A Minute-by-Minute Breakdown of What Happens When You Use the Hanacure Face Mask 

As I write this, my face is fossilizing. Or, at least, that’s what it feels like. I just applied Hanacure’s The All-In-One Facial ($29)—a mask with internet fame and a luxury price point—and already, I feel like a caramelized apple slash crème brulée slash Jennifer Coolidge’s character in A Cinderella Story when she declares: “It’s the Botox. I can’t show emotion for another hour and a half!”

Hanacure All-In-One Facial — $29.00

Let’s rewind. According to the Hanacure website, the facial is a”soothing gel mask that restores a flawless complexion in just 20 minutes.” The brand’s signature Octolift technology promises to remove skin impurities while tightening and smoothing your complexion. Hanacure makes good on such lofty promises by combining a host of highly-concentrated, clinically-proven ingredients into a skin-care routine that’s minimal in products. And this particular formula contains beta-glucan (an ingredient found to possess anti-wrinkle and anti-aging benefits) and copper and palmitoyl tripeptides (which may help firm and rejuvenate the skin), as well as other peptides with distinct benefits for your complexion.

Before you apply the Hanacure Facial, I emphasize that you must (must!) read the directions. Unlike most face masks with ultra-straightforward “apply this!”-type directives, Hanacure is a beauty chemistry experiment. The kit comes with tiny vials of a clear liquid that you’ll need to pour into another package, mix, then spread on your face and neck with a brush. If you follow the instructions properly, your gel should come out with a texture that looks like Jell-O.

Once I’d concocted my mask and lathered up, I set a timer for 20 minutes and sat down at my desk to write a minute-by-minute account of wearing the mask. Keep reading to follow my #journey.

What It’s Like to Experience the Hanacure All-In-One Facial

Minutes 1-5: This is pretty chill. It kind of feels like a jellyfish is attached to my face, but, like, in a good way?

Minutes 5-7: Is someone shrink-wrapping my skin? It’s weirdly pleasant. I’m not mad about it.

Minutes 7-10: It’s hard to smile now. The muscles in my face are on strike.

Minutes 10-15: I look like a ghoul! Do not make eye contact with self in mirror. Repeat: Do not make eye contact with self in mirror. 

Minutes 15-20: Okay, I’m very ready to get this off. Very ready. My eyes feel like they’re going to pop out of my skull.

Minutes 22-25 (post-face washing): Wow. Wow. Wow. My skin looks amazing! So clear. My under-eye circles have pulled a Houdini and disappeared!

After washing off the Hanacure All-In-One Facial and patting my face dry, I truly felt like a new woman. My skin glistened, even in my poor bathroom lighting, and applying my normal skin-care routine afterward felt especially luxurious. I’ve used the Hancure mask twice since my first go of it (the brand advises using it up to twice a week), and I’ve already noticed compounding benefits. A rough, acne-prone spot around my chin has started to clear up. The thin lines on my forehead require some squinting to locate now. And overall, my complexion has a healthy, dare I say glow-y, appearance.

In the beauty world, it can be hard to distinguish fad from fiction—but Hanacure’s one of those viral things that’s clearly viral for a reason. And it’s not just because you look like an IRL zombie during the 20-minute waiting period.

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