SKIP THE $60 K-BEAUTY FAVOURITE: THIS AUSSIE HONEY MASK COSTS UNDER $2 A GO
If you have ever stood in a beauty aisle eyeing a honey mask and wincing at the price, this one is for you.
An Australian-owned skincare brand is taking aim at a cult Korean honey mask that sells for around $60, with a version that works out at less than $2 a treatment.
EAORON announced the push on November 9, and the timing is spot on, with Christmas party season just around the corner.
The budget honey mask taking on K-beauty
The product is the EAORON Manuka Honey Mask, a wash-off treatment that comes as eight individually portioned 10ml cups.
It is sold at Chemist Warehouse, where the brand says it was priced at $14.97 at the time of its announcement, down from a listed RRP of $29.95.
That works out at about $1.87 per mask, according to the brand's announcement.
EAORON, which was established in 2014, says the mask is produced locally in Australia.
Its chief executive, Fernando Rodriguez, said the single-dose format means shoppers get eight treatments without spending $60 on one product.
As always with supermarket and chemist prices, it is worth checking the current price in store or online, as specials come and go.
What is inside
The brand lists a mix of familiar and native ingredients.
There is New Zealand natural honey and propolis extract, both long loved in Korean skincare for their soothing, glow-giving reputation.
Australian white kaolin clay is there to help lift away oil and grime.
Kakadu plum extract and macadamia oil add a local twist.
It also contains ceramide, lactic acid and sodium hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid.
EAORON says the mask is designed to cleanse, purify and hydrate, and to support a brighter, smoother-looking complexion.
Those are the brand's own claims, and as with any skincare, results will vary from person to person.
Why honey masks are having a moment
Honey has been part of beauty rituals for centuries, and K-beauty has turned it into a modern must-have.
Honey is a natural humectant, which means it helps draw moisture into the skin.
That makes a honey mask a lovely pick-me-up when your face feels dull or tight after a long week, a flight or too much air conditioning.
Little single-use cups also have a practical upside.
There is no big tub sitting open in a steamy bathroom, and they are easy to pop in a toiletry bag for a weekend away.
How to get the most from your honey mask
EAORON recommends applying the mask to freshly cleansed skin, leaving it for 10 minutes, then rinsing it off.
A few simple tricks can make the ritual even nicer.
Warm the cup in your hands for a minute so the mask spreads more easily.
Apply it with clean fingers or a soft brush, and avoid the delicate eye area.
Rinse with lukewarm water rather than hot, then follow with your usual serum and moisturiser while your skin is still slightly damp.
Use it once or twice a week as a treat rather than every day, unless the instructions say otherwise.
A word of caution for sensitive skin
If you have a bee product allergy, be careful with any mask that contains honey or propolis.
Propolis in particular can trigger reactions in some people.
It is always wise to patch test a new product on a small area, such as the inside of your arm or behind your ear, and wait 24 hours.
Lactic acid is a gentle exfoliant, but if you already use strong acids or retinoids, go easy and do not layer too many actives on the same night.
If you have a skin condition such as eczema or rosacea, or you notice redness or stinging, stop using it and speak to your GP or a dermatologist.
The bottom line
You do not need to spend a fortune to enjoy a little at-home spa moment.
With summer events piling up, a budget honey mask could be the easy, affordable glow boost your skincare shelf has been missing.
It would also make a sweet stocking filler for the skincare lover in your life.
