Dermstore is an online retailer specializing in everything beauty. They recently released the Best of Dermstore Mask Edit, which features two full-size masks, multiple travel-sized masks, and some accessories to help you along the way. This limited edition box costs $50 and promises $168 worth of product.
FYI - this limited edition kit is still available for purchase!
This box was sent to us at no cost to review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
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Any Dermstore kit that I have gotten has come in a reusable makeup bag, though this is the first time I've received a black one instead of an all-clear one. The bags are awesome quality- I have a few that are two years old at this point and they're still being used to help organize and store things. This set also came with a small info sheet with all of the products in this set listed on it.
What's Inside the Best of Dermstore Mask Edit
Dermstore Plush Spa Headband - Retail Value $12
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To get us in the mood to mask, Dermstore included this plush spa headband in their mask edit. While I wouldn't pay $12 for this on its own, I love the inclusion of it in this set. I love headbands like this and try to wear them when I mask, and I don't have any in this exact style. The terry cloth fabric is very soft, is comfortable while keeping my hair out of my face, and this thick headband could honestly double as an ear warmer in a pinch. While this does have the Dermstore logo on it, too, that's easy for me to disregard- if you wanted to, you could put the headband on with the logo facing inside so it wasn't visible at all.
Dermstore Double-Sided Mask Spatula - Retail Value $13
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This is another practical item from Dermstore to help us maximize our masking efficiency, and I have been getting a lot of use out of it. I have a lot of silicone mask brushes (I like to bedazzle mine with rhinestones), and the silicone brushes work great for clay masks or any thick mask you may be applying. I've never tried applying a mask with a brush, though, and it works nicely with masks that have a thinner texture. The way I have been getting daily use out of this, though, hasn't been with a mask at all. I recently splurged on a NuFace Trinity when Ulta offered it for sale at 50% (I knew I was saving my rewards points for a reason), and the brush is perfect for applying the gel primer on my face exactly where I need it to go.
Dr. Loretta Tightening Detox Mask, 1.7 oz - Retail Value $55
First off, shout out to Dermstore for sending us a full-size mask that retails for more than the cost of the entire set. If you've been wanting to try this mask that makes buying this set a no-brainer. I've never tried anything from Dr. Loretta before this mask, and it's an interesting concept. This can be used as a wash-off mask, but it's also designed to be used as a sleeping mask. This was a little hard to wrap my brain around, just because the words "tightening detox" make me think of a clay mask rather than a hydrating mask packed with peptides, seawater, and rose oil that can be left on all night. I love that the brand encourages you to apply this all over, including places that normally (at least on my body) get forgotten like your chest and the back of your hands. I enjoyed this, and I am looking forward to being able to continue to use this.
IMAGE Skincare IMASK Purifying Probiotic Mask, 2 oz - Retail Value $48
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Yay, another full-size mask- and one that has a retail value for only $2 less than the cost of the entire set! This kaolin clay mask is paired with probiotics, antioxidants, and activated charcoal. Image skincare claims that this mask offers hydration while balancing your skin and taking care of any excess oil or clogged pores, but that wasn't exactly my experience. I still enjoyed this mask, but it was a drying clay mask for my skin and I didn't find it hydrating in the slightest. When I took this mask off, though, I was glowing. To get some of that extra moisture my skin needs back in my skin, I followed up with the Naturopathica honey mask that came in this set and those two are a very nice pair.
Here I am in my spa headband and the IMAGE mask that was applied using the mask spatula. I was channeling Fiona from Shrek and I was feeling it.
First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Calamine Pore Purging Mask, 0.34 oz - Estimated Value $4.08 (buy the 2.5 oz version for $30)
I had high hopes for the calamine, jojoba, and aloe in this mask to put in work, but my faith was a bit misguided- it wasn't stronger than the salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and kaolin and bentonite clay that are also in the formula. As a result, when I removed this mask after about 8 minutes, the skin where I applied it was very red with some small bumps and it wasn't happy with me. Oops- good thing I was only spot treating on my chin and hadn't applied it to my entire face. If you have sensitive skin like me I would take the product claim that this soothes the skin with a grain of salt and the claim that this exfoliates and absorbs dirt and oil very seriously.
Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask, 7 mL - Estimated Value $2.57 (buy the 150 mL version for $55)
I would call this mask a classic, and with good reason. If you've somehow never tried this mask via a subscription box or through a gift-with-purchase, take my word for it and just go ahead and put this in the fridge right now. This cucumber gel mask is designed to hydrate and soothe, and it does exactly that for me. I've been using this mask for years, and I like to reach for it if I accidentally get sunburned, if I'm dealing with a painful acne breakout, or if I over-exfoliate or use a product my skin doesn't like (see: the first aid beauty mask above).
Juice Beauty PROBIOTIX Instant Flash Facial, 0.26 oz - Estimated Value $6.76 (buy the 2 oz version for $52)
I'm always nervous when a mask or product claims to be a flash facial because when I get actual facials, I almost never get blackhead extractions on my nose and have my aesthetician go real easy on any exfoliating products. I can't exactly have that customization with a product, and so I proceed with caution. This mask is made with probiotics, tartaric acid, lime caviar, and gommage beads. I patch tested this before going all in, and I'm glad I did- this would have been too much for my face if I had applied it all over. This has both chemical and physical exfoliants in it, and it's just too potent for my sensitive skin.
Naturopathica Manuka Honey Hydrating Gel Mask, 0.5 oz - Estimated Value $20.67 (buy the 1.5 oz version for $62)
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I was really looking forward to this mask, so I was kinda bummed this jar wasn't filled to the brim when I opened the jar. This mask is made with manuka honey, prickly pear extract, saccharides, and glycerin, and I found this to be a deeply hydrating mask that my skin enjoyed. With honey masks like this I like to apply them, let them do their thing, and then when I am ready to be done instead of fully washing my face I just wipe any residue away with a warm, damp cloth- at that point, my skin has absorbed most of the good stuff anyways. There are honey masks I like better so this won't be a repurchase for me, but I like the Naturopathica brand and I am stoked I was able to try it.
Value - Was this box worth it?
THE COST: $50 + free shipping
COST BREAKDOWN:
- Spa Headband: $12
- Mask Spatula: $13
- Dr. Loretta: $55
- IMAGE Skincare: $48
- First Aid Beauty: $4.08
- Peter Thomas Roth: $2.57
- Juice Beauty: $6.76
- Naturopathica: $20.67
By my math, everything in the kit (not including the makeup bag) adds up to $162.08, which is a few dollars shy of the promised value of $168 but still more than three times the cost of the box.
Key Takeaways
I haven't had a curated set from Dermstore in a while, and since masking is one of my favorite skincare steps I was excited to explore this. Considering just how many products I've tried at this point, I'm impressed the only mask I had tried before receiving this kit was the one from PTR. It felt like this set could have been a little more evenly balanced between exfoliating masks and hydrating masks, but I do appreciate that the two full-size masks we received were very different from each other. I think anyone who is into skincare (especially masking) should take a look at this kit, if only because it's a good deal for the two full-size masks from brands I haven't seen featured in a subscription box before.
Other Things You Should Know
Is this limited edition set still available? Yes, it is, while supplies last.
Check out all of our other favorite beauty box subscriptions!
Are you going to grab the Best of Dermstore Mask Edit? What's your favorite face mask?
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