Review Digest: Soy, Sake and Barley Facial Sheet Masks

The last week, I have been using some of my Sake (Rice Wine), Soybean and Barley Milk masks and instablogged them on my IG account. This is a digest of those reviews, plus ingredients, as to make it easier to find. My masks were purchased from a variety of sources ~ eBay, Melody Cosmetics, Beautibi, Beautius and Beauteque

Lovemore Japanese Soymilk Enzyme Moisturizing & Smoothing Mask (Taiwan)

The mask is thicker than the usual Lovemore masks made from silk ~ this is 100% cotton from Japan, so it is plush and soft. The mask is soaked with essence, but not a lot left over in the bag. This has a nutty scent to it, it is quite pleasant and it reminds me of sweet hazelnuts! This also has malic acid which helps brighten and smooth the skin tone & texture. This is a really nice mask ~ the fit was good, was very soft and full of essence and a lovely scent. This did leave my face nice and hydrated without a tacky residue. Purchased from @melodycosme

Description: Plumps up your skin with Alpinia Galanga Leaf Extract (Syn®-Hycan) (this herb is part of the ginger family). Helps the production of hyaluronic acid. Super thin 0.2 mm quality feather soft cotton sheet from Japan. Essence is broken down into smaller molecules for better absorption. SOY ISOFLAVONES: Potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that fights free radicals, stimulates collagen. COENZYME Q10: Helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles. SOLUBLE COLLAGEN: Firms skin and reduces the effects of aging. MALVA SYLVESTRIS EXTRACT: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, helps soothe skin. HYALURONIC ACID: Deeply hydrates skin, reduce inflammation, prevents moisture loss

Ingredients: Gamma-Poly-Glutamic Acid, Soy Isoflavones, Syn-Hycan (Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylamino Butyric Urea, Trifluoroacetate), Coenzyme Q10, Soluble Collagen, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Veronica Officinalis Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Malic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid Oligomer, 1,3 Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Iodopropynyl Butylecarbamate, Methylisothiazolinone, Fragrance, Water cosDNA.com analysis

My Beauty Diary 我的美丽日记 Natto Moisturizing Mask (Taiwan)

Natto is fermented soybeans and you usually see photo of beans with gunk sticking everywhere. haha. But natto (polyglutamic acid) is very moisturizing and contains enzymes, oligosaccharides and vitamins that help keep moisture and skin elasticity more than collagen and hyaluronic acid, according to some studies. This also contains glycosphingolipids, which help form a barrier that holds skin and water content in place. This also as watercress, grapefruit extracts and a lot of seaweed extracts to really hydrate your skin. This mask is made with a thinner material so it really adhered to my skin and provided optimal absorption. This is totally drenched in serum and there is a lot left over in the bag ~ I just patted it on the mask itself and my neck. It doesn’t have a scent that I can detect.

This feels so cool and refreshing on my face and after I removed the mask, my skin felt smooth and very moisturized, no tacky residue. It really helped reduce the appearance of fine lines and also left my face glowing! Two thumbs up for MBD Natto Mask! Note: I think the mask I have is the newer one, due to the design. The older Natto masks had beans going down the side and from what I have read, really had a floral scent. This one does not.

Description: Isoflavones – postpones aging, restores skin’s firmness and resilience. Natto extract – stimulates and activates cells for hydration. Extract of seaweed from deep ocean – offers skin adequate moisture content. Highly-effective in moisture retention; offers nourishment and radiance to skin/ For use on normal skin, especially recommended for dull skin lacking elasticity and moisture. My Beauty Diary Natto Mask reduces signs of aging and restores skin’s firmness and resilience to give your face a soft, youthful luster. The formula is enriched with Natto extract, which contains rich botanical collagens, isoflavones (organic plant compounds), and rich anti-oxidizing proteins, all of which protect the skin from harmful environments and prevent aging effects. Bio-active ingredients like watercress, alongside red and brown algae extracts, brighten and soothe the skin. Cosphingo, a patented long-lasting moisturizer extracted from seaweed, provides hydration.

