Masks #13 - Expired Masks

Oh boy.. I am REALLY sorry.. I keep on doing this.. I do up posts halfway and then I forget about it and it takes me months to remember. Then I finish the post and is too lazy to edit the photos until now.. My apologies!!! Anyways... Back on topic. ..

So... I hoard masks, and then I forget to use them, because I am super forgetful.. Which leads to masks expiring on me before I decided to look at my humongous stash. So what's a girl to do? Chuck them? Use it as a body mask? Or just risk it and use it on my face?

Well, being the cheapskate I am, I chose to use it on my face.

The decision wasn't made lightly though. Part of the reason why I decided to risk it was due to the Leaders coconut gel masks. Now, there was a bit of an upset over these masks and their expiry dates back in late 2015 and early 2016. Leaders USA had their popular coconut gel masks for 50% off for the Thanksgiving sale and people bought TONS of it. Then they discovered the expiry dates were January 26, 2016, only giving them just over two months to use it all. I bought tons of coconut gel masks from Leaders Canada in December and the expiry dates were also January 2016. I meant to use it all by then but school got the best of me and I totally forgot to use them. 

I can't remember if it is on Instagram or Reddit, but someone reached out to Leaders regarding the expiry date. Their response, and I am paraphrasing based on my recollection, is that the masks are still okay to use. The expiry date listed is the best use date, but the masks are still usable after the expiry date. It's something along those line. People didn't buy it, but hey, if the company says the masks are okay to use after the expiry date listed, I will use them. So I tried the coconut gel masks that I have already tried before the expiry date and it didn't cause my skin to be upset. So I thought, then why not try it with all the other expired masks. 

Now, I am not advocating the usage of expired skin products or anything. Especially if your skin is super sensitive and reactive!!!! Please don't use expired masks and skincare if your skin is super uber sensitive! I only use expired masks because I know my skin is quite non-reactive.

Let's get going with my expired masks~!

Whamisa Organic Fruits & Tomato Fermented Hydrogel Facial Mask with lactobacillus

This was a splurge item that I bought because everyone was raving about it. I just didn't want to use it up!! They cost around $5.30 each + shipping from TesterKorea. It's a lot more in CAD due to the currency exchange, but I think it was at par when I purchased. Anyways, I held on to it and held on it.. Then I realized it's been a couple of weeks after expiration... Oops.... Anyways, I decided to use it up anyways.. It's an expensive mask!

The mask itself has a very strong gingery fermented smell to it. Which makes sense since it's supposed to be fermented.

The mask came in two pieces, the bottom half was half stuck to the packaging so the white backing came off easily. It is all gel material, so there is no lining in the center to hold it all together. But fortunately, the material is thick enough that it doesn't tear easily.

They fit my face well, but unfortunately, I think my face is too big for it. The top barely hit the top of my forehead, and the sides does not reach my ears.. T__T My face is too round! The eye hole is just a bit high up for me as well. I had to drag the upper piece down to cover my nose and the eye hole sits just under my eyes... Overall, I think this mask is just not fit for my round chubby face. 

Before: Urg I was breaking out BAD back then.. 

After

I had it on for 45 minutes. I took it primarily because the upper lip area was dried up, but the rest of the mask was still moist. Oddly enough, the left side of my face felt sticky while the right side isn't. So I guess the side of my face was more thirsty than the left side?
My face felt moisturized, it was especially evident when I was applying my moisturizer that night. It went on so much smoother... I can see why this mask is so expensive... Other than that, I didn't see any other results, but then again, the mask is expired so I am not expecting much besides moisturizing properties.

Kao Megurhythm Steam Eye Mask 

This isn't actually an expired mask. I just wanted to include it as I used it on the same night as the Whamisa mask. My sweet friend Mogi saw it on sale at Superstore and got me a box because she knew I would want to try it. She got me the lavender scent, not knowing that I actually dislike lavender scented things. They just remind me of bathrooms.. Hahaha... But thankfully, is lavender sage, so it doesn't smell purely of lavender/bathroom. I did end up being nose blind to it after a few minutes.

Now I don't know what's wrong with me, but it was a HOT night that I decided to use this.. Why would a sane person use a steaming eye mask on a hot night? I have no idea...

