1. What is a cloth mask?
They are face-shaped sheets soaked in a nutrient solution called serum. The sheet is made from a variety of materials including paper, fiber, and gel-like. These sheet masks are different from face masks (paste type) that you only need to apply, remove and apply additional serum instead of washing off the paste after applying and putting on other skin care products. A sheet mask is usually used once and individually packaged. This makes them fast, convenient, and easy to use.
2. How do I use it?
Too easy! Apply it to a clean face, leave it on for 20-30 minutes, remove it and enjoy! You can apply it as many times as you want during the day or week. Cloth masks are great because you can wear them even when you clean, cook, read, or watch TV. The good thing is that you don’t have to bother washing it off after applying it!
The sheets are one size fits all, but since all faces are not the same size or shape, it would be easier to start at the forehead and pat gently as you work your way down toward the face while lining up the holes for your eyes, nose, and mouth. . You can wear a cloth mask as many times as you like throughout the day or week, but many recommend using it three times a week or once a day for extra care.
3. Where did it originate from?
Sheet masks originated from South Korea, known for its dedication to cosmetics and skin care. Today these are very popular in Asia as a whole. Sheet masks are recently changing the beauty industry and are gaining popularity in the US seeing various celebrities wearing sheet masks and posting about it on their social media. From NPD Group’s recent performance in the US, mask sales increased by around 60%, outpacing other categories in the skincare business.
4. How does it work?
There is a sheet completely soaked with concentrated serum, which is made up of many skin-beneficial ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and vitamins. These ingredients are dissolved in the aqueous phase. The foil prevents the rapid evaporation of the aqueous phase and prolongs the time it takes for the ingredients to penetrate deep into the skin. This results in the sheet masks surpassing the effects of traditional serum-type skincare, even when applied once.
5. What are the Benefits?
They bring quick effects when it comes to improving the skin. The serum is packed with various vitamins and minerals and does not dry out the skin compared to the paste type face mask. The sheet on your face helps the serum absorb into your skin a bit more. Some of the sheets also claim to brighten and firm the skin. Basically, sheet masks are inexpensive compared to going to a spa, convenient, easy to apply, and give a glowing effect on the skin.
6. Are there any negative effects when using it?
Its purpose is to nourish, not exfoliate or cleanse the skin. Sheet masks are probably not as effective at exfoliating or cleansing the skin as paste masks. Also, the serum from low-quality products evaporates quickly even before it penetrates the deepest layer of the skin.
7. Can I afford it? Where can I find it?
It depends on how willing you are to spend and what kind of quality sheet mask you want. Individual prices range from $2 to $14, depending on brand and quality. The masks can be found almost anywhere now from your local drugstore, Sephora, or department store.
8. What ingredients are used in the serum?
Depending on the function the sheet masks are intended to perform, the serum contains several commonly used ingredients, such as aloe and vitamin C, to more unusual ones such as snail extract and seaweed. However, for prevention against bacterial/fungal contamination, many of them contain chemical preservatives such as parabens and recently phenoxyethanol, which are not good for the skin.
9. What materials are the sheets made of?
Various types of fabric are used for sheet masks. The four most used materials in chronological order in which they were developed:
(1) Non-woven fiber: economical, difficult to move, low ability to deliver serum into the skin.
(2) Cottons: cheap, difficult to move, poor ability to deliver serum to the skin (but better than non-woven fiber)
(3) Hydrogel: Inexpensive, excellent absorption system, gel-like consistency, two separate parts (upper and lower) to apply to the face, difficult mobility, adapts well to the shape of the face
(4) Biocellulose: Expensive and all-natural material, it adheres well to the skin, has better absorption properties and moves comfortably.