Korean beauty has revolutionised our skincare routines. We are officially obsessed with all things essence, glass skin and sheet mask and this is showing no sign of slowing down.
Since the latter form of a quick fix, at home facial first entered the beauty sphere a few years ago, the trend has taken a life of its own where masking has become a regular occurrence in all #SelfCareSunday skincare regimes.
And it not solely for the serial killer-esq selfie when the mask is on – these 15 to 20 minute treatments can have a real impact on our skin when in need of a pampering treat.
The sheets – usually made from paper of cloth – are soaked in a solution packed full of goodness. It then forms a barrier to ensure that your skin properly absorbs the nourishing ingredients. You then massage any excess into your skin. New generation in sheet masking has also led to hydrogel or bio cellulose sheet masks that will intensify the treatment even further.
They are designed to be used a few times a week (while some SoKo beauty experts swear by daily application) but it is a common misconception that the longer you leave the sheet mask on your face, the better it will be. Depending on the mask itself, they should not be used for longer than 20 minutes or can really dry out your skin.
With the increased popularity in masking, it has led to a massive increase in options on the market but the easiest way to choose between them is to first identify your particular needs. Each mask is targeted to a specific fix whether its lifting, firming, targeting acne, hydrating or to brighten skin. In true K-Beauty style, the masks also include innovative ingredients like 24k gold, snail mucin, and charcoal with surprising skin benefits.
The no-mess and single packet make up of these treatments makes them particularly handy for travelling – especially as a crucial step in your in-flight beauty regime and can be applied while you do the washing up or are binge-watching Netflix.
Maskologist Rose Glowing Potion
Made from plant cellulose, a fully biodegradable material, Maskologist's Rose Glow Potion delivers a rich textured moisture bomb. Separated into two parts, the slippery consistency makes this mask better suited as a lay down treatment vs sitting straight up.
Our favourite part? The soft flowery scent is gorgeous but the glow giving benefits are unmistakeable—this mask just works. The packaging is fully recyclable too, an all-around winner.
£23.50 | Maskologist | Buy it now
Rodial Snake Bubble Mask
This innovative Rodial option may just be the scariest looking when it comes to your mid-mask selfie but it is effective in unclogging your pores and targeting fine lines and wrinkles.
The serum contains Syn-Ake Dipepide that targets signs of aging, Hyaluronic Acid to plump and moisturise and O2 bubbles to oxygenate and refresh skin. This is combined with bamboo charcoal for a deep cleanse and a nourishing blend of ceramide, collagen and vitamins A and E.
Apply for 10 to 15 minutes or after the bubbles have fully risen to make the most of the treatment and massage any remaining onto your face. This is a slightly messier option than some of the other masks on this list so may not be the best choice for your in-flight beauty regime.
£7.50 | Beauty Bay | Buy it now
Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask
This innovative mask from Charlotte Tilbury may surprise you on opening. Unlike its traditional serum soaked counterparts, this is actually a dry mask. It has tiny vectors packed with active and high potency ingredients; vitamins, floral extracts, peptides, oils and butters with a technological 5 Skin Solution IQ that tailors it to your skin.
Whether you need to hydrate, lift, smooth, brighten, or reduce the appearance of wrinkles, this mask will do the trick. We particularly like to use it just before a big event or a night out for a glowing complexion.
You just hook the mask around your ears (so you can multitask and do the hoovering at the same time) and leave on for 15 minutes. Skin feels tighter, brighter and nourished.
£18 | Charlotte Tilbury | Buy it now
Ultimate Recovery Bio-Cellulose Mask
This option from Medik8 uses a bio cellulose mask that is made up of millions of tiny natural fibres tightly woven together and acts as an impenetrable veil that locks in moisture and provides optimal delivery of the serum.
The serum itself is lightweight and will offer deep hydration with skin soothing properties. It is made up of natural zinc to calm skin, reduce inflammation and promote the skin’s natural healing process and as well as Hyaluronic Acid to draw in moisture, and rockweed algae extract for moisturising and antioxidant protection.
Leave on for 15 minutes for rejuvenated skin. It can even be used for sensitive skin and is fragrance and alcohol free.
6 for £60 | Medik8 | Buy it now
Kiehl's Instant Renewal Concentrate Sheet Mask
Using cold-pressed Amazonian Oils (Copaiba Resin Oil, Pracaxi Oil and Andiroba Oil), the Kiehl’s mask provides a radiant and glowing skin transformation. The bio cellulose-embedded hydrogel mask can be applied on all skin shapes and should be left on for 10 minutes.
4 for £44 | John Lewis | Buy it now
Dr Jart+ Rubber Mask Firm Lover
The Dr Jart+ masks are unlike anything you’ve tried before. The two step process consists on an ampoule containing the serum, which should be massaged on to the face. Next, place the rubber mask on to your skin and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes (and no longer than 40).
The ampoule contains a berry complex with salicylic acid to firm skin and red seaweed to maintain moisture and leave it soft and supple. The rubber mask, which is derived from algae acts as a second skin to stop the active ingredients within the serum from evaporating, therefore encouraging a deeper penetration of the product.
