The day I opened the boxes to these Peter Thomas Roth gel masks, I couldn’t stifle a shout of laughter. The tubs of bright green and bright pink gel were so reminiscent of…. 90’s HAIR GEL! 😀 Come on, I can’t be the only person out there who thinks so right?
Tip: Keeping the gel masks in the fridge offer a lovely cooling treat for skin on warm days but don’t keep it with your veges or within reach of children or anyone who might dip a spoon in here and taste the product 😛
But you know what? Don’t go smearing these colourful gel in your hair, they go on your face instead. I’ve never really tried anything from Peter Thomas Roth before but apparently their gel masks are highly acclaimed. The Cucumber Gel Mask in particular, seems to get raves for being soothing, hydrating and gentle on skin so I was curious to see how I’d like that one.
The Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask is a new addition and touts an anti-aging function, helping to soften lines while hydrating and rejuvenating skin. If you’ve tried either, or any other, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this too!
The first thing I’d make mention of is the texture. Like hair gel, the wobbly jelly texture of these gel masks behave in the same manner. Be careful when removing the cover, because they can jiggle their way out of the tub if you’re not careful. The tub is a fairly large size and the clear plastic offers a fun view to the clear jelly within.
Both these products are face masks that you can use for a quick treatment by applying and then washing off after about 10 minutes, or if you prefer something a little more intensive, leave them on overnight. In the latter function, it operates much like a sleeping pack or sleeping mask and anyone already familiar with using a sleeping mask will know how that works.
Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask – RM188/150ml
The Cucumber Gel Mask actually reminds me a lot of after-sun soothing aloe vera gel. It has the same green gel texture and the same feeling when it goes on skin. This one claims to boost hydration in skin while moisturising and calming the skin with its refreshing texture.
In many ways, it does what it says on the tin (or tub, as it were). It feels lovely and cool going on my skin especially if it’s been a hot day, and it does seem to calm my skin so if your skin feels irritated or just flushed, it seems to calm it right down. It’s very nice to slap on on warm evenings while you relax. But it does feel like that’s about it. It gives an instant refreshing feel to the skin that continues even after you wash it off (and it washes off quite easily) and apply your skincare, but it doesn’t seem to give an intensive hydration boost to the skin that lasts you a couple of days, as most intensive masks do.
So, I’d consider this a nice treat for the skin but it isn’t a product that significantly hydrates my skin nor does it particularly boost moisture and hydration levels in skin. You can sleep in this, for which I’d advise a thinner layer of product, and it is nice, because you do then wake up with skin that feels moisturised (something you’d notice in drier air, or in an air-conditioned room) but it doesn’t last and that is a bit of a pity.
Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask – RM193/150ml
This one’s relatively new in the PTR line up and is more targeted at an anti-aging function. While the Cucumber Gel Mask doesn’t have a discernible scent, this one’s lightly fragranced with the scent of fresh roses. I was a little concerned, expecting a stronger rose scent but it isn’t very strong. When I have it on, it does make me feel like having Turkish Delight (which I happen to really like eating!) but it doesn’t bug me although I’m not the biggest fan of the scent of roses.
I find the texture of the Rose Stem Cell mask a little more dense than the Cucumber Gel Mask. Just a smidge, but it feels and looks less wobbly and jiggly. It too, feels lovely and cooling going on the skin and it too seems to calm the skin especially when you’re feeling hot and irritated. I have been at this for about a month (the levels barely dip right? It can last you a while) where I use it about 3 times a week and it is nice… but not special.
I don’t really have very prominent lines (thank you good genes!) and my biggest concerns would be hydration which I feel that this mask addresses better than the Cucumber one. I hesitate to talk about things like glow and bouncy skin, because I don’t particularly notice either but then, it is a very special product indeed that can deliver all that in just one bottle or tub and this just isn’t it. It is however, a nice lovely treat, and a nice sleeping mask on days when you are just too tired or lazy to go through all your skincare routine. Slap this on, go to sleep and it does a good enough job.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask and Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask have a nice, cooling gel texture on skin and both masks help calm the skin and offer hydration. I do find that the Rose Stem Cell mask feels a bit more hydrating on skin than the Cucumber one and both can be left on and then washed off after a few minutes, or even left on overnight for a more intensive treatment. While I think they’re both nice and easy to use and you can even use them daily if you like, I didn’t quite notice that they did anything dramatic to my skin. They probably help maintain how my skin looks, but they aren’t really making any revolutionary changes to my skin despite my very regular use of it. So it’s a nice to have, but there are options out there.
