Shray Skincare and the Queen Bee (mask)
[Updated 10/27/2016]
YMMV
Hello, lovelies! I can't sleep, so I thought I'd post about a recent sample I got from Shray Skincare.
What is Shray?
Shray is a up and coming skincare brand founded by Amanda Chen, who is also the CEO. She was in the Taiwanese Military for a decade and afterwards went into Beauty after getting an MBA from Columbia U's Business school, and she has a background in biochemistry. Their philosopy? That "Confidence comes from within and starts with loving your own skin. Shray masks empower women to face life's challenges in the most beautiful way".
I like that, empowering women and in the most beautiful way. Why not, right? I like this skincare company already.
As far I know, they only have 3 products at the moment. These products are named after women, as part of the women empowerment thing. Honestly, they can name their products "Honey for Face" or "Water for Face" mask, and I would still be interested in it. Anyway, here they are:
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| Ms. Amazing - hydration, for dry skin |
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| Queen Bee - acne prone skin |
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| Go-Getter Goddess - anti-aging |
I really like all their names.
Why use Shray?
Well, I've taken this from their website, http://www.shrayskincare.com, to help explain a bit:
On a 400x powered microscope, we examined the skin under three separate conditions: unwashed skin succumbed to daily life, skin washed with water and allowed to air dry, and then water cleansed skin after a SHRAY mask was used.
UNWASHED SKIN - Average # of Wrinkles per high powered field =92
MASK INFUSED SKIN - Average # of Wrinkles per high powered field =21
Based on our results, when washing your skin with water, there is a mild hydration effect, meaning a 14% reduction in wrinkles. However, after using a SHRAY mask there is a massive 78% reduction in micro-wrinkles.
What does it all mean? Your skin can only absorb a finite amount of hydration when it is applied topically. Using the biotechnology in SHRAY, with our natural gauze mask and micro-sized particles, your skin absorbs 64% more and only in 10 minutes.
What mask did I choose?
So, after reading all that I was curious, and they had given me an opportunity to try one of their masks. "This is perfect", I thought. I had been breaking out a bit from a new addition to my skincare, and need to calm my skin. If it isn't obvious already, I chose the mask for oily or acne prone skin. I have seen their website and read the what and the why, but I had never seen any of the products.
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| The sample/single - on the website it's called "gift kit" |
Packaging:
I was surprised to see that the packaging is quite unique. It opens up like a letter, and into this lovely octogon filled with drawings of Cleopatra.
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| Cleopatra in all four sides. |
Why Queen Bee?
This mask was named after Cleopatra, the first Queen Bee. Sorry, Beyonce. Cleopatra was known for bathing in Goat Milk and Honey to keep her skin young and glowing. No, this doesn't have goat's milk, though I wouldn't if it did. I love how all four sides has a drawing of the Queen, how this packaging it actually quite sturdy, and how it's folded like a gift. It felt like I was opening a gift, at least. Lift up the mask, and you will find a note printed in the middle.
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| I love these kinds of packaging |
Shray Skincare Queen Bee Mask
This mask is for people with oily, acne prone skin. I have combination skin, which is leaning towards oily because it is warmer where I live, and I was told that this would be a good match for me.
Star ingredients:
- Honey - used for it's antibacterial, & anti-inflammatory properties. It is also filled with antioxidants that are great for anti-aging, and it also moisturizes and soothes the skin. Honey, whether raw or in a sheet mask, gives our skin a natural glow.
- Oryza Sativa Extract - Or Rice Extract, also gives the skin a natural glow, but this is used as a pore tightener, and for sebum control
- Centella Asiatica Extract or Gotu Kola (in traditional Chinese medicine)- used for smoothing, and soothing. Great for healing and [blood] circulation problems.
- Pomegranate Extract - Not one of the star ingredients, but it should be. This is used for it's astringent properties, but pomegranates also have ellagitannins, which are converted into ellagic acid, a phenol that helps strengthen the cell membrane of the skin. Great antioxidant.
