I’d say that MISSHA multipack of 8 has a good price=quality ratio. If you don’t own anything like LIOELE nose liquid, then you can go for the 2 or 3-step nose patches that contain similar products in their first step. Holika Holika Pig Clear Blackhead 3-Step Kit ones are pretty good alternative.
1/3 Cotton pads soaked in Lioele Blackhead Clear solutionThe Face Shop JEJU Volcanic Ash Nose Strips
After my nose is squeaky clean I proceed to the next step which is balancing my skin. For that purpose I use a moisturizing lotion and a first treatment oil. I apply couple of drops of the MISSHA’s MISA Cho Gong Jin First Oil. It smells like lavender and herbs and has a very light pleasant texture that sinks into my skin in seconds. Afterwards I seal it off with my WHAMISA Organic Flowers Lotion. Yet again, this product is nicely fragranced and highly moisturizing on the skin. It takes about a minute for it to completely absorb and it makes my skin super soft and glowy afterwards.
WHAMISA Organic Flowers Lotion Original; MISA Cho Gong Jin First OilTextures of the oil and lotion
The next step is not going to be a surprise to anyone. It is a sheet mask. After chemical peels I go for more nourishing sheet masks. Nearly every time I choose something that is rich in oils or has a thick essence in order to nourish my skin. A lot of lifting and anti-ageing masks are good for that purpose. Today I wanted to try something new and got the Isoflavone/Deep Moisture Phytochemical Sheet Mask by MISSHA. I was super happy with my choice as my skin felt that it got the necessary boost of nutrition and at the same time it toned don the redness after the harsh peel. If you look for a good alternative to that for a more affordable price, try the JM solution Water Luminous Golden Cocoon Mask. It is one of my go-to’s for the days I want to give that extra “OOMPH” to my skin.
After the sheet mask is off I walk around for about 20 minutes to see what my skin still needs and depending whether it still feels tight or not I apply something like an oil serum/essence. I usually use the NEOGEN Serum in Oil Drop (with white truffle) but since my HUXLEY miniature essence and oil set arrived in the mail I decided to test out the Essence-like Oil-like Secret of Sahara Oil essence. It felt very rich and a bit too oily but my skin liked it a lot.
HUXLEY Oil Essence “Essence-Like, Oil-Like”MISSHA Near Skin Madecanol Cream is optional if skin is still visibly red
My skin is always super hydrated, nourished and relaxed after such routine. If it still shows some signs of redness I use the Madecanol cream but this step is entirely optional today. This cream is made for irritated red and acne prone skin and calms it down in no time. If your skin is dry, go for Madecanol balm as it is more suited for that purpose.
I appreciate skin care products with relaxing scents and don’t mind highly fragranced products once in a while. If I would use those on a daily basis I would probably get sick from the scents in a short period of time. Hence, using them once a week makes those items extra special for my face and senses as I achieve the feel of being in a spa and my “ZEN” state even when my toddler is running around me 🙂 I hope you like this post and try out some of my favorite products mentioned here. Let me know how it goes!
Whamisa Organic Flowers & Fruits Feminine Cleanser is a very unique product from Whamisa that is tough to get. I’ve got the last one from the Beautyboxkorea and am super happy with the purchase. So what does this cleanser do?
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Claims from the manufacturer:
Used only organic rosa damascena flower water instead of purified water. Naturally fermented organic flower and fruits ingredients. Uses natural & hypoallergenic surfactant “Decyl Glucoside” Adjusts acidity same as lactic acid providing mild, fresh and safe cleansing. Pure natural aroma removes unpleasant odors such as form body secretions and sweat.
Directions from the manufacturer:
Take a dime size amount in wet palms and rub into a luxurious foam. Gently massage into skin in a circular motion and wash off with lukewarm water.
* Finish with a splash of cold water to tone pores if used on the face
This cleanser contains a luxurious mixture of exotic flower extracts together with precious plant and fruit extracts such as tiger lily, Kobushi magnolia, Japanese pagoda tree bud extract and iris flower. The scent is somewhat rosy but it is very close to the classic Whamisa organic flowers scent. I’ve snatched the last bottle from the webshop and I feel so sad that I couldn’t find more of it.