Pros: Fun gel texture, Almost instantly cools and calms the skin especially if irritated by heat, Offers an instant boost of hydration to the skin but doesn’t seem to last
Cons: Pricey, No significant improvements to my skin which is normal-dry but it does feel comfortable in dry air
Who will like this: Anyone who wants a daily and easy to use mask that helps soothe skin and offers to boost hydration in skin
Here is the ingredient list for both these gel masks.
Top: Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask Bottom: Cucumber Gel Mask
Of the 2, I prefer the Rose Stem Cell mask because I feel that it does more than the Cucumber Gel Mask and feels better on my skin. I like slapping them on in a thickish layer, watching an episode of my favourite TV series and then washing it off after. My skin always feels lovely thereafter 🙂
Have you used either of these gel masks? Do you have other Peter Thomas Roth products to recommend?
Paris B
Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask Price: RM188/150ml Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask Price: RM193/150ml Availability: Sephora stores
hair gel!!!!!!!!! 😛
cant get over the fact that this goes on the face. can i have a bite of it?
u should try the decleor mask really 😛
Not if you don’t want to poison yourself 😛 I definitely have the Decleor mask on my list to try!
Talk about interesting backdrops for products. I love the fact that yours looks like you found them at the supermarket!
Honestly, the packaging and the colour of the gel doesn’t match the price. . . And if you keep them on the bathroom countertop with a man in the house, I’m very sure the man will be putting this in his hair!
😀 😀 Thanks for noticing, Applegal! 😀 And yes, it could be quite easily mistaken for hair gel unless your man is well trained! 😉
LOL they look like hair gel indeed 🙂 I’ve been curious about the rose one since reading it on Tracy’s blog. Will have to try it one day.
That one is worth trying I think if you really want to try one of them, but I find the price a little too steep. There are other masks out there that work just as well and won’t cost as much but may not smell as nice too 😉
I have the rose one. It don’t do much for my face and it feels tingly when applied. Don’t see any effect before and after use but i do like the gel texture on a hot day. It’s such a big tub i’m using it on my neck these days to finish it up. Have you used any nice products from Decleor? I’ve been wanting to try out this brand for a while. Any rec?
I haven’t used anything from Decleor actually but a friend of mine has been touting the products so I’m now very curious! Will share if I do try anything. I’m told the mask and cleansing milk is very good.
It sure looks like hair gel that my brother used many years ago. Hahaha. If it was not for the price, I would have love to get this so I will probably pass on this. In your opinion, which hydrating mask gives a more complete effect in terms of hydration and bouncy skin?
Hmm.. I actually use sheet masks LOL! 😛 Actually until I got these, I’d only been using sheet masks on alternate days (because I was using up stock) and it really made a difference to my skin. But I’ve always liked the Clains Hydraquench one too.
Did you try sleeping with the Rose one? I like it much better that way. I thought it was ok just leaving it one for a bit too, but overnight it’s so much better.
Yes I did and it does feel a lot nicer as a sleeping mask. But I didn’t really notice it being exceptional though 🙁 Better, but not exceptional.
With a product looking like hair gel but it is supposed to be face mask, it is a bit hard to take it seriously ya? 😛 I have tried the Naruko night gelly which is the closest to gel mask that I can think of. It did not have much efficacy despite the hydrating or brightening claims – in fact ANR or facial oil would have done a better job. Was an interesting experience anyway.
LOL Not everyone was as irreverent was I was about it so I guess not everyone thinks of hair gel automatically hehe… I have to admit it’s quite interesting putting it on when you kind of expect to have it go on hair. Room for error if you’re sharing the space with someone who uses hair gel! 😀 I think I’ve tried the Naruko gel mask as well, but I too wasn’t impressed with it and haven’t really tried many other Naruko products since. For masks, I prefer using sheet masks. They seem to work well especially when I’m diligent 🙂