Esfolio Red Ginseng Essence Mask Sheet for dry skin
Average
- HighDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry skin; other nourishing masks fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate hydration for your dry skin, as red ginseng extract and sodium hyaluronate provide plumping and moisturizing benefits. Glycerin further supports hydration, making it suitable for dry or flaky skin.
- The formula is generally safe for your dry skin, with no harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
- While it offers good general hydration, it does not specifically target or address other potential skin concerns you may have.
How to apply
- Use your sheet mask PM or AM whenever your skin feels dry. Start 3 times a week and increase if your skin likes it.
- Place the sheet mask on your face after cleansing and toner, and before moisturizer.
- Unfold the sheet mask and smooth it gently over your face without rubbing. Relax for ten minutes and let the essence soak in.
- Put the sheet mask on clean and slightly damp skin for the best hydration boost. Pat the remaining liquid softly into your skin.
- Avoid getting the essence too close to your eyes. Do a quick patch test before your very first use.
People Say
★3.8Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, this mask is recognized as an affordable, highly saturated sheet mask that provides a quick, revitalizing hydration boost and a temporary plumping effect for tired skin. Its performance is often overshadowed by a very strong, earthy ginseng scent and a sticky finish that some users find unpleasant.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
- “It is definitely hydrating”
- “moisturized my skin very well”
- “leaves skin feeling moist”
Generous essence Mostly Mentioned
- “Packed with essence”
- “soaked and dripping”
- “extra essence for neck/arms”
Strong scent Mostly Mentioned
- “Terrible smell”
- “smells like olives/oysters”
- “very strong ginseng scent”
Affordable price Often Mentioned
- “budget sheet mask”
- “great value for money”
Plumping effect Sometimes Noted
- “Has a plumping effect”
- “skin looked and felt revitalized”
- “velvety hydration hit”
Sticky residue Sometimes Noted
- “It's like Velcro”
- “sticky”
- “disgusting how it makes skin feel”
Temporary results Sometimes Noted
- “Revitalized look is short-lived”
- “no long term affects”
- “results are fleeting”
Irritating ingredients Rarely Noted
- “Contains denatured alcohol”
- “not for sensitive skin”
- “felt a little tingly”
Sources: lovi.care, wordpress.com, dermapproved.com, youtube.com, makeupstore.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does esfolio Red Ginseng work for dry skin?
This mask offers moderate hydration for your dry skin, as red ginseng extract, sodium hyaluronate, and glycerin provide plumping and moisturizing benefits. While it is generally safe and helps with flaky skin, a nourishing mask for dry skin needs higher concentrations of hydrating ingredients and barrier-repairing components to provide excellent moisture and soothing properties.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Ginseng Research, 2020
Which ingredients make this mask a good fit for dry skin?
This mask helps your dry skin with red ginseng extract and sodium hyaluronate, which provide moisturizing and plumping benefits. Glycerin further supports hydration to keep flaky skin soft and smooth. A nourishing mask for dry skin needs multiple hydrating agents, barrier-repairing ingredients, and calming components to lock in moisture and soothe the skin.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Ginseng Research, 2020
What does Red Ginseng Extract do for dry skin?
Red ginseng extract helps dry skin by boosting moisture, keeping the skin barrier strong, and reducing stiffness in skin cells. It increases skin hydration and supports natural protective factors to keep skin soft and smooth.
Skin Research and Technology, 2023Journal of Medicinal Food, 2009
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for dry skin?
Hyaluronic acid draws moisture into dry skin, giving an immediate and lasting boost in hydration that helps smooth out fine lines and soften rough patches. It is very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation while improving overall skin smoothness and plumpness.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
Where does this mask go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This nourishing mask goes in your weekly routine after cleansing and before your treatment and moisturizer. Dry skin needs rich hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and nourishing plant extracts to lock in moisture and keep flaky areas soft.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Ginseng Research, 2020
Can I use this mask with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this mask in your weekly routine, keeping it on hand for extra moisture when your dry skin feels flaky. To combine it with retinol, apply the mask first to provide hydration, and follow with your retinol treatment afterwards to keep your skin feeling calm and smooth. Dry skin of this type needs richer hydrators and barrier-protecting ingredients like ceramides to lock in moisture effectively.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Ginseng Research, 2020
How often should I use this mask?
This nourishing mask works best when used once a week as part of your weekly routine. It helps keep your dry skin feeling comfortable and hydrated through gentle ingredients like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate.
Health Science Reports, 2021Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can this mask clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This mask is unlikely to clog your pores or cause breakouts on dry skin, as its formula is generally safe and free of harsh ingredients that typically trigger irritation. However, because it leaves a sticky residue for some users, rinsing your face lightly afterward may help if you dislike the heavy feeling.
Is this mask fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol).
What the research says
A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Korean Red Ginseng extract suppressed melanogenesis in vitro, reduced wrinkle formation and collagen degradation in ultraviolet B-irradiated hairless mice, and improved skin resilience, moisture, and tone in humans.
Journal of Ginseng Research, 2020A topical formulation containing panthenol, niacinamide, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate increased skin hydration by 74.1% and reduced transepidermal water loss by 13.5% at 28 days compared to baseline and untreated control in 35 individuals with xerosis.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Enzyme-modified ginseng extract cream significantly reduced the global photo-damage score and various roughness measures including total roughness, smoothness depth, and arithmetic roughness average compared to placebo in 23 human subjects.
Rejuvenation Research, 2015A red ginseng hydrogel formulation with 1,2-hexanediol promoted selective growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis and decreased Cutibacterium acnes in 20 female subjects.
Journal of Ginseng Research, 2022A 1% fermented black ginseng cream significantly reduced eye wrinkles and brightened skin color in twenty-three human subjects compared to control cream and baseline.
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A, 2020Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Alcohol, Red Ginseng Extract, Panax Ginseng Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Phyisepipi-17 6 Copolymer, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium Edta, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Chlorphenesin, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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