Remedies for winter dry skin

OMG, it’s SO dry and cold in Tokyo right now! So, our skin gets also dry, I’ll obviously talk about it but before the skin, I want to mention … the viruses! When it’s that dry, viruses are flying away everywhere and we are more likely to get a cold or like me, even worse, the flu!!

Japanese surgical mask: a multi-functional tool to support health and beauty

You’ve always wondered why Japanese people wear these white surgical masks in the street? That’s the reason!! To protect us against viruses and bacteria! During the pollen season, people also use masks to prevent inhaling more pollen.

In fact, the Japanese surgical mask has double objectives:

• to protect us against external factors such as viruses, bacteria or pollen.
• to protect others from our diseases; if you are sick, it’s common courtesy to wear a mask in public area and at the company, to prevent yourself from infecting the others.

By the way, the mask has also a beauty function:

Have you noticed that when you travel by airplane on a long distance, your skin gets really dry and at your arrival, you look like you are 10 years older? I often travel between France and Japan and it happens to me all the time! Especially around the mouth, my skin peels off and my lips cracks…a disaster!

So another situation where the mask comes in handy. I always wear a mask during long distance flight to prevent not only my throat but also my face from drying out!

There are also wonderful masks from Kowa, that have microcapsules containing aroma fragrances which release the delicious scent when you tap the mask. Available with lavender, bergamot, chamomile, jasmine and rose fragrances.

One that I like to use when I have a cold or when it’s extra dry, is Nodonuru mask from Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co, that contains a wet filter inside, humidifying the throat each time you breathe in. The filter has a herbal and eucalyptus fragrance and feels very fresh.

So now that we mentioned how a surgical mask can be used as a beauty item, let’s see a core beauty product.

Minon Amino Moist Face Mask

Nothing original, a face mask is always the rescue item when your skin is unstable and subject to severe dryness. I’ve so far presented you Lululun, the popular Japanese face mask brand and its different types. The one I’ll show you today is another long, best-selling and award-winning face mask.

Minon is a Japanese skincare brand recognized for being gentle to sensitive skin. The products are free of:

• Colorants
• Fragrances
• Alcohol
• Paraben
• UV absorbers

The whole range has been renovated in 2015 to suit the most sensitive skin.

This facial sheet mask provides moisturizing elements to the outer layer of the skin and erases fine lines and wrinkles created by dryness.

Focusing on amino acid, supporting the hydration level of the outer layer of the skin, Minon Amino Moist sheet mask includes 9 types of amino acids for moisture and 2 other types for smooth complexion and bouncy skin.

Minon Amino Moist, the sheet:

The sheet used for the mask is a thin and smooth non-woven fabric, gentle to sensitive skin, which has a good water retention property.

The biggest difference with the other regular facial sheet masks is that this one drenches the skin with a rich gel and not a lotion. Therefore, no need to worry about the beauty lotion dripping during the leaving time.

Minon Amino Moist facial sheet mask: the result

My skin was really in serious need of moisture when I used it. I do believe the sheet is special; it was very comfortable on the skin. It streches and perfectly fits the face due to the thinness of the sheet and the gel.

The recommended leaving time is 10 – 15min. Towards the end, the sheet was peeling off the face so I imagined my skin underneath drying out. However when I removed the sheet, the skin was surprisingly moisturized. The face was cooled off, fresh and not tense. I layered a moisturizing cream and went to bed.

The next morning, the skin was still smooth and it was better moisturized than before the use of the mask. It felt like it was improved inside the skin and not only on the surface. Fine lines under the eyes were less marked. However in these cold days, and especially with my skin condition, I’m afraid one time use was not enough to restore the skin completely.

The pack of 4 sheets costs about 1,200 yen depending on where you buy, so one sheet costs 300 yen, which is rather expensive for a facial sheet mask. Colorants and fragrance-free masks are pretty common today. So I think you can see the value of it if you can feel the skin restoring power of amino acids.

Good luck overcoming the winter!!