I’ve noticed a proliferation of sheet masks in the market, mostly from Asian brands although some Western or European brands also now have sheet masks in their stable. It got me wondering how a sheet mask could possibly be better than usual cream masks or if there was any additional benefit other than the fact of convenience.
What are sheet masks?
Sheet masks, as most of us would be familiar with, are thick paper or cloth masks cut out in the shape of a face with holes for your eyes, nose and mouth. This paper mask is then soaked in liquid or essence and sealed in a foil pack for one time use.
Usually, I’ve noticed that sheet masks target 2 main areas of skincare concerns – Hydrating and Whitening. My theory about this lies in the method the essence or skincare is dispensed on the skin and how the sheet masks work.
Sheet masks target hydrating and whitening of skin
Sheet masks are meant to be placed on your face for between 10-15 minutes. The effect of the liquid or essence the mask is soaked in, is firstly to cool down your skin. Any liquid will, upon contact with your skin, cool it down as it evaporates, drawing away heat from the skin – that’s Physics at work! 🙂 Whoever said we can’t apply science lab tests to beauty eh? 😉 Cream masks however don’t work as well for me to draw out the heat from the skin.
You can enhance this effect more by placing the mask in the fridge for about 10 minutes before applying to your skin. But even a non refrigerated mask will cool your skin down. This helps to reduce or prevent pigmentation as I have found.
By leaving it on your skin for up to 15 minutes, you will find that your skin will have time to cool and therefore pores will usually close up, giving the appearance of smaller tighter pores. Sometimes, its the formula of the skincare lotion or essence that enhances this effect, sometimes, its just the cooling effect of the mask itself. If its the latter, your skin would usually relax after a couple of hours leading you to believe that “the mask does not work”.
By encouraging you to leave it on your skin for at least 15 minutes, you are flooding your skin with the lotion or essence in the mask you are using. This effect is beneficial for hydrating and whitening products as only by leaving it on your face can it work well.
However, if its a purifying mask, odds are you won’t find many sheet masks in this category. Purifying masks are harsher and usually are peel-off or wash off clay masks which tend to leave skin slightly dry. You can use a peel off or wash off clay mask and then follow it up with a hydrating mask for maximum benefit.
Sheet masks are convenient
Above all, sheet masks are convenient. You apply it to your skin, lay back for 15 minutes and then throw it away after its semi-dry. You aren’t encouraged to leave it on until it dries because I was told reverse osmosis can occur drawing moisture OUT of your skin instead. Not sure how true this is though.
After a mask, always apply moisturizer. You do not have to rinse your face after using a sheet mask which enhances the convenience factor.
Sheet masks also make excellent travel companions. I always carry one in my travel case so that I have a bit of luxury at my destination, after a long road trip or flight. Also because its not classified as liquid and any liquid is quite negligible, you can carry it on board flights and use it on a long haul flight to arrive looking fresh at your destination.
Do sheet masks work?
The thing about masks of any sort is with regular use. So if you want to see any lasting effects on your skin, you might have to use them regularly at least once or twice a week. I’m negligent so I tend to use them when I remember or when I feel the need for a little pampering. I really should be more diligent 😛 Sheet masks I have tried are Garnier Skin Lightening mask, Lancome Blanc Expert Bio-Cellulose Mask, SK-II Treatment Essence Mask, Kanebo Blanchir Clear Conditioner Mask, My Beauty Diary, TheFaceShop amongst others.
Mostly, I’d say whether you use or like using sheet masks boils down to a matter of preference. It can actually work out costlier than a cream mask, but if you just use it intermittently, its not all that pricey.
Do you use sheet masks? Do you like them? What are your favourite brands – I always love trying new masks 😀
Paris B
I love my SKII mask! I use it on my 8 hour flights when I travel. I look liek a derp but I don’t care and it’s so comfortable. And I use this mask once a week when I read or when I’m in the bath. It’s my weekly luxury and I really have to admit my skin is much better from it.
I used to use the SKII masks too! 😀 I love using sheet masks on flights. Cabin air is soooo dry!
i love sheet masks! In fact, sometimes i use them 3-4x a week coz they are just so conveniently addictive! but of course most of the masks i have are the korean brands or taiwan, so it is not that damaging to use it many times a week
Do you mean damaging to your pocket? 😉 I read somewhere once that these masks have high alcohol content that can be bad for the skin. But the Koreans and Japanese adore them and they have great skin so maybe its just a fallacy 😀
i dun use sheet mask, the scent is very strong for eventhough Origins (which always hv good scent for their products) but not in their sheet mask.
i think it should work better than normal cream mask cox the price is much more expensive than cream mask…haha…
It depends on the brand of the masks actually. The Hada Labo one has no scent that I can detect.
I use masks for that instant boost, there are days the skin around my face gets dry and having a sheet mask is the easiest way to moisturize it ! 🙂 It works for me!
Ooh yeah! I love using it after a hot day out especially. It cools the skin down a treat!
I’m sort of in two minds. I think that sheet masks are definitely very convenient and hygienic (I’m horrifyingly lazy when it comes to masks and a tube can lie around for AGES). At the same time, I feel guilty at the amount of resources used up and being discarded when sheet masks are used …
Yup that is a consideration for the environment. Might that be why its mostly available in Asian brands which do tend to go overboard on their packaging? Fewer Western brands have sheet masks although i do notice them getting more and more popular there too.
