Even if you've never used cloth face masks, you've probably seen them in cosmetics stores or in photos that celebrities post on Instagram (often on planes and with hilarious faces).
But they have not yet received wide distribution, although their popularity is growing. Face creams and regular tube masks are the go-tos, while the odd-looking sheet face mask is a novelty that takes some getting used to. About what this cosmetic product is useful for, whether it has an effect and what cosmetologists and ordinary buyers think about it, read on, and we will tell you in detail about all its pros and cons.
Meet new
Where did this trend come from - sheet masks for the face? Korea has long established itself as one of the trendsetters in the world of sea and personal care. So it was this country that began the mass production of sheet masks and introduced them to the general public. The product has taken root, and now it is produced not only by Korean brands, but also by such global giants as Sephora and Olay.
Tissue face masks are a base made of cotton fabric (sometimes it is replaced by silicone, synthetic non-woven fabric, thick paper or other types of fabric), on which the cosmetic itself is applied on the inside, designed to give the desired effect. The design has holes for the eyes, nose and mouth, sometimes for a more secure fit there are loops on the sides that are worn over the ears. Some options have a 2-step application: first, the serum from the ampoule that comes with the kit is applied, and only then the mask itself. But such options are usually much more expensive than standard ones.
Why are conventional cosmetics less effective than sheet face masks?
Reviews of cosmetologists claim that the manufacturer has to add silicone, glycerin and other similar substances to creams so that the nutrients do not immediately evaporate, but have time to be absorbed into the skin. But these components have the ability to clog pores, and their level of effectiveness is not the highest.
Face face masks have the same goal - not to let beneficial substances evaporate, but to force them to penetrate deep into the layers of the skin, but it is achieved by other methods.
The base is soaked with a large amount of light serum, the molecules of which are smaller and therefore better and faster absorbed than conventional creams. BUTtissue protection is designed to keep it on the skin without the use of substances that can harm it. Therefore, sheet masks are highly effective.
Pay attention
At the same time, cosmetologists dispel some of the prejudices associated with such products:
- They don't change the use of creams that meet your needs. After all, a sheet mask is most often a rare event, and skin care is needed every day. So complement it with your regular cream and don't stop using it.
- Sheet masks are not a substitute for regular masks, especially those designed to purify the skin, due to different mechanisms of action. Therefore, alternate the use of different means.
What are the types of sheet masks?
Different skin types have different needs. Therefore, it is not surprising that many types of sheet masks have appeared. Each of them is aimed at solving certain problems.
To combat dryness and tightness, a sheet moisturizing face mask will come in handy. It allows you to literally saturate the dermis with water - when you take it out of the package, the mask is quite thick, but after the procedure it becomes noticeably thinner, and all the beneficial components penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin. Sometimes the hydrogel is supplemented with other useful ingredients, such as honey or royal jelly. Moreover, it is a mistake to assume that only dry skin requires additional moisture - it is no less necessary for oily skin. Therefore, this is a fairly versatile tool that will definitely come in handy in your fight for beauty.
For problem skin with enlarged pores, there are special products. Such masks, as a rule, do not contain dyes and flavors, so as not to provoke the appearance of new imperfections. They moisturize well, cleanse and contain components to reduce the secretion of sebum.
Special needs
If you suffer from freckles or marks from old pimples and blackheads, then a whitening sheet mask will come in handy. Such products have different active ingredients - fruit acids, pearl powder or plant extracts.
Masks for sensitive skin are produced with special attention to their components. After all, under any circumstances they should not provoke allergies and irritation, but at the same time they simply must be as effective as the usual options.
Another separate group of products are soothing masks for skin that has been overly influenced by harmful factors. For example, sunburn or chapping.
And the last group (it should be noted, very numerous) are masks with an anti-aging effect. The fight against wrinkles and the need to restore tone - every woman inevitably faces these problems. The list of ingredients that provide the desired effect is quite impressive - these are gold particles, snail slime, caviar, hyaluronic acid, collagen, adenosine, as well as other plant-derived components and compounds obtained by laboratory.
How, when and how often should you use a sheet mask?
It takes a bit of skill to properly apply the product on the face. Carefully remove the mask from the bag, if necessary, pre-apply the serum from the ampoule, then position the mask so that the slits for the eyes and nose are in the correct place. Now smooth out the material on the cheeks, chin and forehead.
If the mask does not have eyelets to put on over the ears, it is best to lie down and rest for 15-20 minutes while it works. Otherwise, it may slip off your face.
Some masks are divided into 2 parts: one is applied to the forehead, the second - to the chin. They are very convenient to use, as they are easy to place on faces of different shapes and fullness.
There is no clearly defined time of the day when it is best to resort to such a procedure. Beauticians recommend using sheet face masks in the evenings to further moisturize the skin and give it a good rest. But - experts emphasize - you can also do the procedure in the morning, and then all day you will enjoy a beautiful well-groomed view.
The frequency of application depends on the needs of your skin. In rare cases, when a course of intensive recovery is needed, sheet masks for the face can be done every day. If there are minor skin problems, then the frequency of use is reduced to 1 time per week.
What do customers think of sheet face masks?
Reviews are mostly positive. Although products come in completely different price categories (from $ 1 to $ 200 and more) and the accuracy of selecting a particular product, taking into account the needs of the skin, plays a significant role, sheet masks have received such recognition for a reason. They very quickly and noticeably improve the appearance of the skin from the first application, which is confirmed by numerous reviews from both consumers and cosmetologists.
Since there are a lot of manufacturers and varieties of this product, detailed reviews should be clarified for each individual brand taken.
Masks are very convenient to use, because they have a compact package and do not require rinsing. They can even be used during flights or on the train. Since the price range is quite significant, it cannot be said that all masks work with the same efficiency, so some customers complain that budget options do not have such a pronounced effect as more expensive masks. But this is a very controversial shortcoming.
Gifts of the East
As at the dawn of this trend, Korean face masks (fabric) do not lose their popularity. Customer reviews note that these products are very effective, while their cost is often much lower than that of well-known global brands.
The product has a refreshing and even brightening effect (positive changes are especially noticeable after a regular course of use), does not irritate sensitive skin.
About 90% of reviews of budget Korean masks are positive. The specific smell of some products causes complaints, and many find the amount of serum excessive (the product is too wet and sticky).
