If you are like me, you’re a fan of using face masks often. A lot of the time it feels like the extra step that makes it more of a self-care/ spa-like experience. I use all sorts of masks but I think one of the biggest bummers to discover eventually was how bad disposable sheet masks were to the environment.
DID YOU KNOW?
Most sheet masks are made from materials that don’t break down easily, and even their packaging a lot of times isn’t either. These days, I’ve become more and more aware of the sustainability issues with beauty products I like to use, and welcome innovations that will give us better products with less impact on our environment.
I’ve since stopped buying paper-like sheet masks, but still use hydrogel masks from time to time. I really thought I was doing better with hydrogel masks or ones that say they are biodegradable, but I’ve also learned that sometimes the serums these masks are soaked in affect their ability to degrade properly and just sit in landfills like anything else.
But with that disappointing news, I was recently introduced to REUSABLE masks from Pacifica Beauty that left me intrigued. Would these work just as well as those hydrogel versions that fit perfectly to my face? Would they get so hot that they would make my face sweat and break me out? I had questions that could only be answered by putting these masks to the test and see for myself if these were products worthy of swapping.
SUSTAINABLE REUSABLE FACE MASKS
Pacifica Beauty has four different reusable mask options to choose from that address certain areas of the face. Each mask is made from 100% silicone and creates a vacuum seal on the skin when worn over serums or creams locking in that moisture. And just like medical-grade silicone scar sheets, these silicone masks claim to temporarily flatten out fine lines or wrinkles.
They also include tin packaging that’s breathable to ensure the masks are protected while not in use.
I like the flexibility of making almost any skincare product I use into a longer-lasting “mask” with the help of these silicone strips that are shaped to fit my face. How many times have you felt like you’ve “wasted” product with a face mask that has a ton of “juice” left in the satchel? Well with these you can use just the amount you normally would use, but now can lock it in a bit more with the help of these masks.
The masks are a bit sticky on their own which helps hold them into place. They have a nice cushiony feel to them and are nice and flexible to fit the curves of your face. I think they could make them a little more stickier because if I moved my face to smile the laugh lines masks would fall off.
WHAT ABOUT THE LONGEVITY OF THE MASKS?
Each mask’s lifetime will vary with use and how you care for them, but they do expect them to last at least 10 uses which makes it around $1.50 for each time you use them. I would love for these to last a bit longer since they provide the tin case for storage but better than nothing, right?
These masks are fairly simple to use. I apply my serum of choice and while my skin is still wet, I quickly apply the mask sheets to create the vacuum seal. They stay in place fairly well. You can do things, but try not to move your face or talk too much. I often can’t just sit still for masks, I need to do other things while they marinate.
They say you can wear these overnight, but caution those with oily skin or those prone to breakouts from doing so, which was my first thought. I am more than happy to wear a mask for up to 30 minutes if it stays in place well enough but that’s good enough for me. I didn’t feel any discomfort removing the maks, even from delicate areas like under my eyes. I’ve accidentally worn under eye gels for too long and they removing them hurt because they were so stuck on. These ones do not hurt.
MY FAVORITE MASKS FROM PACIFICA BEAUTY
My favorite one to use is the reusable brow mask which covers the entire forehead. I have some pretty deep expression lines, along with 11’s so any temporary smoothing makes me happy. And it really does seem to lock into that serum goodness! My next favorite would be the undereye masks since they cover just a teensy bit more area than the smile line ones.
The cleanup is easy too — just be gentle! These are still small, slippery silicone sheets so you don’t want them to tear. But just a little soap and water to wash off any residue helps them regain their stickiness for next time. Then, when they are dry (i let mine dry on my counter), you place them back in the tin time next time!
I would love for Pacifica to come out with a FULL face sheet mask in a similar style. I like the benefits of my serums to be used all over, and I think it’s possible if they find a way to hook them onto the ears without ripping. And just make them a tad stickier, I think it would help.
I think these work pretty well. I’d buy the two favorites again possibly (forehead and under eyes) but don’t see myself using the lip line versions. I’m glad to see some brands are figuring out ways to pamper ourselves without destroying the environment we live in, and also manage to keep it at an affordable price so more people can be turned on to it.
What do you think? Would you use these masks?
WHERE TO BUY: Pacifica or Target
