I will start by saying that there is a difference between the Hada Labo Tokyo brand in Europe and the Americas. In the Americas, the products are made in the USA. They include Rohto’s R&D, but they aren’t the same deal. In Europe, we get either very close copies of Japanese products, differences derive from different regulations, or the original Japanese products sold in Japan. The latter is the case with the Hada Labo Tokyo Premium Express Glow & Anti-Stress Jelly Sheet Mask, which is technically the same as the Hada Labo Whitening Jelly Sheet Mask. The ingredients are the same, the sachets in which the sheets are sealed feel the same though they have different patterns, and the sheet masks themselves touch the same. Also, notice how tranexamic acid was mistakenly listed in the European ingredients list at the beginning like they do in Japan, but they shouldn’t do it in the EU. The only and main difference is the marketing approaches; in Japan, the product is promoted as a brightening product, and in Europe, it’s an ‘anti-stress’ and glow-boosting mask because very few Europeans seek to lighten their complexions. So if you read my blog regularly, there will be no new information for you after this introduction because I reviewed the Hada Labo Whitening Jelly Sheet Mask over a year ago (how the time flies…). But, if you’re new here, then keep reading. 

The essence in which the sheet masks are immersed contains tranexamic acid proven to reduce hyperpigmentation, redness and soothe the skin. There is also vitamin C derivative, which aids tranexamic acid with brightening skin. For hydration, we can find here the good, old glycerine, hyaluronic acid, and some oils. There’s also a bit of vitamin E, which is a fantastic antioxidant. The product is free of fragrance, and it’s suitable for all skin types. 

I could compare the two with only a couple of days apart because I buy a lot of the Hada Labo Whitening Jelly Sheet Mask. It’s one of my favourite sheet masks out there, and I am thrilled to know that I can now get it locally. The Hada Labo masks are not like those simple sheet masks that only temporarily hydrate the skin, and after a few hours, you feel like you spend extra money on over-fragranced serum. Instead, the essence in the Hada Labo masks truly delivers the promised results; the skin feels and looks plumper and more radiant, if used regularly, it also helps with hyperpigmentation. I always have a few packs of the Hada Labo Whitening Jelly Sheet Masks around because I just love them, and I’ve stocked up on the Hada Labo Tokyo version, so I keep masking a few times a week – my skincare intemperance. 

Overall, it’s a fantastic hydrating and skin-brightening mask. You will instantly notice that your skin looks glower, and, as the producer suggests, you will feel more relaxed because having a short or long pampering session can surely relieve some stress. And people who are planning to use these masks with the hope of reducing hyperpigmentation, I’d suggest incorporating other brightening ingredients such as azelaic acid, glycolic acid or ascorbic acid. Of course, niacinamide and arbutin are great choices too!  

Ingredients: Tranexamic Acid, Aqua, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Carbomer, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Methylparaben, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Hyaluronate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid. (edax.pl) 

The Hada Labo Tokyo Premium Express Glow & Anti-Stress Jelly Sheet Mask is now available from most of Hada Labo Tokyo’s stockists across Europe. You can for sure buy it online in Poland and Czechia and in a few countries in DM’s shops like Croatia.
The Hada Laba Tokyo products are also available from edax.pl, which delivers to Czechia, France, the Netherlands, Poland, and Slovakia.