7 Things You Need to Know About Sheet Masks and Their Benefits

They are called “sheet masks” for a reason. A sheet mask is a face-shaped sheet made of non-woven fiber, cotton, bio cellulose, coconut pulp, hydrogel, or some other material, with holes for your eyes, nose and lips. It is infused with a liquid serum full of vitamins and other nutrients.

They originated in Asia. According to legend, sheet masks were invented by Japanese geishas who soaked scraps of silk fabric in flower water and put them on their faces as part of their skincare routine. While sheet masks may have originated in the Land of the Rising Sun, it was South Korean beauty companies that made them really popular. Sheet masks have been gaining popularity outside Asia thanks to various celebrities who use sheet masks and post about it on Instagram.

They are very easy to use. One of the most evident benefits of sheet masks is that they’re very easy to apply. All you need to do is cleanse your face and apply toner, then open the package with the mask, unfold it and place it on your face, making sure that the cut-outs for the eyes, nose and lips are matched appropriately. Leave the mask for about 10 to 30 minutes, take it off and pat in extra serum that’s left on your skin. Remember that you should not wash your face after removing the mask. If you feel like there’s too much serum left on your face, gently wipe the residue with a cotton pad.

If you’ve never used sheet masks before, it may take some time getting used to. They are usually one-size-fits-all, so you need to make sure that the mask clings to your face. The easiest way to apply a sheet mask is to start from the forehead and slowly work you way down your face, patting softly. Try to smooth any bumps or wrinkles in an outward direction to make the mask cling directly to your face.

They are a convenient and relatively inexpensive alternative to a spa treatment. Sheet masks are packed with moisture and active ingredients (vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts, hyaluronic acid, snail extract, peptides, and others). They cling to the skin very tightly, helping ingredients absorb more easily. In addition, the sheet on your face prevents moisture from evaporating. As a result, sheet masks actively nourish the skin, make it super hydrated, brighten the complexion, and give the skin a natural glow.

They are more sanitary than many other skincare products. Sheet masks are individually packaged and vacuum-sealed, which means there’s little to no chance that they are contaminated with any bacteria that can be transferred onto your skin. Sheet masks are definitely safer than a jar of cream that regularly comes in contact with air and your fingers.

They don’t cleanse or exfoliate. The purpose of sheet masks is to hydrate and nourish. Unlike paste-type facial masks, they don’t exfoliate or cleanse the skin deeply. That’s not bad per se because each cosmetic product has its own purpose and functions. This is just a thing you need to know about sheet masks to maximize their benefits.

You should use them consistently. Some Korean women apply sheet masks every night before bed to keep their skin looking flawless. While using them daily may be a bit too much (in fact, if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, daily use of sheet masks may do more harm than good), you do need to use sheet masks consistently if you want to see any seriously noticeable effects. You can apply a sheet mask biweekly or weekly, just make sure that you do it regularly. As sheet masks can be quite expensive, using them once a week may be optimal both for your skin and your budget.