These are the Korean sheet masks your favourite K-celebs also love

Skincare enthusiasts often prioritise sheet masks as an essential step in their routines, aiming for a flawless complexion and the coveted ‘glass skin’ effect. From K-pop idols like BTS and BLACKPINK members to K-drama actors such as Hyun Bin and Song Hye-kyo, many Korean celebrities have shared their love for sheet masks. They swear by their transformative effects and ability to leave one looking fresh and radiant. When used once or twice a week as part of a skincare regime, Korean face sheet masks can keep skin hydrated, shrink pores, clear up skin and give it a healthy glow.

The Hallyu or Korean Wave has played a significant role in making these masks popular. With South Korea’s reputation for innovative products, it’s no surprise that sheet masks have gained widespread acclaim. If you aspire to achieve a radiant and youthful complexion, incorporating this K-beauty gem into your routine is a must. Discover the sheet masks loved and approved by your favourite Korean celebs, and unlock the secret to glowing, healthy skin.

Click here for our guide on the best Korean collagen-boosting serums

Types of Korean face masks

Korean face masks come in distinct shapes, notably larger and rounder, ensuring full coverage of your facial contours with their serum-infused fabric sheets. The serums vary in texture, ranging from watery and essence-like to creamy, while the sheet itself forms a seal, enhancing the penetration of the beneficial ingredients into the skin. Apart from sheet masks, Koreans also favour overnight treatments like sleeping masks in cream or gel formulations.

These products are designed to address various skin concerns such as brightening, anti-ageing, pore minimising and hydration. Key ingredients commonly found in these masks include snail mucin, collagen and hyaluronic acid. Given the extensive innovation in Korean skincare labs, the ingredients list tends to be extensive, ensuring there’s a face mask tailored to address any skin issue you may encounter.

How to choose Korean face sheet masks for your skin type

When selecting Korean sheet masks, consider the following guidelines:

Dry skin

If your skin tends to feel dry, opt for creamy masks designed to deliver intense hydration. Ingredients such as papaya, shea butter, avocado, honey, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, cucumber and bearberry extract are ideal for replenishing moisture in dry skin.

Oily and acne-prone skin

Sheet masks can be beneficial for acne-prone skin, particularly those struggling with blackheads. Consider peel-off masks that offer gentle exfoliation and help refine pores. Make sure to look for masks containing ingredients like tea tree, green tea, aloe vera, neem, turmeric and niacinamide. Masks marked as purifying or soothing are suitable choices.

Sensitive skin

Opt for gel-based sheet masks to provide a soothing, calming effect on sensitive skin. Choose fragrance-free options to minimise the risk of irritation. Ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin B6, copper, zinc, aloe, allantoin, and chamomile extract are especially helpful as they can offer both soothing and cooling benefits.

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Dull skin

Brightening sheet masks can revitalise dull skin, offering a much-needed boost. Seek out masks containing ingredients like rice, lemon, milk, lotus, rose, vitamin C+E, tomato, orange, and ginseng to restore radiance and vitality to your complexion.

Combination skin

Consider sheet masks with active ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acids (e.g., glycolic acid), beta hydroxy acids (e.g., salicylic acid), benzoyl peroxide, or witch hazel to address the needs of combination skin. Masks with purifying properties can help prevent excess oil buildup while providing essential moisture to keep the skin balanced and healthy.

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Korean sheet masks that your favourite K-celebs swear by

Mediheal Teatree Care Solution Essential Mask

Mediheal stands out as a beloved face mask brand, favoured by Korean celebrities. Among its loyal users and endorsers are renowned figures like BTS’s J-Hope and Suga, the members of aespa and Crash Landing on You’s Hyun Bin. Notably, J-Hope and Suga even shared a live stream in 2017, demonstrating their use of the Mediheal Teatree Care Solution Essential Mask.

Infused with tea tree leaf oil, pine needle extract, Portulaca oleracea and a range of other natural extracts, the Mediheal mask not only moisturises the skin but also aids in unclogging pores, thus preventing acne. This product delivers immediate improvements for various skin concerns, imparting a soothing and refreshing sensation that effectively revitalises tired skin.

