All the way through my teens and twenties, the advent of summer without fail meant lots and lots of tanning. There was this old wives tale that tanning helped heal acne, probably made up by the same evil mastermind that spread the 'using toothpaste to dry out zits' adage. And both wreaked havoc on my skin. Back then I thought that tanning helped my skin look and be more healthy, never making the connection that intentionally damaging my skin in this way would only lead to hyperpigmentation (sun spots), lots and lots of redness, depressed and raised spots (pock marks), and all sorts of problem skin for me.
After getting turned onto learning more about skincare in my thirties, I learned that 80 - 90% of skin aging is caused by the sun [study 1][study 2] and the sun is responsible for much of the damage I had been witnessing. In light of all this, my summer habits have changed. During the day, you're more likely to see me donning all black, long-sleeve everything, inclusive of a sun hat, with a sunscreen bottle in hand, and at night you'll catch me living a 1 sheet mask per day lifestyle.
I noticed recently that the sheet masks that I favor during the summer are way different than the ones that I spring for in the winter. In the summer I always find myself reaching for masks with watery essences, made of all-natural, breathable fibers like cotton or thin silk. (I veer away from hydrogels since they can feel a bit suffocate-y due to their thickness), and with ingredients that either help to fight off and treat acne (more sun = more sweat = more clogs, for me anyway), or those with brightening power, which helps to repair the inevitable sun damage sustained during the warmer months. (The warm weather means I spend way more time outside than usual. I'm not suggesting that there are more UV rays in the warmer months. UV irradiation is year round.)
So over the past month, I've found 5 sheet masks I really enjoyed wearing in the heat that fit the bill. I have some mini reviews of each one, each discusses what makes the mask a great summer mask, and what makes it special, aka why you might want to opt for it, and any negative points about the mask.
VANEDO BEAUTY FRIENDS PEARL ESSENCE MASK ($)
Why It's Great for Summer
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| Once upon a time: lovely pock marks and hyperpigmentation, reddened and tanned (read: damaged) skin |
I noticed recently that the sheet masks that I favor during the summer are way different than the ones that I spring for in the winter. In the summer I always find myself reaching for masks with watery essences, made of all-natural, breathable fibers like cotton or thin silk. (I veer away from hydrogels since they can feel a bit suffocate-y due to their thickness), and with ingredients that either help to fight off and treat acne (more sun = more sweat = more clogs, for me anyway), or those with brightening power, which helps to repair the inevitable sun damage sustained during the warmer months. (The warm weather means I spend way more time outside than usual. I'm not suggesting that there are more UV rays in the warmer months. UV irradiation is year round.)
So over the past month, I've found 5 sheet masks I really enjoyed wearing in the heat that fit the bill. I have some mini reviews of each one, each discusses what makes the mask a great summer mask, and what makes it special, aka why you might want to opt for it, and any negative points about the mask.
VANEDO BEAUTY FRIENDS PEARL ESSENCE MASK ($)
Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post. Purchasing through an affiliate link is one way you can choose to support this blog at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links are marked with an asterisk. If you're curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.
INGREDIENTS Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chlorphenesin, Dipropylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Hydrolyzed Pearl, Fragrance [CosDNA]
Why It's Great for Summer
It's a bare bones mask that focuses on hydration. The essence is super watery, which means it absorbs completely into the skin and dries down without the accompanying thick and sticky feeling some mask essences give off.
What Makes It Special
The price. It's a bare bones mask with a bare bones price. Each mask costs less than $1 even when bought from a U.S. based retailer. If you're willing to wait a few weeks, you can purchase it from a Korean seller for a mere 250 KRW a piece (that's less than $0.25!) If you've always wanted to start wearing one sheet mask a day, these Vanedo masks will get you there without doing much damage to your wallet.
Any Cons?
The fragrance is very perfumey but fades after a few seconds of opening the packet. Also, the material is not so glamorous as it's a cotton pulp.
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ILLI MUGWORT CALMING MASK ($$)
INGREDIENTS Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, PEG-32, Glycereth-26, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyphosphorylcholine Glycol Acrylate, Arginine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Water, Beta-Glucan, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance [CosDNA]
Why It's Great for Summer
The mask has a super refreshing essence and the mask material is this cloth-like cotton material that is not super clingy on the face. In fall and winter, this might be an annoyance but when coming indoors from 90+ degree temps I appreciate mask material that isn't so suffocating. This mask also has a clean, watery finish.
