These complexion-quenching sheets have rapidly become a beauty staple. Our Online Beauty Editor trials them so you don’t have to.
Words Tania Grier
The rise of the sheet mask has significantly upped our at-home skincare game, and what started as a luxury has become a weekly staple for many of us. Now in plentiful supply on the average high street, there’s a multitude to choose from – age-defying, hydro-cooling, depuffing – all tailored to a variety of skin types. Being a sheet mask fanatic, I’ve broken down the best of the lot, so whether you need a quick hydration fix or an in-flight pamper, read on for your mask saviour.
Best for makeup prep
SEOULISTA are the masters of masks. Using ‘transfer technology’ the biodegradable masks give visible results in minutes. Their Super Hydration mask has saved me on many red carpet jobs, smoothing and plumping even the dryest, flakiest skin. Miraculous! Now the new Rosy Glow Primer delivers glowing camera-ready skin in five minutes by minimising pores and brightening, prepping it for makeup to last all day. A cult favourite in the making.
Best for purifying and clarifying
Love watching a product suck all the nasties out of your skin like a Dyson? The Snake Oxygenating & Cleansing Bubble Mask from RODIAL is for you. Bamboo charcoal bubbles form on the mask, working to deep-clean and detox, removing dirt and unclogging pores. This is my go-to mask after spending too much time on the Tube and is ideal for city dwellers and oily skin types. Skin is left pure and refreshed.
Best for age-defying
The Dual Mask from VITABRID is more than a one-off treatment. Used continuously over a few weeks, collagen is increased, skin is firmer and lines are smoother. The secret is the bio-technology, Vitamin C and Peptides, working to replenish moisture levels and restore elasticity with immediate and lasting results. Great for dry, mature skin and dehydrated skin. Available via Fabled.com
Best for jet lagged or stressed skin
Hydro Cool Brightening Mask from SKYN ICELAND is the ultimate pick-me-up for lack of sleep. An invigorating ‘minty’ mask with an intensely cooling effect, it hydrates and brightens the skin in only 10 minutes. You are left looking more awake, like you just had a dip in the ocean. Ideal for jet lag and new mums! Tip – leave it in the fridge for an even more intense experience.
Best for a red carpet ‘face lift’ effect
111SKIN is the go-to brand for beauty industry insiders. A favourite among makeup artists and models, it’s always in my kit. The decadent Celestial Black Diamond Lifting and Firming Mask is an intense mask targeting both face and neck. The upper mask works on frown lines, the lower boosts collagen and calms redness, while the neck mask firms and reshapes the décolletage too for noticeably sculpted supermodel skin. The mac daddy of masks! Available at Harrods.
Best for blackheads
I genuinely love MASQUE BAR, each mask is so specific and does exactly what it says on the packet for an affordable price. These Luminising Charcoal Nose Strips are so satisfying, simply wet the nose and whip off after ten minutes to reveal squeaky clean, blackhead-free skin. Great for anyone prone to blemishes in the nasal area as regular use prevents clogging. Tip – use immediately after a hot shower or steam room when pores are already more open.
Best for puffy eyes
Duplicating the effect that extreme cold has on the skin, the Sub-Zero De-Puffing Eye Mask from 111SKIN targets fatigue by tightening, sculpting and contouring (rather like a tightly pulled ponytail) to reveal fresher and brighter eyes. Puffiness is diminished, dark circles reduced and a restful appearance restored. The thick gel sticks well to the skin – I store mine in the fridge for an extra arctic blast. You can’t buy sleep, but you can buy these – which is the next best thing!
Best for dry lips
How can a lip ‘mask’ achieve so much? Like all RODIAL masks, this product delivers on its promises. I tried the Dragon’s Blood Lip Mask when my lips were excessively dry, and after 30 minutes they were not only hydrated and smooth, they were noticeably fuller and the dead skin had evaporated. My lips stayed hydrated for the entire day, with lipstick gliding on like a dream. Stock up now to prevent dry winter lips. Great for date night prep, too.
Best for fine lines around the eye area
ELEMIS was one of the first brands to give us the gift of eye masks and the Pro Collagen Hydra Gel Eye Masks remains a celebrity favourite. When I used them on Emma Thompson I gave her some to take home, and the next day she turned up with them already on, under her sunglasses. They instantly smooth lines and tighten skin around the eyes for a more youthful appearance and ‘lifted’ look.
Best for highly sensitive or irritated skin
For those with skin prone to redness and irritation, the Broccoli Plumping Mask from HUANGJISOO leaves skin radiant without aggravating, thanks to its Vitamin A-rich broccoli component. 99.5% all-natural ingredients including mushroom extract (which has 120% more moisture than hyaluronic acid) work to hydrate, firm and calm skin. Allergy tested and safe for even the most irritated of skin types, it’s also great for sunburn and rosacea. I keep mine in the fridge. Available via Niche and Cult.