Our eagerness to embrace self-care and be up to date on the latest skincare trends can be a little overwhelming sometimes. But, some of the new beauty and skincare trends do come with many benefits, like sheet masks. So let’s get to the bottom of this question… Do sheet masks work?
We all know a good face mask is a staple in any skincare routine. Whether you’re dealing with breakouts, cystic acne, clogged pores, dehydrated skin or all of the above. But what are the benefits of a sheet mask as opposed to a face mask that traditionally comes in a bottle or powder?
Where Did Sheet Masks Come From?
Sheet masks are very popular in Asia. More specifically they originated from South Korea and Japan. Recently, sheet masks have gained more popularity in western culture and the beauty industry due to the outreach over social media and their use by celebrities.
What Is A Sheet Mask?
Sheet masks are great because they are face-shaped fabric masks. The fabric is usually made from some type of material containing papers, cotton wool, or some type of fabric blend. These materials are then soaked in a serum or gel-like substance. Most sheet masks come individually packaged so it’s a one-and-done type of thing. They’re fast, easy to use, and also super convenient for travel purposes.
The uniqueness of sheet masks is that you don’t wash off the benefits once you remove the mask itself. The benefits come directly by patting the remaining serum or gel into the skin and letting it dry. For a boost, you can use a quartz roller or jade roller to further penetrate the ingredients into the skin. Our pick is the SDARA Rose Quartz Roller or Jade Roller Gua Sha Set.
How Do Sheet Masks Work?
So, how do sheet masks work you ask? Well, a high quality sheet mask is completely saturated in a concentrated serum which usually consists of beneficial ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and other hydrating ingredients.
The gooey consistency of sheet masks actually have a purpose as well. A fully soaked sheet mask with a gooey concentrated serum prevents evaporation so your skin has more time to soak in all the ingredients. So the longer the ingredients sit on your face — coupled by you massaging your skin after the taking off the sheet mask — means the serum has enough time to penetrate deeper into the skin.
Do Sheet Masks Work For My Skin Type?
When it comes to getting the best sheet mask for you, it’s important to establish what skin type you have first. It’s key to choose a face mask that addresses your skin concerns if you want to get the best results. Whether that’s acne, inflammation, dark spots, pigmentation, fine lines, or wrinkles — these are all skin concerns that sheet masks can help with. If you have a simple skin concern or are looking for something new to add to boost your skincare routine, sheet masks are a great addition.
Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to opt for products with the right ingredients. Look for alcohol and fragrance-free sheet masks to prevent your skin from becoming itchy and irritated.
Instead, you can look for masks with ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber, honey, green tea calendula extract, and/or chamomile extract. Another alternative include sheet masks with soothing and healing ingredients like shea butter and apple cider vinegar. Hyaluronic acid is also the main ingredient to look for if you have sensitive skin. It’s known to be gentle on skin which is very helpful for sensitive skin types.
Dry Skin
For dry skin, it’s best to look for sheet masks that help to keep your skin hydrated. The most crucial ingredient to look for in a sheet mask is the extra-hydrating ingredient known as hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is one of those naturally occurring miracle ingredients that’s great for all skin types but is key for those with dry skin. Some benefits of hyaluronic acid include keeping your skin moisturized and restoring your skin’s elasticity.
Some other ingredients to look for in a hydrating sheet mask — glycerin and aloe vera. Both of these are humectants, which means they attract and hold onto water. Other dry skin helpers include butters, plants oils, ceramides, urea, and vitamin E.
Oily Skin
It can be hard caring for oily skin types because most people with oily skin are also acne-prone. When it comes to finding the right sheet mask for oily skin, you should focus on ingredients that absorb excess oil, have exfoliating properties, and include ingredients that are soothing to the skin. Preventing excess oil and skin buildup on the face is crucial for those suffering with acne in order to prevent pores from getting clogged and inflamed.
Thankfully there are sheet masks on the market that are made for oily skin and acne-prone skin. Some tackle oily skin, some tackle acne, and some of them take on the harder task of brightening up dark spots caused by acne. But you might be lucky enough to find one sheet mask that tackles all three.
Some key ingredients to look for when shopping for sheet masks for oily skin include; salicylic acid, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, AHA’s, lactic acid, and vitamin C. Another must your sheet mask should include are natural acne and dark spot fighting ingredients like tea tree oil, willow bark, and witch hazel.
So, do sheet masks work? We definitely think so. We’ve covered the various benefits of sheet masks but the key here is to find a sheet mask that includes ingredients that are beneficial for your skin type. So it’s cool to get feedback from friends and family on what sheet mask they’re using to keep their skin looking radiant. Just make sure it’s right for your skin as well.
