It’s hard to be a Korean skincare fan in the UK.
Korean brands are so hard to come by in the shops here. One exceptions is Masque Bar. Guess what they make? Yep, facial masks.
They’re not all sheet masks, mind you, but those are my favorites, so I’ll talk about the Anti-Wrinkle Sheet Mask today.
What’s In Masque Bar Anti-Wrinkle Sheet Mask?
SNAIL SECRETION FILTRATE
The star ingredient here is snail secretion filtrate. Yep, it comes from snail mucus. So gross, I know. But, in skincare, it ain’t slimy.
Ok, the mask is slippery, but that’s cos it’s soaked in essence. It has nothing to do with snails, I promise. You won’t notice their mucus is on your face.
You’ve probably heard that snail slime can do everything: it moisturises skin, fights acne, prevent wrinkles, heal wounds quickly… the list goes on. But what does science say? Not much, yet.
I did find one study where snail slime was tested on real skin. Researchers asked 25 patients with “moderate to severe facial photodamage” to use an emulsion with 8% snail slime and a serum with 40% snail slime on one side of their faces for 12 weeks. On the other, they used a placebo cream.
The results? Patients noticed “a significant degree of improvement in fines lines at the 8-week time point on the SCA-treated side but did not report a significant difference in the quality of their skin.”
There’s more. The scientists think snail slime works because it moisturises skin. It has no special collagen-boosting properties or anything like that.
What about the other claims, like acne busting? There’s only anecdotal evidence so far. No study has proven it.
Related: Everything You Need To Know About Snail Slime In Skincare
HYALURONIC ACID TO HYDRATE SKIN
Hyaluronic Acid is one of the most hydrating ingredients found in skincare.
It’s a moisture magnet that draws water from the environment and binds it into your skin. It’s so powerful, it can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water!
Extra moisture = plumper, softer and brighter skin.
P.S. Hyaluronic Acid isn’t the only moisture magnet here. Glycerin does the same thing, but on a smaller scale.
Related: Why You Need Hyaluronic Acid In Your Routine, No Matter Your Skin Type
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ALCOHOL TO THIN OUT THE TEXTURE
Alcohol Denat is one of the most misunderstood ingredients in skincare. Word on the street is that it’s terribly drying and irritating.
To an extent, that’s true. The reason you feel so bad after you gulp down one too many cocktails is that alcohol is drying out every cell in your body, giving you a bad case of dehydration.
Does the same thing apply to skin when you slather alcohol on it? It depends. If alcohol’s all you’re slathering on, then yes, it will dry out your skin.
But if you use alcohol together with moisturizing ingredients, they’ll counteract its drying effects. Science confirms this. Recent studies show that alcohol isn’t as drying as we once thought.
Having said this, everyone’s skin is different. If your skin is particularly sensitive to alcohol denat and doesn’t tolerate it well, this cream isn’t for you.
But what’s alcohol doing here, anyway? Alcohol thins the texture of skincare products. It’s the cheapest way to do the job.
Related: What Does Alcohol-Free In Skincare Really Mean?
Texture
The mask is soaked in essence, which makes it feel a little thick and slimy.
Fragrance
Clean and subtle.
How To Use It
- Cleanse your face.
- Apply the mask on the face, making sure it adheres to your skin well.
- Leave the mask on for 20-30 minutes.
- Peel off slowly from the edges to remove it.
- Gently pat the leftover essence into your skin.
Performance & Personal Opinion
Let’s get one thing out of the way first. There’s nothing in these masks that can reduce your wrinkles. But, there are lots of things that can make them look smaller, which is the next best thing (and the only thing most skincare products can do, really).
So, how do they do that? By deeply hydrating skin. When skin has all the moisture it needs, it looks smoother and plumper, which in turns makes wrinkles and fine lines look less noticeable.
Hydrated skin is also softer and has that natural radiant glow that makes you look healthy. After my first use, I already noticed results: softer, smoother, and brighter skin.
The real side effect of the mask is visual. Like all sheet masks, Masque Bar Anti-Wrinkle Sheet Mask makes you look like a nasty character from a bad horror movie. Just do what I do. Lock yourself inside your room for the 20-30 minutes you have it on. No one needs to know what you do to achieve that glow, girl.
When I take the mask off, some of the essence is still left on my skin, so I gently pat it in, before applying my moisturizer. It helps lock the essence in now the sheet has gone.
Related: Do You Still Need To Worry About Anti-Aging If Your Skin Is Perfectly Hydrated?
Who Is This For?
Anyone can use it, but it’s best suitable for dry skin.
Who Is This NOT For?
If you’re allergic to one of the ingredients, stay away.
Packaging
A pack contains three sheet masks, so it’ll last you a while.
Does Masque Bar Anti-Wrinkle Sheet Mask Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Collagen-infused facial sheets contours to your face to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and hydrate your skin, leaving it feeling soft and looking refreshed. | These masks have collagen, but collagen in skincare products it simply hydrating. It reduces the appearance of wrinkles by plumping up skin. But once its moisturising effect is over, your wrinkles are still there. |
| Moisturizing. | True. |
Price & Availability
$9.99 at Masque Bar
Do You Need It?
No one needs sheets masks. But if you’re looking for one that’s super hydrating, this fits the bill.
Dupes & Alternatives
Ingredients
Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Snail Secretion Filtrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit Extract, Phenyl Trimethicone, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Erythritol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopheryl (Vitamin E) Acetate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf (Green Tea) Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Fragrance (Parfum)
