By Lucas de Paula,
Staff Writer
As mask mandates lift throughout the state, students may feel extra pressure from insecurities that come along with shedding their masks. In light of this, I tested a handful of skincare products in the hope of remedying skin troubles.
Sunscreen
Rating: 10/10
Experiencing a sudden rise in popularity in the last few years, Unseen Sunscreen 40 SPF by Supergoop! has grown a loyal following, and for a good reason. Although $20 for the smallest size, its uniqueness of formula and usefulness make it worth every penny. When applying it, the glossy liquid quickly absorbs into the skin, feeling like a soft powdery texture. Within seconds, you’ll forget you’re wearing any product, free from the undesirable grease of regular sunscreen. Amazingly, it left my skin feeling smooth, glowy and clear.
Face Mask
Rating: 8/10
Coming in on the list as the most affordable, the Honey Essence mask sheet from Esfolio has a surprising price of $1. Despite the low price, its effectiveness was not compromised. Its strong honey fragrance was pleasant, and the serum in the paper mask was unexpectedly thick and refreshing. The mask shape fit snugly on my face and its effect was apparent for a few hours. My skin was notably more plump, moisturized and brighter although just for a while. For its affordability and temporary usefulness, this is easily a worthwhile product.
Serum
Rating: 7/10
For a hefty $28, the Green Tea Seed Intensive Hydrating Serum by Innisfree has a minimalist design and hydrating properties that add to its allure. Also, the light aroma is mild but refreshing. Besides, just a few pumps of the serum were enough to keep my face moisturized for the entire day. Finally, although a sticky residue lingered, it usually dissipated quickly. I would suggest this product for people with dry skin or those who would like an extra layer of healthy shine to their skin.
Eye Mask
Rating: 4/10
My least favorite product on this list, the Pump it Up! Hydrogel Under Eye Patches from The Crème Shop and BT21 collaboration are $5. Despite its pink graphics of horses and skateboards, it falls flat. Using it for 15 minutes only grants temporary under-eye depuffing, which the face mask mentioned earlier could outperform for a lower price. Additionally, the single-use nature of the product defeated its purpose; there were not enough benefits to make up for its price. Overall, there are more promising and affordable alternatives.