【Popular Science on Polymers and Materials】--How much do you know about the polymers used in 35 types of skincare masks? +ljtjbx

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There is a wide variety of face masks available on the market today, and the quality of their materials varies greatly. So let’s take a look at what kinds of materials are used in face masks, so that those of us who care about our appearance can choose the right ones for ourselves. I. Traditional non-woven fabric masks
Definition: Non-woven fabric masks are a type of sheet mask; they use non-woven fabric as a carrier for the essence. In the early days, most sheet masks utilized this material as their carrier. It reduces the evaporation and loss of moisturizing nutrients. Makes the essence easier to absorb. Materials: Non-woven fabric is a type of non-woven cloth. It is a new type of fiber product characterized by softness, breathability, and a planar structure; it is formed by directly using polymer chips, short fibers, or filaments along with various web-forming methods and bonding techniques. Features: 1) One piece per pack, in a sealed package; clean and hygienic, with a relatively low content of preservatives ； 2) The non-woven fabric substrate is fluffy and soft, has good uniformity of the cotton mesh, does not produce fiber debris, and is strong and durable ； 3) Compared to sheet masks, they can be taken anywhere with you, are easy to clean, and some of them don’t require washing off ； 4) Compared to other wipe-type masks, the cost is relatively low. Disadvantages: 1) Poor affinity with the skin, thick and uncomfortable to wear, with average breathability ； It fails to fulfill the true purpose of using a face mask. 2) Non-woven fabric, also known as woven fabric-free material, is composed roughly as follows: 63% polypropylene, 23% polyester, 8% viscose, 2% acrylic fiber, 15% polyamide, with the remainder being other fibers. Then, through high-temperature melting, spinning, and weaving. It is produced via a continuous one-step hot-pressing and coiling process; those with sensitive skin should exercise caution when using it. 3) Additionally, a large amount of petroleum resources are consumed in the production process of non-woven fabrics; from this perspective, non-woven face masks are not truly environmentally friendly materials. 4) When using a face mask, it appears like a white mask, giving a poor visual effect and causing inconvenience in movement. II. Black Face Mask Definition: A black non-woven face mask. The black face mask materials commonly available on the market are known for their excellent cleansing power and their ability to balance sebum production. Black mask materials fall into two main categories: 1. Those made by dyeing ordinary non-woven fabric. Black-dyed non-woven face masks are no different from ordinary non-woven face masks; they do not have any special cleansing power, nor are they applied to the skin. Moreover, the dyes used may leach into the serums, coloring them as well. 2. Bamboo carbon fiber non-woven fabric: Bamboo carbon fiber face masks are the most common type of black face masks available on the market; they are non-woven fabrics made by combining bamboo carbon fibers with other absorbent plant fibers such as cotton and rayon. Due to its grid-like pore structure, bamboo charcoal is lightweight. The porosity of the fiber-based mask decreases, which in turn reduces its ability to absorb dirt. Its fit is similar to that of ordinary non-woven fabrics; usually, cuts need to be made in facial masks in order to allow them to fit various angles of the face. III. Crystal-type mask
Definition: A transparent, crystal-like mask made by using crystal gels such as silicone and agar as the base material, into which various nutrients are incorporated. After coming into contact with the skin, crystal glue gradually dissolves and penetrates under the influence of body temperature. Advantages: 1) The skin appears crystal clear and beautiful ； 2) Easy to use ； Applied directly, with no mucus and non-sticky to the hands ； 3) Its good sealing property addresses the inherent shortcomings of non-woven face masks, such as poor skin adhesion and fine texture, making it particularly suitable for use in eye masks. 4) Mild in nature, suitable for most skin types. Disadvantages: 1) Due to the limitations imposed by the properties of the crystal film, there are restrictions on the additional skincare ingredients that can be used ； 2) It’s not breathable; when applied as a mask, it can hinder the skin’s natural metabolism, causing discomfort. Therefore, it should not be left on for too long. IV. Fruit Fiber Mask Definition: The Fruit Fiber Mask is made from wood pulp and woven using the hydroentanglement process. Product features: Natural ingredients, skin-friendly. Its skin-friendliness is better than that of traditional non-woven fabrics. The cost is lower than that of invisible silk face masks. Characteristics: The product has poor cohesion; the mask tends to fall apart when left in the essence for too long, and it can also tear easily due to stretching during application. The skin-adhesion is not perfect enough to effectively deliver the cosmetic ingredients in the serum. V. Silk Face Mask: Definition – This type of face mask is made from natural plant fibers, and through advanced organic solvent spinning techniques, it gains good elasticity and toughness. It is able to absorb a large amount of serum while adhering tightly to the skin surface; one can move freely while wearing it, without needing to lie down. Moreover, when applied to the face, it achieves a transparent, invisible effect. It fits better, is more convenient, and looks more elegant than traditional non-woven masks. It is an upgraded version of a great non-woven mask. Because it is as thin as a silkworm’s wing and stretches like silk, it is aptly named the “silkworm silk mask”. However, its ingredients have nothing to do with silk; therefore, we refer to it here as the “conceptual invisible silk mask”. Product features: 1) Transparent and invisible, lightweight with no sense of burden: According to measurements, an unfilled \"silk invisible mask\" weighs only 1–1.4 grams and is only 0.1 millimeters thick. It can hold 25 times its weight in essence, so when applied to the face, you can hardly feel the presence of the mask. This is an effect that non-woven fabric cannot achieve. 