Face masks – ingredient lists and INCI analysis

Face masks are applied in a thicker layer than everyday products and left on the skin for a set time, usually ten to twenty minutes, before being rinsed, peeled or removed. Sheet masks are soaked in a liquid essence, overnight masks are left on until morning, and clay masks dry on the skin before washing off.

Clay masks list ingredients such as KAOLIN, BENTONITE, ILLITE or MONTMORILLONITE, sometimes with CHARCOAL POWDER. Cream and gel masks rely on humectants such as GLYCERIN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL and SODIUM HYALURONATE, often with NIACINAMIDE, PANTHENOL or plant extracts. Peel-off masks contain film formers like POLYVINYL ALCOHOL and often ALCOHOL DENAT. to help the film dry.

In a sheet mask, the INCI list refers to the essence soaking the sheet, not to the sheet itself; that liquid is usually mostly water with humectants, a thickener such as XANTHAN GUM and preservatives. The material of the sheet, for example cotton, cellulose or hydrogel, is often described separately on the pack.

For masks with clays or acids, the order of ingredients helps to estimate which component dominates the formula. As with other face products, the end of the list shows the preservative system, any PARFUM and named fragrance allergens, and colourants listed by CI number in tinted masks. Single-use sachets and sheet masks also follow the same INCI rules.