Ingredients: water, glycerin, butylene glycol, propylene glycol, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, citrus medica limonum (lemon) fruit extract, citrus grandis (grapefruit) fruit extract, glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract, phenoxyethanol, polyglutamic acid, chlorphenesin, nasturtium officinale (watercress) flower/leaf extract, sambucus nigra (elderberry) flower extract, laminaria digitata (brown alga) extract, fucus vesiculosus (bladderwrack seaweed) extract, arnica montana flower extract, sodium lactate, triethanolamine, polysorbate 20, sodium hyaluronate, citric acid, hydroxethyl urea, codium tomentosum (spongeweed seaweed) extract, polysorbate 80, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, lecithin, glyceryl glucoside, carbomer, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, xanthan gum, fragrance, sodium hydroxide, glycosphingolipids, tocopheryl acetate cosDNA.com analysis

Dr Morita Hyaluronic Acid & Sake Yeast Essence Moisturizing Facial Mask (Taiwan)

Dr Morita is a pretty great brand and I was introduced to it via my Mask Genie subscription. I purchased the Hyaluronic Acid & Sake Yeast Essence Moisturizing Facial Mask (what a mouthful) at Beautius and as part of my soy/sake/grains mask series, I decided to try this one out today. This is a thinner mask with a pearl paper to hold its shape while I apply it to my face and then I peel off the plastic. The fit is okay — the eye and mouth area are on the smaller side for me, but the rest of the mask fits fine! In fact, the nose piece is longer than my nose! It is soaked with essence and has a faint baby powder scent (blech) that lingers. It does not disappear. After 30 minutes, I removed the mask and there was no tacky residue on my face, nor was my face feeling greasy or oil. It didn’t feel that moisturized either. I wonder if it is because the hot air is on all the time now, and combined with the cold dry air outside, everything is REALLY dry in my home. I might save these for when it is more humid outside, as I don’t feel these really moisturized my face that well. The scent is also a bit gag worthy for me, but that is only because I don’t like baby powder scents.

Ingredients: water, glycosyl trehalose/hydrogenated starch hydrolysate (trehalose), xanthan gum, methylparaben, phenoxyethanol, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, d-panthenol, dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, sodium hyaluronate, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, oryza sativa (rice) lees extract, algae extract, niacinamide, fragrance cosDNA.com analysis

Sasa Soya Milk Whitening & Smoothing Mask (Hong Kong)

Sasa, which is a popular online site that is located in Hong Kong and sells all different types of brands, also has their own brand, Sasatinnie (or Sasa for short). This mask is one of the rare ones that are actually made in Hong Kong. I really love their Honey Peach mask, so I purchased the Soy Milk version. This mask is made with a thick cotton and a very milky essence ~ the mask is soaked with it and there is a little bit left over in the bag. The scent is light & milky-sweet and I really love the fit of Sasa masks ~ great coverage on my face. This mask has a few brightening ingredients ~ licorice, mulberry and lactic acid ~ lactic acid is also an astringent, which will help reduce the appearance of pores. I like to save these really moisturizing masks for when it is colder, as I find that my skin really soaks up the essence. After I removed this mask (30 minutes and it was still damp), my face looked brighter and it felt very hydrated and smooth. My face doesn’t feel greasy or oily. Sasa is a nice inexpensive mask alternative and I think it did a nice job!

Description: Suitable for all skin types, especially for dual and dehydrated skin. Intensely lightens and hydrates dry skin, it helps to strengthen skin’s moisture barrier and leaves it feeling firmer and more radiant.

Ingredients: aqua, butylene glycol, niacinamide, morus alba (mulberry) root extract, glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract, glycine soja (soybean) extract, triethanolamine, lactic acid, carbomer, allantoin, xanthan gum, tocopherol, methylparaben, hyaluronic acid, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, fragrance, benzisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone cosDNA.com analysis

SANA Namerakahonpo Soybean Milky Essence Mask (Japan)

I purchased this at Beautius. This mask has a waffle texture to it and has a huge flap that goes under the chin. It contains fermented soy milk, which acts as a rich moisturizer. Soy contains isoflavones, which can help improve diminishing of fine lines and wrinkles and firm skin. This mask is fragrance free and has no added coloring nor were the soybeans genetically modified. The mask is a strange fit, where the eye holes are just a bit higher than they should be (or I have a really huge forehead, which I do not discount) and a HUGE flap under the chin, which I guess would be great to moisturize and tighten that area, but because the material on this mask is thicker and this mask isn’t that wet, it kinda just hang under the chin, instead of tucking under the chin. I feel like I have a goatee.

After 20 minutes, I removed the mask and my face does feel much more moisturized and there is a film from the essence on my face. Now, I have oily skin, so maybe the essence didn’t fully absorb into my skin, and this mask would be excellent for drier skin types. I do recommend only using this at night time, due to the fact that it is very moisturizing. I will save these masks for when my face is really feeling dry, as I think it might be too much for me on a regular basis. The ingredient list was hand translated by me, so it could be a bit off.

Description: Infused with rich and concentrated extracts from fermented milk, soybean and plant collagen to rehydrate and plumps skin. Use it before sleep and wake up with revitalised and moisturised skin.

