When I first read about lanolin, which is the hero ingredient of this product, all I could see was that it was secreted by sheep skin. So this is important: “Lanolin oil is extracted by putting sheep’s wool through a centrifuge machine that separates the oil from other chemicals and debris. The process is performed after the sheep is sheared so the extraction of lanolin causes no harm to sheep.”
The product is using a by-product of sheep farming, which is great. Phew. If you are a strict vegetarian or don’t use animal products, then of course, this may not be the product for you.
About Lanolin: Lanolin has occlusive properties, which means that it blocks the trans-epidermal loss of water from the skin and holds water in the top layers of the skin. Overall, there is less water loss by the skin and its hydrated, making it feel softer and supple. Hydrated skin is essential for the proper function of enzymes that promote cellular turnover too. Lanolin is a fantastic occlusive, second only to petrolatum jelly (Vaseline), and it doesn’t quite have the sticky feeling of Vaseline.
This is a pre-COVID 19 purchase, as the product is targetted at “jetlagged skin.” Lol! That may be a thing of the past, but given my pretty disastrous month of no skincare, my skin is dry. A super-hydrating mask maybe what the doctor ordered.
BEFORE
Instructions are to apply a thick layer and remove any excess after 10 minutes or, leave on. The product has a fragrance – it smells like Johnson & Johnson talcum powder mixed with a cream. Its not unpleasant.
AFTER
Sorry, for the scary eye thing, but I wanted to capture the shiny, excess of the maskI left the mask on for about 15 minutes and that was not a disaster (ie, no stinging or burning). My skin does feel quite soft and it is hydrated. I couldn’t wipe up of the excess, as you can see from the photo above. I had to wash the excess with a cleanser and cloth. That’s fine. My skin is still quite hydrated. However, I simply couldn’t leave the mask on – it just wouldn’t feel comfortable enough.
I like this mask and it delivers. However, I will be honest, the whole sheep secretion thing has totally put me off. I mean I use marine collagen, which is not exactly vegetarian so I know I am being an absolute hypocrite. But I am kind of not okay having sheep gunk on me. Sorry.
Its available for sale at cultbeauty for GBP 20 for 60ml.
Other face masks I have tried and would prefer to use in this descending order are: