February 8, 2010

Beauty Battle: The Skin Food Wash Off Masks Versus Lush Skincare Masks

Let me tell you a story…..hopefully you like these long stories I get into. Ok, so I’m a big Lush skin care fan but lately I’ve been cheating with Korean brand, the Skin Food. This stuff is really great for my skin and I’ve been using it’s super power human strength to make my skin glow.

One thing I’ve never been too big a fan with when it comes to Lush is their face masks. I love some of the interesting promises that the masks make but I’ve never actually experienced the benefits for myself after using them. They are nice to have items but I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing incredible, awe aspiring results from ’em!

I discovered The Skin Food Face Masks and I swear I can’t live without this good stuff! Now we’re talking results!

I’ve pitted The Skin Food Wash Off Masks against Lush Face Masks in a Beauty Battle. It’s easy enough to see who’ll win this battle but take the jump to find out for yourself!

First off let me rave the great benefits of a Skin Food Benefit versus Lush Masks.

Here’s the deal.

  • Skin Food Mask Pros:

Good from anywhere to 3-4 months or more.
No need to refrigerate
Big 100g size!
Cheap!

  • Lush Face Mask Cons:

Needs to be put in the fridge
Only good for 7-12 days or less depending on which mask you purchase
Smaller size at 75g.
Expensive (especially since you’ll toss it out way before you’ve used it all)

I’ve always found it utterly irritating that I never use a Lush mask completely before having to toss it out because it goes bad on me. Lush suggests using a mask one to two times a week. This means you really need to get to work using the mask quickly before it expires in as little as two weeks. You have to pack on alot of the mask to use it all up plus I find some of the masks are a little too harsh to use that often so again they get tossed partially full before I use them all completely. I also find that if I place them in the fridge I sometimes forget to use them. I have a tiny fridge for Lush in my bathroom however I’ve been known to stick a mask in their and completely forget about it. I wish I could just shove it on my skincare shelf as I’m more likely to remember to use it.

The Skin Food Masks, so much better! They don’t need to be tucked in your fridge plus they are good for 3 months or longer! And best of all? You see the results where as Lush I’ve never had the pleasure.

In regards to variety both Lush and Skin Food do come up lacking with around 7 to 8 masks each (perhaps a bit more I haven’t officially counted). Each mask addresses various issues so it’s not as if you’ll be missing out on anything because they are lacking in a formula, it’s simply that the lines are limited to only a few masks and not a HUGE array of ’em.

Of course, Lush is easier to come by considering that the Skin Food is sold exclusively within Asia however in my opinion it’s worth the extra work of tracking them down.

Honestly, it’s a bad idea to even place a Lush Skin Mask in the fighting ring with Skin Food because Skin Food will knock it out within the first round.

Skin Food Wash Off Masks win this Beauty Battle hands down. No fists needed, a cool puff of air can knock Lush out of this ring.

Stay tuned for some reviews on Skin Food Masks coming at you soon.

Anyone try Skin Food Masks before?

How about Lush ones?

Loves?

Leaves?

Battle ’em up if you tried both, which one wins?

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Loaf

    I’ve only just started using the Lush ‘Cupcake’ mask and I am hooked – can’t believe it took me so long to try them, to be honest. I live in Lush’s hometown, so I’ve tried pretty much everything thanks to friends at the factory, and this mask is something I now can’t live without. I slap on a thin layer every other day in the shower, leave it for 10 mins or so, then rinse off, and the difference to my skin is huge – I’ve always had problem skin, but I’ve never seen it so well-behaved! Fresh Farmacy before using, a little Vanishing Cream after, and my skin is good to go =D

    • the Muse

      hey loaf I like cupcake myself but sadly haven’t seen any long term results 😀 but than again my skin isn’t crazy as it is rec’ed for spotty skin, I just like the scent 😀

      FF is one of my favs 😀 for when my forehead is misbehaving 🙂

  • Norlyn

    They both sound good – but the Skin Food ones sound more convenient. Where do you usually find these? They sound so good.

    • the Muse

      norlyn way more convenient in my experience 🙂

      sasa.com, ebay, yesstyle, also skin food singapore ships worldwide however prices are considerably higher so you have to do a little searching for the best deals!

  • Kia

    I’m in the States, where do I even began to look for this. I’m interested in trying them out. Thanks

    • the Muse

      hi kia

      ebay, sasa.com, yesstyle.com, also skin food singapore site ships worldwide. prices are not retail but with a little searching you can nail a deal 🙂

  • Christine

    indeed, its hard to really compare them as equals. Even though Skin Food do not have a lot of variety, there is other type of masks, which I think Lush do not have, so in other words, Skin food will always pwn any other Mask type battles against anything outside of asia market. lol

    • the Muse

      Christine couldn’t agree more! I think Skin Food def tops it. Plenty of masks in the Asian market but Skin Food has the upper hand at this moment in time for me 🙂

    • the Muse

      mmm aimee I think that would change the formula a bit after it thaws out….never tried doing that before 🙂

  • savannah

    I have tried Lush masks before but I didn’t really see any difference. I see more results from using argan oil on my face and a face scrub than I did with any Lush skincare products. Where can I buy some Skin Food products at? Online I mean.

