Naruko NRK Essential VC Brightening and Deep Hydrating Mask

Packaging/Pricing:

Set of 10 pieces for ~30$.

Ingredients:

 

Water, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Glycerin, Irish Moss (Carrageenan), Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Malpighia Punicifolia, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Honey Extract, Carbomer, Hydrolized Hyaluronic Acid, Soluble Collagen, Triethanolamine, Allantoin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Lecithin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Fragrance.  

Excellent (very beneficial ingredients, proven research)

Good (mostly beneficial ingredients, not extensive research available or just not quite outstanding properties)

OK (mostly thickeners, emulsifiers, mild preservatives, pH adjusters, all that is necessary formulation wise, but not a skincare per se) 
Bad (anything that shouldn't be in skincare, irritants and fragrance)

Ingredients Discussion:

 

This is a very very good choice from Naruko. I have reviewed couple of their masks before (here) and have to say, that you can't just pick any from what they offer, some masks are excellent and some are exceptionally bad. This brightening mask is by far better than Pineapple Orange one from the same NRK essentials line. It is may be not as loaded with active ingredients as Apple Seed Tranexamic acid mask, but it also doesn't have irritating essential oils. The bottom line is - I recommended this product. Now a little bit more information  about actual ingredients.

Main ingredients in this mask (those which are listed before or next to the preservative) are glycerin, hyaluronic acid and carrageenan (seaweed gum), and they have moisture-binding properties. So the main function of this product would be hydration.

There are several great antioxidants included in the formulation as well: vitamin C (in two forms), green tea extract and honey. So at least the composition of this product is coordinated with the claims to brighten tired complexion (of course to certain extent, since marketing has nothing to do with reality).

There also lecithin and allantoin in here, which has abilities to repair protective skin barrier. Surprisingly, there are no essential oils or other irritants, except a little bit of a fragrance, which is last on the ingredient list (and is actually not strong at all).  

 

Consumer Thoughts:

 

I've already said before that I am not a fan of masks, as a part of my skin care for two reasons. First, I just don't have time for that. Second, I think that using a treatment product on the daily basis will be more productive that using something only occasionally. I think  that masks can be more of a treat for yourself, to relax and enjoy pampering. But still, you should always treat yourself only with well formulated products. 

Each mask is infused with a lot of essence (25ml), so it drips a bit down the neck. Over the course of 15-20 minutes I keep it on, I keep spreading serum from the mask on my neck and chest. Which is fine by me, since I kind of treat larger area with one mask. As I've mentioned before, it is barely fragranced, which is rare for this type of product (and is very welcomed).

I usually gently splash my face with cool water after I am done with the mask, to remove excess of the essence (but I try not to remove all of it). The reason - this kind of masks tend to have a large amount of film forming ingredients, which upon drying feel tight on the skin. That's why I don't like to leave it as it is. Then I follow with a moisturizer to lock in the moisture from the mask, but skip my regular skin care routine, since my skin can hardly absorb anything else. Well moisturized calm skin is a radiant skin, so you do get what you are promised.

Verdict:

 

A great sheet mask, with no irritants. Great for dehydrated and dry skin. Something you can use after a long plane flight (or even during the flight, if you are brave) which takes a toll on any skin.

5 out of 5.