After being somewhat disappointed with the hydrating abilities of e.l.f.’s latest ‘Hydrating’ Bubble Mask, my search continues to find a few new moisture-locking masks before the cold, dry winter weather hits. And what better place to look than to K-Beauty brand Erborian. They are known for their innovative and effective skincare formulas that combine Korean herbs and plants with advanced technologies developed in their lab in Seoul. I fell in love with two products from them already – their CC Crème, and Glow Crème – and now I may have just discovered a new winter favorite the Erborian Bamboo Waterlock Mask.
Erborian Bamboo Waterlock Mask
Bamboo is widely used in Korean skincare for its amazing moisturizing properties. It’s one of those miracle ingredients that helps to hydrate even very dry, parched skin. On top of that, bamboo has also been found to help fight wrinkles (likely as a result of the hydration benefits) and reduce melanin production to help fade dark spots (1).
Erborian Bamboo Waterlock mask incorporates this skin-quenching ingredient in both of its forms – including its sap (Phyllostachis Bambusoides Juice) and its fiber (Phyllostachis Bambusoides Extract) – for maximum hydration benefits.
Full Ingredients List: Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Propanediol, Phyllostachis Bambusoides Extract, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate , Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Phyllostachis Bambusoides Juice, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate, Lecithin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PPG-260-Buteth-26, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan , Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum/Fragrance, Linalool, Geraniol, Ci 19140/Yellow 5.
How Do You Use It?
Erborian’s Bamboo Waterlock Mask can be used it two ways:
- As a rinse-off hydro-plumping mask – Apply thick layer and leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse off with water.
- As a moisturizing leave-on treatment – Use day or night, twice a week. Apply a thin layer and allow it to completely absorb into the skin.
Erborian Bamboo Waterlock Mask Review
The Erborian Bamboo Waterlock Mask comes in an aquagel formula, i.e. a water-based gel (which is typical of most gel masks). The texture is smooth and easy to spread, and feels instantly refreshing on the skin (and even more refreshing if you leave it in the fridge a few hours before applying!). It actually reminds me a lot of my favorite summertime hydrating mask – Peter Thomas Roth’s Cucumber Gel Mask – and aloe vera gels, only the WaterLock formula is a little bit thicker.
It also smells 10x better. It’s made with what Erborian calls their exclusive ‘Bamboo Ritual’ scent, developed by one of the ‘world’s most prestigious family-run perfumers’ located in France (according to Sephora). The scent was specifically formulated for use in skin care using the highest quality essential oils and ‘innovative molecules’ to create what I consider to be a very refreshing green scent that’s subtle and by no means intrusive – I barely notice it once the mask goes on.
My two favorite ways to use the Erborian Bamboo Waterlock Mask is firstly, as an overnight mask. I’ll apply a heavy layer over my face and neck, give it 15 minutes to sink in a bit, then I’ll go to bed. My skin will look and feel softer, smoother, thoroughly hydrated, and all set for makeup first thing in the morning (without having to rinse off any residue).
Two, I’ll use this mask whenever my skin is feeling irritated or dry (like after a charcoal/clay detox mask, or working out/biking/hiking on a hot day). I’ll apply a thick layer to my face and thin layer over my neck, let it sit for 10-60 minutes, then hit my face with 4-5 splashes of cool water. I’ll take any leftover formula from my neck and massage it up and over my face as a leave-on moisturizer. This method leaves my skin feeling super refreshed, quenched, and soothed. It calms redness, and also balances out my combination skin by hydrating the driest areas while minimizing oil production in my T-zone. Best of all, the hydrating effects last all day long – my face will still feel soft and supple even after 10+ hours.
Here’s a before and after of what my skin looked like following a 30-minute mask and rinse, finished off with a thin layer applied as a moisturizer (giving it ~15 minutes to absorb). As you can see in the after photo, the mask didn’t leave my combo skin looking shiny or greasy, nor did it leave behind any residue after using it as a leave-on treatment. In fact, after just that one treatment, my oilies decreased, my skin looked smoother, and I noticed fewer dry flakes around my nose.
Overall, if you’re on the market for a hydrating mask that’s easy-on and fast-absorbing, I’d recommend trying out Erborian’s Bamboo Waterlock Mask. I can see this working for all skin types – from combo skin like mine, to dry, normal, and oily skin. Oily skin especially will enjoy this as it’s balancing without feeling heavy or greasy on the skin.
Available at Sephora, Selfridges, & Amazon
Have you tried Erborian’s Bamboo Waterlock Mask?
