In spite of their hectic daily lives, women try to take out time to indulge in beauty treatments, but not always successfully. In the early 2000s, Amorepacific saw the potential of transforming sleep time as a time-saving, miracle worker for those living in a rush and started researching on the subject to come up with amazing products.
Research indicated that conventional masks were not up to par; wash-off masks were often a hassle to rinse off afterwards, while peel-off masks were cumbersome or at times harsh on the skin, and sheet masks slid off during sleep. Amorepacific worked on a simple premise – a face mask that can be left on during bedtime. In 2002, Amorepacific realized the concept of ‘Sleeping Mask’ through LANEIGE brand – an innovative combination of skincare product and facial mask. This simple-to-use mask optimized a good night’s slumber into a revitalizing skincare treatment by capitalizing on the skin’s ability to renew, moisturize, purify and soothe during sleep. In addition, the Sleeping Mask maximized skin regenerating effects by forming a protective film which nourished the face.
SKIN PURIFICATION PEAKS AT NIGHT
The diverse functions of sleep include stress relief, metabolism stimulation and skin regeneration. During the night, the skin recovers from external daytime damages and activates its own detoxifying mechanisms to guard against the coming day.
Amorepacific’s Sleeping Mask contains a proprietary SLEEP-TOX™ technology which activates skin’s inherent purification mechanism to restore skin condition which was affected during the day. In addition, the Hunza Apricot Extract which acts as an anti-oxidant brightens the skin by removing free radicals generated in skin cells by UV light as well
as preventing keratin denaturation on the skin surface.
SKIN GETS THIRSTY DURING SLEEP
Throughout the night, skin loses highest level of moisture and reduces sebum production. This is why sleep time is perfect for the skin to absorb moisture and active ingredients which purify. The condition of the skin during the day is dependent on how long and effectively the skin was moisturized the night before.
Unique to Amorepacific’s Sleeping Mask is the BIOPOLYMER, a moisturizing agent derived from a type of Korean mushrooms [scientific name: Schizophyllum commune] for the first time in the world. BIOPOLYMER is a molecule naturally found in yeast cell walls, mushrooms and grains and is 20% more effective in retaining moisture and oil balance compared to Hyaluronic Acid, a widely known moisturizing agent. Amorepacific’s Sleeping Mask products infused with BIOPOLYMER ingredient extends moisturizing period for 9 more hours, effectively creating a restorative environment for skin overnight.
In addition, Amorepacific’s proprietary MOISTURE WRAP™ creates a breathable yet moisture-rich film on the skin to ensure that active ingredients such as Hydro Ion Mineral Water, Hunza Apricot Extract and Evening Primrose Root Extract are absorbed deeper into the skin during bedtime.
DEEP SLEEP WITH CONSTANT RESEARCH AND SPECIALIZED FRAGRANCES
Amorepacific’s research on fragrances have also played a key role in making the sleeping products popular among beauty customers worldwide. Amorepacific R&D Center studied fragrances that have an effect on deep sleep and applied for and registered patents for ‘Fragrance Composition Having a Sound Sleep Effect’ in 12 countries
including Korea, the US, Japan and Singapore. This technology is an invention consisting of fragrances containing four natural oils, such as rose, sandalwood, orange blossom and ylang ylang. Amorepacific pulled off creating the composition with high preference and a great effect in relaxing the mind and body based on over 350 combination tests and validation. This composition is acknowledged for its superiority over other substances in terms of sleep latency (the amount of time it takes to fall asleep after getting into bed), slow wave sleep (deep sleep phase), sleep efficiency (the percentage of time spent asleep while in bed), and body movements (the number of body movements during sleep). This composition has also been applied to LANEIGE’s Sleeping Mask products.
THE FUTURE OF SLEEPING BEAUTY
Amorepacific is introducing sleeping beauty items in various categories such as lip sleeping and eye sleeping masks. These moisturizing products are being released in enhanced forms with added functions of anti-aging and brightening benefits as well as formula diversity catering to a wider range of generations. In addition, the company is currently looking into polysomnography and brain cognitive science as part of its continuous research on fragrances that can induce psychological stability.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Amorepacific’s first Sleeping Mask product: LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask launched in 2002, is the category-creating product, which records cumulative sales over 30 million units as of 2018. Amorepacific’s research team established that a good night’s sleep with LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask results in 15.79% higher moisture content in the skin compared to a bad night’s sleep and 9.6% higher compared to a good night’s sleep without the product. Notably, badly-slept skin treated with LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask had a lower level of dead skin cells and a narrower pore surface area than well-rested skin.
LANEIGE WATER SLEEPING MASK PROVIDES:
• 9.6% greater moisture content than a good night sleep.
• 15.79% greater moisture content than a bad night sleep.
• 95.8% of users are satisfied after 7-day test.
• Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask EX nourishes the skin during sleep with a compound of gold, walnut and Mulberry Root Extract. The Organic Respiration Layer [ORL] technology ensures that the mask is light and soft on the skin, without the tight feeling when left on the face overnight.
• Innisfree Green Tea Sleeping Mask is infused with organic fresh green tea grown in Jeju Island, which is rich in amino acids and minerals. The Green Tea Sleeping Mask locks in the moisture during sleep and leaves the skin feeling hydrated and refreshed the next morning. The Nutrition Capsules formulated with natural sugar serves as an antioxidant to brighten the skin.
• Etude House Moistfull Collagen Sleeping Pack contains 14% super collagen water which has easily absorbable molecules and 5.3% of hydrating baobab water, both of which work together to keep