The internet is so full of CBD content these days that Lord Jones peppermint tincture is practically oozing from its pores. Now, the (non-psychoactive) cannabinoid is increasingly showing up in beauty products, including mascara, serums, and body soaps.
Among the options is the cannabis company Beboe's new CBD line, Beboe Therapies. There's a sheet mask ($78 for a pack of five) and a serum ($148), both of which are available on the Beboe Therapies website. I gave the sheet mask a spin.
Before we get started, a quick reminder on CBD: There's a ton more research to be done on its actual effects and benefits, but we do know, as Mashable culture reporter Morgan Sung reported in March, that it affects the body's CB2 receptors. This means it won't give you a "high" feeling, but it is likely to reduce inflammation.
That anti-inflammatory component is the key here: The mask is intended to, according to the company's website, "calm the skin while supporting skin cell renewal, moisturization, brightening, and toning." As someone who struggles with intermittent acne and redness, this seemed like a great proposition. But does it do its job?
What's in there?
Aside from 50mg of CBD, each mask is formulated with vitamin C, ceramides, plant-extracted AHAs, niacinamide, vitamin E, aloe, glycerin, and algae extract. It does not contain parabens, silicone, preservatives, phthalate, gluten, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, mineral oil, or palm oil -- though it does contain a small amount of lavender and copaiba oils for fragrance. The mask does smell amazing: fresh, soothing, and botanical.
The mask itself is made of cloth, which is pleasantly sturdy and easy to apply. Blessedly, it also doesn't instantly slide off like a lot of sheet masks (although this would become a problem down the line). This sets it apart from my favorite face mask ever -- the otherwise perfect Benton Snail Bee mask that I have to secure with my glasses.
The instructions did ask that I remove a "liner" before applying the mask, but neither I nor my roommate could find any such liner to peel away. Does "liner" just mean the packaging? No idea, but don't spend your precious time looking for this ghost liner, as it does not exist.
The process
Beboe recommends wearing the mask for 30 minutes, then massaging excess product into your skin. They suggest using these 30 minutes to "call your mother," which is a nice idea. Unfortunately, my mom was already asleep, so I spent my 30 minutes half-watching Schitt's Creek and using my roommate's Portrait Mode to take mirror selfies. Similar concept!
The mask stayed on very well for about 15 minutes, then curled away at the sides once its contents had started to transfer from the fabric to the desiccated post-winter sponge that was my face. I had a difficult time keeping it on for the last five minutes. Perhaps next time, I will simply accept my fate and take it off early.
The results
After 30 minutes, I removed the mask, patted in the excess serum, then dabbed any remaining product from the mask (there was not very much) onto the backs of my hands (hot tip). Right away, I noticed that my skin appeared slightly less red. It was also extremely dewy, but that was probably because it was covered in fresh, wet lotion. After everything absorbed fully, though, my face felt truly smooth -- like, featuring Rob Thomas smooth. It stayed that way until I went to bed two hours later.
After everything absorbed fully, my face felt truly smooth — like, featuring Rob Thomas smooth.
The next day, my skin's appearance was pretty much back to normal. It still felt fairly smooth, though.
Also worth noting: I have very sensitive skin, but the mask didn't break me out. Everyone's skin has different triggers for irritation, obviously, but I generally stick to a simple four-step routine (cleanser, essence, moisturizer, sunscreen) and this mask didn't instigate acne disaster.
Is it worth it, though?
So the mask was good. I enjoyed the mask. But that doesn't change the fact that, at $78 for a five-pack, each mask costs about $15.60. That's a steep price to pay for a single sheet mask, especially when there are some very soothing options out there -- full of the great non-CBD ingredients in these masks -- for much less.
If there's a CBD enthusiast in your life, these would make a phenomenal and just-luxurious-enough gift. If that CBD enthusiast is you, even better. Beboe recommends using the mask 1-2 times per week, but that's ... a real investment. You're probably better off treating it like a treat.
And if it makes you feel a little relaxed? All the better.
