SKIN QUENCHERS: Sheet Masks by The Body Shop

Amongst all the uncertainty and change of routine, I’ve been trying to make room for more me-time during lockdown. I’ve had great fun trawling through my beauty cupboard using forgotten-about cleansers and masks (and for once we’re not talking fabric face masks!).

I got around to treating myself to a few sheet masks from The Body Shop I had been saving. Back in the day, before The Body Shop came to South Africa, it was considered extremely cool for someone to return from travels abroad with their products! Three of my favourite buys included a reinvigorating shampoo called Ice Blue Shampoo, a cooling and refreshing gel for puffy and tired eyes called Elderflower Eye Gel and, my ultimate favourite, a vanilla oil in a nondescript plastic container where one drop lasted an entire day.

Sadly the formula changed and their vanilla scent was never quite the same, but my love for The Body Shop products has never waivered. They were one of the first to speak out against animal testing in beauty products and to encourage customers to recycle their packaging. But enough jabbering; let’s get to the masks!

Aloe Calm Sheet Mask

Before the science of medicine was developed, aloe vera was
considered a life-saving plant. In Ancient Egyptian culture it was referred to as the Plant of Immortality and by Native Americans as the Wand of Heaven.

Thanks to aloe vera and cucumber in the Aloe Calm Sheet Mask, my skin felt instantly hydrated and smooth. I popped the sealed mask into the fridge for an extra cooling experience before I applied it to my face. I lay down and listened to a 20 minute podcast episode before removing the mask, massaging the excess product into my often-neglected décolletage and neck area.

Vitamin E Quench Sheet Mask

Wheatgerm oil is one of the richest sources of natural Vitamin E and is known for its moisturising and hydrating properties. During the first weeks of lockdown I spent a considerable amount of time soaking up the sun in my backyard (how glorious was the weather!) so my skin really benefitted from this mask which contains nourishing oil plus Hyaluronic acid. After fifteen minutes I removed the mask to reveal a noticeably hydrated and plumper face.

I do wish I had a stash of these sheet masks to apply weekly as they really made an instant difference. I’d keep these in my overnight bag if I was travelling anywhere – not that there’s a chance of that happening any time soon!