Seoul, South Korea is where you can find some of the most unique and innovative beauty products in the world. For years, this Asian country has been a destination spot for beauty bloggers and buyers alike looking for new and interesting beauty products at extremely affordable prices. The South Koreans are responsible for introducing such incredible things to the United States such as: BB creams, cushion compact foundations, dewy skin mists, natural lip tints, charcoal infused skincare products and SHEET MASKS.
The Sheet Mask craze hit Americans hard and has been going strong ever since. With a wide range of ingredients and skincare benefits, sheet masks are highly praised for their abilities to treat skin and for being really easy to use. And it is probably safe to say that whatever skin ailment you suffer from or goal that you want to achieve like hydrating your skin or just making your skin look more naturally radiant, there is a sheet mask out there for you.
While the majority of Korean sheet masks available in the U.S. (think popular brand, Tony Moly) adhere to American tastes and preferences, there are some really weird exceptions. And I mean, really weird. South Koreans are known for being fearless when it comes to trying out new beauty products and if they think that a certain ingredient might enhance their beauty routines, they are always first in line to buy it! Listed below are just some of the wonderfully wacky and wild ingredients that South Koreans have added to ordinary sheet masks in order to improve their skin.
- Snail Extract-the snail’s mucin encourages cell regeneration, skin firming and heavily moisturizes the skin.
- Red Wine-this extract both cleanses and tightens the skin while reducing the look and size of pores.
- Placenta-boosts collagen levels and tightens the skin via stem cells found in the placenta.
- Crushed Pearls-purifies and brightens the skin for ultimate luminosity.
- Seaweed-soothing for most skin types with skin brightening affects.
- Pig Collagen-this sheet mask ingredient kind of makes me feel sick. Infused with collagen from pig skin, it is said to improve moisture levels, skin firmness and tightening while decreasing fine lines and wrinkles. It also claims to whiten the skin (which is a big thing in Asian countries because having a perfectly white, flawless complexion is seen as the ultimate in beauty).
- Coconut gel with Tomato-Again, this sheet mask contains a unique combination of fermented coconut and Lycopene (found in tomatoes) that are supposed to hydrate the skin, firm and tighten it while decreasing the look and feel of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Rice-great for sensitive skin, cleanses and brightens skin in a gentle and soothing way.
- Bee venom-Bee venom is a skincare ingredient that went viral a few years ago after it was said that Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge used a specialized skin cream that included it. Bee Venom is said to have a tremendous plumping affect for the skin, making skin look and feel firmer, smoother and more youthful.
- Dragon’s Blood-Okay, so no actual Dragon’s blood is used in these sheet masks but, they DO contain a special red tinted tree sap know as “Dragon’s Blood.” Available from Wei Beauty, the “Dragon Blood Eye Lifting Pads” are one of Kate Hudson’s favorite sheet masks. They are supposed to prevent sagging skin around the eye area but, with a $60 price tag, there is probably a reason why only famous people have ever heard of them.
