You’re probably au fait with slathering on an indulgent face mask, but have you tried a body mask?
The idea is that in exactly the same way you’d treat the skin on your face to a mask designed to purify, exfoliate or hydrate, you can now offer your body some care, too.
Body masks have been a part of beauty rituals for millennia — think mud packs in Turkish baths — and have been a core part of salon and spa treatments for some time.
Claire Coleman tests six of the most popular body masks, as a result of their increasing popularity as self-care has become a huge topic (file image).
‘But lockdown really accelerated the growth of body masks as a home-use product, as the concept of self-care exploded,’ says beauty expert and broadcaster Alison Young.
The beauty of body masks in spas is that you can relax on a heated bed while someone else cleans the towels. But even in your own home there’s a huge mental benefit to this indulgent treat. Six of the best are tested. . .
Sleep well
Lush Beauty Sleep Face and Body Mask, £13, lush.com
Claire said Lush Beauty Sleep Face and Body Mask (pictured) left her skin feeling soft and slightly fragranced
To use before bed, wash skin with water and pat dry. Allow the ingredients to soften and moisturize the skin for ten to fifteen minutes, so that the essential oils can relax the senses.
VERDICT Lush suggests using this in a warm bath, so before bed one night I applied it to my face, shoulders and anything that wasn’t submerged. I found the scent a little too sweet, but it wasn’t unpleasant. The idea is that lavender and valerian have a soporific effect.
With most of me in the bath, I wasn’t too cold after ten minutes and it was easy for me to rinse it off. My skin was left soft and slightly fragranced — and yes, I slept deliciously well.
BEST FOR: Pre-bed treats 4/5
Chilly cleanser
Rituals The Ritual of Hammam Body Mud, £9.90, rituals.com
Claire said Rituals The Ritual of Hammam Body Mud (pictured) left her skin very soft for minimal effort
This product claims to be able to remove dirt and polish skin with the help of eucalyptus oil and rhassoul clay, both minerals-rich.
Rituals recommends applying a thin layer to damp skin. Leave it on for two minutes before you rinse off.
VERDICTI liked the fact that it took me only a few minutes to use this one so I decided to try it on my entire body. The cooling effect of the eucalyptus was a pleasant surprise. I felt slightly chilly after I had washed it off. My spa experience with hammams, or steam baths, was more relaxing than this. However, my skin felt very soft for very little effort.
BEST FOR: A luxurious pep-me-up morning shower. 3/5
Simply turmeric
Soap N Skin Skin Cashmere Face & Body Mask, £35, soapnskin.com
Claire said Soap N Skin Skin Cashmere Face & Body Mask (pictured) smelled strongly of turmeric when she added water
This recipe of chickpea powder, sandalwood and sandalwood, as well as yoghurt, is reportedly inspired by the Kashmiri bridal rituals. Mix it with your favorite (floral), water and make a paste. Apply to clean skin. Allow it to dry for 5-7 minutes. After that, wipe it off with a warm towel. Rinse thoroughly with lots of water.
VERDICT I wasn’t a fan. When I added water (I didn’t have any floral water), the yellowy-orange paste smelled strongly of turmeric. My fears it would turn my skin yellow were unfounded, but I didn’t feel it gave me the radiant glow it promised.
BEST FOR: Natural fans 2/5
Fruity formula
Kopari Pink Souffle Body Mask, £32, koparibeauty.co.uk
Claire said Kopari Pink Souffle Body Mask (pictured) made her skin softer after ten minutes
This is a whipped body mask that’s infused with niacinamide (which promises to help reduce the look of pores), kaolin and bentonite clays (supposed to clarify skin), antioxidant-rich dragon fruit and hydrating coconut oil. Kopari claims that this can reduce the appearance and tone of skin cellulite, soothe body acne, and help to refine skin tone.
VERDICT The company suggests that you spread the fruity cream on the skin or use it as a spot treatment. However, the ingredients are confusing.
The niacinamide and the clay would be good for treating spots on the back or chest, but to attack cellulite, you’d want to use it on your thighs and bottom, which don’t tend to be oily. It feels like it’s trying to be a jack of all trades.
To see if it could improve skin texture and tone, it was applied to my stomach. My skin felt softer after ten minutes. However, if you left it on for too long, any spots could turn to goose pimples.
BEST FOR: When you’re in hotter climes.2/5
Combat cellulite
Margaret Dabbs Black Leg Masque, £45, margaretdabbs.co.uk
Claire said Margaret Dabbs Black Leg Masque (pictured) was refreshing after a long day on her feet
This charcoal mask claims to reduce water retention, cellulite, and inflammation. Leave the charcoal mask on for 15 minutes. Apply a thin layer starting at the feet and ending at the top of your thighs. Apply a warm flannel to the surface.
VERDICT It was so easy that I could simply sit on the edge and let the bath dry. It felt cool and tingly after I applied it. The minty scent remained invigorating. I’m not sure it did much for my cellulite, but it was super refreshing after a long day on my feet.
BEST FOR: Tired legs 4/5
Chocolate clay
Rabot 1745 Cacao & Kaolin Clay Thermal Body Mask, £14.95, hotelchocolat.com
Ckaure said Rabot 1745 Cacao & Kaolin Clay Thermal Body Mask (pictured) left her skin feeling surprisingly well moisturised
This ‘self-heating’ mask supposedly draws out impurities as well as moisturising with cacao butter. You will feel a gentle rise in temperature by massaging it.
VERDICT This didn’t smell of chocolate, more generic spa product, and it was quite gritty and oily to apply. It has an ingredient that makes it feel warm on the skin, but it’s definitely not warm enough to stand around naked for long. After a few minutes, I washed it off, and my skin felt surprisingly moisturized.
BEST FOR:Dry skin 3/5