"Negative" Notes: The packaging is prone to leaking if left on its side. The product has also been discontinued and there have been no signs that Skinfood will return it to their lineup. The scent may be overpowering or unpleasant for some, but can take some getting used to regardless. As is standard with cleansing balms, a second cleanser must be used to remove residue.

Packaging: The balm is contained in a thick plastic tub with a heavy-duty plastic sealing lid to keep the balm contained, in case of warming or melting. However, I did still experience occasional leaks from the tub if it was turned on its side, so making sure to keep it upright (and temperature controlled) is important. A small spatula is included for use. 100ml. 

Scent: A deep, vaguely sweet and mostly fresh scent that is difficult to describe. I have seen many people compare the scent to "lemon", but even that isn't quite right. It is the same scent as any other Skinfood black sugar product. The fragrance takes some getting used to, in my personal experience, and may be a bit overwhelming for some. It is not overpowering, but it's certainly not subtle.

Consistency: The balm begins as a solid, but is easily removed by using the included spatula or one's fingers. It melts quickly and fully on the skin. It is worth noting that this texture can become slightly unpredictable or contain some inconsistencies if the product melts and then reforms, as it did with the temperature extremes of where I live. My balm now contains smaller bits that are slightly more difficult to melt, but that is purely an issue based on my own environment.

Tips for Use: While I have not tested the product regarding makeup removal, I have found it extremely useful in breaking up facial oil buildup and dry, flaking skin associated with chemical exfoliant use. Allowing the product to sit on my skin for a few minutes, or making sure to thoroughly rub troubled areas aids in this. The product will leave a bit of a residue that is necessary to wash off with a second cleanser.

Personal Skin Profile: 30s. Mild rosacea and eczema. *Very* dry. Not sensitive to ingredients or fragrance.

Personal Notes: This quickly moved to become my holy grail first / balm cleanser (I bought four at once) and a daily staple in my routine. I adore balm cleansers, but rarely find ones that don't leave my skin feeling clogged or weighed down even after using a second cleanser. I never noticed any specific benefit or drawback in my skin itself, but it worked amazingly for what I needed it to do and I have yet to find a replacement capable of surpassing its quality. I hope one day that Skinfood will choose to return this product to their lineup.

How to Buy: I purchased the product directly in person from a now-closed Skinfood store in Seoul. I was never able to locate the product for sale from or within the United States. The price was equal to around $7-$10 usd, making it one of the most affordable balm cleansers I have used. Unfortunately, this product has been discontinued and is no longer available for purchase.

"Negative" Notes: The mask sheet material is very thin and can easily rip / tear if not handled correctly. As with any sheet mask, sizing and fit vary widely between individuals. While the mask was an ill-fit for me personally, it will not be that way for everyone. I have no complaints about the product itself otherwise.

Scent: The scent of the essence is understated and subtle, resembling that of other "rice" style skincare items in a slightly earthy way. It is hardly noticeable unless you apply the essence to your skin and have it right under your nose.

Consistency: Watery and thin. It spreads easily on the skin and sinks in with minimal effort. Precautions should be taken to make sure the essence doesn't drip off the mask while wearing it.

Tips for Use: This mask is extremely thin and should be handled with caution when removed from the packaging to avoid rips or tears. While removing the mask from the packaging, I also took time to squeeze a bit of the excess essence off so there was minimal dripping once it was placed on my face. I rubbed any additional essence gathered from the mask onto my arms.

Personal Skin Profile: 30s. Mild rosacea and eczema. Very dry. Not sensitive to ingredients or fragrance.

Personal Notes: As with many masks, this one struggled to fit my face "correctly". I believe part of this was due to how thin and fragile the mask material itself was. Once placed, I didn't have any additional issues, but there were parts of my lip and chin area that were mostly uncovered as a result of the ill-fit. However, I know that mask sizing varies greatly from one person to the next. The scent was barely noticeable and the watery essence was absorbed easily by my skin. I felt my skin was pleasantly hydrated after wearing. I don't have anything to praise this particular mask about outside of considering it a standard sheet mask experience. While I wouldn't refuse trying the product again, the personal fit for my facial structure will discourage me from going out of my way for it.