The mask felt warm to the touch as soon as I took it out of the package. It felt very nice against my eyes, I can feel my eyes starting to relax a bit. But it didn't last very long. The mask cools down within minutes. I ended up pressing the mask against my eyes to ensure I get every bit of that nice warmth. The box did say it only last about 10 minutes, and I did waste some time taking pictures so that sounds about right.. Yes.. I don't get why I decided to take pictures before I used the mask instead of after.. It still looks the same.. ^__^;;

I really liked this mask! I love that I can get it at my local Superstore and T&T. I am going to see if I can track down the rose and yuzu flavour locally. ^_^

Shara Shara Pink Piggy Collagen Hydrogel Mask

I got a pack of 5 of these masks for free from Shara Shara when I purchased the All In One ampoules from them. I only ended up getting 4 due to the weight limit, but that's okay. :)

The mask has no discernible smell and is actually slightly pink. It comes between a semi hard plastic backing and a softer backing. Obviously you are supposed to take off the hard backing and smooth it over your face. Then you take off the softer backing. But I ended up flipping it around since I can feel the mesh on one side. I just prefer to have the fleshier side against my skin.

The mask fits relatively okay, it barely reach the hairline and my jawline. The nose piece is super big so I had to flip it up or else I couldn't breathe.

Before

After

I took it off after the bottom edges started to dry off. There is a little extra essence on the side of my face so I just pat it in and my skin felt moisturized. I don't mind using it whenever I need to add a bit more moisture to my skin but given how hard it is to find it online, I wouldn't buy it again.

The YEON Snail Time Treatment Hydrogel Mask

This mask was purchased when representative from The YEON went on r/AsianBeauty and had a promotion where each of the masks was only $1 + shipping. I of course snagged some up and then forgotten about it.

The mask has no discernible smell, and is packed between a thin and thicker layer of backing. Like I said above, I like to just peel off both layers and just slap on the fleshier side against my face.

The mask fits okay. It's not reaching to the side of my face, nor is it reaching the top of my hairline. But a lot of the masks don't so I just give up.

Before

After

 I took it off after 30 minutes. The mask was still moist but I was tired and just wanted to sleep. There were extra essence left on the skin so I just patted it in and went to bed. I woke up and my skin was still feeling a bit sticky. Guess my skin just couldn't take all of that snail slime.

The YEON Clean Sea Abalone Nutritive Hydrogel Mask 

This is also from The YEON, such that the fit and smell is similar as above.

I had it on for 20 minutes while I was blow drying my hair. I was impressed that it didn't move an inch. However, when I took it off, I had weird folds on the center of my forehead. It's just from the folds of the mask, but I was surprised how it got transferred to my skin. There was still extra essence on my face so I pat it in and my skin feels okay.

The YEON Korea Red Ginseng Vital Hydrogel Mask  

Do you love ginseng, especially the smell of it? If you do, this is the mask for you!! This mask is SO STRONG with the ginseng smell. However, I grew nose blind to it relatively soon. The mask is light brown due to the ginseng and the fit is similar to the others.

I didn't find much effect besides moisturizing properties to this mask. I just wanted to take it off and throw it away as far as I can.. Can you tell I am not a fan of ginseng?

The YEON Caviar Age Care Hydrogel Mask
**I thought I took pictures of the mask but apparently I didn't. I ended up using all of them before I realized this so no pictures of the package.. Sorry!**

This mask is actually black! Which was quite neat. It is the most fragrant mask after the ginseng mask. However, I cannot pinpoint exactly what the smell is. Everything else is the same as the other The YEON hydrogels. And similar to the other masks, I only found it to be moisturizing as it is expired.

I wouldn't buy these masks again as it seems really hard to find these online.

Honourable Mentions
As I mentioned at the beginning, the whole reason why I started using the expired masks was due to the Leaders coconut gel masks. I actually still have a whole bunch of them and have been using them. I actually REALLY love them. Every time after I finish using it, my face feels super soft and I can feel my moisturizer going on 10 times smoother.

Masks #8 - Hydrogels

So I had a small stash of hydrogel masks that I just haven't tried at all. I decided to try them after I fell in love with my SNP hydrogel eye patches. Boyyyy did that lead to some crazy hydrogel shopping spree.. Hehe...

Memebox Mememask

I got the Mememask in one of my boxes, back when they still shipped internationally, as an apology gift for delaying shipping or something. Anyways, if you are in the States, Korea or China you will be able to get one from the respective Memebox website. Unfortunately for us internationals, I have no idea where to get them. Maybe request them from TesterKorea?

