Try These 11 Korean Face Masks to Get the Best Skin of Your Life

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Over the past decade, Korean skin care has become synonymous with impossibly smooth, dewy skin. The Korean beauty industry has bestowed on us a bevy of innovative products, including toners, face serums, and soothing moisturizers, that have helped us clear our persistent acne, banish dry patches, and erase dark spots. But my favorite ones of all have to be all of the wonderful, efficacious Korean face masks that have flooded the U.S. market—especially the sheet masks.

In South Korea, they’ve been a “staple skin care item for well over fifteen years now,” according to Alicia Yoon, the founder of Peach & Lily. It was K-beauty that helped popularize things like sheet masks and multi-masking (using several types of masks at once on different parts of your face) here in the U.S. South Korean skin care companies are constantly pushing the envelope in terms of ingredients and formulas, and thus, there’s a face mask out there to cure any skin-related woe, whether you’re worried about clogged pores or wish your skin were a little brighter. Whenever I visited my relatives in South Korea, I would snap up as much as I could in order to add to my own stockpile and share the wealth with friends and family stateside. Thankfully, you can now access many of the brands here, too.

As you can imagine, I’ve tried many Korean face masks over the years, and so have my fellow ELLE editors. We picked out the best of the best, asked our experts to share their favorites, and read countless customer reviews—all leading to this list of the 11 best Korean sheet masks to refresh and soothe your skin.

First Care Activating Mask

Ginseng has been used and consumed in Korea for thousands of years for its health benefits, and the plant also has skin barrier-supporting powers. Sulwhasoo tapped into this when creating the beloved First Care Activating Serum VI, and its face mask iteration contains a 21-day supply of the serum, providing a burst of glow-giving hydration.

Key ingredient: Ginseng

Size: 5 sheets

Sulwhasoo rating: 5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “While my love for the First Care Activating Serum runs deep, I typically use it in tandem with other products to help calm and hydrate my skin. Familiar with its efficacy, applying it throughout the week has become a comforting habit rather than a deliberate choice. However, this mask is a 10-minute reminder of the serum’s wonders; powered by ginseng and other skin-loving herbs, my face drinks the solution up so I wake up with plumped, hydrated skin.” —Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor

Facial Treatment Mask

SK-II’s signature ingredient, Pitera, is bursting with skin-nourishing vitamins, amino acids, and organic acids that reduce the appearance of everything from fine lines to hyperpigmentation. This sheet mask is soaked with all that goodness and cloaks your skin to supply deep hydration and anti-aging benefits.

Key ingredient: Pitera

Size: 10 sheets

Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “Thirsty, dull skin is no match for the Pitera Facial Treatment Masks. I love how my skin is doused in a soothing, moisture-boosting serum that revives dullness after a week of stress, NYC’s dirty, polluted air, and some sleepless nights. A few uses throughout the week and my skin is ready to conquer a new set of worries.” —Nerisha Penrose

I’m Real Sheet Mask

This variety pack of Tonymoly’s I’m Real Sheet Masks is a certified steal. Although each mask contains specialized ingredients that provide various benefits, all contain hydrating glycerin and soothing allantoin. Prepare for your skin to be smooth, moisturized, and happy.

Key ingredients: Glycerin, allantoin

Size: 10 sheets

Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “One of the last times I went to South Korea, it felt like there was a Tony Moly store everywhere I looked. I took the opportunity to grab as many of these sheet masks as I could carry. I used to apply one every single night, and my skin has probably never been as moisturized as it was during that time period. I’ve probably tried all of the different varieties they offer, and I’ve never disliked a single one of them.” —Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer

Hypoallergenic Artichoke Balancing Care Mask Pack

Who knew artichokes were so good for the skin? In this face mask, it serves to refine pores, smooth wrinkles, and improve elasticity, leaving an undeniable glow behind. Plus, sensitive skin need not be afraid, as the serum is formulated to be hypoallergenic.

Key ingredient: Artichoke extract

Size: 4 sheets

An ELLE editor says: “I didn’t know I needed artichokes on my skin until I tried this mask. The formula is super hydrating and contains so much extra serum that I get to slather it not just on my neck and decolletage, but all over my body! I used this mask after I had a slight sunburn from surfing, which was so soothing to my skin. After a bit more research, I realized in addition to artichokes, it also contains allantoin, which calms the skin.” —Danielle James, digital beauty director

Hypoallergenic Cica Sleeping Mask

If you have easily irritated, redness-prone skin, you might have a compromised skin barrier. But this pick from Laneige is here to save the day; it features fermented forest yeast extract, which the brand gets from vines that grow on South Korea’s Jeju Island that strengthens as well as soothes the skin.

Key ingredients: Fermented forest yeast extract, glycerin, tea tree leaf oil

Size: 2 fl. oz.

Sephora rating: 4.6/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “Whenever my skin gets inflamed or I have stubborn dry patches, I layer this sleeping mask over my night cream. It works magic overnight—every time I use it, I wake up with completely renewed skin.” —Katie Berohn, beauty editor

Wrinkless Solution Gel Mask

This dermatologist-tested mask floods the skin with glycerin, resulting in hydrated, supple skin that feels and appears more youthful. An ideal addition to your at-home facial routine, nourishing peptides offer a little pick-me-up whenever necessary.

