1. What is a cloth mask?
They are face-shaped sheets soaked in a nourishing solution called whey. The sheet is made from a variety of materials including paper, fiber, and gel-type. These sheet masks are different from face masks (paste type) in 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 on a clean face, leave it on for 20 to 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 cleaning, cooking, reading, or watching 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 easiest to start from the forehead and pat gently as you go down 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 in 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 with various celebrities wearing sheet masks and posting about it on their social media. Based on NPD Group’s recent conduct 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 beneficial ingredients for the skin, such as hyaluronic acid and vitamins. These ingredients are dissolved in the aqueous phase. The film prevents the rapid evaporation of the aqueous phase and prolongs the time it takes for the ingredients to penetrate deeply into the skin. This results in sheet masks outperforming 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 a paste-type face mask. The sheet on your face helps the serum absorb into your skin a little 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 provide 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. Masks can be found almost anywhere now from your local pharmacy, Sephora, or department store.
8. What ingredients are used in the serum?
Depending on the function that the sheet masks want to perform, the serum contains various ingredients that are commonly used, 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: inexpensive, difficult to move, low ability to deliver serum to 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 totally natural material, adheres well to the skin, has better absorption properties and moves comfortably.