Anyways, I held off on using the Mememask as Memebox and I did not part ways on a friendly note. But once I started on hydrogels I had to give it a go.

 Ingredients: As per the package. 

Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Cprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cellulose Gum, Phenoxyethnaol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Polglutamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chamomilia Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Adanosonia Digitata Seed Extract, Potassium Hydroxide. 

As soon as I opened the package, I get a big punch of ginger and then a light floral smell. Thankfully it wasn't too bothersome and I can continue to use it. 

This mask, like most hydrogels, comes in two parts. Each piece is sandwiched between two sheets of pearl paper to prevent it from sticking together and making it easier for the user to remove and apply the mask. Though I think it just causes so much excess garbage and is ineffective. My mask slipped in the packaging so when I took it out, it was already half way out. I ended up just taking off both backings and applied it using a mirror. 

The mask felt thin and wet to the touch but it wasn't dripping in essence. There wasn't much left in the package once I took out the mask. 

There was no clear instruction as to which side of the mask I am supposed to apply against my skin. Though I can tel there was a smooth side and a mesh side. So I just put the smooth side side against my face, since it's most likely where all the essence is. 

The mask fits my face well, there was slight overlapping around the cheek area and there could be more for the jawline. But once I smoothed it out, the mask stayed put. It didn't budge at all. That I am impressed with. 

After about 20 minutes, the mask felt thinner to the touch. I took it off after 45 minutes as it started to feel dry in the upper lip and jawline area. I can tell it was time to take it off by the touch of the mask. It is no longer wet and soft to touch, but rather plasticky. Once I took it off, there wasn't much extra essence on my face except for the forehead. Guess that area needs more time to absorb it all in. My face doesn't feel sticky to the touch which is a plus. My face felt tighter and my skin tone looked brighter. 

I liked how the Mememask stayed on my face and it does make my skin feel moisturized. But it takes too much effort to buy one unless you are in China, Korea or United States. So I probably won't buy this in the future. 


Sally's Box Delight Ceramide Hydrogel Mask 

I believe I got this hydrogel mask in a pack of 3 from one of the Thanksgiving boxes from Memebox. It includes Ceramide, Panthenol and Collagen. I have linked it to SokoGlam! above as TK has it listed as $6 for a single mask, whereas its official website only has it listed as $3.50. Yikes, that mark up.. I wonder if it's a $2.50 domestic shipping fee that they included in the price. *This is where I have a problem with TK, they often include domestic shipping fee in the list price. So if you were to buy enough products from the same brand to get free domestic shipping, TK would still charge you that domestic shipping fee on each product.. Those shipping fee on each item are then pure profit to them... That's why it may be better in those instances to go with a buying service instead. *

 Ingredients: As per the package. 

Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Chondrus crispus (Carrageenan), Cellulose Gum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Polysorbate 20, Mannan, Octyldodecanol, Trideceth-6, Portulaca Grandiflora Extract, Rosemarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Lavendula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Metricaria) FLower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Jasminum Officinate (Jasmine) Extract, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Allantoin, Ceramide 3 (1.25mg), Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, CI 19140, CL 15985

Um dos the last two ingredients mean they are colours???????

My skin was feeling crappy that day and I didn't want to use something hydrating but rather something to calm it down. Since this one is supposed to turn my exhausted skin into healthy skin, I thought I would give it a try. 

First impression was HOLY COW THIS THING STINKS! It's a very chemical smell that penetrated my nose as soon as I opened it. It is less strong after you take it out but it lingers. In fact, it lingered on my skin after I took it off. I would say it smells like cheap perfume that uses a lot of alcohol, like this Playboy perfume my friend got from Walmart. Just yuck. 

The mask comes in two pieces, similar to the Mememask, it has two plastic backings. I followed the instruction, removed the thicker plastic first. Placed the mask on my face using the thinner piece as a guidance on where the mask is sitting. Though, that's dependent on if your mask slipped out of its backings. I would just remove them both and use a mirror. So much easier. Especially when dealing with hydrogels with a mesh to hold its shape. 