Whamisa brands it as a feminine cleanser due to the low pH (4.5) but to me it means it is making a hell of a perfect cleanser for my acne prone skin. I’ve tried the COSRX good morning cleanser not so long ago and despite the fact that it is a holy grail product for many I could not tolerate it’s strong overpowering scent. The Organic Flowers & Fruits Feminine Cleanser is a dupe for COSRX! A luxurious and beautiful more balanced dupe. It does it all in terms of cleansing and so much more when it comes to the beautiful scent and breathtaking ingredients that it has.
foamed up
You may as why the hell does she want to put that on her face? well the answer is fairly simple. Cleanser with low pH is created to balance out sensitive and delicate skin. The same rule applied to any skin on your body. If you would want to you would be able to even wash your hair with it. You can read a bit more about the low pH cleanser products used in an alternative way in this post –> “The Case for Using a Feminine Cleanser on Your Face“. I found it very useful and eye opening.
So the scent is great, pH is low, what else did I like about it? The consistency is very runny and you can see that there are no thickening agents added to this cleanser. In order to prevent spilling the product, Whamisa used a very tiny opening that controls the flow of what comes out from the tube. Very economic and well thought, guys! These is very little to no lather, similar to the above mentioned COSRX horrid smell cleanser. It will not take away all your waterproof make-up, but it does a very good job at mildly cleansing your skin without drying anything out. Meaning that people even with the most delicate, sensitive Sahara-dry skin are going to love this cleanser.
after 1 month use
I would recommend this cleanser in a heartbeat to anyone. Don’t forget that this cleanser can be used all over the body so invest in it if you don’t want to carry around a whole bag with self-care products when you are traveling. This one tube can multitask saving space in your luggage. As for the downsides, the price is sharp, as with all of the Whamisa products. I would still pay a bunch for it over and over again and enjoy using such a well made product rather than opt for a cleanser that is 2x but smells like feet and tea tree.
Pros:
+ Stunning and well thought out packaging
+ Amazing organic ingredients
+ Luxurious scent
+ Better dupe for COSRX good morning gel cleanser
+ Economic in use
+ Great multitasker for face and body
Cons:
– Not for sale in EU
– Tough to buy internationally (seems to be sold out everywhere)
– Steep price
Where to buy: NL and BE: Not available Internationally: Available at whamisa.com, authenticplaza and Beautyboxkorea Price ranges between 25 and 30€ per 150 ml tube
Super Hydra Aqua Capsule Mask by NEOGEN is a very outstanding product. The packaging is very eye-catching and that is also the main reason that pushed me into buying this mask. I usually turn to NEOGEN for their amazing peeling products and avoid the masks at all costs because nearly all of them contained a bunch of alcohol in the past. But the time passes, new products getting released so let’s take a look at the newest edition of NEOGEN masks.
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Claims from the manufacturer:
NEOGEN Dermalogy Super Hydra Aqua Capsule Mask delivers the skin-deep, abundant hydration of the combined hyaluronic acid aqua capsule ampoule and moisture aqua serum that helps create a moisture glow barrier for long-lasting, consistent skin hydration and glow Nano-sized Hyaluronic Acid allows deeper, rapid moisture penetration into the skin Creates moisture protection barrier for long-lasting hydrated glow Formula structure containing ceramide and cholesterol similar to the skin structure, helps seamlessly absorb and sustain long-lasting hydration
Directions from the manufacturer:
First, place your hands on the top of the sheet mask where the capsule is located. With light pressure, snap the capsule in half to release the essence into the sheet mask. Next, put the sheet mask on a flat surface and gently rub the top of the sheet mask, allowing the essence to spread evenly and helping the sheet mask absorb all the essence. Then, open the sheet mask, unfold it and smooth it onto face. After 10-20 minutes, remove and discard the sheet mask and gently massage your skin to aid the absorption of the remaining essence.
