I have used 7 face masks from the Etude House A to Z mask range (Etude House I Need You! masksheets) – Shea Butter, Mango, Collagen, Unpolished Rice, White Pearl (review coming soon), Pomegranate (review coming soon). While I love that the face mask sheets are a good size and the sheets are paraben-free, I was still researching a bit on the ingredients. I found a few things which have changed my take on these face masks a little. Each individual mask has something different to offer which means I like some more than the others. So let’s see how I like the Etude House I Need You, Xylitol Forest! masksheet.

Product: Etude House I Need You, Xylitol Forest! Mask Sheet
Claim: This mask sheet contains Xylitol extracted from a birch tree, known as the “Queen of the forest” helping to keep the skin clean, cool and moist with its application. [Clean Moisture]
Quantity: 20 ml (0.67 fl. oz.)
Price: 950 KRW | Buy Online
*Contains affiliate links
All Etude House A-Z I Need You! Masksheets:

• A – Aloe
• B – Bulgarian Rose
• C – Collagen
• D – Dandelion
• E – Elder Flower
• F – Fig
• G – Green Tea
• H – Hyaluronic Acid
• I – Immortelle
• J – Job’s Tears
• K – Korean Ginseng
• L – Lemon
• M – Mango
• N – Noni
• O – Olive
• P – Pomegranate
• Q – Q10
• R – Royal Jelly
• S – Shea Butter
• T – Tea Tree
• U – Unpolished Rice
• V – Vitamin Complex
• W – White Pearl
• X – Xylitol Forest
• Y – Yogurt Strawberry
• Z – Zucchini
• <3 – Heart
• @ – Snail

Check out my post on Etude House A-Z face masks for the details on this line of face masksheets!
On to the mask, the first thing I noticed was the not-so-pleasant smell of the mask sheet. I think I was expecting a minty fresh smell since I use mouth fresheners which contain Xylitol and they are so fresh. Anyhow, it affected me for 2 mintues and then I stopped noticing it. The one thing I feel like I repeat very often is that if a company is going to add fragrance to a face mask, why not make it a pleasant and inviting one?
The texture of the essence was thin but not very runny just like the other A to Z masks. I always appreciate the appropriate size of the masksheet, it fits my face really well. I had a tough time with Skin79 and Hanskin mask (also in line for review), they were too broad with small cutting for the eyes.
I kept the mask on for 20 minutes and did not notice any huge difference (which is perfectly normal). My skin is not dry any more (thank God for spring/summer) and I cannot attest to any deep moisturizing effect. But the cooling effect is something I always look forward to. My skin felt supple and moisturized. I pat the essence until it was fully absorbed and rubbed the remaining essence on my neck, hands and arms.
My concern (as mentioned in the Unpolished Rice mask review) was the three acids in the ingredient list. Here is a breakdown on that –
Lactic Acid – Alpha Hydroxy Acid(AHA) that works like a leave-on exfoliant. It is derived from milk but the form used in cosmetics is usually synthetic.
Citric Acid – Adjusts the acid/base balance of the product and acts as a preservative.
Ascorbic Acid – Ascorbic Acid (aka Vitamin C) is an essential nutrient required for collagen production, tissue repair, and for the synthesis of neurotransmitters. It also acts as an antioxidant and is useful to keep pH balance of cosmetics.
The other two plant extracts that are in most (or all) of the A to Z masksheets are Nelumbo Nucifera (aka Indian Lotus) leaf extract and Prunus Mume (aka Chinese Plum or Japanese Apricot) fruit extract.
These masksheets also contain Sodium Hyaluronate which is very popular ingredient for its anti-ageing properties. It easily penetrates skin and holds onto water making the skin making it more supple. Sodium Hyaluronate is sodium salt of Hyaluronic Acid which is (naturally) found dermis of the skin.
I will try more face masks from Etude House, you may see many hauls (which I have not posted in the past 2 months) coming soon. I have all the Dr. Ampoule masks (ahem!), I expect them to be even better than the I Need You masks (since they are expensive, are 2-step and contain Ampoules)!
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Maybe
Repurchase: Maybe
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I deducted a few points in the rating because, like all I Need You A to Z masksheets, the main extract (Xylitol extract in this case) comes way down in the ingredient list and it has added fragrance. I like the Collagen and Shea Butter face masks in this line way better!
What do you think about the Etude House products? Have you tried their A to Z masksheets?