Ooohh!! Masks are my love!! Currently addicted to super moisturizing masks!! 😀
But yeah, I agree that one has to be diligent to see any long lasting effects! At least twice a week for me!! I just wish they are cheaper (the ones i like anyway)!! 😀 I also pack a few in my luggage whenever I travel! 😀
My favourite masks? Definitely the Neutrogena ones! I also love Hada Labo (boo for alcohol in it though) and the My Beauty Diary luxury ones! 😀
Haha… coming from the lady who does a Masking Monday! 😀 I remember liking the Neutrogena Fine Fairness masks. I used to buy up boxes everytime there was a sale!
OOOO… I’ve never used sheet masks before. But I do love my Clinique clay mask!
Hmm… never tried that one but great that it works for you
I like sheet mask.. =) My favourite brands is FaceQ for now.. I find that beauty diary is not working for me.. Cosway SPA mask also work well for me..
Interesting, other than Beauty Diary I didn’t recognise the other two! There are so many brands out there.
FaceQ is from the same company for my beauty diary. It’s definitely better than MBD for me, cos it fix even well on your face. And the mask is thin… essence is a lot.. smell good.. moist enough..
Ah! Thanks for letting me know. Will keep an eye out for it.
I love sheet masks!!! I abandon all my tube and cream mask now..except for the clay/mud mask. I love FaceQ and Neutrogena mask, it works effectively for me.
Haha…. I don’t abandon the others. Not yet anyway. I find there is a slight difference in how they work from sheet masks 🙂
i LOVE sheet masks. they work and they’re so relaxing! they totally calm down my skin improving it and all that. love love love it. my skin has been healthier because of the sheet masks! too bad the money stacks up so easily with it 🙁
Yup! Its not so noticable but regular use can put a big dent in the wallet! This is why I don’t use them that often as I alternate them with other cream masks.
I love the sheet masks too! It’s rather hassle free. All you need to do is just plonk it onto your face and you can just lie down and chill. That said, any whitening sheet mask for recommendation? hehe
I don’t really have a recommendation sorry! Perhaps someone can help? I like to travel with sheet masks simply because of the convenience.
I had one on last night and the feeling was oh so relaxing. I’ve been using SkinVitals sheet masks (I don’t know if they’re available in Malaysia) and they’re amazing. Going to take up on Legeeque’s suggestion and put on one my 8 hour flight when I fly to M’sia in January. Who cares if you look stupid, the skin will thank you for it 😛
It’ll be at night, and you can snooze so you don’t have to notice anyone staring… unless its a kid who starts screaming from fright 😉 But planes are a great place to use a mask because cabin air is horrible. I’m not sure if I have seen SkinVitals. The name sounds familiar somehow.
Once I’ve started using sheet masks, there’s no going back! I’m already lazy enough when it comes to skin care, so sheet masks are so convenient! I tried using a cream mask a few nights ago and was apalled at how troublesome it was to get rid of it.
I’m super kiasu with my masks, so I always leave sheet masks on until they’re 80% dry (20 – 30 minutes), then rub the remaining essence all over my neck and chest. I do hope the reverse osmosis thing isnt true 🙁
Well I hope it isn’t true either! But ever since I was told, I try not to leave them on too long. Maybe up till 60-70% dry.
I like Nivea ones.Thanks for the tips on preventing pigmentation. I didn’t know that until now 🙂
I hope it works for you! 😀
i only use sheet masks now simply bcos it is convenient and clean to apply. i also have a pot of wash off mask but i m just too lazy to get my hands all sticky n drip the mask on my floor and what nots 🙁
my absolute most favourite is my beauty diary sheet masks. been using it for almost a year and my skin loves it 🙂
Yay! Glad to know your skin likes the Beauty Diary masks. My skin seems to like it, but my nose doesn’t quite like it 😛
hey! just convenient i just post up similar post as yours! i loveeee sheet mask. i personally feel it works for me as it helps to maintain the smoothness of my skin. hehe. As of now, the only brand that works for me is the essence sheet mask from Dodoclub. I bought mine from singapore. SGD3 only and they work awesome for my oily combo skin.
Great to know you found a mask that works for you 😀 I haven’t come across that one but there are tons in the market – couldn’t keep track of all the brands out there.
Recently tried nivea aqua mask coz’ my skin was parched (lack of water but not flak or dry) and it was on sales. Finds it hydrating enough. Also like Tony moly vitamin mask which my friend got for me in Korea. Finds it pretty good too to calm down redness. My one love is however not a sheet mask but my organic pharmacy’s honey jasmine mask which instantly revive my sometimes very dry skin (due to laziness to moisturise everyday).
I’m facing a bit of dry skin issues too. I find sheet masks help address these problems best but I have to use them nearly everyday for a few days to get the best effect which can be pricey. I do serum and moisturize so I guess it’ll get back to normal soon 🙂 Shall take a peep at Nivea next time I see an offer. 😉
I love sheet mask!!!
I use it mainly for hydrating purpose too.
I guess most of us do that eh? 🙂
I jz did my Fruit de France Oxygen Collagen Sheet Mask which I bought from my beautician yesterday. Leave it on for 30 mins. RM98 for 10 packs…
Interesting. Never come across that brand before but then there are millions out there I bet!
They boost your skin instantly especially when on date nights or other important events. I’m loving those from BeautyTalk and Neutrogena.
Oh yeah that’s another great use for it – just before a big night out. Helps you glow 😀