Image credit: Yesstyle

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AHC Premium Hydra Gold Foil Mask

Korean-American pop singer Krystal Jung, ambassador for AHC, swears by travel-friendly sheet masks. Known for her on-the-go lifestyle, Jung revealed in an interview that she prefers minimalist skincare routines and multi-functional products like the AHC Premium Hydra Gold Foil Mask.

This anti-ageing Korean formulation is enriched with vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid, designed to brighten and plump up the skin for a youthful glow. The three-layer sheet mask, composed of foil, matrix and tencel, adheres well to the skin, ensuring that every part of your face receives the benefits of the rich emulsion.

Image credit: Lazada

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Nacific Cica Tea Tree Relaxing Mask Pack Set

EXO’s Chanyeol is a firm believer in the effectiveness of the Nacific Cica Tea Tree Relaxing Mask. One of his favourite aspects of this essence is its skin-brightening synergy effect. The bamboo-derived cellulose fabric ensures skin-fit adhesion, facilitating the deep delivery of active ingredients into the skin.

This mask contains a patented ingredient called Greenol, which aids in calming and relieving discomfort. Additionally, rosemary extract provides deep hydration and an excellent soothing effect. The mask combines a trio of calming ingredients — cica, tea tree, and allantoin — to soothe irritated skin.

Nacific is also favoured by other K-pop groups like Ateez and Stray Kids. Seungmin from Stray Kids praises the Pacific Herb Retinol Relief Mask Pack for its ability to nourish his skin.

Image credit: Shopee

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Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Mask

Song Hye-kyo, renowned for her smooth and youthful complexion, credits her dedicated skincare routine with maintaining her appearance over the years. As a longtime ambassador for Sulwhasoo, this star from The Glory relies on the Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Creamy Mask to keep her skin firm and vibrant. Rosé from BLACKPINK, the fresh new face of Sulwhasoo, also swears by the brand’s products for maintaining her baby-soft skin.

This mask stands out due to its key ingredient: ginseng, a plant celebrated across cultures for its remarkable moisturising, brightening and anti-ageing properties. More than just a skincare treatment, it’s a luxurious pampering session in a packet. Incorporate this mask into your evening routine one to two times per week to kickstart the renewal of dead skin cells and reduce wrinkles.

Image credit: Sephora

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Innisfree Soothing Moment For Skin Mask

Innisfree’s Moment For Skin Masks line offers a variety of options, whether it’s moisturising, brightening, soothing or exfoliating concerns. With ingredients like madecassoside, poly hydroxy acid (PHA), and hyaluronic acid, each variant delivers specific benefits to your skin.

These masks are designed to be incredibly lightweight, ensuring a comfortable experience that won’t weigh you down. Korean stars like YoonA and IVE’s Jang Won-young have endorsed Innisfree, indicating their personal experiences with these masks.

Image credit: Shopee

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The Face Shop Real Nature Potato Face Mask

In an interview, Dreamcatcher’s leader JiU revealed her love of potato sheet masks, particularly ones from The Face Shop, before performances and flights. She shared that such masks help to soothe and brighten skin, adding that they are a helpful choice when the weather is hot.

These masks are known for their soothing properties, which can help revitalise tired, irritated and sun-damaged skin. The cooling sensation provided by the mask penetrates deep into the skin, offering relief from the effects of strong sunlight exposure.

Image credit: Amazon

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Etude House 0.2 Therapy Air Mask Sheet

The Etude House 0.2 Therapy Air Mask Sheet collection has become a top-selling sensation. This range comes with multiple options, including the tea tree, collagen and hyaluronic face masks, among others. Each mask is infused with natural ingredients that deliver results comparable to applying an entire bottle of serum.

The sheet masks are formulated to promote skin moisturisation, harnessing the power of plant-derived ingredients that offer significant benefits for those with acne-prone skin. This product also benefits people with dry skin, as it enhances skin volume and imparts a soft, velvety texture. In 2022, Kazuha, a member of Le Sserafim, was unveiled as Etude House’s new muse, adding another layer of credibility and allure to the brand.