Today’s review shatters my opinion about the sheet masks from NEOGEN. I have tried the knit masks in the past and found them too much for a regular use. The other lower price masks all contained alcohol high in the lists and were not even considered to be bought. So what did this particular mask do that other masks from the same brand didn’t?
contents
Oh well, I got to admit it, I’m a sucker for good branding and packaging tricks. After NEOGEN has released their Capsule masks (there are 2 different kinds) I thought “OK, not bad, NEOGEN, let’s see what you are made of”. After the ingredients list was approved I’ve placed an order and got both version shipped out. Upon arrival and taking a closer look I was impressed even more. The entire packaging is stunning. Plenty of description in English, Everything is simple enough to open and mix. Overall a good solid way for making things unique. Maybe it will even become their signature, who knows. On the other hand, adding a plastic capsule to the pack increases the production and the retail value. Not sure if such an addition to the classic hydrating mask pays itself off. If it would have been something more active such as Vitamin C it would definitely justify itself to use a separate capsule to keep the essence/serum/ampoule fresh.
applied
Opening the capsule is very easy. I’ve managed to do it with one hand without any struggle. After The contents of the capsule have poured out, I’ve placed the mask on a flat surface and rubbed it a bit to spread the essence around the entire sheet. After letting it sit for 5 minutes I took the mask out and applied it on my face. Shape of the sheet is very odd and has two large horizontal cuts around the cheek bone area. Very convenient for people with more narrow chins and/or high cheekbones.
protective gauze
The mask was very oval in shape and after application I’ve noticed how it covers my entire chin up until my neck but not the sides of the face. Essence smelled very light and fresh and reminded me of a floral green tea type of scent. Very “ZEN” if you enjoy that type of fragrance. If your skin is sensitive, fragrance added to this mask will probably not irritate it due to the tons of hydrating and skin calming and nourishing ingredients, but still be aware that it is added into the mix. There is a plastic gauze protective sheet adhered to the mask so that you can apply it with more comfort. It does a trick and is very useful for this particular mask as the essence has quite slippery texture. It absorbs in no time and leaves no residue on the skin making this sheet mask a good product to use under your make-up. Do use a good primer/sealant (such as J.One jelly mask) over it in order to lock all the moisture in.
closer look at the capsule
The wearing time advised is 20 minutes. I’ve kept this mask for 30 and could still have it on my face for longer than that. Mask sheet itself is very thick and dense making it highly absorbent. After 30 min of relaxing around I’ve walked to the mirror to inspect my face. I was amazed at how well did this mask hydrate my skin. My skin looked lifted, more plump and with a very even skin tone. All my redness on my nose and around the cheeks was gone as well as my hyper pigmentation spots. They were barely visible. My skin was glowing from the inside.
I truly enjoyed walking with my bare skin for an entire day receiving compliments from my husband about how good my skin looked. Is the Dermalogy Super Hydra Aqua Capsule Mask worth the money? YES! Is it worth the time meddling with the capsule? Probably not so much unless there would be active ingredients that needed to be contained in an airless environment. Would it suit anyone? Absolute yes! Try it out and enjoy the spectacular end results.
Summary:
Pros:
+ Contains Ceramide, Beta-Glucan, Hyaluronic Acid and Allantoin
+ Very hydrating, plumping, skin tone evening results on my skin
+ Sheet of the mask covers the entire chin area and extends to the neck
+ Overall adherence is superb
+ Wearing time can be extended to 30 minutes without drying skin out
+ Comes with a protective gauze for easier application
+ Lovely fresh fragrance, very mild and joyful
Cons:
– Sheet fit is a bit wonky around the cheeks (wishing for it to be wider)
– Not sure if the added capsule is entirely necessary (it adds a lot to the price for sure)
– Hard to find as it seems to be sold out everywhere
NEOGEN Dermalogy Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon is my 2nd review of the NEOGEN stuff on my blog and there is much more on the way. I am keeping my favorites for last 🙂
front of the testerback of the tester
Claims from the manufacturer:
Exfoliation that is so easy, convenient, effective yet gentle. Patented hypoallergenic cotton gauze pads provide a dual texture layer to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, excess sebum, and impurities and softly wipe away exfoliated skin to even out textures while delivering skin benefiting ingredients in the process. Soaked in Vitamin C rich serum formulated from various antioxidant and vitamin-rich natural ingredients, these convenient cotton gauze peeling pads will leave your skin smoother, radiant, and brighter than ever. It is like sunshine in a jar for your skin! Gentle Peeling: Manual Exfoliation Pads Combined with Chemical Peeling Effect of the Lemon Serum Help Remove Dead Skin Cells, Cleanse, and Purify the Skin Brighter, More Radiant Skin: Lemon Serum Abundant in Vitamins Delivers Brighter, Healthier and Refreshed Skin Smoother Skin: Patented 3-layer 100% Cotton Gauze Pads Deliver Smoother, Improved Skin Texture
Directions from the manufacturer:
After cleansing, Use one gauze to gently sweep across dry face and neck in outward motion avoiding eye area. Apply more to problem area and rinse with lukewarm water. Follow with your daily toning. For best results, use twice a week or as needed.
