It’s easy to see why beauty products that treat as we sleep are becoming so popular. We lead busy lives juggling work, family and some semblance of a social life.
We’re often too tired or don't have time to spend 20 minutes labouring over an evening skincare routine. We want a quick and easy option – though it must be effective (we’re not one for compromise!)
The idea of a mask that we can pop on and leave, and by morning has rejuvenated our skin, is alluring indeed.
The Proskins Gold Anti-Ageing Eye Mask is an overnight treatment with a difference. For a start it’s a fabric mask, similar in looks to those sleep masks we might don if counting sheep is failing to shake off a bout of insomnia.
But the Proskins mask is not about inducing sleep – it’s about anti-ageing our skin while we do it (sleep provides our body with the ideal opportunity to repair itself). And it contains one jaw dropping ingredient – 24 karat gold! I say ingredient as that’s what it is. Gold forms an integral part of the mask’s anti-ageing properties.
Gold nanoparticles loaded with hyaluronic acid molecules (thousands per nanoparticle) are woven into the mask’s fabric (they’re too small to see with the naked eye). Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in skin. It holds 1,000 times its weight in water and helps keep skin plump. However, it declines with age.
According to Proskins, when the mask is worn the hyaluronic acid molecules are released into the skin – in a controlled way over the lifetime of the garment – topping up our natural reserves. Production of collagen (the glue that holds cells and tissues together) is also stimulated.
Too good to be true? Well, Proskins cites clinical studies which show a 56.6% increase in collagen levels when the mask is worn for 72 hours. I’ll come on to my results in a minute.
The mask is luxurious to the touch. It’s made from a beautiful satin quilted fabric on one side and a soft black fleece on the other (the side that rests against your face). There’s an elasticated strap at the back.
It’s easy to pop on and is very comfortable to wear – when it stays on! I woke up on a number of mornings to find the mask had slipped off during the night! This was frustrating as it disrupted the trial. I’m petite but don’t think I have a particularly small head. However, Proskins have informed me that a new version with an adjustable strap will be launched later this year.
You can wear the mask alone, or in conjunction with your usual skincare. I did the latter, as I reckon that’s the option most of us would choose. The mask can also be machine washed at up to 40 degrees - clearly those nanoparticles don’t wash away! - but do not tumble dry or use fabric conditioner
Results
L: Before Proskins trial and R: After 3 weeks |
I’ve never previously worn a sleep mask and I wasn’t sure how I would take to it. I actually like wearing this one. Aside from any anti-ageing benefits, it comes in particularly handy when I want to go straight to sleep, and my husband wants to read. His bedside light used to keep me awake, but now I can pop on my Proskins mask and drift off in total darkness – even when the room is filled with incandescent light!
The Proskins mask costs £45 and is available here.
PR Sample