Everyone is talking about self-care these days. Just how much? Some 3.9 million social media posts had #selfcare in them, and 1.2 million posts contained #selfcaresunday.
Social data and marketing analysis company Social Standards found that, from September 2019 to September 2020, there was a 61 per cent increase in conversations about self-care in beauty posts, and a 93 per cent increase in personal care posts.
For beauty lovers, the simplest way to self-care is to apply a face mask and take those 10 to 20 minutes to relax. Kimberly Khoo, founder of Klaypeau, an SG e-commerce site that specialises in facial masks, says it’s a quick mental escape that delivers an instant glow.
She says there are studies that show that restful rituals such as these can help release “feel good” brain chemicals such as dopamine, which then help you feel more positive and better equipped to combat stress.
Plus, masks today are even more innovative than before, from adding ear hooks to lift sagging skin, to using advanced active ingredients that give skin long-lasting hydration or boost collagen and elastin production.
And if you have breakouts, there’s even a sheet mask that exfoliates and unclogs pores while controlling sebum in one easy step.
Here are some of our top picks.
Facial Treatment Mask, $127 (Box of 6), SK-II at Sephora
Credit: Sephora
1/14
This SK II Facial Treatment Mask is a cult classic, with celebrities such as Cate Blanchett as longtime fans. The hydrating cloth mask is soaked in SK II’s signature ingredient PITERA™, which is rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to enhance, soften, and clarify skin. It’s the perfect solution for whenever you need an instant lift to prep for any special occasion.
Buy it here
Bubblesheet™ Oxygenating Deep Cleanse Mask, $13, GLAMGLOW at Sephora
Credit: Sephora
2/14
Sure, its bubbling effect makes for some pretty great Instagram stories, but this mask also helps to clarify skin in the process. The black bamboo charcoal sheet is infused with a microbubbling cleanser, with green tea extracts and amino acids to encourage brighter skin. Once applied onto skin, the hydrating goop fizzes and bubbles for some deep cleansing action, leaving it noticeably clearer and with a more radiant glow. The best part? It only requires 3 minutes.
Buy it here
Cryo Rubber With Moisturizing Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Mask, $16, Dr Jart+ at Sephora
Credit: Sephora
3/14
Although this mask looks a tad frightening, the results are shocking in the most pleasant way. The mask contains a whole slew of wonderful ingredients, and the rubber helps to allow for deeper penetration, wrapping your skin to prevent active ingredients from evaporating.
Buy it here
H2O Jelly Mask, $42.50 (Box of 5), Glowfully at Tangs
Credit: Tangs
4/14
Infused with a combination of aloe vera, acerola cherry, and a natural ingredient extracted from red seaweed, the sheet mask is packed with antioxidant properties and boosts collagen production, leaving skin feeling hydrated and soft.
Buy it here
Rich Moist Soothing Tencel Sheet Mask, $4.20, Dear, Klairs at Guardian
Credit: Guardian
5/14
If you’ve got sensitive skin, and/or are prone to redness, this mask gives your skin that general glowy evenness while not irritating your skin. Containing Ceramide and Aloe Barbadensis leaf juice to strengthen and calm skin, the mask has an instantly cooling and calming effect. Plus, the hyper-thin Tencel sheet mask fits in comfortably, allowing for better absorption.
Buy it here
Tea-Tox, $62 (Box of 8), Sigi Skin
Credit: Sigi Skin
6/14
Formulated with a co*cktail of skin-loving ingredients such as kombucha and yuzu extracts, as well as lactobacillus ferment, this aims to help restore tired and lacklustre complexions. Plus, the ingredients are supercharged with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to soothe, restore and hydrate damaged skin.
Buy it here
Luminous Dewy Skin Mask, $18, TATCHA from Sephora
Credit: Sephora
7/14
By now we know that dull skin is best combated with a boost of hydration. And what better way to do so than with the TATCHA Luminous Dewy Skin Mask, which delivers a slew of hydrating ingredients — rice germ oil, Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, as well as anti-ageing superfoods green tea and Okinawa algae to quench skin in well under 20 minutes, leaving it plump and instantly dewy.
Buy it here
Love Masque and Chillin' Masque, $12 each, Petite Amie Skincare from Klaypeau
Credit: Klaypeau
8/14
The Love Masque contains hydrating actives and antioxidants to keep skin supple, improve skin texture and reduce the look of fine lines. The Chillin’ Masque soothes, repairs and restores with botanical extracts and niacinamide. The fun emoticon images on each mask make for a great IG-worthy pic too.
Buy it here
Ray Facial Silk Mask, $3 each, $24.90 (Box of 10 sheets), Ray from Klaypeau
Credit: Klaypeau
9/14
Made from 100 per cent silk and enriched with gold extract, this uber-luxe mask reduces the look of wrinkles and dark spots, while healing and nourishing the skin so it looks radiant and youthful. No wonder it’s a favourite of Chinese actress, Fan Bingbing.
Buy it here
IN&OUT Facial Mask, $40 (Box of 5), BIVID from A Kinder Beauty
Credit: A Kinder Beauty
10/14
This face mask is as fun to watch as it is effective. It absorbs sebum, dirt and leftover makeup from your skin, removing impurities from your pores while helping fight premature ageing, tighten pores and improve skin tone. But what we find most intriguing is the fact that you can check out the sebum that's been extracted on the mask by just letting it run under your tap! Now that's what we call a satisfying at-home facial.
Buy it here
Ageless Facial Treatment Mask, $160 (Box of 5 sheets), Heure Beauty
Credit: Heure Beauty
11/14
Containing 25ml of the Singapore-born brand’s Ageless Serum, the bio-cellulose mask infuses skin with anti-ageing peptides that repair skin, giving it a healthy glow. It uses Heure’s proprietary encapsulation technology and enhanced delivery system to ensure instant results that last.
Buy it here
Optimalift A+ Eye Contour Mask, $96 (Box of 6), est.lab
Credit: est.lab
12/14
After multiple reboots since 2010, the upgraded eye mask now comes with two new actives – encapsulated hyaluronic acid and a Mediterranean bacillus ferment – that help to depuff eye bags, reduce dark circles, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and even lift the eyelids over 28 days of use.
Buy it here
Mini Meow Trio Peel-Off Mask, $42, I Dew Care from Asianbeautyx
Credit: Asianbeautyx
13/14
Pick and choose what you need from this mini masking trio. Disco Kitten brings a glow to dull skin, Sugar Kitten gently sloughs off dead skin and hydrates it at the same time, and Space Kitten combats an oily T-zone with charcoal and volcanic ash. Plus, the iridescent shimmer and pearlescent peel-off masks make for a fabulous self-care session every time.
Buy it here
Souffle Beauty Prebiotic & Rose Sheet Mask with Double Hooks, $25 (Box of 3), Souffle Beauty
Credit: Souffle Beauty
14/14
Packed with rose extracts and prebiotics, the mask locks in moisture, keeping skin smooth and healthy. It not only comes with an extended portion to care for your neck, but also has double hooks to lift and firm the face, define the jawline, and help reduce that unsightly double chin.
Buy it here
Additional reporting: Harper's Bazaar Singapore
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