LANCÔME Advanced Genifique Hydrogel Melting Mask is one of the biggest disappointments that I've experienced in the sheet masking world. It was so useless and ineffective that I have not much to say except "blah, never again".
Claims from the manufacturer:
Indulges in this mask twice a week to get the quantity of a whole bottle of Génifique Youth Activator Complex.
Infused with patented Génifique Complex, it strengthens skin barrier and increases specific proteins of young skin.
Bio-Cellulose coupled with Génifique active ingredients significantly improve skin’s condition in continuous use.
Bio-Cellulose with an anti-inflammatory and skin repair effect seamlessly adheres to your face’s contour, like a second skin.
100% women experience a visibly more radiant, refined and re-plumped skin.
Directions from the manufacturer:
Unfold the mask. Remove the transparent film. Apply onto clean skin, gel side down. Then remove the white outer protection on the front of the mask. Leave on for up to 30 minutes. Remove mask and discard. Gently massage any excess product into skin.
Ingredients:
Aqua/ Water, Glycerin, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Butylene, Glycol, Caprylic, Capric Triglyceride, 1, 2-Hexanediol, Sucrose, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Madecassoside, Hydrolyzed Wheat Potein, Sodium Dehydeoacetate, Sodium Succinate, Phenoxyethanol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Adenosine, Faex Extract/ Yeast Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Arginine, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Polyacrylate-13, Allantoin, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine, Limonene, Pentylene Glycol, Linalool, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum/ Carob Gum, Carrageenan, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Chloride, Citronellol, Potassium Hydroxide, Methionine, Potassium Sorbate, Glycine, Parfum/ Fragrance
My experience:
LANCÔME Advanced Genifique Hydrogel Melting Mask is for now the ultimate disappointment of the year. I received it for Christmas and wanted to review it as soon as I got it but life happened and as always, I am behind my schedule ? I was looking forward to sheet masking today so the first mask I did after not doing any sheet masks for two weeks I decided to give the most powerful one (what I thought at the time) a go.
The sheet mask of the LANCÔME Advanced Genifique Hydrogel Melting Mask is made of thick opaque hydrogel and has a thin mesh layer inside. It comes with two backings and to my biggest disappointment it came in one piece. I have had those one piece hydrogel sheets in the past and the most horrific part about it was that it never ever fitted my face. Same story here. The top part of the mask is too short leaving the top of my head to remain in it’s current desert condition. At the same time the bottom half which has 2 teeny-weeny cutouts does not fit my chin at all and tends to bulge leaving me with excess air bubbles where they are not supposed to be. And that thing was constantly coming off my face with each attempt to move. I had to lay flat so that gravity would keep it in place. Grrrrrr…..
The overall feel of the hydrogel is quite standard. It is not too thick nor too thin. The essence is transparent and has a strong typical Lancome AG scent to it. After 20 minutes on my face the edges started to itch and come off. All of the essence was absorbed very quickly leaving my skin wanting more hydration. Don’t get me wrong, my skin was not an entire desert prior to testing this particular mask. I was able to sustain my skin care regimen with an exception to the sheet masks as they overlap my eyebrows and I was not allowed to use any products on that area since my eyebrows just got bladed. The rest of the face was totally fine. Anyhow. Not hydrating enough is the overall verdict for this sheet mask. Considering it’s price it should have been the opposite. I guess I had too high hopes for it.
Would I recommend it? Not really. It is to expensive, has poor fit and adherence and dries out in a blink. The worst qualities of a sheet mask in my book. There a dozens of sheet masks that do great anti-aging and revitalizing job on the skin for a fraction of a price. I am glad it was a gift and not my own purchase as I would be furious with myself if I’d bought. There is very little happening on my skin after the mask was removed. Semi-moisturized skin, absence of essence to absorb into any finish, my slightly irritated skin was as red as before. The only pleasant thing to say about this mask is the scent of it. I do like how the products in this line smell but that’s about it. Total disappointment.
Pros:
+ Paraben, sulfate and alcohol free formulation
+ Contains Vitamin E , Arginine, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Allantoin, and Madecassoside
+ Leaves no trace on the skin
+ Easy to buy in EU
+ Moderately hydrating
Cons:
– Essence absorbs too fast
– Bad fit of the sheet
– Extremely poor adherence
– Contains fragrance and silicones
– Extrelemy overpriced
– Little to no results on my skin
– Doesn’t meet it’s claims
Where to buy:
NL and BE: In stores at iciparisxl, douglas, debijenkorf + online stores
Internationally: Available at lancome, sephora, feelunique and hundreds other webshops
Price is 15-17€ per one hydrogel sheet mask
Thank you for reading!