Key ingredient: Glycerin, peptides

Size: 5 sheets

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I don’t get Botox or fillers, so it’s important for me to keep my skin plumped and hydrated. On days when I need more than hyaluronic acid, or my skin is dehydrated from flying or dry weather, I reach for this mask. It has glycerin and peptides, which keep my skin smooth and supple. I wear it for about an hour, and when I take it off, any superficial fine lines are gone. This is a great mask to wear before getting ready for a night out or a big event when you don't have time for a facial. In fact, I’m wearing it right now!” —Danielle James

Original Glow Sheet Mask

Peach & Lily first began as a Korean skin care retail platform, but it has developed an award-winning brand of its own. The Original Glow sheet mask soothes, brightens, and moisturizes with the help of ingredients like chemical exfoliators and peptides. “Whether it’s on a long, drying flight or during a sleepless post-partum night, this sheet mask always brings a vibrant radiance back to my skin. Also important is what’s not in the mask—nothing irritating, stripping, or harsh. It’s for everyone,” reports Yoon.

Key ingredients: Botanicals, peptides, AHA

Size: 1 sheet

Soko Glam rating: 4.9/5 stars

A Soko Glam reviewer says: “This gives you an instant glow. Best before [a] party. Facial at home. The results are glowing and smooth skin, and it’s very good for acne-prone skin, and the application is also quite simple. I’m going to buy more.”

Chestnut Shell Pore Clearing Clay Mask

Physical exfoliators can be tricky—use one that’s too harsh, and it can do more harm than good by causing tiny injuries on the skin. However, this mask combines BHA and micro pieces of chestnut to create an unstoppable yet gentle duo that banishes unwanted sebum and dead skin cells from both the surface of the skin and within the pores without compromising skin health. Plus, it also smells divine.

Key ingredients: Chestnut, BHA

Size: 3.38 fl.oz

Soko Glam rating: 5/5 stars

A Soko Glam reviewer says: “The light scent of hazelnut melts into your skin as you apply the mask to your face. It goes on lightly, so there is no need to use too much. You leave on for 10 minutes then wash off. It clears the face within a day and makes your face feel clearer.”

Advanced Snail Mucin Power Sheet Mask

If you’re on the hunt for something that will calm your skin, help eliminate hyperpigmentation, and feel like a treat, you’ve come to the right place. This mask does all of that and more, and we have the healing prowess of snail mucin to thank.

Key ingredient: Snail mucin

Size: 10 sheets

Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “Such a great product if you like snail mucin, and I do. It’s so soothing and calming to my skin. I always feel like I’ve done something special for my skin. I always save the leftovers in the pouch and use [them] during my night routine.”

Pumpkin Sleeping Pack

People know Too Cool for School for its fun-loving attitude and unique formulas, and this mask perfectly represents the brand’s vibe. The playful packaging houses a pumpkin- and papaya-rich formula created to infuse the skin with moisture and lift dead skin cells from your face while you sleep.

Key ingredients: Pumpkin extract, papaya extract

Size: 3.4 oz.

Yesstyle rating: 4.5/5 stars

A Yesstyle reviewer says: “I bought this SOOO many times. I’m not even kidding. I love it, and it makes your skin soo soft after. This is coming from someone with very sensitive and oily skin.”

Paraffin Foot Mask EX

Our poor feet don’t get nearly as much attention as they deserve, so Mediheal created a mask just for them. Simply slip these over your feet and remove them after 15 minutes to reveal exfoliated, baby-soft skin. Stock up on these, and you’ll never have to wait until your next pedicure to get a paraffin treatment again!

Key ingredients: Paraffin, shea butter, corn mint extract, ginseng extract

Size: 5 sheets

Soko Glam rating: 4.6/5 stars

A Soko Glam reviewer says: “My feet were looking/feeling dry, and I wanted something to use between pedicures. The first time I used the mask, I noticed my feet looking better, and as I continued use, my feet felt and looked so much better. The design makes them convenient to wear, and I can even walk around in them. I will definitely use these regularly!”

Meet the Experts

Alicia Yoon is the founder of Peach & Lily.

Michelle Shieh is the senior scientific communications manager of Amorepacific Americas R&I Center.

What are your best sheet mask tips?

Michelle Shieh, the senior scientific communications manager for Amorepacific Americas R&I Center, recommends prepping by cleansing your skin to ensure maximum absorption. Before you open the mask, “gently massage it to evenly distribute the essence or serum throughout the mask,” she adds.

You can also massage, or as Yoon calls it, “sheet mask-age” your skin while you have the mask on. “Easy glide and no friction is the perfect opportunity for facial massage moves, and massaging can help the sheet mask essence absorb that much better,” she says. Additionally, Yoon likes to “sheet mask sandwich” or pat in a serum before the mask dries completely. “Then place the sheet mask back over the face and the damp skin will help the serum sink in more,” she explains.

What are some common mistakes you see people make when using sheet masks?

If you don’t use them correctly, sheet masks can actually dry out your skin instead of moisturizing it. For example, Yoon warns against leaving them on for too long. “If you’re using a sheet mask made out of cotton or tencel or any other cotton-like material that gets dry, be sure to remove the sheet mask before it's fully dry. If it’s fully dried down, the dry sheet can cause reverse osmosis and pull hydration back out of skin,” she explains.

You also need to remember to apply a moisturizer after you take a sheet mask off. “Most sheet masks contain serum or essence type formulas which are lighter in texture and contain more humectant ingredients that help draw water into the skin. It’s important to add on a moisturizer or cream after with more emollient ingredients to help seal in the hydration!” Shieh says.

Why Trust ELLE Beauty

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee spoke with trusted skincare experts about Korean face masks. She also searched the internet for Korean face masks, perused reviews for dozens of popular options, and evaluated each on their features and customer reviews.

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