A couple of months ago, I saw on Instagram a "microcurrent mask" that looked pretty intense and crazy which meant that I OBVIOUSLY had to have it! The FRANZ Microcurrent Face Mask System is a Korean brand that uses the patented TissueX technology to nourish skin from the inside out and at a deeper level. A single treatment is supposed to noticeably revitalize skin by improving elasticity, cell turnover, skin barrier function, reduce fine lines and wrinkles and of course HYDRATE! Let's see if this mask lived up to the science and the hype!
Before you all get scared that I electrocuted myself during testing, this sheet mask uses a process called iontophoresis which is used in transdermal drug delivery and in professional facials where a voltage gradient is created across the skin which makes it more permeable to yummy ingredients like hyaluronic acid! The results are meant to mimic how your skin would look if done in a professional setting without the need for machines and electricity. Again, you are probably wondering if this mask tingles when applied and I can tell you that it absolutely does not!
Step 1. The Enriching Mask
The Enriching Mask is made of a fine microfibre with some fun ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, water soluble vitamin C, vitamin A, biotin and copper! All of these being found in the top half of the ingredients list which is nice to see! There is dimethicone, but because it is in the lower half of the list, I am less picky.
Ingredients: Water, Methylpropanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Copper Gluconate (anti-aging), Glyceryl Linolenate, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Biotin, Thiamine HCl, Retinyl Palmitate (vit A), Pyridoxine, Panthenol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (water soluble vit C), Tocopheryl Acetate, Folic Acid, Cyanocobalamin, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Betaine, Trehalose, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Arginine, Xylitylglucoside, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Anhydroxylitol, Dimethicone, Allantoin, Xylitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Polyquaternium-51, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Sea water, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance, Limonene, Glucose
Step 2. Boosting Essence
This is an ionized or electrically charged essence which activates the ion cells on the dry Empowering Mask. The watery essence is applied in two rectangular areas on either side of the Empowering Mask as indicated. I would pour the essence VERY slowly as it sort of comes out faster from the packaging than you would expect and you also have to give it a few seconds to absorb unto the little rectangles. I keep alternating sides until most of the essence is gone and then slowly raise the Empowering Mask up once I'm confident no essence is going to come out.
Step 3. Empowering Mask
The Empowering Mask is dry and made of a lightweight felt-like material with a silver pattern indicating where the "ion cells" are located. This mask is placed over top the wet Enriching Mask and now that the voltage gradient has been created, the ingredients of wet mask are supposed to penetrate more deeply into the upper layers of the skin.
The dry mask adhered fairly well to the wet after I firmly pressed everything down and stayed on easily for 25 minutes.
Mask Summary:
Price: $40 USD/Set of 2 masks
Scent: Both the wet mask and Boosting Essence had a slightly floral scent
Essence Type: Clear and watery
Duration: 20-25 minutes
Thickness: Wet mask was fairly thin and Empowering Mask fit nicely on top without ANY lifting
Mask Fit: Very good!
Tackiness: Zero
Hydration: Very moist!
Other notes: My skin felt like it had a BIG GULP of water and it had a really nice texture and bounce to it. I thought my skin would be tingling from the microcurrent, but I felt nothing.
I also applied Everyday Essence on top after mask to seal everything in.
Everyday Essence*
This essence can be applied prior to masking or right after as a moisturizing step to seal everything in. This essence has a similar makeup to the essence from the Enriching Mask (with the copper being in lower concentrations) and was very pleasant to use. It also has two forms of hyaluronic acid at different molecular weights for varying levels of epidermal penetration. It is a multipurpose product and can really be used in conjunction with any skincare routine for an added boost. I have also read that some men use this after shaving instead of aftershave to calm, hydrate and plump the skin. The only thing I should add is that this essence does have a bit of a floral fragrance which I felt was on the stronger side, but did fade after a minute on my skin.
Ingredients: Water, Methylpropanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Biotin, Retinyl Palmitate, Anhydroxylitol, Panthenol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Folic Acid, Xylitylglucoside, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Betaine, Trehalose, Arginine, Cyanocobalamin (mad made vit B12), Dimethicone, Allantoin, Xylitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Linolenate, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Carbomer, Thiamine HCl, Pyridoxine, Sodium Polyacrylate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexyl Stearate, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Trideceth-6, PVM/MA Copolymer, Copper Gluconate, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Magnesium Aspartate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Zinc Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance, Glucose, Benzyl Benzoate
Final verdict: I think I was expecting a massive difference in my skin considering the experience and the journey to get to the results were quite involved. Yes, my skin felt and looked lovely, but I feel like I have gotten similar results with other hydrating masks. Maybe, my skin was a touch more plump and maybe with long term and regular use, I would see a more of a difference, but for now I would go with a "maybe" it was better than what I've used in the past. When it comes to the look and the experience, for a skincare lover like me, I LOVE an experience like this and actually looked forward to dripping the Boosting Essence on the little rectangles. Steps like this make me feel more involved in my skincare experience so it's more because of that that I wouldn't say "never again" to this mask if there was a good sale! If you like skincare, sheet masks and cool skin technology, I would try the FRANZ masks because you just need to KNOW for yourself.
You can find the FRANZ Microcurrent Mask System at www.franzskincareusa.com
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