Facial Sheet Masks quench travel weary skin
A new must have travel accessory
By: Linda Kissam
It’s the newest trend in surviving the ravaging
effects of travel: face sheet masks. It may have started in Asia, but it has landed in the states with a BANG, and for good reason. The extremely affordable ($1.50 – $20.00 per mask) product consists of a thin cotton sheet drenched in a pre dosed goof proof formula that moisturizes, brightens, and even treats fine lines. Who wouldn’t love that, especially after four or more hours on an airplane, bus or car…or hours tromping around the Acropolis is the baking hot sun? It is super-easy to use. Rip open the one use envelope, unfold, and place on your face. Just smooth out on your face and relax for 20 minutes.
The masks sort of resemble the Phantom of the Opera’s mask. It is not a look you wear outside of your home. Results can vary with everyone and I don’t think it takes the place of a high end facial…but it comes darn close! The cotton sheets are doused in a serum-based formula, so they won’t exfoliate or cleanse deeply but they are packed full of vitamins, amino acids, and minerals—so they do have a whole set of “skills” you can take advantage of at your convenience. Generally you need to use masks 4-5 times a week. On the fourth day, you will likely be extremely happy with the results of increased moisture and see that “glow” that comes from an intense professional facial.
The masks can be found easily in your local drugstore, Sephora, Amazon, Ulta or some cosmetic counters. I think Amazon has the best choice and price. Retail generally carries a limited range of product. Masks come in many variations that claim different results—lifting, preventing acne, hiding fine lines—but they seem best suited, in my opinion, for hydration. It appears when you put a mask on your skin, you can increase the water content. The clue is to buy the right one for your type of skin and the hydration it needs.
The masks are one-size-fits-all, but not all of us
have the same size or shape of face. So not everyone gets an exact fit. My suggestion is to just go with the flow. Try to cover all corners of your face starting at the forehead, and carefully line up with the eyes so you don’t serum in your eyes Pat the mask onto the cheeks, moving down toward the chin. Lightly tap or press the mask into your skin. After 20 minutes you remove the sheet, you can leave the serum on as your moisturizer for the day or night. If you use it at night, you can add in additional creams. I found after night two, that was not necessary.
Sheet masks are travel friendly because they’re so portable. Unlike traditional masks from a jar that require you to wash your hands (and even your hair) after application, you can just tap these masks on and relax. They slip easily into any size suitcase, carry on or purse. TSA has never confiscated them from me –yet – but who knows what the future will bring.
Here are few of my favorites. Be sure to purchase enough to try for 4-5 nights in a row.
- Innisfree It’s Real Squeeze Mask Sheet set of 15 sheets: 1. Green Tea 2. Cucumber 3. Bamboo 4. Aloe 5. Manuka honey 6. Kiwi 7. Shea butter 8. Mugwort 9. pomegranate 10. black berry 11. tea tree 12. bija 13. lime 14. strawberry 15. Rose About $14 for the set. My favorite at the price point.
- Mothermade® Deep Moisturizing Rich Snail Facial Mask 10 individually packaged bundle – 100% cotton Cupra sheet, Anti-aging, Anti-Wrinkle, Deep Hydration, Snail Secretion Filtrate. About $17. 95. Sounds odd I know, but it works.
- SEPHORA COLLECTION Face Mask – Rose. $6.00 each. Provides deep moisture and brightening properties through natural rose extract.
