There is so much wonderful skincare out there at all sorts of different price points and I have gotten to an age where I find myself spending more money on skincare and less on makeup. Almost exactly a year ago, I was introduced to a new skincare line launching at Holt Renfrew called 111SKIN. This is a British skincare company created by plastic surgeon, Dr. Yannis Alexandrides, who initially had developed his own line of products to be sold at his own practice to aid his clients in healing and aftercare of their cosmetic procedures. One of his clients happened to be very well-connected and raved about Dr. Alexandrides' products with him eventually agreeing to partner with Harrods to create 111SKIN. I had the pleasure of hearing him tell this story in person and he tells it far more eloquently than I do, but he was well-spoken (yes, the British accent helped) and answered many of our questions regarding ingredients as well as what makes 111SKIN different from the sea of skincare options available.
111SKIN formulations are based on research done on the skin of astronauts in extreme space conditions where accelerated aging was shown to occur. The real hero of this brand is the NAC Y² formula which in a nutshell had clients raving about its repairative properties, which I will hopefully get a chance to go into more detail with when I finally get around to reviewing the serum that started it all! 111SKIN is quite particular when it comes to ingredients in their formulations with a list on their website of what they use and why. He uses some interesting plant-based ingredients and no parabens, paraffin, sulfates or silicones which is awesome considering silicones are used in even the most expensive anti-aging products.
Though I was generously given some fantastic products to try, the sheet masker in me had to go and spend some money on the Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Hydrogel Masks! These masks ain't cheap at $215 for five masks, but there is something special about trying any sort of luxury skincare!
Ingredients: AQUA / WATER / EAU, GLYCERIN, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, BENZYL ALCOHOL, CARRAGEENAN, CERATONIA SILIQUA GUM, XANTHAN GUM, CELLULOSE GUM, PEG-60 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, ALLANTOIN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE, PRUNUS ARMENIACA (APRICOT / APRIABRICOT) KERNEL OIL, PANTHENOL, TREHALOSE, NIACINAMIDE, CITRUS PARADISI (GRAPEFRUIT / PAMPLEMOUSSE) FRUIT EXTRACT, ALCOHOL, BUTOXYDIGLYCOL, CENTELLA ASIATICA EXTRACT, GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA (LICORICE / RÉGLISSE) ROOT EXTRACT, AGAR, CYAMOPSIS TETRAGONOLOBA GUM, RASPBERRY KETONE, ADENOSINE, CALCIUM LACTATE, DISODIUM EDTA, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, GLUCOSE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, IRON OXIDE / CI 77491, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, PULLULAN, HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE, PORPHYRIDIUM CRUENTUM EXTRACT , ROSA DAMASCENA EXTRACT, HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, SILK AMINO ACIDS, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN / SOJA) OIL, SODIUM OLEATE, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, GOLD, ACETYL HEXAPEPTIDE-8, PARFUM / FRAGRANCE
The major selling features of this mask were the "enhanced absorption of moisture due to the advanced structure of the hydrogel mask" in combination with 24K gold and damask rose extract to firm, brighten and optimize moisture levels.
Firstly, I need to talk about this "advanced structure". The fit was very poor for me and will definitely be making a slit in the chin to see if the fit is any better. I honestly found the material of the hydrogel no different and no better than other hydrogel masks I have tried in the past that cost 80% less.
Firstly, I need to talk about this "advanced structure". The fit was very poor for me and will definitely be making a slit in the chin to see if the fit is any better. I honestly found the material of the hydrogel no different and no better than other hydrogel masks I have tried in the past that cost 80% less.
Secondly, the featured ingredients of gold and rose - gold generally tends to be close to the bottom of the ingredients list for most gold-themed products so I have a feeling that not much is required or CAN be put in formulation before efficacy plateaus. Personally, I'd rather pay for my gold in the form of jewelry, but hey that's just me! The damask rose extract was also quite close to the bottom of the ingredients list which was a bit disappointing to me, BUT niacinamide was in the top half of the list so I will count that as a win for this mask's claim to be brightening.
Mask Summary:
Scent: Luxury floral
Duration: 20 minutes
Thickness: Thick, but fairly average for hydrogel material
Mask Fit: Chin was awful, but everywhere else was good
Tackiness: Light
Hydration: Good
Final verdict: I'll cut to the chase here - no, I would not buy this mask again. I just did not find it any MORE amazing than other hydrogel masks I have tried and though the box does say "for optimal results use three times a week", I have a feeling, my opinion will remain unchanged. I can definitely try it and update here if I notice a change, but at $43/mask this would not be something I would do all the time. If the mask had felt or fit better, I *may* be swayed to call this an enjoyable indulgence, but for now I will have to pass.
You can find 111SKIN at Holt Renfrew.
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