The best sheet masks to give your skin an instant boost

Hydrating, soothing, smoothing... There's one for everyone

best sheet masks
(Image credit: IMaxTree)

Hydrating, soothing, smoothing... There's one for everyone

The world of Korean beauty has given us essences, BB creams and of course, the very best sheet masks. They might look a bit frightening (bubble face masks are even weirder), but the nourishment and benefits that they deliver are second-to-none.

They're the perfect pick-me-up when skin is in need of a little TLC. Simply smooth one over your face, watch whichever TV show you're currently binge-watching and let it work its magic – the mask acts as a barrier to seal in the ingredients so that your skin has to soak them up, rather than any evaporating from the surface.

Once you're done, simply massage any excess serum into your skin and let it soak up the goodness for a complexion that instantly looks and feels better. Keep reading to find out where to buy the best sheet masks, from Korea and beyond.

What are sheet masks made of?

Sheet masks usually made using paper or cloth. They're saturated in a solution that's packed with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinol or glycolic acid, depending on your skin's needs. There are also hydrogel or biocellulose options, which are often better at moulding to your facial contours and staying in place.

And as each comes in its own individual sachet, they're easy to throw in an overnight bag or suitcase. Portable and great for your skin.

Best sheet masks Korean

Pretty much every skincare brand under the sun now offers some kind of sheet mask, but the originals were born and raised in Korea itself, with some even using niche ingredients like snail and jellyfish extracts. Below are some of the best loved SoKo sheet mask brands.

Dr.Jart+ Dermask Water Jet Vital Hydra Solution Sheet Mask, £5.50 ASOS

best sheet masks Korean Dr Jart

With a team of dermatologists behind it, this brand is affordable science at it's finest. For skin that's in desperate need of a long glass of H2O, this mask made from cellulose fibre flushes the skin with aquaxyl and hyaluronic acid to immediately hydrate dry skin. If you can leave it on for a full 40 minutes, you'll be laughing.

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Oh K! Purifying Pink Clay Sheet Face Mask, £5 Beauty Bay

best sheet masks korean oh k!

A super fun brand that takes the traditions of So-Ko beauty and gives them a playful edge. If your skin feels quite congested, then this mask will make an excellent addition to your routine. It will help unclog pores and detoxify the skin.

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Of course, sheet masks are so popular now that you'll now find them lining department store beauty halls and pharmacy shelves just about everywhere, from both skincare and make-up brands.

Keep scrolling for our hand-picked edit of the best sheet masks you should shop now.

Katie Thomas

Katie Thomas is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire UK. With over 10 years of experience on women's luxury lifestyle titles, she covers everything from the best beauty looks from the red carpet and stand out trends from the catwalk, to colonic irrigation and to the best mascaras on the market. She started her career on fashion desks across the industry - from The Telegraph to Brides - but found her calling in the Tatler beauty department. From there she moved to Instyle, before joining the Marie Claire digital team in 2018. She’s made it her own personal mission to find the best concealer in the world to cover her tenacious dark circles. She’s obsessed with skincare that makes her skin bouncy and glowy, low-maintenance hair that doesn’t require brushing and a cracking good manicure. Oh and she wears more jewellery than the Queen.