Whether you’re a seasoned skincare aficionado or a self-proclaimed minimalist who only owns face wash and a good sunscreen, a sheet mask can undoubtedly play a role in your product arsenal.
Easy to use, they’re a fast and effective way to address a multitude of complexion concerns. “So long as you pick the right one, anyone can use a sheet mask, and they’re wonderful because they can deliver pretty speedy results.
It makes sense that sheet masks are wildly popular. To determine which sheet masks are the best, we tested 22 of them from a variety of brands, evaluating each for comfort (how well it fit and felt), application (if it stayed on or slipped off), and efficacy (if it delivered on its skin-enhancing promises).
1.Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Mask
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Key Benefits: Hydration
Star Qualities
· Smooth, comfortable feel
· Oil-free and non-comedogenic
· Consistency pleasant to the touch
Red Flags
· None that we could find
Offering great bang for your buck, this mask from Neutrogena is made of a hydrogel material that effectively locks in the hydrating hyaluronic acid in the formula. To that point, it does feel a little bit slimy, though a tester noted that this was actually quite pleasant — more of a lightweight, slippery feel. They also enjoyed the functionality of its two pieces, as well as the flaps that go over your eyelids and mouth. It also bears mentioning that this mask is oil-free and non-comedogenic, important criteria for those with oily skin or seeking acne products to fight breakouts.
2.Pixi Vitamin C Sheet Mask
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, ferulic acid, caffeine | Key Benefits: Brightening, de-puffing
Star Qualities
· Stimulates collagen production for more supple skin
· Offers antioxidant protection
· Great for sensitive skin
Red Flags
· Hard to unravel
Vitamin C is a standout ingredient in the skincare world, known for brightening skin, stimulating collagen production, and offering powerful antioxidant protection. It does all of the above in this sheet mask, coupled with ferulic acid (another protective antioxidant) as well as de-puffing caffeine.
My face is now very glowing and I look super moisturized, who gave it top marks for efficacy. I also noticed my skin glistening from the moment I started rubbing in the product after removing the sheet mask.They also lauded the cooling feel and noted that it didn’t irritate their sensitive skin, though they did lament that unrolling the mask itself was a little tricky.
3.Perricone MD Cold Plasma Treatment Sheet Mask
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, copper tripeptide, phospholipids | Key Benefits: Hydration, brightening
Star Qualities
· Covers every part of the face
· Increased brightness and softened skin
· Thick consistency isn’t runny
Red Flags
· Slightly tacky feel after use
· Pricey for one mask
If dull skin is your primary skincare gripe, consider this glow-enhancing winner. There are more than just hydrating ingredients in the mix; it’s also infused with brightening vitamin C, a smoothing copper tripeptide, and phospholipids to help strengthen the skin barrier.
Our tester gave it a 4.5 out of 5 when it came to efficacy. You would probably have to use a mask like this more than once over time to see a noticeable difference, but my skin does look bright and soft after taking off the mask. They also noted a slightly tacky feeling after wearing the mask for the recommended 20 minutes. However, they liked how comfortable and easy to apply the two pieces were, as well as the fact that the serum wasn’t too thin or runny.
4.Lancôme Hydrogel Melting Sheet Mask
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, bifidus extract | Key Benefits: Hydration, plumping
Star Qualities
· Strengthens skin barrier
· Immediate brightening and hydrating effect
Red Flags
· Edges rolled up while wearing
Increasing the hydration in your skin is one of the fastest ways to help make it appear plumper and smoother, and this mask does exactly that. Credit the use of glycerin, a well-known humectant that attracts water to and traps it in the skin. There’s also bifidus extract in the mix, a probiotic that helps to strengthen the skin barrier so that hydration can’t escape.
Indeed, when it came to efficacy, our tester gave this mask a perfect score, calling out that their skin was brighter and dewier and that the mask felt very hydrating. Where they dinged the rating a little bit was comfort and application. The cut of the mask didn’t fit perfectly; there was some bunching, and the edges rolled up before it was dry.
5.By Terry Hydrating Sheet Mask
Key Ingredients: Rosehip oil, vitamin E | Key Benefits: Hydration, smoothing
Star Qualities
· Two pieces for a better fit
· Serum isn’t runny or slimy
· Lightweight and absorbs nicely
Red Flags
· Contains fragrance
This is definitely a pricier pick, but our testers found it to be worth every penny. Rosehip oil and vitamin E add plenty of nourishing moisture; our tester called out how hydrated and smooth their skin felt after. And the actual mask and serum itself are standouts, too. The liquid component is lightweight and not runny, and the mask stayed on during the 20 minutes and didn’t move as I moved around. The mask actually consists of a top and a bottom section, which, is an attribute to look for in sheet masks if you want to ensure a better fit.
