Hydrating Face Masks
Hydrating face masks can be found in almost every cosmetics cabinet. They bring our skin back into balance and are simply part of an extensive care ritual. The ingredients of the beauty boosters penetrate into the upper layers of the skin and, depending on their composition, can have a moisturizing, invigorating, cleansing or soothing effect. The selection is correspondingly large. But is it enough to reach for “any” care masks? No! When making a purchase decision, consumers should always consider their individual skin type. For example, anti-aging masks are aimed exclusively at mature skin, while a cleansing mask with healing clay is particularly suitable for impure skin. Moisturizing masks have a plumping effect, as they replenish our skin’s water reservoirs so that it immediately looks much fresher, more vital, and youthful.
The types of masks
Basically, face masks can be divided into three categories: cream masks, peel-off masks, and sheet masks. Cream masks are usually hydrating face masks, because they are particularly rich. They are applied to the face like a day cream and, after a short application time, gently removed again with lukewarm water.
Sheet masks are also called “cloth masks”. They are fleece sheets that have been saturated with a serum. They are particularly easy and convenient to use, making them ideal for travel or vacation. Different materials can be used for cloth masks. Hydrogel is currently considered the top of the line, because it adapts to the contours of the face in an absolutely flexible way, virtually like a second skin. However, the same also applies to cloth masks made of bio-cellulose. They are mainly found in luxury cosmetics lines and deliver a maximum of active ingredients.
Quite typical for peel-off masks is the fast-drying gel layer. After application, the masks are simply peeled off the face, removing dead skin cells, blackheads, and dirt from the pores at the same time. In this way, they provide a pore-deep cleansed skin.
Avoid these ingredients
But as pleasant as hydrating face masks are, they’ve fallen into a bit of disrepute lately. Often, masks contain soluble plastic. The plastic compounds pose a significant threat to the environment, as they massively pollute wastewater. Often the synthetic polymers end up in our fields with the sewage sludge.
PEG compounds are also not uncommon in skin care masks. It is now known that they can introduce undesirable foreign substances into the skin. In addition, many hydrating face masks contain chlorphenesin. The preservative is considered irritating to the skin and belongs to the group of organohalogen compounds, which are highly controversial anyway. Silicones are used in skin hydrating face masks to create a more pleasant skin feeling.
Fragrances can also be a problem in skin care masks. Hydroxycitronellal, for example, relatively often triggers allergies. And the fragrance Lilial, also found in several masks, can even negatively affect reproduction.
What should good hydrating face masks be like?
Clean Beauty hydrating face masks do not contain PEG and PEG derivatives and are free of halogen-organic compounds. Butylphenyl methylpropional (or better known as the fragrance Lilial) also has no place in Clean Beauty care masks. The same applies to fragrances that require declaration and can trigger allergies, such as hydroxycitronellal. In addition, silicone compounds and kerosenes or artificial paraffin-like substances lead to a devaluation of the product.
Generally, hydrating face masks should also be free of synthetic polymers such as Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Nylon-12, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch and PVM/MA Copolymer.
OPP monofilm offers an environmentally friendly alternative to composite plastics and aluminum. The material has already proven itself in the food industry and is recyclable. In addition, OPP monofoil is resistant to kinks and impacts, making it very tear-resistant and stable overall.
Recommended active ingredients for hydrating face masks
Of course, there are a variety of recommended substances that can be included in hydrating face masks to nourish and pamper the skin. Here are some of them:
There is Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, for example. This is a smaller form of hyaluronic acid with a 3D molecular structure that retains moisture longer and deeper in the skin than the much higher-weight molecule of hyaluronic acid can. The substance acts as a kind of sponge and, in skin care masks, helps the skin look much plumper, smoother and younger after application. Sodium hyaluronate has similar positive properties. It is very well absorbed by the skin and also contributes to better hydration.
Fact Sheet – Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
INCI: Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
CAS number: 162975-50-0
Effect: serves as a “moisture sponge”, preserves the moisture content of the skin
Fact Sheet – Sodium Hyaluronate
INCI: Sodium Hyaluronate
CAS number: 9067-32-7
Effect: similar to Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Fact Sheet Sodium PCA
INCI: Sodium PCA
CAS number: 28874-51-3
Effect: hydrating
Sodium PCA (PCA stands for Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid) is a natural moisturizing factor of the skin. The substance is rich in sodium salts and supports the moisture formation and suppleness of the skin. Ideal, therefore, for high-quality care masks! The salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid is cosmetically interesting simply because pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, with a share of around twelve percent, is part of the skin’s own “natural moisturizing factor” (NMF).
