While sheet mask selfies are always popular on social media, the most popular one is arguably the Hanacure mask. Celebrities including Drew Barrymore, Molly Sims, Demi Moore and Kourtney Kardashian have all snapped selfies while wearing this gel face mask which makes its wearer look extremely old and wrinkled while the mask is on, and can also distort the shape of the eyes due to temporary pulling. Despite making its wearer look mildly terrifying, Hanacure went viral and it is periodically out of stock. Just search for #HanacureEffect and you’ll find 63,000 followers. In this review, we’re giving you the details on this mask, including the key ingredients, how to use it, Hanacure reviews from real customers, and more.
What is The Hanacure Mask?
The Hanacure All-In-One Facial is an at-home mask treatment from South Korea that launched in early 2017 and quickly became a buzz-worthy skin care product. The idea for the Hanacure mask was inspired by the lotus flower because your skin is said to be “reborn with Hanacure” — just like the lotus flower blossoms anew each dawn.
The Hanacure mask is designed to “renew, regenerate and reveal better skin.” More specifically, the mask is meant to boost hydration while lifting, firming, and smoothing the skin. It is also designed to tackle enlarged pores, hyperpigmentation, and detox the skin. The product is a single use mask that is washed and peeled off after 30 minutes. The mask can also be applied on the neck and the back of the hands.
According to the company website, the driving idea behind Hanacure was to create one streamlined product that could replace a multi-step, multi-item skincare regimen. The founders describe the Hanacure All-In-One Facial as “the ultimate multi-action treatment mask so that you can address any of the most common skin concerns you may be facing or would just like your skin to have a quick pick-me-up. It’s like having a facial that you can take anywhere and use at any time.”
How Does Hanacure Work?
The Hanacure is a two step system, which includes a lifting serum and a gelling solution. The process is simple. Start with a freshly washed and dried face. Then, just peel back the foil cover of the gelling solution and pour the serum in. Then reseal the packet and shake for 20 seconds, which activates a “purifying compound.” Next, dip the Hanacure brush into the solution and apply it all over the face while avoiding the eye area and lips. The mask goes on clear. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Extra product can be used on the back of the hands and the neck.
After about 10 minutes, the gel face mask will start to solidify on the skin and leave users with a tight, pulling sensation. There will also be some tingling. This tight feeling from the drying mask is what causes its users to look oddly pulled and wrinkled in their selfies. Allure magazine described the look as “a raisin that has been left in the sun for a year, or the bottom of your feet after spending two hours in a bathtub.” After 30 minutes, peel and wash the mask off.
Hanacure states that the key to the product is “CO2 octolift technology.” As the company explains, the CO2 octolift “fuses the purifying compound with carbon dioxide in the air” allowing it to transform from a liquid into a solid. The “resolidification process creates a strong binding force producing an intense lifting and tightening effect while absorbing all the impurities trapped in your skin and pores.” The founders boiled it down in an easier way for Today.com – “You can think of it as tiny micro-sponges in your pores, absorbing all the impurities.”
What Are The Key Ingredients in The Hanacure Mask?
The reason that the Hanacure mask is able to provide an immediate lifting and tightening effect is due to one key ingredient in the lifting serum formula: sodium silicate, also known as “liquid glass”. Sodium silicate creates a film that contracts the skin as it dries, creating a temporary lift to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. The results are said to last all day. However, as soon as the product is washed off the effect is gone. One problem with sodium silicate is that it is highly alkaline, which means it has a high pH level. In chemistry, pH stands for “potential hydrogen” and it refers to the level of acidity or alkalinity in a given solution. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, a pH less than 7 is acidic, and a pH greater than 7 is alkaline. Since the skin’s normal pH is about 5.5, highly alkaline ingredients like sodium silicate can be damaging to the skin.
Another ingredient in the Hanacure mask that provides a temporary tightening effect is caffeine. You’re probably aware that caffeine is the central nervous system (CNS) stimulant found in coffee and tea. But did you know that in addition to the energy-boosting effects gained from consuming caffeine, there are also benefits to applying caffeine to your skin? After caffeine penetrates the skin barrier, it is absorbed by the surrounding blood vessels, which is why it provides several benefits to the skin. Caffeine causes vasoconstriction (constriction of the blood vessels) and stimulates blood flow when applied to the skin. Vasoconstriction can tighten and firm the skin due to the removal of excess fluids and possible stimulation of the lymphatic drainage system. This function also aids in reducing the amount of blood that accumulates under the eyes (a major factor that contributes to dark circles).