Ingredients: water, butylene glycol, glycerin, ethanol, petain, soy milk fermented liquid, soy protein, xanthan gum, (styrene/vinylpyrrolidone) copolymer, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-75, carbomer, diphenylsiloxy phenyl trimethicone, dimethicone, hydroxide NA, methylparaben cosDNA.com analysis

FaceQ Sake Yeast Brightening Mask (Taiwan)

I purchased this mask at Beautique.com and I have to say I really like this mask a lot! The mask is thin and very silky soft, but it holds its shape well and doesn’t tear when I apply it to my face. It is soaked in essence (not a lot left over in the pouch, however) and doesn’t have a scent that I can smell. The fit was really nice, not a lot of gaps and it fit my face pretty well. I was able to leave this mask on for 30 minutes and it was still moist. No sticky residue or greasy feeling, my face felt refreshed and hydrated, plus it looked brighter! I love this has a lot of amino acids (glycine, alanine, proline, serine, etc) which nourish your skin to help strengthen your connective tissues, and keeps skin smooth. They are very powerful anti-aging ingredients.

Description: This is a nourishing essential face mask containing sake yeast extract that helps to maintain moisture balance and a clear complexion!

Ingredients: Water, 1, 3-Butylene Glycol, Proplene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Polyvinylpyrrolidone, Xanthan Gum, Chlrophenesin, Allantoin, Hydroxy Ethyl Cellulose, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-40, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium PCA, Betaine, Sorbitol, Glycine, Alanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Arginine, Lysine, Glutamic Acid, Methyl Paraben, Propylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Triethanolamine, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Yeast Extract, Fragrance cosDNA.com analysis

Sister Diary Natto Collagen (Hydrating +Skin Firming ) Mask (Taiwan)

I am already a HUGE fan of Sister Diary masks. I love their Apple Polyphenol Platinum mask, which brightens my face like no other mask has done. I purchased this one at Beautius, as they do carry several Sister Diary masks, which are very hard to get outside of Asian markets. This mask is soaked in essence, really drenched, and has a slight scent to it, but it is disappears after applying to my face. The mask is thin, and has that plastic (pearl) paper to help you adhere it to your face. The fit is really good ~~ it covers everything nicely with no gaps. After 30 minutes (and the mask is still moist), I removed it and I am pleased to say that my face looked brighter, moisturized, but not oily. In fact, my face looks mattified, while smooth and firm to the touch. I really am impressed with Sister Diary masks and I remember thinking that they were a copy cat of My Beauty Diary, but I do feel that their masks are better than MBD. MBD has a great variety, but Sister Diary, for me, is superior. Two thumbs up!

Description: It is a quality brand which has a focus on deep hydration treatment, using the finest and natural herbal extract in their products. Botanical Collagen Extract – the collagen molecule is able to penetrate deep into skin, increases collagen level in skin and thereby maximizes skin cell regeneration. Gives your a lift up, enhances firmness and elasticity. Japanese Natto – Effectively promotes collagen production and contains hydrating factors which can give your dry skin an instant boost in moisture.

Ingredients: water,1,3-butylene glycol, witch hazel extract, PEG-120, jojoba esters, chondrus crispus extract,collagen, calendula extract, natto extract, elastin, xanthan gum, niacinamide, aloe vera extract, methylisothiazolinone/iodopropyl butylcarbamate, dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, sodium hyaluronate, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, fragrance cosDNA.com analysis

Lovemore Wine Yeast Whitening Mask (Taiwan)

I love Lovemore masks ~ I was introduced to them by Mask Genie and they are made in Taiwan and are ultra thin 100% silk sheet masks, soaked in essence. They come protected twice ~ one side with a thin blue paper that I remove first, place the mask on my face, using the plastic (pearl) paper to help me position the mask on my face without tearing the delicate silk. I then remove the pearl paper and I leave on for 20 minutes ~ because they are so thin and it is pretty dry right now (heat and winter artic air), masks tend to dry out more quickly. I didn’t notice a strong scent with this mask. This has Wine Yeast ~~ or in other words ~ Sake as the key ingredient. Sake helps smooth and moisturize your skin, due to its natural amino acids and it brightens and evens out your skin tone due to kojic acid, a skin lightening acid. This also has blown alga (seaweed) in it to help cell renewal and detox ~ it contains 14 vitamins, 16 amino acids and sea water minerals

Once again, two thumbs up for Lovemore! My face absorbed all of the essence pretty quickly, so no tacky residue (which means this is a great morning mask). My face feels smooth and looks brighter and it isn’t oily or greasy. You can purchase Lovemore Wine Yeast Whitening Mask at Beautibi

