The Soul of K-Beauty – DIY or Store-Bought Masks?

Sheet masks – the pioneer of Korean cosmetics

Even if Essence and Toner may not have reached you yet, you have certainly heard of Korean sheet masks. These have spread like wildfire all over the world and are also among the absolute bestsellers in Asia. Admittedly, you do look a bit like something from another planet when you wear them. But most users simply love them anyway.

Just visit our shop and discover the right product for you!

Behind the beauty items also known as sheet masks or fleece masks are soft pieces of fabric in the shape of a face, which are soaked in a highly effective serum. The fabric masks are then placed on the face, allowing the active ingredients to penetrate the skin.

By the way, there is a variant for almost all skin types. The basis for distinguishing sheet masks is primarily the materials used and their intended use. We want to give you a small overview here:

• Sheet Masks are made of non-woven fabric, cotton, bio-cellulose or hydrogel. The former are a bit cheaper, but also a bit rougher and less flexible. The latter have a much more comfortable feel, but are more expensive.
• Moisturizers: Ideal for dry, stressed skin. They contain a lot of moisture, which they bring to the face, making it smoother and more supple.
• Nourishing Sheet Masks: Nourishing variants, rich in valuable nutrients (e.g. Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, etc.). They soothe the skin and at the same time stimulate regeneration. Skin redness, but also impurities can be combated with this type.
• Anti-aging masks: These can specifically reduce visible signs of skin aging. Environmentally induced skin damage can also be regenerated. The masks work with active ingredients such as collagen or elastin and thus alleviate the first wrinkles.

Sheet masks are definitely practical, especially for on the go. However, they are not particularly environmentally friendly, as you can only use them once. If you still prefer their application method, it is really worth considering making these masks yourself.

For a fresh look: making your own eye masks

As the name suggests, eye masks only care for the skin around our eyes. But this is also important, because precisely here it is very thin and needs a lot of care.

Similar to sheet masks, you can use them easily on the go. This is great when shadows form during stressful times or thin lines appear during vacation due to the sun and squinting. Reasons for dark circles and puffy eyes are definitely diverse:

• Cold and dry heating air
• unhealthy habits such as unbalanced diet, not drinking enough, alcohol, etc.
• Irritating or wrong cleansing or care products
• Genetic conditions or certain diseases
• Fatigue and stress

The good thing is that you can easily make eye masks yourself. You might know it from movies. Here, the proven home remedy is to simply apply a few cucumber slices. But is that really enough? More on that later.

A true classic in West and East: Cream Masks

Have you ever been to a beautician and really pampered yourself? Then she certainly applied a cream mask to you with a brush. This type is one of the absolute classics and differs in Korea and other countries around the world only in its ingredients and composition.

In principle, however, they all contribute significantly to holistic skin care. They are very versatile and everyone can adapt them to the needs of their own skin type. They gently but thoroughly help remove impurities and excess dead skin cells, giving your face a fresh look. Making cream masks yourself is also not very difficult. How, we'll tell you right away!

Simply peel off impurities from your face – making your own peel-off masks

Something many of us have mixed ourselves before are peelings or sugar scrubs. So why not make your own peel-off masks? We have also brought you a simple recipe for this. Because these are ideal for giving your skin a thorough cleansing. However, you have to be a little careful with the ready-made ones.

Poor quality masks have made the market unsafe. It is important that the products for your face do not harm it and actually nourish it. So be careful if you reach for black masks from unknown manufacturers or 24k gold peel-off masks for less than €15.

These are very likely not to live up to their promises. They usually consist only of glue and glitter. High-quality variants - for example, if you make the mask yourself - can help you to:

• clean your pores
• remove dead skin cells and dirt
• balance sebum production

Shaken or stirred – tingling foam masks

Compared to the other variants, foam masks haven't been on the market for very long, but they caused quite a stir when they were first released. The product, bottled in a dispenser, must be shaken briefly before use to create a velvety soft and light foam. This is then applied to the face, just like the others, leaving out the mouth and eye area.

The foam often really expands on your skin, so you end up looking like a little cloud. It also helps you to restore moisture and freshness to your face. However, it is quite difficult, if not impossible, to make this type of mask yourself.

An overview: advantages and disadvantages of the different face masks

Now you know which options are fundamentally available to you, which beauty masks you can make yourself and which you cannot. To complete the picture, we want to take a look at the various advantages and disadvantages with you before we get to our actual recipes:

Making your own masks: four simple recipes

Now that you know the different types and have been able to consider which one might suit you best, it's time to make the masks yourself. We have brought you four simple recipes for this. Try them out and tell us how you liked them. We are very much looking forward to your report.

1. Sheet Mask: Get fabrics like muslin or (hydroentangled) fleece and cut them to fit your face. For example, mix 2 tsp water, 2 tsp olive oil, and 1 tsp coconut powder to form a serum. Let the fabric soak it up, then apply the sheet. The homemade mask should be left on for about 15 minutes, and you can simply wash and reuse it after use.
2. Eye Mask: Instead of making these yourself, you can simply use proven home remedies. These include sliced cucumbers or cotton pads soaked in cooled tea/coffee, which you apply for 10 minutes. Ice cubes can also reduce puffiness and give your eyes a freshness boost.
3. Cream Mask: Vital nutrients in apples, such as vitamins A and C, can help revitalize your skin. The fruit acids also act as a gentle peel. Grate a medium apple, add 2 tbsp quark and 1 tsp honey, and leave the mixture on your face for 15–20 minutes. For very dry skin, you can add 1 tsp avocado oil.
4. Peel-Off Mask: Activated charcoal, for example, can be particularly helpful against blemished and oily skin. All you need are 3 crushed charcoal tablets, 2 tsp hot water, and 1 tbsp gelatin powder. Mix everything together until there are no lumps. Then microwave it at 800 W for 30 seconds or heat it briefly in a pot. Once cooled, you can apply it with your fingers or a brush and peel it off from the outside in after 15 minutes.

These ingredients are suitable

If you want to make a mask yourself, the choice of ingredients is crucial. Only then will you achieve the desired skincare results. Whether you're looking for a soothing, moisturizing, cleansing, or protective effect: We present the most important ingredients you can play with.

• Honey: Has antibacterial properties and is suitable for soothing and healing inflamed skin. Also helps with hydration.
• Aloe vera: Known for its healing and cooling properties, ideal for soothing sunburn and supporting skin regeneration.
• Green Tea: Rich in antioxidants, protects the skin from free radicals and can help reduce signs of aging.
• Turmeric: Has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce acne and lighten scars.
• Avocado: Provides intense moisture through its rich fatty acids and vitamin E, perfect for dry or mature skin.
• Yogurt: Contains lactose and enzymes that help gently exfoliate the skin while cooling and soothing it.
• Activated Charcoal: Effectively draws dirt and oil from pores, ideal for oily skin and fighting acne.
• Oatmeal: Soothes and alleviates skin irritations and is excellent for sensitive skin types.

As you can see, making masks yourself isn't difficult and is possible with simple ingredients. So, if you use them regularly or need a lot of product, it's financially worthwhile and also protects the environment. For a small spa treatment here and there or for use while traveling, opting for ready-made products is perfectly legitimate.

Further links
www.beauty-report.de/.../peel-off-masken
www.prosieben.de/.../augenpads-gegen-augenringe-puffiness-und-falten-was-bringen-sie-wirklich