What Makes It Special
Like I mentioned, the material makes this mask really pleasant to wear in the summer months. Keep it chilled in the refrigerator for extra heat relief.
Any Cons?
The feature ingredient of the mask is mugwort, which is supposed to be great for calming skin as there are claims that it is anti-inflammatory, but I haven't really seen any research that substantiates that claim.
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FREESET DONKEY MILK SKIN GEL MASK PACK AQUA ($$)
INGREDIENTS Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Donkey Milk, Honey Extract, Pyrus Pyrifolia (Pear) Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Sophora Augustifolia Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Triethylhexanoin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Extract, Panthenol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide 3, Potassium Carbomer, Cholesterol, Potassium C11-15 Alkyl Phosphate, Ceramide 2, Phytosphingosine, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Polyglutamic Acid, Hydrolyzed Collagen, PEG-32, Betaine, Allantoin, Carbomer, Arginine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Fragrance, Methylparaben, Disodium EDTA [CosDNA]
Why It's Great for Summer
This is the only hydrogel included in this post, simply because the mask isn't as hefty as other hydrogels and feels almost cotton-like on the skin. Also, the mask contains a strong hyperpigmentation fighter in the glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract pretty high up on the list. Many of the other plant extracts are antioxidants which will help protect your skin as you subject it to pool parties and barbecues all summer.
What Makes It Special
The results I get with this mask are deeply hydrated and extremely even skin. I really think the essence in this mask pack is magic.
Any Cons?
Only that there is a slight cosmetic scent to the mask, for those who are sensitive to fragrance. It also contains shea butter, jojoba seed oil, and and fatty alcohols which are some common acne triggers.
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NARUKO ARBUTIN INTENSE BRIGHTENING MASK ($$)
INGREDIENTS Purified Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Xanthan Gum, Niacinamide, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Bellis Perennis (Daisy) Flower Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit (Gooseberry) Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fragrance, a-Arbutin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Eop, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine [CosDNA]
Why It's Great for Summer
This is another cotton mask with a ultra-thin watery essence.
What Makes It Special
This mask will help fight and repair sun damage without much chance of making skin more sensitive to the sun since it doesn't contain many active ingredients. The ingredients on which it does rely to deliver its brightening results are niacinamide and a-arbutin which to the best of my knowledge, are both not photosensitizing. It contains powerful antioxidants like gooseberry which will help to prevent sun damage and protect the skin. There's absolutely no fragrance in the mask and the essence is odorless! which will no doubt will be a pro for many. It is also deeply hydrating without any sticky residue and mildly brightening. It's a double threat.
Any Cons?
Only the light colorist overtones on the packaging of the mask. If you take a closer look the brown bear on the package is wistfully looking into its own mirror of Erised (desire backwards) and seeing a polar bear-like whitened face looking back at him, aaaand there's a sign on next to him saying 'White Party'. Naruko, you had almost got it right by naming the actual mask a 'brightening mask' instead of a 'whitening mask'. *smh*
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MEDIHEAL TEATREE CARE SOLUTION ESSENTIAL MASK ($$)
INGREDIENTS Water, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat. PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Betaine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Methylparaben, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Propylparaben, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Natto Gum, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Wheat Amino Acids [CosDNA]
Why It's Great for Summer
This is a mask that is a triple threat, it treats acne, hydrates, and minimizes pores. The essence is delivered on a natural fiber cotton mask material and while it's on the thicker side, it is still much thinner than that of other Mediheal brand masks.
What Makes It Special
For me, one of the most special things about this mask is that it is super reliable in terms of performance. I mentioned that it not only treats and calms acne (with the tea tree and centella asiatica), but really plumps up the skin by delivering hydration and moisture, while at the same time clearing the pores and making them seem a lot smaller and less visible. The mask material and essence is the thickest of the bunch of masks I reviewed here today, but it is still not too thick, nor is it sticky. After removing this mask, I notice a slight film on my skin that needs to be patted in, but once it is absorbed, the skin feels matte.
There's also a slight aromatherapeutic aspect to this mask as it smells like tea tree in an almost medicinal but not too bitter way and there's a little hit of mint as well which lends to the refreshing nature of this mask.
Any Cons?
Absolutely none, unless you dislike the heft of the thicker pima cotton-like material.
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Do you keep up with masking during the summer?
If so, what are your favorite kinds of masks? Or your favorite summer sheet masks and why?
Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post. Purchasing through an affiliate link is one way you can choose to support this blog at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links are marked with an asterisk. If you're curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.
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