Is Paper Facial Masks Worth It?

Need the does good of a facial without ever so leaving home? Read on to check if paper facial masks can brighten and smooth your skin like the real thing.

Many of my celebrity patients travel all over the world, and they often bring back beauty goodies from their trips. Recently, several of them have come back from Asia with paper facial masks, which are single-use sheets that you apply to your skin. One brand, Masqueology, claims to deliver the same results as a professional facial and is now available at Sephora. At $8 a pop ($24 for three masks), I had to see if they could get the job done. Here are three of the most interesting:

Cell Renewal Masque With Snail Secretion Filtrate. This one caught my eye because of the snail extract — which makes me a little squeamish. However, snail slime has been shown to contain a natural compound called allantoin, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and helps hold moisture in the skin. The main hydrating ingredients in the mask, however, are glycerin, synthetic allantoin, and hyaluronic acid, all of which can be found in other products.

Pore Minimizing Mask With Mushroom Extract. This one has many of the same ingredients as the Cell Renewal Masque, with the addition of mushroom extract and witch hazel (to help with oil). Some mushrooms do contain compounds that have been shown to improve skin texture, clarity, and fine lines — although I haven’t seen the research that links mushrooms with smaller pores, and I’m not familiar with the species that’s listed in the ingredients.

Brightening Masque With Arbutin. This one has niacinamide (vitamin B3), which has been shown to reduce the appearance of dark spots and red blotches. It also contains arbutin, a compound from the bearberry plant that has been shown to inhibit the skin’s pigment-producing enzymes. It’s not as strong as prescription-strength hydroquinone; so it’s not a bleach but more of a skin brightener.

Bottom line: Although they’re much cheaper than a salon visit, they’re still somewhat pricey, but if you can afford them, go for it. These masks have interesting ingredients, and the occlusive effect of the cellulose will temporarily make your skin look and feel plumper and smoother. Just don’t expect a miracle or the results of a prescription cream or in-office treatment.