Facial mask

Abstract

The present invention features a facial mask comprising a water-insoluble substrate sized and shaped to lie against and substantially coincident with a face of a human user. The water-insoluble substrate includes separation features that form laterally-extending tabs capable of overlapping the facial mask, improving its adaptability and fit. Methods of treating the skin using facial masks are also provided.

1 . A facial mask comprising:
 a unitary, water-insoluble substrate sized and shaped to lie against and substantially coincident with an entire face of a human user, said water-insoluble substrate defined by a perimeter and comprising a forehead region, a mid region, and a chin region, wherein said water-insoluble substrate further comprises at least one separation feature that forms a laterally-extending tab having a hinge area of at least 0.5 cm 2 .   
   
   
       2 . The facial mask of  claim 1 , wherein the separation feature is selected from the group consisting of slits, notches, and wedges. 
   
   
       3 . The facial mask of  claim 1 , wherein the separation feature extends into the forehead region or the chin region. 
   
   
       4 . The facial mask of  claim 1 , wherein the water-insoluble substrate comprises a pair of separation features reflected about an axis of symmetry, wherein each separation feature forms a laterally-extending tab having a hinge area of at least 0.5 cm 2 . 
   
   
       5 . The facial mask of  claim 1 , wherein the water-insoluble substrate further comprises openings for the eyes and mouth of the user. 
   
   
       6 . The facial mask of  claim 1 , further comprising a liquid impregnate absorbed on the water-insoluble substrate, wherein said liquid impregnate is present in an amount of at least about 5% by weight of the water-insoluble substrate. 
   
   
       7 . The facial mask of  claim 1 , further comprising a liquid impregnate absorbed on the water-insoluble substrate, wherein said liquid impregnate is present in an amount of at least about 50% by weight of the water-insoluble substrate. 
   
   
       8 . The facial mask of  claim 1 , wherein said water-insoluble substrate comprises a nonwoven fabric, a hydrogel, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The facial mask of  claim 1  free of straps adapted to wrap around the back of the head or back of the neck of the user. 
   
   
       10 . The facial mask of  claim 1 , wherein the laterally-extending tab has a hinge area of at least about 0.75 cm 2 . 
   
   
       11 . The facial mask of  claim 1 , wherein said separation feature extends from an opening for an eye of a user to the perimeter of the water-insoluble substrate. 
   
   
       12 . A facial mask comprising:
 a water-insoluble substrate sized and shaped to lie against and substantially coincident with a face of a human user, said water-insoluble substrate defined by a perimeter and comprising a forehead region, a mid region, and a chin region, wherein said water-soluble substrate comprises at least one separation feature extending from said perimeter into either said forehead region or said chin region, and wherein said separation feature has an angle of disposition greater than 0°.   
   
   
       13 . The facial mask of  claim 12 , wherein the water-insoluble substrate is unitary and sized and shaped to lie against and substantially coincident with an entire face of the user. 
   
   
       14 . The facial mask of  claim 12 , wherein the water-insoluble substrate comprises two or more pieces, each of said pieces adapted to cover different portions of the user's face. 
   
   
       15 . The facial mask of  claim 12 , wherein the angle of disposition is greater than about 15°. 
   
   
       16 . The facial mask of  claim 12 , wherein the separation feature forms a laterally-extending tab having a hinge area of at least 0.5 cm 2 . 
   
   
       17 . The facial mask of  claim 12 , wherein the water-insoluble substrate comprises a pair of separation features reflected about an axis of symmetry, wherein each separation feature forms a laterally-extending tab having a hinge area of at least 0.5 cm 2 . 
   
   
       18 . The facial mask of  claim 12 , wherein the water-insoluble substrate further comprises openings for the eyes and mouth of the user. 
   
   
       19 . The facial mask of  claim 12 , further comprising a liquid impregnate absorbed on the water-insoluble substrate, wherein said liquid impregnate is present in an amount of at least about 5% by weight of the water-insoluble substrate. 
   
   
       20 . The facial mask of  claim 12 , further comprising a liquid impregnate absorbed on the water-insoluble substrate, wherein said liquid impregnate is present in a amount of at least about 50% by weight of the water-insoluble substrate. 
   
   
       21 . The facial mask of  claim 12 , wherein said water-insoluble substrate comprises a nonwoven fabric, a hydrogel, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       22 . The facial mask of  claim 12  free of straps adapted to wrap around the back of the head or back of the neck of the user. 
   
   
       23 . A method of treating the facial skin of a human user, comprising:
 placing a water-insoluble substrate against the facial skin of said user such that said water-insoluble substrate covers substantially all of said facial skin, wherein a first portion of said water-insoluble substrate overlaps a second portion of said water-insoluble substrate, whereby said first portion and said second portion adhere to one another.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the water-insoluble substrate is unitary. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the water-insoluble substrate comprises two or more pieces. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the facial mask comprises a separation feature, said separation feature having an angle of disposition greater than 0°. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the facial mask includes a separation feature having an angle of disposition greater than about 15°. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said first portion of said water-soluble substrate comprises a laterally-extending tab. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said laterally-extending tab has a hinge area of at least 0.5 cm 2 . 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the water-insoluble substrate further comprises openings for the eyes and mouth of the user. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the wherein water-insoluble substrate further comprises a liquid impregnate, and wherein said liquid impregnate is present in an amount of at least about 50% by weight of the water-insoluble substrate. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said water-insoluble substrate comprises a nonwoven fabric, a hydrogel, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said facial mask is free of straps adapted to wrap around the back of the head or back of the neck of the user. 
   
   
       34 . A facial mask comprising a water-insoluble substrate having an interior slit for the nose comprising a plurality of arcuate portions.