Maybe it pales in comparison to what I have listed on my Hinge profile, but I still have a pretty strict criteria for beauty products [1] before deeming one truly "innovative." First, it must be something I've never seen before — a tough feat, given I've tested thousands for my job [2] over the years. It should also come from a reputable brand, and include research-backed ingredients [3] or technology. There are plenty of other fish in the sea, after all, and too many formulas look, feel, and smell the same — especially when it comes to skin care [4].
Then, I stumbled across the Artis Phantom Cleansing Silks [5] ($55), which — at first glance — look like oval anti-wrinkle patches [6] you've probably been seeing everywhere. In reality, it's an entirely new way to wash your face, utilising medical-grade fibres to weave three skincare steps into one. (Read: this is not your average facial cleanser [7].)
"Nanofibre technology [8] has been groundbreaking in the medical community," said Artis founder and manageing partner Jeremy Adelman. "It dissolves rapidly when wet, and it is extremely delicate – so delicate, that it's been instrumental for use in wound dressings and cornea surgery. These uses make the fibres perfect for gentle skincare application, especially as our skin ages."
Now, the question becomes: is it too good to be true? I put it to the test, ahead.
What Is A "Cleansing Silk?"
You're probably familiar with the term "double cleansing [9]" — the use of an oil-based cleanser before your regular face wash — but the Artis Phantom Cleansing Silks take it up a notch, introducing three steps into the mix. Spun in between layers of mesh fibre (more on how that works that later) you'll find a jojoba oil-based cleanser, water-based foam cleanser with vitamin E, and microcrystalline cellulose exfoliator.
"The fabric can penetrate the skin with active ingredients to help cleanse or treat the skin."
Included in one sachet, there are three oval rounds that you apply to your forehead and two cheeks. The "silk" element seems to be intentional, too: "Silk dressings [10] have long been used in medicine for wound healing," said dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. "Silk is gentle, soft, and non-reactive in the skin, which is why it is used as a suture material to sew up wounds."
It's also being introduced more and more into the skincare realm, he adds. "The fabric can penetrate the skin with active ingredients to help cleanse or treat the skin," he said. "We don't know if they are superior to traditional skin treatments like masks and gels, but there is certainly no harm in using them. The skin-protecting benefits of the silk in these products may be useful in people who have dry or sensitive skin."
How Does Nanofibre Technology Work?
First, to truly understand how this facial cleanser works, you should know about the technology behind it.
"Nanofibre" refers to a microscopically non-woven textile that is spun and laid on top of one other, creating tiny fibres that can carry all the good ingredients you want on your skin. "One of the biggest differentiating factors is that the Phantom Cleansing Silks offer a purer delivery system of the active ingredients with no preservatives in a form that will oxidise far less over time," said Adelman. "So you're maximising the effectiveness of the active ingredients."
How To Use the Artis Phantom Cleansing Silks
Now, for the fun part: applying the product. I'll be completely honest that these slippery sheets of silk are a little tough to separate from one another. (There are three ovals of silk and mesh, which you want to remove together from the plastic film, but not from each other. You get the hang of it, I promise.)
First, you apply the silk side (you can tell which one it is by looking for tiny scrubby particles) of the cleansing patch onto dry skin — one on your forehead, and two on your cheeks. Peel off the mesh, and then wet your hands before pressing them onto skin.
Rinsing Off the Artis Phantom Cleansing Silks
Once you've introduced water into the mix, you'll notice the white film on your skin shrink up (this is all of the ingredients coming together). I gently rubbed the cleanser across my face, using small circular motions, and mostly felt the exfoliator hard at work — which was surprisingly gentle, even on my sensitive skin. The oil made it easy to glide from area to area, but the real magic happened once I rinsed it off. I walked away with face that felt butter soft to the touch, but without that tight feeling that comes from using a drying formula. A win-win.
Are the Cleansing Silks Worth It?
Were the Artis Phantom Cleansing Silks love at first try? In a word: no. For the most part, I've discovered that I need my cleansing routine to be fast and seamless — especially on nights I'm too tired to hover over my sink for more than a minute.
Still, in a world where self-care means setting some time aside on days you need a dose of TLC for yourself, this is certainly one of the most luxurious — and fine, innovative — ways to do it.
Artis Phantom Cleansing Silks
Artis Phantom Cleansing Silks [11] ($55)
Artis Phantom Cleansing Silks
Artis Phantom Cleansing Silks [12] ($55)