I reviewed the LANIEGE Water Sleeping Mask to see if the popular Korean skincare product is really worth the hype.
When you start looking around at different Korean skincare products, there are a few favorites that will keep appearing. One of those that you will come across a lot is the LANEIGE Sleeping Water Mask, $23. If you haven’t heard of it, it has definitely earned its title as a cult beauty product. One mask is sold every 15 seconds. There are tons of great masks from Korea, including sheet masks and modeling masks, but I wanted to test out LANEIGE’s to see if it is worth all the hype.
The entire LANEIGE line focuses on advanced water science. The range is based on 20 years of research and inspired by the mineral water of the Himalayas. The scientifically-engineered mineral water hydrates, protects, and revitalizes different skin types. The Water Sleeping Mask also contains an Aromatic Sleepscent formula, and it is suitable for all skin types.
This is the description of the Water Sleeping Mask on the Target website:
“Recharge dehydrated skin overnight with the Water Sleeping Mask from Laneige. The highly concentrated ionized mineral water and ceramides deliver intensive doses of moisture to stressed, parched skin. The aromatic sleep scent of orange flower rose, and sandalwood relaxes and rejuvenates while apricot and chestnut extracts brighten and purify fatigued skin. The result: skin looks and feels radiant, refreshed. Wake up to soft, glowing skin with Water Sleeping Mask.”
You apply the mask before bed after your cleanser, toner, and emulsion or moisturizer. You work it in until it has been absorbed into your skin completely, then you rinse it off in the morning. It is recommended that you use the mask once or twice a week.
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I was expecting the mask to have a fairly strong smell, but it isn’t overpowering. It’s nowhere near as strong as a tea tree oil or a heavily scented body lotion. It’s comparable to the average scented face cream. I found that it has just the right amount of scent because you want it to be noticeable but not so obvious that it distracts you from falling asleep.
The mask has a similar texture to a lightweight day or night cream. When I applied it to my skin, it absorbed very easily, and I barely needed to work it in. I can’t say for sure whether the scent made me more relaxed and fall asleep faster, but I did not need to count any sheep before drifting off.
When I woke up the next morning, my skin did look plump and calmer. After I washed my face, it didn’t feel tight. I could have skipped using a moisturizer, but I decided to stick with my regular routine, and my skin wasn’t irritated doing it.
Verdict:
Unlike some masks, the LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask is great for time-strapped people who do not want to have to worry about applying masks and rinsing them off in addition to the rest of their skincare routine. It’s easy to apply the mask before bed and forget about it until your morning.
A pot of the Water Sleeping Mask should also last quite awhile given that you really only need to use it once or twice a week, and you only need to use it a bit. Therefore, the $23 price tag is quite a good deal.