These NEOGEN gauze peeling pads are coming in big containers with 30 pads per container but for the sake of the review of this particular version I’ve had to score one of the individual tester pads. I like NEOGEN wine and green tea pads a lot more because they suit my skin needs much better than this particular version.
gauze sidecotton side
The Lemon peeling pad is made in the same way as other peeling pads from this brand. You can insert your fingers in the middle and use both sides of the pad to gently exfoliate the skin. One side is rough and is covered in mixture of gauze and cotton. The other side is embossed cotton that is very soft and glides with ease over the skin. First you have to scrub the face with the gauze side and only then remove the remaining dirt and grime with the soft side.
after use
The bio-peel gauze peeling with lemon smells like fresh citrus cocktail. Something about this smell reminds me of going to vacations and ordering mint julep or mojito at the bar. That is the exact smell you get when they start pressing lemon with sugar and mint. Unfortunately of of all 3 gauze pads this particular performs poorly on my skin, hence this is least favorite from the bunch for me. One of the reasons is that it carries alcohol quite high in it’s ingredient list.
After using any of the NEOGEN pads I can always see how well they remove all the dead skin. The pads get dirty even after I do my double cleanse and run my face over with the Thank You Farmer moss cleansing water as a last step before actually using the peeling gauze pad.I enjoy using these about 3x a week. Read the instructions carefully and don’t forget the last step which is to rinse your face after peeling. Removing the remaining liquid is a mandatory step when using these particular peeling pads.
after use
So do these peeling pads actually work? Yes! 100% All NEOGEN pads are effective peeling products and do not break me out. Unfortunately the lemon pads frequently irritate my sensitive skin leading to occasional breakouts. It never happens with other 2. Don’t know where that difference may come from but I am definitely staying away from the lemon version. Nonetheless, despite my experience with these pads, they may work better for you. Especially if your skin is normal to oily.
Summary:
Pros:
+ Lovely light scent
+ Great pad design
+ Soft gauze and cotton sides of the pad
+ Gentle mechanical and chemical exfoliation duo
+ Handy sample packaging, easy to travel with
+ Does not irritate my skin
Cons:
– Woud like to see all of the pads in individual sachets such as with sample version (more hygienic and travel-friendly)
– Broke me out every other time I’ve tried them (only happened with lemon version of these pads)
– Price is quite steep in comparison to other peeling pads
– Contains alcohol (too high on the list)
Charcoal Mask Pack by Kina Cosmetics is a purifying and soothing charcoal mask that is meant to be used for those with more oily and acne prone skin types. I fount it in the local TKmaxx shop and decided to take it home for vigorous testing 🙂
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Claims from the manufacturer:
Pack of 5 Facial Masks Made in South Korea A purifying sheet mask that is formulated with a blend of Activated Charcoal and seven skin-loving botanicals that work to detoxify and cleanse pores, while firming and hydrating skin.
Directions from the manufacturer:
Ensure skin is cleansed and toned
Remove sheet mask from sachet
Gently apply mask ensuring a smooth fit over contours of face
Leave on for approximately 20 minutes
Remove sheet mask and pat in remaining essence into skin
Not all of my experiences with the charcoal (black) masks were pleasant. More than half of the products from this category are tossed into the bin. Luckily today is not the case. Since this particular mask came only in the set I was obliged to buy the 5 pack that worried me a bit. Luckily it does a good job on my skin so I can keep using the rest of masks without any problems.
