Here’s a word we didn’t know yesterday: biocompatible. What’s it mean?
Basically, beauty products that work with the skin’s biology. And lest you write this one off as yet another go-to marketing term, consider that many popular skincare lines utilize harsh chemicals that are bioincompatible (yes, that we made up) and break down the skin's acid mantle. They might give you an immediate glow, but with regular use, that glow will fade quickly to a complexion that’s imbalanced and susceptible to premature aging.
Not so pretty.
In contrast, a biocompatible product line utilizes natural, organic ingredients that keep the skin moist and hydrated, with its protective acid mantle intact and flourishing with good bacteria, or microflora. Bottom line? Less wrinkles, fine lines, inflammation and dehydration.
Much prettier, indeed.
And so, in our search for the best that’s biocompatible, we discovered two lines that deliver the good in must-have masks. First off is the aptly named Miracle Mask from nude, a line that’s not completely organic, eschews parabens, sulphates, PEGs, propylene glycol, TEA, DEA, phthalates, mineral oil, silicones, GMOs and potential carcinogens (basically most of the Big List of Things That Suck) and wraps it all up in gorgeous, recyclable, sleek rubberized packages, 40% of which are made form post-industrial recycled plastic.
But back to the miracle. Got a hot date? Need a little boost? Nude’s Miracle Mask contains a potent blend of natural alpha hydroxyl acids and mandarin extract to exfoliate, blended with red ginseng to stimulate and speed up circulation and cell turnover. Brightness, guaranteed. And biocompatible, indeed.
But it’s not all about the instant boost, right? Some days you might want to deeply hydrate; others, you’ll need to short-circuit excess oil production. That’s why we adore the six potent masks in Astara Biogenic’s new (biocompatible) Masks Sampler Set, which, again, is not completely organic, but exes out all the synthetics you don’t want, in favour of natural ingredients that you do.
Like tea tree, rosemary, red clover, and sage, which make up the decongesting Blue Flame Purification Mask – perfect for controlling flare-ups. Or ultramarine violet, sugar cane and raspberries, which combine in Violet Flame Enzyme Mask to reduce puffiness. The Green Papaya Nutrient Mask gently removes dead skin and reduces redness with comfrey, algae and the afore mentioned green papaya, while Golden Flame Hydration Mask calls on cucumber and aloe to reduce sun and wind burn.