The Best Sheet Masks of 2024

Buyer’s Guide: Sheet Masks

A sheet mask can easily improve your skincare routine as long as the sheet masks you're using are compatible with your skin's needs. In this buying guide, you'll find everything you need to know about what this means and how to find sheet masks that your skin will appreciate.

Ingredients to Look For in a Sheet Mask

Sheet masks contain a wide range of ingredients that can tackle just about any skin condition. Here are some beneficial sheet mask ingredients that you should keep in mind when shopping for one!

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is a potent skincare ingredient known for tackling acne and clarifying acne-prone skin. It's a must-have if your skin is either sensitive or prone to breakouts, if not both.

Citrus peel oils

Did you know citrus fruits — like oranges and grapefruits — are rich in skin-friendly antioxidants? It's true! And as a result, sheet masks often contain these oils with the goal of buffing away dull or flaky skin. When you use face masks that contain this ingredient, your skin is sure to become smooth, bright, and glowy.

Caffeine

Would you believe us if we told you that applying caffeine to your skin has the same effect as consuming it? We wouldn't lie to you! Caffeine increases the amount of blood flow and circulation that moves toward your face, resulting in brighter and less puffy complexions.

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid has the ability to pull moisture to your skin without making it heavy or oily. Look for sheet masks containing this ingredient if your goal is skin that appears plump, restored, and hydrated.

Retinol

Retinol is an effective ingredient when your aim is to combat fine lines and wrinkles. It not only improves blood circulation and exfoliates the skin but it also promotes collagen production while tightening your skin.

Ginseng

Ginseng is an excellent ingredient because it stimulates the production of elastin and collagen. If you want firmer and brighter skin, ginseng is your friend. It also has the added perks of reducing wrinkles and fine lines.

CoQ10

CoQ10 is a potent antioxidant known for fortifying the skin against environmental damage. It's also useful in situations where hyperpigmentation and scarring are concerns.

Witch hazel and willow bark

It's not rare to find sheet masks that contain both witch hazel and willow bark at once because these ingredients both have skin-soothing and balancing properties. Plus, they're great for oil control.

How to Choose the Right Sheet Mask

Now that you know about the various ingredients most commonly found in sheet masks, let’s focus on how you can determine which sheet mask if best for your skin type.

Dry skin

Dry skin requires extra hydration and moisturization that it doesn't produce on its own. To give dry skin a helping hand, look for sheet masks that contain hydrating skin care oils, squalene, ceramide, and — of course — hyaluronic acid. If your skin looks more mature, ingredients like vitamin C, licorice root extract, and niacinamide can eliminate dullness and tiredness, which will return that youthful glow you know and love back your skin.

Oily skin

Oily skin craves exfoliation and purification. If you have oily skin look, you'll want to look for sheet masks with ingredients like yogurt, clay, and charcoal. All of these are excellent when it comes to unclogging pores and regulating oil production.

Sensitive skin

People with sensitive skin have to keep a close eye on what a sheet mask contains because harmful chemicals and irritating ingredients can quickly make matters worse. If your skin is the sensitive type, choose a mask with all-natural ingredients. Ideally, look for a mask that is also free from preservatives, alcohol, and fragrances.

Acne-prone skin

Sheet masks containing ingredients with antibacterial properties — such as tea tree oil, green tea, and charcoal — are an excellent choice for acne-prone skin. You can also look into sheet masks with aloe vera and snail mucin as both of these ingredients fight inflammation while reducing redness in the process.

How to Use a Sheet Mask

Many people believe sheet masks are the easiest skincare product to apply, but you should put in a little bit of effort if you want to see the best results possible. Let’s walk through the correct step-by-step process of using a sheet mask!

Cleanse your face

Any skincare regime starts with a clean face. If you have a layer of dirt covering your skin, whatever you apply to the surface will simply sit on the outer layer of your skin, which will prevent the nutrients from reaching the place they are needed the most.

To clean your face, start with a gentle facial cleanser to cleanse the skin. Gently lather the cleanser around your face to remove any grime, and then rinse your face with warm water to open up your pores. After that, take a soft towel and lightly pat your face until it is dry.

Apply some toner

After drying your face, apply your favorite toner. This is an important step because toner helps restore the pH balance of the skin while opening your pores. Together, these measures will ensure that the nutrients in your sheet mask reach the depths of your skin's many layers.

Place the mask on your face

Open the sheet mask packet, gently press it against the sides of the packaging to collect excess serum, and then take the mask out. Squeeze the serum on your hand and apply it gently to your face. Then, apply the sheet mask on top of the serum to seal everything inside.

As you apply the sheet mask, start with your forehead and work your way down to your eyes. Then, put it over your nose, mouth, and chin. After ensuring the sheet mask is in its proper position, gently smooth out the bumps or wrinkles in an outward direction. Make sure the sheet clings to your skin as tightly as possible.

Use the leftover serum

If there is any leftover serum on your face, you can apply it to your neck, upper chest, or the back of your hands. This way, you'll be able to nourish other areas of your skin, too!

Relax

Relaxing is the fun part of any facial mask application process, but this doesn’t mean you have to sit still and twiddle your thumbs! You can get up and move around while wearing a sheet mask. Just make sure the mask doesn't fall off of your face in the process. A few good ideas of things to do when wearing a sheet mask include soaking in a hot bath, reading a book, meditating, or catching up on your favorite TV show.

Remove the mask

You might be tempted to leave your sheet mask on your face for longer than directed. However, it’s better to take it off while the mask is still moist. If you let it completely dry while still on your face, it can cause irritation. Carefully follow the directions on your sheet mask’s packaging for specific advice.

Enjoy the aftercare process

Washing your face after removing a sheet mask is a common mistake that many people are guilty of, but there's no shame in that! Once you know not to do that, you can eliminate this error.

See, the reason you don't want to wash your face after applying a sheet mask comes down to the fact that the residue the sheet mask left behind is the nutrient-rich serum from the mask. You'll want to try to let it absorb into your skin instead of wiping it off.

So, instead of cleansing your face after applying a sheet mask, gently pat the leftover serum into your skin. Give it time to absorb into your skin, and then you can carry on with your regular skincare routine.