It’s snowing again in Chicago as I write this, and it’s so pretty outside.  My favorite time in winter is when the snow first hits the ground, softly blanketing the trees and streets in a thin veil of white.  The shoveling and dirty sludge that inevitably comes later, however, I can definitely do without.  And of course, I can also do without the incredibly dry air.  But this year, despite the dry air of winter, my skin has been saved by the discovery of Korean sheet masks.

And my favorite of the several brands of sheet masks that I’ve tried is The Face Shop’s Real Nature Mask.  They’re inexpensive, great quality, and come in a variety of different ingredients (I almost wrote “flavors”! Ha!) to address many types of skin concerns.

If you’ve never tried Korean sheet masks, stop reading this and buy some immediately!  They’re seriously just like a 30 minute spa treatment in your own home.  But be warned: they’re addictive.

Each sheet mask is a piece of cloth – sometimes made of 100% cotton – that is saturated with an essence or serum filled with great ingredients to hydrate, soothe, and treat the skin.  They’re so many different types out there to treat many different skin problems.  It’s great fun to try different ingredients that you normally wouldn’t buy to see what it does for your skin.  I like to leave mine on for at least 30 minutes, then throw away the mask and follow up with the rest of my skincare.

And for those 30 minutes you may look like Michael Myers from Halloween, and the dog may be afraid to approach you, but it’s so worth it!  Your skin ends up plump, hydrated and happy (at least for a little while afterwards).

As I mentioned before, one of my favorite brands is The Face Shop Real Nature Mask because of its price, quality and variety of choices.  You can easily find them online, but if you’re in the Chicago area, please go to The Face Shop located in Hmart in Niles, Illinois.  They’re $2 each there, and if you buy 7, you get one free (at least they had the deal last couple times I was there).  They have all the varieties available to address any type of skin concern!

I’ve tried each type, and I have some clear favorites that I return to again and again:

Red Ginseng: I have no idea how, but this definitely does perk up my skin!  After I use it, my skin is bright, plump, with a healthy glow.  This one is my absolute favorite!

Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, SD Alcohol 40-B, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dimethicone, Phaseolus Radiatus Extract, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Bark Extract, Rumex Crispus Root Extract, Carbomer, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trethanolamine, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Fragrance.

Honey: Definitely is very moisturizing, and leaves my skin bright.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Honey Extract, Alcohol Denat, Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phaseolus Radiatus Extract, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Bark Extract, Rumex Crispus Root Extract, Phenyl Trimethicone, Carbomer, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trethanolamine, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Fragrance.

Kelp: Not as moisturizing as the other ones, but my skin does feel brighter and clearer afterwards.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, SD Alcohol 40-B, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Phaseolus Radiatus Extract, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Bark Extract, Rumex Crispus Root Extract, Carbomer, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Potassium Hydroxide,  Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Fragrance.

As you can see, there aren’t any ingredients in these sheet masks that are acne-triggers.  There is a little bit of alcohol in them, but they don’t bother my sensitive skin.  I’ve been using these sheet masks regularly several times a week for months now, and have had no problems with them!  I think they actually really help put in a surge of moisture into my skin, as well as deposit ingredients in there to make my skin bright and healthy.

Overall:

Love the quality and variety of these sheet masks.  They’re a little spa treat in my own home!

Pros: Great *star* ingredient, real results, very hydrating, safe for sensitive skin.

Cons: None that I can really think of!

Total score: 9/10

Ingredients: 8/10 (had to reduce it a few points because of the alcohol content.  It doesn’t noticeably affect my skin, but I don’t understand the point of it.)

Quality: 10/10 (Really impressed with the quantity and quality of its *star* ingredients and how it lives up to its promises!)

Wear: 10/10 (So saturated and soothing.  Very relaxing, and dries very quickly after you remove the mask!)

Price: 8/10 (Great value at $2 each, but it really adds up since I like to use them so often!)