    • the Muse

      hey savannah…argan oil is super especially when my skin is tight 😀

      sasa.com, e-bay, yesstyle, and the skin food singapore site ships worldwide. sadly the prices aren’t retail but in some cases you can get a deal or two!

  • Betty

    hehehe. Must comment when it comes to Skinfood. You’re right, Lush’s masks have nothing on Skinfood! Skinfood masks are definitely potent cause I can’t even use them twice a week. So thank god for the long expiration date. My fav has gotta be the Rice one. I have the cucumber one too and there are cucumber bits in there! I think the cucumber one’s a bit too strong for sensitive skin 🙁

    Which one are you loving? Oh! I’m still waiting for my salmon eye cream from Yesstyle.com. And my friend from Taiwan is bringing the salmon concealer back for me. Omg, I’m so excited!

    • the Muse

      hey betty!

      Sorry for the delayed reply 😀 the cucumber one is lovely!!!!!! surprised it was too strong for you! They seem so gentle but than again my face is bulletproof lol! I love the cucumber, lemon, banana, and hot sesame 🙂 I can’t wait for you to try that eye cream! I really like the salmon range especially the powder for brightening the eyes! 😀 the concealer is fab you’re gonna LOVE it!

  • Cherry

    Oh man, I never even knew that Lush had masks.
    I hear the Skinfood does give good results. Not amazing, but certainly worth repurchasing.
    I haven’t actually used any myself as I’m currently working my way through a packs of Missha and Laneige but I’m definitely going to get some aftewards.

    • the Muse

      lol yup cherry they do. in store only though not via mail order NA just mail order UK if you live in the UK. Not amazing, true, but def results 😀 I’m working through a Laneige sleep mask myself at the moment 🙂

  • su-pah

    Waahh! I love you Muse, I so do! I read a review of Skinfood’s Black Sugar mask here (I’m sure it was here!) and so I sought it out, alongside the Rice one. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE and totally agree with you! Now I’m after the Banana one and Kiwi Yoghurt one too. I have only tried Lush’s Ocean Salt: no instant results, had to rush to use it up and very alcoholy – obviously, with its vodka base – blehhh! Still love Lush but Skinfood does the wash-off masks much better!

  • Johanna

    Muse, I agree with what you said about the Lush masks. I too end up forgetting them in the fridge. I’ve used the Cupcake mask because I have oily skin, and I love the chocolate and mint scent, but my skin never experienced any noticible benefits from it. Plus, most of Lush’s masks can’t be mail ordered and I live a few hours from the closest Lush.

    • the Muse

      hey johanna I love cupcake in the Summer but I never much noticed a difference either shrug. oily forehead check. Same here…I hate going in store for the masks as it seems the shelf life has a week shaved off of it at least when I get one 😛 plus I hate Lush stores 😛 so nasty.

  • Kristin

    Really? The folks at Lush always say 3 weeks on the fresh masks, and I’m pretty sure the signs in shop do too…

    And I’ve used them beyond that, I think you just have to make sure the consistency and color stay the same.
    I’m particularly fond of Lettuce Love.

    I’ll have to try Skin Food if I can ever get my hands on it, though.

    • the Muse

      kristin I get about two weeks or so before it begins to smell off and changes color a tad bit. 2 weeks, 3 weeks, whichever it’s still way too short a time 😀 plus I find my store is already well into the 1st week so that shaves off from the 3 week period so I’d say within 9 days I’m good to toss out sadly 🙁 I don’t use them after that as I find my skin reacts badly considering they are fresh, after expiration bacteria begins to develop and I def don’t want to have my skin react bad to ’em 🙂

      Love Lettuce and Cupcake are two of my favs also MOM (which lasts longer thankfully) but I never see results from any….it’s just a nice relaxing mask but never noticed any major difference in my skin.

      Def try, you’ll love ’em if you like the Lush ones.

  • Starryxuan

    I’ve never tried LUSH ones before but i love Skinfood Rice Mask, they are moisturizing 🙂

    • the Muse

      paloma it’s hit or miss online. I have a friend in Korea who sends them over but if I’m desperate the Skin Food singapore site ships worldwide but prices are way above retail, also Sasa.com (small selection) sells them, yesstyle.com (above retail as well), and e-bay.

      Hope this helps!

  • rachel

    i have the black sugar mask from skin food and it’s really good! :] i’ve been using it for a couple months now ^^

    • the Muse

      nia def worthy of a try out…I’ve seen them on E-bay for around $9.99 which isn’t bad imho.

  • aquahartz

    obsessed about Skinfood products especially the masks. exactly what u said.. they are supperb if to compare with Lush, having tried Lush many times and have had exactly the same experience like yours. Such a waste of $$ to dump the mask away coz it goes off before u manage to use it til the last drop, especially small face.
    Love Skinfood!

    • the Muse

      aqua couldn’t have said it better myself 😀 Love skinfood! and yes it’s very difficult to use it all up 🙁 which is why skinfood is so great, it lasts a few months before I have to toss yay!