6.Loops Sunrise Service Brightening Mask
Key Ingredients: Baobab oil, pumpkin extract, white flower extract, Bio Duoferm | Key Benefits: Hydration, brightening, de-puffing
Star Qualities
· Fits well
· Brightens, hydrates, and de-puffs
· Thick texture due to hydrogel
Red Flags
· Stickier than some
Finding a sheet mask that actually fits and stays on for the allotted time can be a struggle. Loops to the rescue! Each Loops sheet mask is cut into two pieces, so you can get the perfect fit for your face. While we love the Variety Loop Kit for its offerings for a multitude of skin concerns, the Sunrise Service Brightening Mask is our top pick. It’s great for integrating into a morning skincare routine since it brightens, hydrates, and de-puffs the skin. With ingredients like vitamin-rich pumpkin extract, regenerative baobob oil, and refreshing white flower extract, the hydrogel mask targets the visible effects of late nights and early mornings.
7.Skin Gym Red Carpet VIP Gold Foil Face Mask
Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, sodium hyaluronate, amino acids | Key Benefits: Hydrating, brightening
Star Qualities
· Easy to apply with two pieces
· Ideal for sensitive skin
· Brightens and hydrates dull skin
Red Flags
· Expensive for one mask
We might not get to walk the red carpet like the celebrities we write about, but we can bring that VIP experience home. These Instagram-worthy gold foil face masks from Skin Gym are loaded with active ingredients for soothing and de-puffing tired skin. Plus, there are anti-aging and anti-wrinkle effects with ingredients like bakuchiol, a natural retinol alternative for sensitive skin, and a superhydra complex that aids in hydrating and brightening the skin. The brand suggests refrigerating the mask for a cooling effect and using a facial roller over the mask while you wait for the ingredients to sink in.
8.PureDerm Deep Purifying Bubble Mask
Key Ingredients: Peach extract, superfood 10 complex | Key Benefits: Deep cleansing, clarifying, nourishing
Star Qualities
· Leaves skin soft, clean, and glowy
· Ideal for sensitive skin
· Can feel the mask working
Red Flags
· Difficult to unfold
These Korean bubble masks offer a unique experience that will truly transform your skincare routine. Unlike a traditional sheet mask, you’ll know this one is instantly working because oxygen bubbles will foam up on the skin’s surface. The masks work in overdrive to remove dirt and hydrate, leaving skin soft, super glowy, and squeaky clean. Plus, you can grab a five-pack for under $8 at Amazon. There are other ingredients to try, too: turmeric, green tea, charcoal, and volcanic.
9.TONYMOLY All You Need Mask Set
Key Ingredients: Varies by mask | Key Benefits: Varies by mask
Star Qualities
· 13 different face and eye masks
· Addresses a variety of skincare concerns
· Comfortable to wear
Red Flags
· Slightly runny
Consider this a good intro starter pack to sheet masks. With 13 different options (featuring both masks for the face and under-eye masks) that address a variety of different skin concerns, there’s a little something for everyone. (The formula contains ingredients such as purifying charcoal and hydrating hyaluronic acid.) The addition of the under-eye-specific masks is unique; our tester noted that while the shape was a bit big and the formula slightly runny, they were very comfortable to wear, easy to apply, and felt secure.
What to Know About Sheet Masks
Your Skincare Goals
When choosing any mask (including a sheet mask), the first thing you should determine is the results you’re after. She recommends checking the packaging for easy clues: If it says “detoxifying” or “clarifying,” it will help decongest pores and fight oil production. Brightening masks help combat dullness, while hydrating ones address dry skin. Similarly, check the ingredients as well. A few good items to look out for: charcoal and clay in detox masks; vitamin C and niacinamide in brightening iterations; and hyaluronic acid and glycerin in hydrating ones. And, as with all skincare, make sure that the ingredient list is free of any known allergens or irritants, The good news: Typically, sheet masks are pretty mild and soothing, so there’s less of a risk of irritation than with other topicals.
Mask Material
Some of the most common materials used in sheet masks include cotton, microfiber, and biocellulose. The first two are white and papery-looking, whereas biocellulose ones are often made of coconut fibers and are more effective at preventing drips, They also have a gel-like texture that’s better at trapping moisture.
Design
Face sheet masks have eye and mouth holes that you can line up to your face and smooth on. Eye masks should fit snugly just underneath your lower lash line (but not too close that they risk touching your eye). Place the thinner side under your inner corner so that the wider end can treat any fine lines near the outer corner. However, if you’re trying to target puffiness and fine lines in the inner eye area, just reverse the positioning and place the thicker side of the eye patch in the inner corner. If sheet masks tend not to fit your face particularly well, seeking out ones that come in two pieces, which will help to make for a more custom fit. (You can also cut sheet masks to better fit you.)
Behind the Scenes
Our testers applied each sheet mask to their freshly cleaned faces and wore it for the amount of time indicated on the packaging. They took note of how it felt, how easy it was to apply, and how well it stayed on during the intended amount of time.
Once the allotted amount of time was up, they removed the mask, rubbing in any remaining product into their skin, and assessed how their skin looked and felt. Taking all of this into account, they then ranked the product on a scale of one to five in the following three categories: comfort, application, and overall efficacy.