£10 | Selfridges | Buy it now
Clarins Super Restorative Instant Lift Serum-Mask
Made from plant fibres, this mask offers that post-facial effect from the comfort of your own home. The stretch fabric moulds to the contours of your face with a gel-serum that works to lift and plump your skin in 15 minutes and leave you with a youthful and radiant complexion.
£15 | Clarins | Buy it now
111SKIN Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask
Dreamy! Founded by cosmetic surgeon Dr. Yannis Alexandrides, 111SKIN’s sheet mask provides a luxe pampering treatment.
Silk amino acids, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and centella asiatica extract are combined to brighten, firm and moisturise skin. The formula also contains 24k gold particles and Damask rose extract for that extra element of TLC.
Leave the hydrogel mask on your face for 20 minutes and once it is removed, pat the remaining serum into skin. It works to promote healing, reduce hyperpigmentation and combat signs of premature ageing.
£20 | 111Skin | Buy it now
Garnier Moisture Bomb Pomegranate Hydrating Face Sheet Mask
For an instant hit of hydration, keep this Garnier sheet mask in your beauty arsenal. Particularly in the summer when face is feeling dry and dehydrated, this mask will be a godsend to revitalise and revive radiance.
Leave the mask on for 15 minutes to treat your thirst-quenched skin to the combination of pomegranate extract, hyaluronic acid, and plant serum.
£2.99 | Superdrug | Buy it now
Shangpree Gold Premium Modeling Mask
Get one step closer to that coveted K-Beauty youthful complexion with this face mask that contains gold and plant extracts for a truly luxury experience. The mask also contains Chitosan that helps detoxify skin from harmful pollution.
Spread all over your face and leave on for 30-40 minutes before peeling off.
£12 | Selfridges | Buy it now
Neogen White truffle liftmax knit mask
Neogen has taken a unique approach to sheet masking by creating this innovative knitted mesh construction that is designed for maximum absorption and a secure fit. It is then soaked in an essence containing white truffle, avocado oil and propolis to rebalance, soothe and brighten your complexion. The addition of ceramides and milk protein work to infuse skin with moisture.
£6.50 | Selfridges | Buy it now
Sarah Chapman 3D Moisture Infusion Single
Facialist Sarah Chapman has designed this multitasking mask to rehydrated, plump and restore. It contains a moisturising mix of Pentavitin®, hyaluronic acid, rosewater as well as a multimineral energising complex that results in a glowing and balanced complexion.
Acting like a second skin, the Bio cellulose mask encourages a greater absorption of the formula. Leave on for 10-15 minutes.
£15 | Feel Unique | Buy it now
MZ Skin Hydra Lift Golden Facial Treatment Mask
Ensure you are looking and feeling your best with this pre-event miracle mask. The hydrating facial in a pack is made up of luxe gold nano particle, Vitamin C and Collagen that work in tandem to improve the skin’s texture, reduce signs of ageing, and firm up areas prone to sagging – leaving you with a red-carpet worthy glow.
5 for £85 | Net-A-Porter | Buy it now
Simple Kind to Skin Radiance Boosting Sheet Mask
This sheet mask from Simple may appear lightweight but it is mighty. Created with naturally derived fruit enzymes, it adds an impressive level of moisture back into dull and dehydrated skin to leave it looking and feeling smooth and soft. The sheet itself is made from 100 per cent natural cotton and so, is biodegradable.
£1.45 | Superdrug | Buy it now
OH K! Jet Lag Mask
For tired-looking skin in need of a bit of pampering, this is the mask for you. Designed specifically to combat signs of jet lag, it combines hyaluronic acid, oat, tomato and aloe extract for brighter, smoother and more hydrated skin after only 10-20 minutes.
£5 | Beauty Bay | Buy it now
DHC Bio Cellulose Mask 1 Sheet
Is your skin in need of intense hydration? Enter the DHC mask – a luxury treatment made up of natural cellulose from fermented coconut water, Neem Leaf, Shell Ginger, Amino Acids and Vitamin C that soothes, nourishes and hydrates skin. Leave on for 20 minutes for silky soft and plumper skin where scars also appear calmer.
£8.25 | Escentual | Buy it now
Skin79 Golden Snail Gel Mask - 24K
Packed full of skincare goodness, this luxury Skin79 mask is infused with 24k gold to ensure you are glowing from the second that you apply the mask. It also contains snail mucin that has moisturising and anti-ageing benefits, while the mask itself is composed of hydrogel that delivers an intense hydration to your thirst-quenched skin.
After 20-40 minutes, you will notice a transformation in your complexion.
£5.50 | Beauty Bay | Buy it now
Lancer Skincare Lift And Plump Sheet Mask 1 Mask
Give your skin the boost it needs with this highly-concentrated mask from Lancer. The sheet is infused with Apple Stem Cells and Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-3 for a plumping effect and a more lifted and tighter look. This is also combined with Rose Water, Centella Asiatica Extract and Sodium Hyaluronate for the moisture hit your skin needs. Offering that professional facial quality in your own home, the miracle mask works wonders.
£29 | Feel Unique | Buy it now
