Whether you are constantly on the hunt for new skincare products and ideas like me or more of a casual trend observer, you are likely to have heard of sheet masks.
Skincare and cosmetic ideas are sought from across the world and right now, Korea is certainly having its moment. With its focus on skincare to deliver a beautiful face, as an aesthetician, I couldn’t be more supportive. A great homecare routine means you will glow whether you are wearing make-up or not.
So, what are sheet masks and why such a craze over them?
A sheet mask is an easy at-home treatment that comes in a variety of “flavours”. Whether you’re looking for hydration, anti-ageing or detoxing, you can select the benefit you desire in this one-time use product.
From inside a foil pouch, you will find a face-shaped piece of fabric, complete with holes for your eyes, nose and mouth, covered in a specially-selected serum. After you cleanse and tone your skin, place the mask on your face and then let the goodness of the gel absorb into your skin for 10-30 minutes.
Once you’ve reached the end of your treatment time, simply remove the sheet from your face and massage in any product that remains on your face. I take this opportunity to pat the extra product into my neck and décolleté for absorption there as well.
When you’re done with this, you can complete your skincare routine with eye cream and moisturiser and off you go to bed.
These masks don’t have to be done at night though, so if you are a morning masker, be sure to complete your regime with sunscreen.
A couple of application tips for you. First, be patient when you are unfolding the mask. It is delicate and can be challenging to separate and open. Also, it’s worth noting that some masks come in two pieces, for the upper and lower part of your face. This will usually be detailed on the pack.
Once you’ve successfully unfolded and applied the mask, my second tip is that you take time to lounge. Due to the viscous nature of the masks, I find they slip around a bit if I’m standing however if I’m lying down, they stay put much more easily.
Sheet masks are great for when you have planned a Spa Sunday or just want a bit of extra pampering at home. Simply choose a mask that meets your needs and off you go to relax while boosting your skin.
Generally sold as individual sachets, sheet masks are also perfect to take with you while travelling. Whether you use them on a long-haul flight or at your destination, they’re compact and easy to travel with, saving you from packing an entire jar or tube of mask that you may only use once or twice while you’re away.
Are they worth it?
Sheet masks are available at a variety of prices, however the majority of what’s available seems to be priced at about £5 to £7 each. For special occasion use, this probably seems reasonable. However, if you are going to use them regularly, say weekly, this certainly can add up. The cost reflects their ease, convenience and portability.
On the other hand, if you were to buy a multi-use mask, your cost per use is likely to be much lower than a sheet mask. Another economical solution is to slather your skin with a serum or facial oil, allowing it to absorb completely for 20 minutes before applying your moisturiser.
While what we invest in our skincare is a personal choice, I’ve been very happy with my sheet mask experiences. I generally use them to boost skin hydration and while they may be more marketing innovation than years of research and development, they definitely have a place in my bathroom cabinet.
Want to try? Here’s where to buy
Sephora has a great selection of their own brands, plus those for eyes, lips, hands and feet as well as many Korean brands.
Boots, Beauty Bay and Cult Beauty also have options. And during my most recent visit to Selfridges, I discovered they have significantly upped their game, with multiple brands and varieties available.
If you try one or two and decide this is something you want to do regularly, Amazon offers multi-packs, which greatly reduces the price of the individual masks.
So, what are your thoughts? Have you used a sheet mask? What did you think? Or is this something you now want to try?