Let’s Just Get to the Point:
For a quick pick-me-up before a big event or night out, this one-time treatment is an easy way to make skin look better in less than an hour.
Key ingredients: Hydrolyzed collagen, squalene
If You Want to Know More:
Masks promising complexion perfection in minutes are a dime a dozen, but, as a general rule, they rely on the same old tricks of the trade. Not the CO2 Lift Single Pack ($85). Taking a cue from medical-grade carboxytherapy (more on that in a minute), it works to hydrate, smooth and brighten skin—all in less than an hour.
Carboxytherapy—injections of carbon dioxide to improve blood flow—has long been used for cellular regeneration and anti-inflammatory purposes. When non-injectable carboxytherapy became a treatment for burns and wounds, the side effects proved to be pretty nice, too, namely improved skin texture and firmness. When carbon dioxide gets into the skin, it dilates blood vessels, improving circulation and promoting the removal of toxins, boosting radiance and taking down inflammation. Enter this product, a single-use, peel-off mask meant to do just that and more.
It starts with a simple, DIY step—simply mix the contents of the two included packets together (it comes with a stick to mix and apply it, but you’ll have to source your mixing vessel). The resulting consistency is goopy and gel-like, though not overly drippy or messy. Apply a thin layer all over your face—there’s enough for your hands and neck, too—let it set for 35–50 minutes, then peel it off and admire how good your skin looks. I found it easily mixable and spreadable, though removal was easiest at about the 40-minute mark; when I left it on for longer, it didn’t peel off quite as well. Still, my complexion was soft, hydrated and smooth, like the result of a good facial. While the price may seem high for a one-time-use product, it’s the perfect alternative to a professional skin care treatment before any kind of special event.