The mask didn't fit my face properly. I moved it a few times but it just won't sit properly. I tried to move the jaw area as far down as I can but then the chin area pops up. The mask didn't reach my forehead, leaving about a finger's width of skin exposed. As well as my jawline, there was about two fingers' width of exposed skin. BUT.. there was SO much on the nose.. It seriously folded over and covered my nose so I couldn't even breathe without the flap covering my nostrils.  It looked like I had snots coming out of my nose. Yuck. I had to flip it up just so I can breathe. 

Excuse the close up of my face, but this is how ridiculously long the nose piece was. 

I took it off after 45 minutes. I just couldn't handle it anymore. The essence sunk is slowly, taking about another 30 minutes to fully sink in and stop feeling sticky. That smell was STILL on my skin. Yuck. 


My skin was noticeably bouncier after everything sunk in. The next morning, my skin looked plumper, pores looked smaller and my skin appeared to be more even. I was impressed with the results! However, due to its smell, CRAZY long nose piece, and the fact that it's hard to find, I will not be repurchase it. 

Innisfree Berry Hydro Gel Mask 

 So I got this mask during my whole "I NEED more hydrogels in my life!" purchase from TK. I decided to try it the night I got it home from the post office as Innisfree was having a half off shipping event that week. I wanted to see if I liked it enough to warrant a haul from Innisfree. *spoiler alert* I didn't.

 Ingredients: As per the package. 

Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Chondrus crispus (Carrageenan), Cellulose Gum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Polysorbate 20, Mannan, Octyldodecanol, Trideceth-6, Portulaca Grandiflora Extract, Rosemarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Lavendula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Metricaria) FLower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Jasminum Officinate (Jasmine) Extract, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Allantoin, Ceramide 3 (1.25mg), Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, CI 19140, CL 15985

The mask has a very light floral smell, kind of a generic skincare smell. I don't know how to describe it besides generic. It was not dripping in essence or anything but enough to keep the mask moist. 

I found the mask to be kind of stiff, it doesn't hug my face as well as the others. I think that was the general consensus online as well regarding how stiff it was. The fit wasn't the best, my jawline was pretty exposed. 

I had this big angry bump on my face and the essence actually stung it when I put it on. It took a few minutes before it stopped stinging. I can't remember exactly how long I had it on because it was kind of late and I just wanted to sleep. But I know it was over 30 minutes. I took it off after the edges started to dry and I can feel the mesh on the surface. There was no excess essence on my skin but my skin feels a little sticky. 

As for results, I honestly cannot remember. It moisturized my skin as any masks will do. But I most likely didn't see any results or else I would have written it down or it's stuck in my mind. All that I can remember is that it didn't impress me at all and put me off from buying any hydrogels during Innisfree's sale.

Skinfood Marine Food Gel Mask in Oyster 

I got these from TK but I think it's cheaper if you get it from Jolse as you only pay $1.40 more for shipping. They just released this line of hydrogel masks a few months ago, and there are few flavours in this line. However, there is no discernible difference between each flavour's purpose. All of them has the same blurb on the back. I know, I compared all five flavours together. 

Ingredients: Unfortunately it's all in Korean and Google Translate didn't help :( 

When I opened the package, no smell wafted out of it. I stuck my nose right in there and took a big whiff. It has a faint perfume smell that I would say it's something I smelled quite often in skincare. But since it was light it wasn't too bothersome. 

This mask came with a stiff pearl paper and a thinner softer pearl paper. So it's a similar deal withe the other hydrogels and Lovemore silk masks. Just take off the stiffer one and use the softer one as a guide to where the hydrogel is sitting on your face. Or if you are like me, it's may be easier to just remove all the backings and use a mirror to put it on. These are mesh too so they won't tear that easily if you move them around on your face.

The fit was...... I honestly think my face isn't suited for hydrogel masks. It's pretty good with sheet masks, but with hydrogels I keep on having problems. The upper portion's fit was okay but it didn't reach all the way to my hairline. So a part of my forehead was exposed. The lower portion... I have so much problem with lower portion of hydrogels. It barely reached my jawline. I tried to move it around and push it down so it would cover it, but that just caused it to tent up. The upper lip area also falls off nonstop. I ended up busting out the silicone mask cover from Daiso in an attempt to help keep it in. That didn't help at all, the upper area kept on falling out of the mask cover and just want to part ways with my face. 

