We’ve heard of sheet masks. Affordable, practical & provides a punch of hydration to the skin with just a single use but it is not the most sustainable option, in my honest opinion. The packaging is made of plastic, the sheet mask is covered with another layer of plastic & I don’t think we are educated enough on whether the sheet masks we’re happily using every week are biodegradable or made with earth-friendly materials. Ramblings aside, a big kudos to innovative beauty brands that are slowly creating earth-friendly sheet masks!
I must admit that I used to be such a sheet mask hoarder (I still have tons of it) but I’m slowly phasing out my sheet mask obsession. Sorry Mother Earth, I’ve learned my lesson. So to aid the “mask” obsession, let me share with you a more sustainable option but delivers similar results – WASH OFF MASKS!
What is a Wash Off Mask?
As the name describes, wash off masks are masks that you apply on your face & washed off after a specific amount of time. They are usually packaged in a jar form & comes with a spatula for you to scoop your masks (hygiene reasons). Besides sending them to your nearest beauty store that offers recycling program, you can even reuse the jars for your plants propagation!
Key Benefits of Wash Off Masks
- A more sustainable option as compared to sheet masks
- You get a lot of product = a lot of use from a single purchase
- Unclog pores
- Cooling on the skin
- Nourishing
- Instant boost of moisture
- Overall skin improvement with constant use (results varies on each individual)
Types of Wash Off Masks
- Exfoliation/Purifying
- Hydration
- Calming
- Sleeping Mask (a limbo between a moisturiser & a wash off mask but I’ll just park it here since we generally need to wash it off the next day)
When someone asks me “what’s the best wash off mask to try out?” and my answer will always be “Check out I’m From!”. I’ve been such a huge fan of their products and the brand’s philosophy as a whole, so allow me to introduce you some of the products I’ve tried from this brand. While their products are not the cheapest option out there, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed using most of their products & most importantly, it delivers its claims & doesn’t cause any irritation to my skin.
I’m From Honey Mask
Recommended for
Dry Skin | Combination Skin | Colder, drier months
This is one of their best-seller for a reason. Made from 38.7% of natural honey from Mountain Jiri in Korea, this honey mask that is packed with anti-bacterial properties will help to deeply nourish & moisturise the skin, keeping it supple & smooth.
Verdict – Whenever my skin feels drier than usual, this is the one that I always reach for. The texture is quite thick but it spreads on really easily on the skin with the spatula that is provided in every box. I can leave it on for an hour & this baby will not dry up, hugging & comforting my skin. Since the consistency is rather thick, a little scoop goes a long way so this will last you for a long time. Washing off can be a lil’ tricky at first because of its consistency so here’s a tip!
Tip – Before washing the mask off with lukewarm water, softly wipe it away with tissues first. This will make it so much easier to wash off & it will not leave an oily wax film on the face with this method.
Ingredients List – Honey, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Wax, Polysorbate 20, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Beeswax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Extract, Corylus Avellana (Hazel) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Water, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Propolis Extract, Beta-Glucan, Bee Venom, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin
I’m From Mugwort Mask
Recommended for
All Skin Type | Irritated Skin | Warmer Months
One of their latest addition to the wash-off mask range, this cooling mask that contains real 2.1% of mugwort is specifically designed to soothe irritated skin whilst delivering a nice cooling sensation to the skin. Mugwort, or also known as artemisia, is an upcoming ingredient in Asian skincare and here’s why – calming, soothing, detoxifying, cooling, rich in vitamin & anti-oxidant properties to relieve skin fatigue & heat.
Verdict – You know when you go all gung ho with skin exfoliation but to only leave the skin all red & irritated in the end? Yes, I’m guilty of that & this mask was my savior. I enjoy the cooling sensation of the mask & as a true Asian, I particularly love the herbal scent, haha! Many said that the scent can be off-putting (think… Chinese herbal medicine scent) but not to me. This only helps with skin irritation & redness. It does not claim to remove any acne or whatsoever, so its quite a niche target for our skin concern but nevertheless, I think you’ll have an enjoyable experience using this.
Tip – I like to pop this in the fridge for about 5 minutes before application & the extra cooling sensation is just so satisfying!
Ingredients List – Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Powder, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Methylpropanediol, Ligularia Fishceri Leaf Extract, Rosa Davurica Bud Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Sodium Polyacrylaste, Carbomer, Arginine, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA
I’m From Rice Mask
Recommended for
Textured Skin | Dull Skin
Rice. Besides enjoying them on my plate, I enjoy them in my skincare too! I remember how my mum used to tell me stories on how my aunts that lived on the hill (they were farmers) who only uses rice water as her daily face wash. No cleanser. Only rice water. Despite working under the scorching hot sun everyday, her skin is flawless & healthy – all thanks to the rice water! Rice is well known to brighten up the skin’s complexion & helps to restore skin’s elasticity, keeping it firm & healthy. This rice mask contains 4.1% top quality Yeoju rice that claims to gently exfoliate the skin, leaving it smooth, supple & of course, brightened.
Verdict – I like how the rice grain in the mask mildly exfoliates my skin but doesn’t dry my skin out. I’ve seen reviews saying that the rice grain can be slightly rough on the skin but Im From did claim that there may be slight differences in sizes, depending on the year’s harvest. I notice the instant brightening effect it delivers right after washing it off but the effect doesn’t last for long (not noticeable the next day). Same with most brightening product – consistency of application is key. I enjoy the natural vanilla-ish, rice scent (if that makes sense). It keeps my skin moisturised all night long, so I do skip moisturiser on certain days whenever I use this. Note that this leaves a waxy film after wash off, so might not be for everyone!
Tip: I like using this in shower while I wash my hair. It doesn’t dry up fast so this is a nice in-shower wash off masks. I notice washing it off with lukewarm water removes more of the waxy film than normal/cold water.
Ingredients List – Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene glycol, Oryza sativa (rice) powder, Cetearyl ethylhexanoate, Oryza sativa (rice) hull powder, Beeswax, 1,2-hexanediol, Stearic acid, Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, Betaine, Cetyl alcohol, Hydrogenated poly(c6-14 olefin), Saccharomyces ferment filtrate, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan stearate, Glyceryl stearate, Methylpropanediol, Sodium polyacrylate, Xanthan gum, Peg-100 stearate, Allantoin, Fragrance, Oryza sativa (rice) bran extract, Oryza sativa (rice) extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Algae extract, Eclipta prostrata leaf extract, Avena sativa (oat) kernel extract, Cynara scolymus (artichoke) leaf extract, Pteris multifida extract, Amaranthus caudatus seed extract, Ulmus davidiana root extract, Butylene glycol, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta, Hydrogenated lecithin, Polyquaternium-51, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Beta-glucan, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Squalane, Alcohol, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Isononyl isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-10 stearate, Cetearyl alcohol, Fructooligosaccharides, Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate, Lecithin, Inulin lauryl carbamate, Disodium stearoyl glutamate
Wash off masks can last you for a long time, so you definitely do not need all three because I can assure that you might not finish using these, even after its PAO (period after opening). You can easily purchase Im From products from YesStyle, Hermo, Style Korean, Olive Young or Amazon.
I hope you find this review helpful! Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions, or just to say hi! 😀
Love it? Pin it!
Gudeiary 