2) Elastic and fits better ； Made from natural plant fibers and crafted using world-leading weaving techniques, this mask boasts greater elasticity and toughness compared to non-woven fabric masks. Once applied to the face, it can be stretched and adjusted according to various facial shapes, ensuring coverage of every area of the skin for a perfect fit. 3) Soft and smooth: Utilizing a new organic solvent textile processing technique, it possesses the luster of silk as well as a soft and smooth texture; it also features good water absorption, excellent drape, natural breathability, and antistatic properties, allowing the skin to experience a silky, smooth feeling from the mask. Disadvantages: 1) Currently, due to the wide variation in quality among manufacturers of invisible silk masks on the market, some products pose safety risks. Therefore, one must be careful when selecting a manufacturer. 2) A large amount of false advertising does not match the actual product, misleading consumers. VI. 100% Pure Silk Invisible Face Mask. Ingredients: 100% pure silk; one face mask is made from approximately 15 silkworm cocoons. Origin: Inspired by China’s thousands-of-years-old silk culture and the beauty secrets of imperial concubines, passed down to this day. Features: 1) The mask material itself has certain skin-care properties, doubling the effectiveness of the mask. The biggest difference from ordinary non-woven or cotton sheet masks is that pure silk masks possess natural skin-care properties thanks to their material itself. Research has shown that silk is a natural protein fiber, containing about 70% sericin. Sericin is rich in proteins, comprising 18 different amino acids; among these, leucine can accelerate cellular metabolism and aid in wound healing ； Serine and threonine can produce collagen, thereby slowing down skin aging. 2) Light and fitting, smooth and skin-friendly, 100% natural with no allergic reactions. Silk is a living fabric; it is a natural protein fiber composed of eighteen amino acids. Its chemical composition is very similar to that of human skin, which ensures good compatibility with it. Thanks to its smoothness, drapability, elasticity, wrinkle resistance, and antibacterial properties, silk outperforms cotton in these aspects. Moreover, its friction coefficient against the human skin is the lowest among all types of fibers (only 7.4%) ； **Reduces the likelihood of skin allergies and itching. 3) Effortless luxury, nurturing beautiful skin. Silk is the finest gift that nature has bestowed upon humanity; it is recognized by people as the best and most precious fiber, earning it the title of \"Queen of Fibers\". When delicate skin meets the fine and smooth silk, it delivers an exquisitely luxurious premium skincare experience. Disadvantages: 1) Made entirely of 100% pure silk, it is expensive and luxurious, not a product for the general public. 2) There are too many silk-based facial masks on the market; it is necessary to know the correct professional methods of identification in order to avoid being deceived. Identification method 1: Dissolution method – complete dissolution in bleach within one minute. Principle: The main component of silk is protein, while the main component of bleach is sodium hypochlorite. It has strong oxidizing properties; it can oxidize and destroy the structure of proteins, causing them to dissolve. Identification method 2: Burning test. When a pure silk mask is ignited, it emits a strong smell similar to that of burning hair; it is flame-retardant, and after burning it turns into powder when rubbed with the hand. Other silk-like materials emit a distinct chemical odor when burned, and cannot be crushed by squeezing. Principle: Pure silk face masks have a hair-like odor, as silk contains a certain amount of sericin, and all animal fibers have this scent. VII. Biofiber masks – Masks made from medical-grade materials for professional skincare and beauty maintenance! Definition: Bacterial Cellulose, also known as Bio-cellulose, is a type of microbial cellulose produced through fermentation using strictly selected natural bacterial strains derived from plant-based materials. It represents a cutting-edge biochemical technology stemming from microbial engineering. The international medical community makes extensive use of it in the production of artificial blood vessels and artificial dermal products; it boasts excellent moisture-retaining properties and is 100% biocompatible. Skin-friendly and non-irritating, it is a groundbreaking product that elevates masks to a new level of professional medical aesthetics. It is used in medicine as a dressing for burns, and clinical trials have shown its effectiveness. Composition: Over 99.9% of its composition is cellulose (Bacterial Cellulose). Natural biological fiber materials are primarily fibers formed from macromolecules of living organisms, such as nucleic acids, proteins, cellulose, and polysaccharides. Structural proteins constitute an important category within this group; examples include silk, spider silk, and lyocell fibers. Characteristics of biofiber: 1) Ultra-fine fibers with excellent absorbency. The diameter of biofibers ranges from 2 to 100 nanometers; this is about 1/1000th the thickness of a human hair, and 1/133rd that of conventional non-woven fabrics. These fibers can penetrate deep into skin grooves, firmly adhering to skin cells and exerting a lifting effect. Under negative pressure, they prompt the skin to absorb essence rapidly and in large quantities. 2) Superior water retention capacity (with ordinary films, placing the dry film in water allows it to retain 200g of water); an extremely high rate of conversion of water vapor into liquid water, enabling better absorption by the skin. 3) Has high elasticity and adaptability, as well as biocompatibility. 4) Dense network-like 3D micro-etching structure for precise repair of each cell! 5) Made from purely plant-based organic ingredients; it is a food-grade, eco-friendly face mask. Downside: Since the product contains bioactive substances similar to those found in the nuclei of human skin cells, a special manufacturing process is required – the fermentation process must take place at a high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius in order for the nutrients to penetrate into these bioactive substances, making the production process complex. When viewed under a microscope at 1000 degrees, it appears regular, but its thickness is not uniform; this cannot be detected with the naked eye, and the processing time is long. As a result, the production cost is high, and it is aimed at high-end consumers; due to the very strict production requirements, mildew can easily occur if handling is not proper