Ingredients: butylene glycol, glycerin, chondrus crispus (carrageenan) extract, sea water, xanthan gum,oryza sativa (rice) lees extact, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, methylisothiazolinone, ascophyllum nodosum (brown alga) extract, citric acid, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, hyaluronic acid oligome, fragrance,water cosDNA.com analysis

Beauty Buffet by Watson’s 365 Daily Facial Sheet Mask – Rice Wine Yeast Moisturizing (Taiwan)

I was looking for the Rice Wine Yeast extract in this mask and discovered that faex extract is yeast extract. However, I am not sure where the rice part of all of this comes from unless faex is rice wine yeast. At any rate, this mask was one that I would not have purchased for myself ~ I actually purchased My Scheming Beauty Puli Ginjo Sake Kasu Mask and the eBay seller sent me these. They stated that the My Scheming was discontinued and this was made by the same company. First off, this is by Watsons (Taiwan) so I have no idea if it is the same and second, I told the seller that they should update their listing on eBay with the new brand. They still have not and it has been a few months. I did get a refund as they never once contacted me with this switch. Okay, enough with that rant.

So, for a mask that doesn’t seem to include sake, this smells like sake!! haha The sheet mask is thin, but not as thin as Lovemore and is soaked with essence. It is a very wet mask. Initially, this mask caused a stinging sensation, almost like an allergic reaction. However, by the time I decided to remove it, that sensation stoppped, so I kept it on for 30 minutes. The mask was still very wet when I removed it ~ my cheeks were initially flushed, which I do get that reaction with stronger sake products. The essence quickly absorbed into my face and my face feels hydrated and my moisture level from my digital skin analyzer displayed 57% moisture levels. I have mixed feelings about this mask ~ on one hand, I like that it is highly hydrating, but on the other hand, I do not like the stinging sensation that I got from it. I guess it is a moot point, as I wouldn’t even know where to purchase Watsons masks here in the States if I did love it. Have you try Watsons brand before? Do you like them?

Ingredients: aqua, butylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycine, glycerin, phenoxyethoanol, cucumis sativus (cucumber) fruit extract, dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, triethanolamine, disodium EDTA, chlorphenesin, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, sodium hyaluronate, methylparaben, allantoin, dimethicone, xanthan gum, hydroxythylcellulose, chondrus crispus extract, lecithin, caprylyl glycol, fragrance, phosphoric acid, sodium benzoate, disodium adenosine triphosphate, lithothamnion calcareum extract, potassium sorbate, isopropyl alcohol, faex extract, sodium sulfite, codium tomentosum extract, cellulose, carica papaya fruit extract, aloe barbadensis leaf powder, algin, lactic acid, d-limonene cosDNA.com analysis

Lovemore Pearl Barley & Milk Smoothing Mask (Taiwan)

Chinese Pearl Barley is also known as Job’s Tears and it is known to help clear blemishes, lighten skin, reduce redness while softening. Once again, this 100% silk mask is very thin but soaked with essence. This is made with ocean sea water as its base, along with milk and horse chestnut extracts. This has a very light, very faint scent, which I assume is the pearl barley. After 20 minutes, I remove the mask and I have to say, one reason why I love Lovemore masks so much is that they not only hydrate ~ my skin moisture level was at 67% after I removed this mask ~ and my face is never oily or greasy, no residue of essence and my face almost feels matte. For someone with oily skin, this is fantastic! I really love how smooth my face feels. Two thumbs up for this great mask!

Description: Barley is raved for its whitening properties. Barley is rich in protein, vitamins B1, B2, amino acids, barley prime and barley esters nutrients. Barley and milk combination will produce a maximum reinitializing effect!

Ingredients: water, butylene glycol, glycerin, sea water, xantan gum, butylene glycol, coix lacryma-jobi (job’s tears) seed extract, water, phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin, milk protein, alcohol, benzoic acid 4-hydroxyl-butyl ether, hydrolyzed silk, water, aesculus hippocastanum (horse chestnut) seed extract, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, fragrance, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid cosDNA.com analysis

Final Thoughts

I do love my soy (fermented and milk) masks as well as the sake rice wine ones as well. I think that that the only ones that I would not repurchase would be

Dr Morita Hyaluronic Acid & Sake Yeast Essence Moisturizing Facial Mask ~ scent
Beauty Buffet by Watson’s 365 Daily Facial Sheet Mask – Rice Wine Yeast ~ mild irritation

It is no surprise that I love my Lovemore masks and the biggest winners for me were Sister Diary and FaceQ. SANA is more suited for drier skin, I think, but it is a nice mask to use during this dry weather. Have you tried any of these masks? Do you know of other types of Sake, Soybean or Job Tear’s masks that you can recommend? I would love to know! I might have a few more Sake and Job Tear’s masks to review, but I have to find them first! haha