Because I had the silicone mask cover on, I had the mask on for a REALLY long time. I had it on for an hour with the silicone cover. The mask was still super moist despite being on the thin side. So I left it on for another hour without cover and it was still super moist to the touch! Wow.. But by that time it was almost 2AM and I had to sleep. So I took it off and just went to bed with a sticky face. 

By next morning and I was pleasantly surprised when I looked in my mirror. My skin was bright and I had nice even skin tone. The little breakouts on my forehead was much calmer. My skin felt super bouncy to the touch. I couldn't stop playing with my cheeks. 

I don't like the fit of these masks but I quite like the result! I will have to save these for when I have 3 to 4 hours to spare so all of the essence can sink into my skin. Or when my skin is just really need that extra punch of moisture. Will definitely repurchase these. 

*side note* Using the silicone cover made me wonder how much of the essence on masks does our skin really absorb and how much is be evaporated??? 

Tonymoly Intense Care Fugu Collagen Hydro Gel Mask 

So I got this from a H Mart in Vancouver when I was there on vacation. I just really wanted a hydrogel mask so my lovely friend took me to H Mart and waited patiently while I picked out a mask. I was deciding between the Aquaporin which cost about $4 or the Fugu Collagen one. But I knew I had the Aquaporin one coming from TK so I decided to go with the more expensive Fugu Collagen one. It was hella expensive!! $9 after GST + PST. Just wow.. Thankfully RRS has it cheaper but once you factor in shipping and currency exchange it is not much difference. 

 Ingredients: As per the package. 

Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Ceratonia, Siliqua Gum, Disodium EDTA, Betaine, Cellulose Gum, Polysorbate 20, Polyacrylate-14, Olive Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Mineral Oil, Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Methylparaben, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Soluble Collagen (100ppm), Sodium Polyacrylate, Pearl Extract, Laminara Japonica Extract, Laminarla Digitata Extract, Sea Water, Squalene, Fragrance, Cl 42090

Uh oh, it's got mineral oil in the ingredient list. It's halfway down the list but if your skin doesn't like having mineral oil I would probably avoid this mask. :( I like that it's got two types of collagen and three types of seaweed in there.. But my main question is.. WHERE IS THE FUGU?! I can't see it in the ingredient list. The ones with scientific names that look like it may be fugu turns out to be seaweed.... T__T **I know it's fugu collagen and there are two kinds of collagen in the ingredient list. But that doesn't tell me specifically it came from fugu you know.. :(**

The mask is a two piece gel mask that is sitting in a really thick essence and has no discernible smell to it. Yay for no smell. But I think because of the thick essence, it kept on slipping off my face so I couldn't do much besides laying down.

The mask has two different textures/sides. One side is slightly rough and you can see the grid pattern while the other side is soft and squishy. I assumed the rough side is the outside and placed the squishy side to my face.

Excuse the quality. I had to take it on my friend's bathroom counter. :P 

The mask was really short around my chin and jawline. After 30 minutes or so as it was starting to dry out above the lips. But there was still quite a bit of essence on my cheeks and the mask itself. So I just took off the bottom part and left the top mask on for another 30 minutes. Even then there was still a lot of essence on the mask itself so I just put it on my decolletage

The mask left my face feeling super sticky that wouldn't go away for a while. Though my face does look brighter and my pores appear to be smaller. The next day my face felt like there was a layer of moisture sitting on top of it. Such that when I try to pinch my skin, I can feel that layer of moister/something against my fingertips instead of my skin. It was weird but nice.

I wouldn't buy this mask again. Not at $9CAD and gotta admit, I am kind of sad it doesn't have any fugu extracts in there... :(

That's all the hydrogels I have tried in the last couple of months. I got quite a few more to try so I will post them sporadically. :P 

Memebox Thanksgiving Box Collection #1 For Me

There was such a Memebox drought in November that when they released the Thanksgiving box, it sold out almost immediately. I was bored and wanted new boxes, and I couldn't decided which box to get so I bought the bundle. The box was $26 each + $6.99 shipping. 

I had it mailed to my office so I can sign for it without risking the dreaded pick up slip. The package was mailed on November 18th and I received it on the 25th. The box was delayed a day as Canada Post apparently had a problem with the office's postal code. Though the package had the correct postal code so I have no idea why they decided to delay it another day. But whatever. I was very happy to receive the bright orange boxes at lunch time! (A month after the Canadian Thanksgiving but oh wells :D)