This Mask Has Thousands of Microscopic Needles That Make Your Skin Glow

As a skincare lover, I am always keen to try out a new sheet mask. Although I've already built a solid collection of a few tried-and-true favorites, bizarre ingredients and unconventional methods will always catch my eye. Thanks to the beauty world's obsession with needles, innovative products are blurring the lines between our usual skincare routines and full blown beauty treatments.

Specifically, YA-MAN’s Needle Lift Firming Mask makes use of what the J-beauty brand calls "micro-spicule technology." The sheet mask contains 14,000 needle-like micro-spicules that are said to release active ingredients deep into the skin. Since I'm always on the hunt for ways to spice up my skincare rotation, I wanted to know if the sheet mask was any different than other ones I had tried in the past. Beyond that, I was curious to see if thousands of tiny needles would actually improve my skin.

What To Know About YA-MAN’s Needle Lift Firming Mask

Best for: Moisturizing and anti-aging

Price: $12 USD on the brand's website

Rating: 9/10

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[/shoppable]

Why The Hype?

Unlike typical sheet masks that only reach the surface of your skin, the Needle Lift Firming Mask claims to penetrate your skin for maximum hydration and rejuvenation. Plus, it contains skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, elastin, bakuchiol and collagen to firm and smooth the skin. While the thought of 14,000 microscopic needles might seem intimidating, the mask also promises to be "gentle and comfortable on the skin."

How To Use

The Needle Lift Firming Mask is applied like any other sheet mask. Simply cleanse as you normally would, unwrap the mask, apply it to your face, remove after ten minutes, massage the remaining formula on to your skin and follow up with moisturizer. YA-MAN recommends using it daily to maximize results, but personally I'm more of a few-times-a-week kind of person when it comes to masks.

The application process was no different than sheet masks I've used in the past, but the packaging made things a little more difficult than I anticipated. I appreciate that the brand is attempting to be more sustainable and cutting down on plastic by not individually wrapping each mask, but it made unwrapping a single mask a trying task. I found that all seven sheet masks included stuck together and it was a bit difficult to discern where one mask stopped and another one started. Not to mention, I definitely wasted some of the formula in the process.

An Honest Review

Since I consider myself to have sensitive skin, I was nervous that the mask would cause irritation and redness. (YA-MAN warns that the micro-spicule technology might lead to "a temporary tingling sensation.") Although I noticed my skin get a tiny bit red like it does for most sheet masks, it didn't lead to any irritation bumps or burning like I had expected. After leaving the mask on for the recommended amount of time, my skin felt hydrated and plump — which is exactly what I look for in a sheet mask. Plus, the next morning I noticed that my skin was soft and seemingly already prepped for makeup, even though I hadn't applied any moisturizer yet.

The Final Verdict

Even if you're scared of needles, the YA-MAN’s Needle Lift Firming Mask is a great option for a hydrating and plumping at-home beauty treatment. While the microscopic needles seemed a bit gimmicky at first, I noticed real results — even after only one use. It's a quick and simple way to give your skin the glowy refresh it needs, and it's not a big jump from the typical sheet masks we're used to. In fact, after using the mask for some time now, I think of the micro-spicules as a less intense version of the micropoint pimple patches I frequent.

As the weather grows colder, I can see myself implementing the mask into my skincare routine for an occasional hydration boost. Not only did my skin feel incredibly soft right after using it, it remained that way for hours after I used it. Not to mention, $12 USD for seven masks isn't a bad deal — especially when you think about how many micro-spicules you're getting.

While you're here, read about the salon providing last minute beauty services to US Open athletes.

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