Even though the effects of caffeine and sodium silicate are temporary, there are a few ingredients in the Hanacure mask gelling solution that may provide long term anti-aging benefits. One of those ingredients is Argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-8). Argireline is a six amino acid peptide and is a fragment of SNAP-25 (a substrate of botulinum toxin). It works by limiting the ability of neurotransmitters to activate movement in your facial muscles, for example, when forming facial expressions such as smiling or frowning. By inhibiting the nerves that cause facial muscles to contract, subtle facial expressions are limited and wrinkles are subsequently reduced. Controlled studies have shown that Argireline improves the appearance of facial areas prone to developing dynamic folds, including around the eyes and in the forehead area.
Another anti-aging peptide in the Hanacure mask is copper tripeptide-1, also known as GHK-Cu. According to a 2018 publication in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, it is established that GHK-Cu is able to tighten loose skin and reverse thinning of age skin, repair protective skin barrier proteins, improve skin firmness, elasticity, and clarity, reduce fine lines and depth of wrinkles, smooth rough skin, reduce dark spots, stimulate wound healing, protect skin from UV radiation, and reduce inflammation and free radical damage.
Additional peptides in the Hanacure mask gelling solution include nicotinoyl dipeptide-23 and nicotinoyl dipeptide-22, which both work by controlling melanin. Melanin is a pigment that gives our skin color, but excessive production of melanin can lead to undesirable dark spots called hyperpigmentation. These two peptides in the Hanacure mask control the activation of melanin cells while stabilizing those that are already present, resulting in brighter, more vibrant looking skin.
Another ingredient in the Hanacure mask that can help to fade dark spots and improve skin brightness is Nelumbo nucifera (sacred lotus) seed extract. Sacred lotus has been shown in studies to have a strong possibility for functioning as a whitening and anti-wrinkle cosmetic agent. Additionally, lotus contains vitamin B complex, vitamin C, antioxidants, and numerous minerals that help nourish the skin and brighten complexion.
Lastly, there are several botanical extracts used in the Hanacure mask gelling solution, including green tea leaf extract, honeysuckle flower extract, ginkgo biloba leaf extract, peony root extract, and sophora root extract. While all of these ingredients have different active components, they all work synergistically to help soothe and calm the skin.
How Often Can the Hanacure Mask Be Used?
The company recommends using the Hanacure mask two times a week until users have achieved their desired results. Once that happens, the mask can be used a few times a month for maintenance or a quick boost.
Where Are Hanacure Products Sold?
Hanacure products are available on the company’s own website, as well as retailers such as Violet Grey, Amazon, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman.
What is The Hanacure Return Policy?
The Hanacure return policy states, “We are pleased to accept timely returns of unopened and undamaged items within 15 days from the date you received your order. To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. Any product returned outside of the 15-day return policy are at the discretion of Bonnie & Claus Inc. (Hanacure).”
Is Hanacure Cruelty Free?
Hanacure is cruelty free.
Hanacure Reviews
Hanacure reviews on the brand’s website are quite impressive, with the Hanacure All-In-One Facial Set receiving an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars after more than 9,000 customer reviews.
The positive Hanacure reviews mention that this product really does provide immediate benefits to the skin, such as increased brightness, firmness, and smoother, clearer skin. Some reviewers describe their skin looking like gloss. Another review says, “After the first application of the mask I was left speechless by the immediate results. My skin felt soft, hydrated, smooth and glowing! This is by far the best mask I’ve tried to date. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone wishing to achieve immediate results and that WOW effect!”
After thousands of Hanacure reviews, the facial set has received only nine 1-star reviews. The general consensus with these negative Hanacure reviews is that the set is simply not worth the money. For example, one review says, “I wanted to love this but I literally don’t see a difference in my before and after. I look the same, my skin is unchanged. Disappointed I spent $120 on the set.”
References:
Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Jul; 19(7): 1987.
