The Beauty Diary by Rebekah Scanlan: Self-isolation sees face mask sales soar 89 per cent

Sales of DIY beauty treatments have soared as Australia has gone into lockdown – but experts want us to “be careful” of this at-home remedy.

The words skincare and quarantine are starting to appear alongside each other a lot.

As Australians hunker down in our bid to stop the spread of COVID-19, many are turning to beauty routines to feel better and kick some skincare goals. Suddenly we all have time to double-cleanse every day, tone our skin and indulge in a face mask.

In fact, the face mask category is rocketing during lockdown, with Aussie online beauty seller Adore Beauty telling The Beauty Diary it has seen an 89 per cent increase in sales in recent weeks.

In response, the site launched a new category – Stay At Home Essentials – to help shoppers find everything they need for some top-notch me-time.

And it’s not just Aussies. It’s a reaction being experienced across the globe with US data group NPD reporting Americans are spending more on skincare products too, with the category outperforming make-up and fragrances.

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But with more time on our hands than we know what to do with, there’s a real danger people could be doing more harm to their skin than good, especially if they’re mixing potent active ingredients together without proper knowledge of how they work.

Elizabeth Arden’s consulting dermatologist Dr Dendy Engelman told The Beauty Diary “over-masking” was something bored beauty lovers needed to be wary of.

“Masking every day could be risky depending on our skin needs,” she said. “Be careful. Some ingredients aren’t meant to be mixed together.

“If you are cocktailing ingredients and don’t know what you’re doing, you may risk irritation, not to mention it is also an expensive way to approach skincare.”

Sydney facialist Diandra Politano issued the same warning about those who might be experimenting with skincare right now.

“Mixing active ingredients is definitely a no-no. Some active ingredients used in skincare products can act as irritants when mixed with others,” Ms Politano told The Beauty Diary.

“If you have just started exploring with new masks and you’re breaking out suddenly and quite badly (and you don’t usually), perhaps you’ve got too many mixtures and it is time to take a week off.

“With that being said – sometimes using a new mask for the first time can cause a tiny purge of a breakout, but it should only ever be very small, and clear as fast as it came. Persist with it one week later, and it will get better each time.”

Both advise when it comes to masking, you should only be doing it once a week – no matter how tempting a second or third round might be.

“Masks are highly potent, supercharged products meant to deliver a powerful dose of actives,” Dr Engelman said.

“Chances are the average person would benefit more from a regimen that consists of a cleanser, serum and moisturiser. You shouldn’t mask more than once a week.”

DR JART VITAL HYDRA SOLUTION FACIAL MASK

Slap this on your face (only once a week) and your skin will love you forever. Picture: Supplied

Available at Sephora

Price: $35 (five sheets)

This is my mask of the moment. I love everything about it, from the uber hydrating serum, to the fresh water scent and even its shape, which fits very well and doesn’t slip. The serum is really refreshing on application. It’s cooling and soothing and features some extra hydrating ingredients including hyaluronic acid, glycerin and algae extract, which are perfect for giving a boost of moisture especially if you have dry skin. The first time I used this product I was impressed with how well the mask fit my face and applied without too many annoying lumps and bumps. There is also not much leftover on the edges meaning you don’t end up with serum in your hair. I leave mine on for about 20 minutes, and by that stage it is starting to dry up, especially around the lip and edges as my skin drinks the serum up. I know Korean beauty brands are famous for sheet masks, but Dr Jart has really nailed this one.

ELIZABETH ARDEN SUPERSTART PROBIOTIC BIOCELLULOSE MASK

You won't regret indulging in these, but your bank balance might hate me #soznotsoz. Picture: Supplied

Available at Myer, David Jones and adorebeauty.com.au

Price $85 (four sheets)

Ooh this is another one of my faves, and yes, it’s an expensive one. However, these masks are worth it. The probiotic serum leaves my skin feeling softer and looking bright and dewy straight after use. This is another sheet mask that actually stays perfectly in place and doesn’t slip and slide around. It feels so secure and I was even able to drink my wine with it on, which is often tricky with other masks (#isolationpriorities). After 20 minutes my skin looks and feels amazing. Would buy these again and again.

ACEOLOGY FROSE INFUSION GEL MASK

Aceology don’t make ordinary face masks. Picture: Supplied

Available at aceology.com.au

Price: $64 (four sheets)

If you’ve not seen this mask on your Instagram feed, where have you been? The masks sold out instantly when they launched early last year and a waiting list was formed with eager skincare lovers desperate to get their mitts on them. Thankfully, Aceology is now fully restocked, just in time for your new self-isolation routine. While a gel mask may sound slippery and complicated to put on, it actually applies really easily and feels soothing on skin. After using one my skin felt softer, plumper and clearer.

Its active ingredients target redness and gently exfoliate to transform skin to juicy, glowy greatness. Whenever I use this I always feel so hydrated and the super-fun pink colour can help to add a splash of excitement if the walls at home are starting to feel like they’re starting to close in on you a little. There’s also a green tea versions, which is just as delicious. Your skin will love these.

BIOEFFECT IMPRINTING HYDROGEL MASK

These have an extra snazzy serum your skin will drink up. Picture: Supplied

Available at bioeffect.com

Price: $155 (six sheets)

If you’re after some deep hydration, this is the mask for you. This Icelandic brand uses its next-level science knowledge to formulate a high-voltage EGF serum – the brand’s signature ingredient in all its skincare products. EGF, which stands for Epidermal Growth Factors, is a protein that’s found naturally in our own skin, which boosts collagen and hydration. As I totally blagged my way through science at school, I turned to the internet for help figuring out how this hi-tech formula works and facethefuture.co.uk explained it best (thanks guys). Essentially, the EGF activates the collagen-producing cells in our deep skin tissue (the dermis) and helps them to multiply. This process is called “imprinting” and explains the boujee price-tag. After using these masks, my skin always feels so firm and moisturised. They’re the ultimate in DIY pampering, especially if you’re looking to splurge on something luxe during self-isolation.

GO-TO TRANSFORMAZING HYDRATING SHEET MASK

Does exactly what it says on the box. Picture: Supplied

Available at Mecca and gotoskincare.com

Price: $45 (six sheets)

This face mask comes with a promise on the packet that says: “This mask is gonna make my skin look far better than it has any right to.” And boy, does it deliver on its word. Maybe it’s down to the blend of native Australian ingredients — including Kakadu plum, finger lime and Tasmanian pepper leaf — but in just 10 minutes, my skin was brighter and felt bouncier. It’s like a magic wand for your face without being too harsh. While a lot of us use sheet masks as part of our night-time routine (because they are just epic at helping us unwind) these are actually designed to be used before applying make-up as the ultimate dewy canvas. Let’s be honest though, most of us aren’t even wearing make-up during this season of global working from home arrangements – but it’s handy to know for the day when we’re finally able to go back into society.

This column is not advertorial content. Every review is independent, honest and ad free.

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