Image credit: Amazon

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The Saem Natural Face Masks

SEVENTEEN, the renowned K-pop group, have long been fans of the brand The Saem, even before their collaboration. Among their skincare favourites is the Natural Aloe Face Mask,infused with soothing aloe vera to calm irritated skin.

Available in a convenient 20-pack, these masks boast a variety of ingredients such as argan, rice, oatmeal, pomegranate, shea butter and red ginseng. Each mask is designed to nourish, hydrate, soothe, purify and revitalise the skin, leaving it supple, elastic and radiant. Enriched with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, panthenol, trehalose, and ceramide, these masks provide instant moisture, balance pH levels and enhance skin texture.

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BE BALANCE Idebenone Micro Fiber Mask

Jeon Somi, the talented South Korean and Canadian singer, recently disclosed her go-to skincare secret: the Be Balance Idebenone Micro Fiber Mask, tailored to combat her dry skin. This Korean face mask not only brightens the complexion with its idebenone antioxidant, but it also boasts a blend of anti-ageing amino acids and potent herb extracts to deeply nourish the skin.

Adding a splash of vibrancy to your routine, this mask comes in a cheerful yellow hue, guaranteed to uplift your mood. What makes it truly unique is its three-step application process. Each pack contains a cream and ampoule to prep the skin before the sheet mask, ensuring a comprehensive skincare experience with every use.

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KAHI Wrinkle Bounce Water Full Perfecting Facial Mask

KAHI Cosmetics, endorsed by Kim Go Eun from the Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin) offers the Wrinkle Bounce Water Full Perfecting Facial Mask, a beloved choice among skincare enthusiasts.  It’s a sheet mask that is doused in an essence containing nine types of hyaluronic acid and three types of Jeju Fermentation Oil to form a moisture barrier to prevent the moisture loss of your skin.

It also harnesses the powers of salmon collagen, Sodium DNA extracted from salmon and salmon proteglycan to restore your skin barrier and prevent sagging skin.

Image credit: Amazon

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BRING GREEN Bamboo Charcoal 90% Fresh Mask

Formulated with 90 per cent bamboo charcoal extract, Bring Green’s skincare formula is a true powerhouse. With Anti Sebum P to cleanse pores and Bamboo Moist Complex for deep hydration, this blend is a game-changer for your complexion. Loaded with minerals and calcium, bamboo charcoal swiftly absorbs impurities and excess sebum, leaving your skin smooth, bright, and healthy-looking. Its pore-purifying and intensely hydrating properties make it a top choice for those aiming for clearer and more radiant skin.

Recognised for its efficacy, Bring Green has earned the endorsement of esteemed celebrities such as SEVENTEEN members Hoshi, DK, and Seungkwan, the members of ZEROBASEONE, and EXO’s Baekhyun.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Which is the best Korean sheet mask?
The ‘best’ Korean sheet mask can vary depending on individual skin types and concerns. Some popular Korean sheet mask brands include Innisfree, AHC, The Face Shop, Etude House and Mediheal. It’s essential to choose a mask that targets specific skin needs, whether it’s hydration, brightening, acne control, or anti-ageing.

– What face masks do Korean celebrities use?
Korean celebrities use a variety of face masks across brands. They commonly use Sulwhasoo, Laneige, and AHC, and affordable options like Mediheal and The Face Shop. However, their choices also depend on their personal skincare preferences and any endorsements they have.

– Which is the most popular Korean face sheet mask?
The popularity of Korean face sheet masks can fluctuate over time. Some consistently popular options include brands such as Mediheal, Sulwhasoo and Innisfree.

– Can I use face masks daily?
It’s generally recommended to use a face sheet mask two to three times per week. Although this can vary depending on your skin type and the specific mask you’re using. Overuse of face masks can potentially irritate the skin or disrupt its natural balance.

– Which is the best peel-off face mask?
Popular Korean peel-off face masks include the Elizavecca Milky Piggy Hell-Pore Cleanup Mask, Sulwhasoo Clarifying Mask- Peel off and Tony Moly Tako Pore Peel Off Pack. It’s essential to do a patch test and use peel-off masks according to the instructions provided.