I’ve been intrigued by Neogence as a brand for awhile now, but as they’re not the most affordable skincare range, I became pretty good at ignoring them whenever I chanced upon them in local stores, haha. However, when I saw their masks on sale, I really couldn’t resist getting my hands on at least a few variants to satisfy the nagging curiosity. So, did the results measure up to my expectations?

Claims:

+ Reduce sebum and [white/black] heads.

+ Reduce pore size.

+ Brighten skin tone.

Ingredients:

Aqua, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium PCA, Xanthan Gum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Fragrance, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Mandelic Acid, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Orchis Mascula Extract, Lens Esculenta (Lentil) Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin.

Star Ingredients:

Sodium Hyaluronate: A humectant which absorbs moisture 1000 times its weight. Plays an important role of providing sufficient moisture to the skin, and helps bring back elasticity and luster back to tired and sensitive skin.

Mandelic Acid: A type of alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) made from the extract of bitter almonds. It is an effective chemical exfoliant which is less irritating than other types of AHAs due to its larger molecular size, hence preferable for those with sensitive skin types. Also has antibacterial properties and anti-aging benefits.

Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract: Also known as cherry blossom extract. Rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids; thus has anti-aging and skin repairing benefits. It is also an anti-glycation agent which promotes collagen formation in fibroblasts and may aid in lightening uneven pigmentation by inhibiting melanin production.

Orchis Mascula Extract: Also known as early-purple orchid flower extract. Rich in polysaccharides and polyphenols which aids in smoothing fine lines and protecting the skin respectively. Also helps to brighten skin tone and freckles via modulation of melanin production.

Lens Esculenta (Lentil) Seed Extract: Functions as a skin protectant, and skin-softening/conditioning agent. May also provide antioxidant benefits.

Volume: 30ml

How to use:

1. Peel off the sachet, unfold the mask, apply the mask tightly to the entire face.

2. Remove after 15-20 minutes.

3. Pat the remaining essence into skin. Not necessary to wash off after use.

My Skin Type: Sensitive (prone to redness), Combination, Acne-prone, Dehydrated

Neogence N3 Mandelic Acid Refining Mask Review:

The packaging of this mask is minimalistic and quite compact, so it’s no wonder that when I ripped open the packet, the sheet mask inside was folded every which way, haha. Fortunately, it wasn’t much of a problem as the mask does come folded with a perforated plastic backing like most Taiwanese masks.

The material of the sheet mask itself is of moderate thickness, with a smooth, plush, cushion-like surface texture. To be honest, this did surprise me as most of the Taiwanese masks I’ve used in the past err on the thin side. But again, not much of a problem as once worn, it clung well and felt very comfortable on the skin.

In terms of the fit, I must say that I enjoyed it a lot, and this is very much biased because I like it purely because for once, a sheet mask successfully managed to cover my entire broad forehead! Haha. The trade-off, of course, was some excess material at my temples which I had to adjust and fold inwards. But I’d totally pick a slightly larger mask than a smaller one, always.

Scent-wise, it has a moderate sweet scent out of the packet, but once worn, it’s pretty much unnoticeable; very nice for those with sensitive noses like me.

The essence, on the other hand, is colorless and of a lightweight texture. It absorbs smoothly into the skin without any tacky residue, and appears to have a matte finish. There is also little to no essence left in the packet after use.

Pre-masking, my skin wasn’t all too great as I got into bad habits again (ie. not bothering with a proper routine, picking at my skin due to stress, etc.) so of course I had pesky trouble spots almost everywhere on my face. That’s the reason why I opted for this mask, to be honest – after all, I definitely needed some TLC in the pore care department.

However, as my skin was on the drier side, I was quite hesitant as usually (for me) pore care masks would be too astringent and cause my skin to dry up even more. But I took a leap of faith; hoping for the best.

I wore the mask for the maximum 20 minutes (recommended time is 15-20 minutes) and it was nice and soothing. Despite the mask being thicker than I expected, it did not feel heavy at all; instead, I enjoyed how smooth the texture of the mask was. It felt very comforting for me, for some reason.

Now, I definitely had high hopes as Neogence is a brand I’ve been eyeing for awhile after all, and oh man, did I form a tiny crush on this mask, haha. Peeling it off, I noticed instantly how my pores became less noticeable to the naked eye – especially my nose area, where I’m prone to pesky sebaceous filaments (SFs) and blackheads.

Moreover, it definitely has some great brightening properties as my face actually looked a shade or two lighter than my unmasked neck. My skin also felt soft, hydrated and cool to the touch.

Overall, I’d probably rate this a good 4/5. Although I do like it a lot and am now eyeing other Neogence stuff even more, the brand is still out of my budget (at least, if based on the prices in my local stores) so I am docking a mark for that.

However, I’d definitely repurchase this mask if I ever see it on sale again – and once my sheet mask stash actually decreases enough to justify a purchase. Definitely worth a try for those concerned with large pores and acne, though! It’s a great temporary solution, as most good masks are.