Fact Sheet – Zinc PCA
INCI: Zinc PCA
CAS number: 15454-75-8
Effect: reduces sebum production, antimicrobial, moisturizing
The zinc salt of L-pyrrolidone carboxylate is called Zinc PCA. It is a true multi-talent, because on the one hand it is suitable for hydrating face masks for combination skin, as it has a moisture-binding and at the same time sebum-reducing effect. On the other hand, it is also suitable for preparations against acne and for care products against dandruff and oily scalps.
Fact Sheet – Magnesium Aspartate
INCI: Magnesium Aspartate
CAS number: 18962-61-3
Effect: protects against external influences, keeps the skin healthy
Magnesium Aspartate is an organic magnesium salt and helps minimize damaging influences on the skin. The substance activates the energy metabolism of our skin, increases the effectiveness of vitamins and supports the removal of waste products from the skin.
Fact Sheet – Zinc Gluconate
INCI: Zinc Gluconate
CAS number: 4468-02-4
Effect: antibacterial and astringent, protects against the degradation of collagen during sun exposure
Zinc Gluconate, the zinc salt of gluconic acid, reduces sebum production, contributes to the detoxification process of the skin, refines large-pored skin, and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Fact Sheet – Copper Gluconate
INCI: Copper Gluconate
CAS number: 527-09-3
Effect: nourishes the skin and keeps it in good condition
Copper gluconate helps to keep connective tissue structures healthy and protects the skin from external influences. It revitalizes the skin and has astringent properties.
Dead Sea mud is rich in valuable minerals and trace elements. Worth mentioning are especially magnesium, bromine, potassium, and calcium. These are especially effective for problematic skin. The high mineral salt density helps especially with inflammatory skin diseases such as acne or psoriasis. A Dead Sea mask fights bacteria that would normally cause pimples, cleanses the skin, and rids it of excess sebum. The skin texture becomes more even and beautiful, impurities disappear. In addition, the sea salt dissolves cornification and has a pore-refining effect.
Which mask for whom?
- Teenagers (skin problems): If teenagers are struggling with skin problems, it is recommended to regularly use cleansing masks with exfoliating effect or masks with healing clay to clarify the skin.
- 20s (skin care prevention): Moisturizing masks are generally good for keeping the skin vital and giving it a healthy glow. A quality hydrating mask once a week can help keep skin young and glowing.
- 30s (first visible signs of aging): In the 30s, the first visible signs of aging appear on the skin. It is recommended to use a cleansing mask at least once a week to thoroughly cleanse and refresh the skin.
- 40s (maintaining youthful appearance): To keep the look and feel in sync, hydrogel masks with plenty of hyaluronic acid and a peptide mix should be incorporated into the skin care routine in the 40s. These masks help hydrate and tighten the skin.
- 50s and older (mature skin): Emulsion masks rich in unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic and linolenic acids are suitable for mature skin. Masks with additives such as linseed oil, almond oil, pomegranate seed oil, wheat germ oil, borage oil and evening primrose oil can be particularly beneficial here, although they may have a slight greasy odor.
Time Saving: For quick application, fleece or cloth masks are an ideal addition. There are various materials that either enhance the effect (e.g., “second skin” masks) or are particularly sustainable (100% organic cellulose). These masks contain rich active ingredients and leave the skin looking plump and rosy after a maximum of 15 minutes.
Please note that these recommendations are general in nature and individual skin needs may vary. It is advisable to check the ingredients and application instructions of the masks to ensure they meet your specific needs.
Clean Beauty hydrating face masks from Cosmacon
Hydrating face masks are a blessing for the skin, as long as they are free of critical ingredients. Cosmacon is happy to develop high-quality Clean Beauty hydrating face masks for you: on request also with sustainable and recyclable foils.
Costing services cosmetics is very simple at Cosmacon: After your enquiry, you will receive a complete overview of the maximum costs within 24 hours. Once we have signed a non-disclosure agreement, we will make you a fixed price offer for your desired products.
Sources:
Chemical peels in the treatment of acne: patient selection and perspectives.; Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2018 Jul 16;11:365-372.
Safety Assessment of PCA (2-Pyrrolidone-5-Carboxylic Acid) and Its Salts as Used in Cosmetics.