How to Buy: I purchased the product from a physical TJ Maxx location in the United States as a single mask for approximately $1.50. Mask sets or individual masks in the series are able to be purchased online for around $2 each.

"Negative" Notes: The scent that is present while wearing the mask may be overwhelming for some. The mask is personally ill-fitting for me, though masks work differently on everyone's facial structure and may work well for others. The mask material is thin and caution should be taken to make sure not to tear it while removing it from packaging. The item seems to be discontinued, as I can no longer find a shop that has it available for purchase.

Scent: The mask's essence is subtly floral, but more "mature" than sickly sweet. The scent is noticeably present while wearing the mask. While I did not find it bothersome, some might find the constant, mild background scent to be overwhelming.

Consistency: Watery, but slightly thick. It doesn't sink as easily into the skin as other essences and leaves behind a bit of a tacky residue on my skin, but this is easily resolved by wetting my hands and rubbing the essence in further after a mild dilution. The essence is watery enough that it may drip off of the mask during wear.

Tips for Use: The fabric of the mask is resilient, but it is still rather thin, so caution should be taken while removing the mask from packaging and unfolding it. It's also useful to squeeze out the larger amounts of excess essence while removing the mask from packaging. I usually do this just by lightly pushing down on either side of the mask within the packaging while removing it with my other hand. Any excess essence is used later on as a body moisturizer.

Personal Skin Profile: 30s. Mild rosacea and eczema. Very dry. Not sensitive to ingredients or fragrance.

Personal Notes: I ended up with a number of the same masks at one point for the sake of testing a large variety of sheet masks to determine which ones might become a new favorite. This is at least the fifth mask in this scent I have tried. I haven't noticed any specific improvement in my skin while using it and don't have any true praise to offer. It's mildly ill-fitting, primarily around the bottom of my face, which is a constant issue I run into with most sheet masks, but it is far from the worst I have worn. As far as the efficacy of its ingredients, I have personally noticed no difference as far as skin-calming. It does serve its use for moisturizing, but I'm unable to claim it does anything else for my skin.

How to Buy: I purchased this mask as part of a larger variety set from an online store for approximately $1 each with the discount for buying multiples. As far as I can tell, the line has been discontinued and is no longer for sale.

"Negative" Notes: The mask material is thin and may be difficult for some to remove from the backing. Because the product is a BHA, it may cause the user to "break out" after use due to the effects of skin exfoliation. Care should be taken to not overexfoliate too much around the period this mask is used. As far as I can tell, the item is no longer available for purchase.

Scent: A slightly medicinal scent that reminds me of tea tree or bija. It is only noticeable while taking the mask out of the package and initially applying it. The scent was unnoticeable to me otherwise while wearing it.

Consistency: Watery. The essence is slightly sticky on the skin when excess is rubbed in (such as on hands), but I didn't find that my face had the issue after removing my mask. It dried down easily while I was wearing the mask.

Tips for Use: The mask material is thin, but comes with a plastic backing. It is not very difficult to remove from the backing, but care should still be taken while manipulating the mask because of its thin material. It's also useful to squeeze the side of the packet with one hand while removing the mask with the other, to remove large amounts of excess essence that might drip during wear. Because the product is a BHA, it may cause the user to "break out" after use due to the effects of skin exfoliation.

Personal Skin Profile: 30s. Mild rosacea and eczema. Very dry. Not sensitive to ingredients or fragrance.

Personal Notes: I felt the fit on my face was "standard" in how most masks fit me. Because the mask is meant for BHA, I wear them only when I feel I need the extra boost of chemical exfoliation, but I'm too tired to go through the steps of actually applying one otherwise. I've found that wearing the mask works as well as a nightly application of BHA, leaving my skin smooth and helping push clogs to the skin surface. The mask itself is not drying on my skin, but I do take care to not use any other exfoliants on the nights I use them, and to make sure to moisturize as a follow-up.

How to Buy: I purchased the mask through Innisfree in Korea for around $2 usd. I believe it is currently discontinued and no longer available for purchase.

Yongbokie