I’m a fan of e.l.f.’s super budget-friendly makeup, but I’ve surprisingly never tried out their skincare before – until today. E.l.f. released a new hydrating bubble mask that I just couldn’t resist trying out…for the sheer fun of it. 😉 Here’s my review, along with a little demo and before and after.
e.l.f. Hydrating Bubble Mask
After the rise in popularly of Korea’s oxygen bubble masks, e.l.f. has created their own version – the Hydrating Bubble Mask. What makes these masks effective is the fact that they bubble (thanks to ethyl perfluorobutyl ether), or more accurately speaking, fizz and foam. This supposedly helps deliver oxygen to the skin, while removing excess dirt and cleansing pores. (You can find out more about how these masks work over on the Lab Muffin.) E.l.f.’s in particular is formulated with moisturizing ingredients – glycerin primarily – to help hydrate and balance the skin as it cleanses.
Full Ingredients List: Water (Aqua), Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Lauryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Ethyl Perfluorobutyl Ether, Acrylates Copolymer, Decyl Gucoside, Cocamide Mea, Sodium Polyglutamate, Polyacrylate-13 Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polyisobutene 1, 2-Hexanediol, PVP, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Propanediol, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA.
e.l.f. Hydrating Bubble Mask How-To & Demo
The steps are easy peasy:
- Push down on top to disperse product out the middle.
- Apply a thin layer to slightly damp skin, avoiding the eye area – it will burn! (You can use the e.l.f. Pore Refining Brush and Mask Tool, but the fingers work just fine).
- Allow mask to sit for about 5-10 minutes until bubbles begin to dissipate.
- Massage face with fingertips.
- Wash with warm water to remove, then pat dry.
According to e.l.f., the recommended usage is 1-3 times a week.
Starts out as a clear gel
First 1-2 minutes when foaming beings
Maximum foaming action!
Foam starting to dissipate
e.l.f. Hydrating Bubble Mask Review
The e.l.f. Hydrating Bubble Mask comes in a generously sized jar, with a pump top that helps seal the product from the air until you’re ready to use it.
Straight out of the jar, the mask is a clear gel. When it comes in contact with the skin, it turns into a thick foam that feels a lot like shave gel. The ‘bubbling’ action then begins, and continues up and until the 5-8 minute mark, then the foam slowly starts to dissipate.
Throughout the foaming process, the formula did slightly sting and itch on my skin, but not to the point where it was too bothersome. However, if you have sensitive skin, the effects will likely be more intense, so take caution and keep it on only for 5 minutes or less.
After I rinsed off all the bubbles, there was an oily, slightly sticky film still left on my skin, which took a washcloth to completely remove. Afterwards, I waited a good 10 minutes before applying moisturizer just to gauge the mask’s hydrating benefits, and unfortunately, it left my skin feeling tight and dry – not hydrated in the least bit.
On the other hand, my face did feel like it got a nice deep cleanse, and also had a slight glow (which I’m assuming was a result of the skin-stimulating bubbles). For those reasons, I would use the e.l.f. Hydrating Bubble Mask again, but I’ll be sure to load up on a moisturizer immediately afterwards.
e.l.f. Hydrating Bubble Mask Before & After
Overall, if you just want to have some fun and try out a bubble mask, then the e.l.f. Hydrating Bubble Mask is worth grabbing, especially for the price ($14 USD). When it comes to the skincare benefits though, expect more of a cleansing mask rather than a hydrating one. Have super dry or sensitive skin? Skip it, and opt for something less intense and more balancing like the Malin + Goetz Detox face mask.
Available at Amazon, Target, Walmart, & e.l.f. Cosmetics
Have you tried a bubble mask?