This mask does not have a lot of ingredients, unlike some sheet masks I have tried. Although it does have one ingredient that is a 7 on the "safety" category of CosDNA.
| Ingredient | Function | Acne | Irritant | Safety  |
| Honey Extract | ‧Moisturizer |
1
| ||
| Rice Extract |
2
| |||
| Centella Asiatica Extract | ‧Anti-inflammatory |
1
| ||
| Pomegranate Extract | ‧Astringent ‧Plant extract |
1
| ||
| Sodium Hyaluronate | ‧Moisturizer | 0 | 0 |
1
|
| Pure Water | ||||
| 1,3 Butylene Glycol | ‧Solvent ‧Moisturizer | 1 | 0 |
1
|
| Hydroxyethyl Urea | ‧Moisturizer |
1
| ||
| DMDM Hydantoin | ‧Preservative |
7
| ||
| PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil | ‧Surfactant ‧Emulsifier |
3
| ||
| Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate | ‧Preservative |
4
~
6
| ||
| Perfume | ‧Fragrance |
1
~
4
|
It is an organic compounds belonging to the class of compounds known as hydantoins (aka glycolylurea), which are hetero-cyclic compound, or ring structure. This means that they have two different elements as members of it's atom rings. Anyway, DMDM Hydantoin increases the shelf life of a product. by releasing formaldehyde, which will kill bacteria, and keeping cosmetics sanitary. This is the reason why I have no problems with most preservatives,and unless you are sensitive to *
*what I really meant if you are allergic to preservatives
*please note that I am not telling you that you should like this, nor am I promoting it, I am simply stating that this mask does have DMDM Hydantoin. Not all my sheet masks have this preservative.**If you do not like this mask, then you don't have to buy or use them. It's a matter of preference.
Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate or IPBC - Antimicrobial (stops fungus from growing) and preservative. It is water-soluble, synthetic, and is also used lower than 0.1%, but should always be used with other preservatives. (ewg.com)
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil - You see this in many skincare products, especially in sheet masks. This is an emollient, and PEG is an abbreviation for PolyEthylene Glycol mixed with Castor Oil. This is a 3, which is safe to use in cosmetics.
As the Shray Skincare website clearly states: This product contains less than *0.25% preservatives.
*0.25% total - Shray Skincare uses only 0.1% of both IPBC and DMDM-Hydantoin.
Update: Preservatives helps you store your skincare products longer, and without having to keep them in a sterile environments. Products without preservatives must be kept in a sterile environment, and can't be kept in warm places, or shipped out when the weather is warmer.
DMDM-Hydantoin, the formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are used to increase a product's shelf life, as well protect it from contamination while you use it and while in storage. Like from dipping your hands in it, steam in the bathroom, These preservatives are released in small amounts over time.
It is bad for the skin in high concentrations, but in cosmetics, such as hair care, it is used in very small percentages. The FDA allows below 1% ratio of preservatives, this is considered safe fore use, and that only 0.2% or less can be used in a product. In this one, Queen Bee Mask, the preservatives are a combined total of 0.25% in each mask.
**If having preservatives, or these kinds of preservative, isn't for you, then you may not like this mask.
*0.25% total - Shray Skincare uses only 0.1% of both IPBC and DMDM-Hydantoin.
Update: Preservatives helps you store your skincare products longer, and without having to keep them in a sterile environments. Products without preservatives must be kept in a sterile environment, and can't be kept in warm places, or shipped out when the weather is warmer.
DMDM-Hydantoin, the formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are used to increase a product's shelf life, as well protect it from contamination while you use it and while in storage. Like from dipping your hands in it, steam in the bathroom, These preservatives are released in small amounts over time.
It is bad for the skin in high concentrations, but in cosmetics, such as hair care, it is used in very small percentages. The FDA allows below 1% ratio of preservatives, this is considered safe fore use, and that only 0.2% or less can be used in a product. In this one, Queen Bee Mask, the preservatives are a combined total of 0.25% in each mask.