The sheet of the mask is black and veeery soft and flexible. It is medium thick and fits like a glove. The adherence is very good too. Essence of this mask is a bit milky yet transparant and it feels like a good ampoule would feel. It has a bit of slip to it but there is no droopiness at all. the scent of the sheet is very pleasant and it smells of lemons and lavender. A die hard combination for bath lovers. It is very relaxing and airy which I like a lot.
applied
I wore the mask for 20 minutes and it came off damp. I presume I could pull another 10 minutes out of it but I didn’t think it was necessary at the time. My skin was looking very fresh and bright. The small lines have disappeared off my face for an entire day and my skin remained baby smooth. I only used the sunscreen afterwards. What I noticed at the end of the day is that my skin had produced significantly less oil than what it normally does when it is so hot outside. The only product that was new to my routine was this particular mask.
I must investigate it a bit more to see if it is actually the case with this sheet mask or was attributed to something else such as hormones 🙂
Pros:
+ Alcohol and Sulfate free formulation
+ Contains charcoal powder and allantoin
+ Packed with natural herbal extracts and oils
+ Great fit and adherence on my face
+ Amazing skin soothing and brightening results
Cons:
– Contains paraben
– Hard to find in the stores and online
– Not sold as single sheets
Where to buy: NL and BE: TKmaxx shops Internationally: Available at kinacosmetics Price is 12$ for the 5-pack
Dr. Althea Water Glow Skin Renewal Hydrogel Mask is one of my very favorite hydrogel masks that battle the dryness of the skin in a heartbeat. They are quite pricey and not easy to get in NL but luckily they occasionally appear in TKmaxx and then I get my chance to stock up on these beauties.
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Claims from the manufacturer:
Dr Althea Water Glow Skin Renewal Hydrogel Mask helps relieve sensitive skin by hydrating skin while tightening, whitening and relieve inflamation. It also helps reduce wrinkle and spots.
Directions from the manufacturer:
Open the pouch and take out a mask. Remove films on the both side and attach to face for 20~40 minutes, then remove the mask.
Dr. Althea’s Water Glow Skin Renewal Hydrogel Mask contains plenty premium ingredients and is extremely pleasant in use. I usually stock up on the 5-pc boxes of it when I can. The essence used in this hydrogel mask is very gelatinous and transparant and smells of white flowers. Very relaxing and pleasant sensory experience whiffing those beautiful fumes. As the name states, this is a hydrogel mask. There is a mesh embedded into the gel so that the mask won’t rip in pieces when taking it out of the package. Some people find that the mesh is irritating the skin, which I can confirm (Nature Republic, you know you have it). Luckily Dr. Althea mask has no issue with the mesh as it seems to be the soft kind.
applied
The fit and shape of the hydrogel mask is great for my face shape. It fits me like a glove! Composed of 2 pieces of milky-white hydrogel, this mask has 2 sets of plastic protectors shielding hydrogel from adhering to each other. Once applied it doesn’t slide down my face so I can run around the house while masking which is always a good thing for me. I get full 40 minute wear out of it and it is still damp upon removal. The leftover serum sinks fast into my skin and I am left with glowy and minimally tacky skin. The tackiness gets less in about 30 minutes so I don’t have the need to rinse it off.
I Usually use this mask before going to sleep so I Apply my night cream or oil and go to bed. I do feel that using sleeping mask after this hydrogel is an overkill. Same with Whamisa hydrogel masks. My skin is radiant from within and hydrated on the next day. There are very little wrinkles present and I adore how smooth my skin feels like.
Summary:
Pros:
+ Paraben, Sulfate, Silicone free
+ Packed with Niacinamide, Allantoin, Adenosine and fermented ingredients
+ Extremely great for oily and combination skin
+ Controls my oil production, very long-lasting hydrating effects
+ Great fit and adherence of the hydrogel
+ Lovely fresh floral scent
Cons:
– Contains alcohol and fragrance
– May not be suitable for sensitive skin
– Mesh-type hydrogel
– Somewhat expensive
Where to buy: NL and BE: bbcreamshop.eu and littlewonderland.nl Internationally: Available at amazon and yesstyle Price is +/- 5€ per one hydrogel mask
This warming eye mask provides increases blood circulation and provides moisture to fatigued eyes.