  • J3nn4

    know exactly what you mean with the lush masks. I think I’ve bought two, ever. Both went mouldy before I used them (ick!) and I didn’t see any improvement after use! The Skin Food masks are available on eBay, I like the sound of the black one (think it had seeds in..can’t remember!) any specific ones you recommend? I haven’t bought anything on eBay for a week so I’m due a spend!!

    • the Muse

      jenn same prob here….I’d say mine grow mold within…mmmm 15 days or so. they start developing green spots and begin to smell off. Me either. I love LUSH but never noticed much difference after application!

      Right now love the Lemon Pack, the Hot sesame, lettuce/cucumber, and banana 🙂

  • suz

    I’ve never tried lush masks and now they you’ve informed us they don’t last long…then I won’t even bother with them.

    However, I do love skin-food and I have like 5 of their masks & I haven’t been disappointment with any of them..I especially love the cucumber mask by skinfood…when my skin is dull and just ugly looking..I put on the mask and wash it off after 30 mins..and bam..my face glows and looks refreshed.

    btw, have you tried the lemon mask…*mask in the above pic*? I want to get it…so let me know if you like it or have it..if so do a review..please.

    • the Muse

      No go suz. Love me some lush but the masks are a fail imho. I love the cuc one too, it’s the best of the lot as it offers the most moisture for me 😀 And agreed very refreshed and my skin looks incredible after use 😀

      I’ll review the lemon for ya 🙂 sure!

      it’s quite good!

  • Emma

    That reminds me a have a pot Lush face mask going mouldy in my fridge ack! Going to investigate skinfood masks.

  • lolo

    Dear Sweet Muse,
    In the past you said you used Lush’s Sweet Japanese Girl for around your nose and the icky blackheads… Are you using Skin Food instead now? What is your regiment for your blackheads on your nose these days?? I have them so badly. I know yours are not super bad. I just trust you and need to start some place. Why not start with the best! <3

    • the Muse

      hi lolo sadly sweet japanese girl has been axed and is not longer available. I’m not using anything from Skin Food for my blackheads no. Silver Powder and biore strips is about it and that seems to work. 😀 Aw shucks thanks! 😀 I’d go with the silver powder first and follow up with a nose strip, it seems to help me!

  • zuzu

    after reading your blog im really interested in trying out Skin Food products.

    i live in the u.k., so do you know where to get the products from?
    Thanks in advance!

    • the Muse

      hi zuzu the singapore skin food site ships worldwide but prices are VERY high you might want to check E-bay out as I see a deal or two sometimes! and also sasa.com

      hope this helps!

  • christy

    i actually really like LUSH’s cosmetic warrior mask! it has ingredients that help with acne and i do feel that i see results from that mask. i looked up the skinfood masks and they are about $10 dollars, but you still have to pay shipping so in all it’s going to cost $15 or more to buy one mask. LUSH’s masks only cost $6, you don’t have order online, and if you turn in 5 black pots of to Lush, you get a free mask! I think that’s worth considering too 🙂

  • Cassie

    The reason LUSH masks only last 3 weeks is because they are made using fresh ingredients. Other masks last longer because there are chemicals added to give them a longer shelf life. I would rather spend my money on fresh ingredients. My skin is exposed to enough chemicals in everyday life…I don’t need to put more on my skin! I’ll stick to LUSH thanks 🙂

  • ribbonroses

    I love my Lush masks, I guess we’re better placed in Britain being closer to where they’re made? I have found brazened honey and the sacred truth to be nigh on indestructable….. seriously I have a 3 month old pot of the sacred truth just sitting on my bathtub (where it’s been since I got it home) and it’s still fine.

  • Lady Godiva

    I do not love everything Lush does, but their fresh face masks are one of my favourite things… some are way too harsh for me, but I ADORE The Sacred Truth, Cupcake, BB Seaweed, Catastrophe Cosmetic, Cosmetic Warrior and also Ayesha… I’m now living in Korea for a year or two, and have tried Skin Food’s Aloe mask from this range. I like it very very much! I’m yet to see the same kinds of results my skin gets from Lush FFMs, but am certainly willing to give SF masks a go (before I give in, get a bus to Centum City, and fork out some HORRIFIC price for a Lush mask!)… am going try the Cucumber one next on your recommendation… and then some more ;o)

  • iluvfacemasks

    So I normally get friends that go to Korea on their vacations to purchase stuff for me from the actual skin food store. Im sure if I spoke korean I could actually get them to do an international shipment by paying for the shipping myself but alas I cannot. I love skinfood’s gold caviar nutrition mask sheet. Something that is more popular is Asia and Central Asia seems to be the face sheet for convenience and I have to say I agree with them. While I do love thich rich texture and the great smell of Lush’s handmade masks like cupcake (plus I think we all find pleasure in the thought of having something especially made for us as if we were Cleopatra lol), the results just are not the same. I’ll still go to my local Lush shop for these handmade treats to make me feel special, but Ill always continue to search for ways of bringing my secret fountain of youth back to the U.S. ! 🙂