**If having preservatives, or these kinds of preservative, isn't for you, then you may not like this mask.
**Again, if you do not like this mask, then you don't have to buy or use them. It's a matter of preference.
The Essence:
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| See the pink? |
When you first open the pack, the essence looks a bit pink. I was confused at first, but then I remembered that this mask has pomegranate extract. The pink color most likely from that extract. The essence is also very thin and watery. There was enough essence dripping from the mask for me to make a little mess, which is typical of me.
The Mask:
It has a plastic covering, or film, to help seperate and unfold the sheet mask. It didn't really help, though. I don't know if you can see in the picture, but when I started to slowly unfold the mask, the plastic part came off already. It's that, or it's because there is a part or cut in the middle with extended "flaps" fora better fit. And let me tell you, the fit was PURRFECT.
The brand uses a thin natural wood pulp, which is drenched with essence. The thinner wood pulp is used for better travel of hydration to from the mask to our skin pores. Makes sense. These sheet masks, remind me of the Papa Recipe Bombee Honey Masks, material wise. Only these are not so sheer.
How to use:
- Wash face
- Exfoliate face if needed
- Tone face
- Open pack and remove sheet mask
- careful unfold sheet mask because it's tricky
- place sheet mask on face and peel off the plastic
- adjust the fit of the mask (like the picture below)
- remove after 15 minutes
My thoughts:
I loved this mask. It has a slight honey scent, nothing too strong. I even think the Papa Rceipe Bombee Honey Mask has a stronger scent. The way they made the masks with a slit in the middle from the bottom of the nose septum to the chin, I think is genius. No more ill fitting masks. It was a bit difficult to unfold, though.
The plastic came off easily and I had to pull out the flaps, before I had the chance to place it on my face, but I don't mind. The mask was still dripping with essence, and I was able to wear this for about 40 minutes, maybe more. My skin felt soft, soothed and relaxed. The redness from my new little pimple bumps in between my eyes (super awkward place) decreased, too. The sheet mask really did help the essence get absorbed more easily into my skin, because a few minutes after post-masking, my face didn't have a lot of essence left to pat in. Papa Recipe's masks may have a really great rival.
Update: I checked the prices, and these are quite pricey.
My rating:
5 out of 5! I love this mask! I have been looking at the other two masks on the website, and I am thinking of trying the other two, since this one was so great. I know there is concern about the DMDM-Hydantoin, but I don't have or even use anything that has DMDM-Hydantoin everyday. I've been informed that the DMDM-Hydantoin in released in air form when the pack is opened and does not get on the skin. Honestly, this is the first product I know and own that has this preservative. The purpose of this mask was to help my acne, and in those terms, it has done just that.
5 out of 5! I love this mask! I have been looking at the other two masks on the website, and I am thinking of trying the other two, since this one was so great. I know there is concern about the DMDM-Hydantoin, but I don't have or even use anything that has DMDM-Hydantoin everyday. I've been informed that the DMDM-Hydantoin in released in air form when the pack is opened and does not get on the skin. Honestly, this is the first product I know and own that has this preservative. The purpose of this mask was to help my acne, and in those terms, it has done just that.
Where to get these:
** Don't forget to join my giveaway! It ends on October 28 at 11:59 pm CST. I will add extras to the chosen set. Check out this post for more details - #belatedhappybdayhalloween **
Thanks for reading!
-Miss Mich
The Sheet Mask Lady
Affiliated
links are included in this post, and all photos were taken by me.
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-Miss Mich
The Sheet Mask Lady
Affiliated links are included in this post, and all photos were taken by me.
Check these out:
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4 comments
I thought formaldehyde was really bad for you! Or am I thinking of something else?
ReplyDelete'DMDM Hydantoin - This is an antimicrobial, and preservative; a synthetic, formaldehyde-releasing preservative.'
Hi, thanks for asking. :)
DeleteWhich Formaldehyde were you thinking of? I think we are thinking of the same thing. It's really up to you whether you want to use a mask with this kind of preservative, but I'm ok with it. I just wanted to share my experience, at least now you know :)
Oh, wait, sorry. Were you thinking about formalin?
DeleteI just looked it up and formaldehyde is a carcinogen. Short term low dose effect is nasal problems in some people. Long-term high-dose effects are cancer.
Delete