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Planes always wreck my skin but this collagen face mask kept me hydrated for 14 hours
The mask has proven hugely successful with users on social media
The Biodance collagen face mask is surprisingly controversial. Some have claimed it delivers glass skin, while others remain on the fence. One influencer says she “[owes] her life” to the creator behind the mask’s viral fame while others have reduced the product to something merely “designed to go viral overnight”.
For the uninitiated, the Korean brand uses a rich ingredients list of glycerin, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and rose extract. It’s been designed to be worn overnight or for at least three to four hours, promising to moisturise the skin for an extended period until the white gel turns transparent.
Naturally, I wanted to get to the bottom of the debate, so I put its viral face mask to the test both at home and – to really put it through its paces – on a 14-hour flight from Dubai to Brisbane.
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How I tested
In the first instance (testing at home), I applied the Biodance collagen face mask to clean skin after washing my face and left it on overnight until the milky-coloured mask turned clear. When I tested it on a flight, I was only able to cleanse my skin with make-up wipes, but still left the mask in place for more than four hours while I slept on the flight. I applied the mask towards the start of the journey and, after removing (again, once turned translucent), paid attention to the state of my skin over the remaining hours of the journey. In both tests, I recorded the following results:
- Key differences: Collagen works to improve the skin’s elasticity and bounce, so I kept an eye out for any plumping, reduction in fine lines or increased springiness.
- Hydration: I looked to see if my skin appeared moisturised after use, if it felt quenched and – most importantly, in the case of my flight testing scenario – how long these effects lasted for.
- Comfort and ease of use: Did the mask budge while sleeping? Did it disturb my sleep? How well fitting was the two-part design?
Why you can trust my review
Having reviewed everything from LED face masks to skin treatments, I know the ones that are (and aren’t) worth your time. As for Biodance’s Korean background, I’ve garnered quite the K-beauty know-how after compiling a list of both the best Korean skincare brands and the best Korean skincare products. I’m familiar with the most effective anti-ageing ingredients after speaking with several skincare experts, from Emma Wedgwood to Dr Hassan Galadari, and knew what I was looking for when combing through the Biodance mask’s ingredients.
Biodance bio collagen real deep mask
- No. of masks: Four
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, rose extract, collagen extract, antioxidant iris flower, vitamin C and vitamin A-rich melon extract, mineral abundant pear extract, anti-inflammatory ivy extract, hydrating algin from brown seaweed
- Fragranced: No
- Vegan and cruelty-free: Yes
- Why we love it
- Plumps fine lines and wrinkles
- Replaces need for full nighttime skincare routine
- Brightens the complexion
- Take note
- Can shift throughout the night
- Can be a touch harsh on the skin when removing
The product
Prior to testing, it’s clear Biodance didn’t design the mask – as Natalie O’Neill suggested – for virality alone. With a skin-loving formula, the ingredients list is considered and includes hyaluronic acid, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and collagen. I was confident that the mask would have at least some positive effect on my skin.
When you take the mask out of the sachet, it’s clear how deeply saturated it is – with a thick, jelly-like consistency, there was enough formula left to use separately as a serum. It unpacks into two separate pieces – one for use from the lips down and another from the nose up. But to get a more bespoke fit to my face (given that the mask would be attached for a full eight hours), I used a pair of nail scissors to carefully cut the mask between the top of my nose and forehead, allowing me to smooth every edge around the contours of my face for a closer fit.
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Performance
After applying the mask at home, it was easy to forget I was wearing it. I didn’t notice the presence of the mask as the night wore on either. However, when I woke up, the chin area had dislodged and was somewhat scrunched.
Without the freedom to wriggle in my plane seat, this mask movement wasn’t as much of an issue. Though, I will add that the cooling jelly feel was actually a tad chilly amid the in-flight air con.
In both instances, removing the mask revealed it had formed a tight seal with my skin. Given that my complexion looked quite oily, I was worried that the effects of the mask might have been overly nourishing on my shine-prone skin. But, after I’d applied my morning skincare, it was clear that the mask had not left a long-lasting greasy sheen and, rather, gave my skin a plumped, springy feel.
Up in the air, I was thrilled to discover that the mask left my skin hydrated for the remaining six to eight hours of my flight, staving off the tightness and ashy complexion I often suffer on aeroplanes.
When I scrunched and raised my eyebrows, I saw a marked reduction in the depth of both the lines above my nose and the fine creases along my forehead. My nasolabial creases also looked less prominent when smiling. In the pictures above, though you can’t see the state of my skin before use, it’s clear that the skin is thoroughly hydrated with both a subtle glow and – if I do say so myself – minimal wrinkling across the board.
While I can’t say whether it’s the collagen, the hyaluronic acid or one of the many doses of skin goodness at play here, I certainly saw a difference in the state of my skin and a positive one at that.
The verdict: Biodance collagen face mask
Overall, Biodance’s face mask impressed me on paper and in practice. At less than £3 per mask, it’s not only affordable, but it also leaves skin looking rejuvenated and healthy-looking – even if it is temporary.
As ever with skincare, consistency is key and so, while I’m sure a single use won’t cause your complexion to age backwards, it certainly won’t hurt. Regarding in-flight use specifically, I found the mask negated the effects of the dry, low-humidity air around me. I won’t be heading on another long-haul journey without one of these masks again.
I can also see how repeated use of the product could help to minimise the spread of fine lines long-term and, for a quick fix, can see how it would serve the skin well pre-event or make-up application for a glowy, hydrated finish. What more could you want? I’ll undoubtedly be finishing my current quad pack and restocking after that. Consider me hooked.