Lest we state the apparent: The Korean skin-care trade is a hotbed of innovation, and one of the best Korean face masks (in all shapes and varieties) are important in serving to us look our glowiest. Whether or not we’re masking as soon as per week or day by day—hey, day by day sheet masking is not out of the query—these remedies load our pores and skin with barrier-repairing, brightening, clarifying, hydrating, soothing, and texture-smoothing elements we will not get sufficient of. Better of all? They’re as light on our wallets as they’re on our pores and skin—in truth, not one of the masks on this web page price greater than $45, with tons of $20-and-under picks. Forward, our editors give us the low-down on their high picks from Fantastic thing about Joseon, Innisfree, Medicube, Spherical Lab, and extra. Time to reap within the glassy pores and skin.
Our High Korean Face Masks
- Greatest Wash-Off Masks Total: Fantastic thing about Joseon Floor Rice and Honey Glow Masks, $18
- Greatest Sheet Masks Total: Biodance Bio-Collagen Actual Deep Masks, $19
- Greatest In a single day Masks: Sungboon Editor Deep Collagen Energy Boosting Masks, $19
- Greatest Peel-Off Masks: Medicube Collagen Evening Wrapping Masks, $19
- Greatest Cooling: Dr. Althea Jelly Seal Dewy Masks, $13
- Greatest for Dry Pores and skin: Torriden Dive In Sheet Masks, $33
- Greatest for Oily Pores and skin: Innisfree Tremendous Volcanic Pore Clay Masks, $18
- Greatest for Barrier Assist: Spherical Lab 1025 Water Gel Hydration Masks, $23
- Greatest for Delicate Pores and skin: Celimax The Actual Cica Calming Ampoule Masks, $15
- Greatest for Mature Pores and skin: Dr.Jart+ Cryo Rubber Firming Masks, $16
Greatest Wash-Off Masks Total: Fantastic thing about Joseon Floor Rice and Honey Glow Masks
Fantastic thing about Joseon
Floor Rice and Honey Glow Masks
Why it is price it: Fantastic thing about Joseon does numerous issues proper, from sunscreens to toner-essences. The model’s masks aren’t any exception: The Floor Rice and Honey Glow Masks, particularly, strikes the best steadiness between clarifying and brightening your complexion—all whereas being non-irritating. The celebs of this formulation are upcycled makgeolli lees (a byproduct of Korean rice wine), honey, kaolin clay, and rice hull powder—which collectively sweep away the gunk residing in your pores, gently buff away uneven texture, and with constant use, assist brighten discoloration.
Tester suggestions from commerce editor Sarah Han
“As somebody who approaches bodily exfoliation a bit cautiously, I like how light this masks is. It offers my pores and skin an on the spot brightening impact—as delicate as it might be—and helps even out some texture and redness I expertise in and round my T-zone.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key elements: kaolin, honey, upcycled makgeolli lees, rice hull powder
- Who it’s for: folks with oily or mixture pores and skin, congested pores
- The way to use it: apply a thick, even layer to scrub, dry pores and skin for 15-20 minutes and rinse off
- Perfume-free: sure
Greatest Sheet Masks Total: Biodance Bio-Collagen Actual Deep Masks
Why it is price it: Whether or not you allow it on all evening or name it quits across the 3- to 4-hour mark (hi there, work-from-home days!), Biodance’s Bio-Collagen Actual Deep Masks is one tall glass of water on your pores and skin. Utilizing ultra-low molecular weight collagen and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (in any other case generally known as oligo HA) means deeper penetration of hydrating, plumping goodness. Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified beauty dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York Metropolis, confirms this masks’s reputation, including, “It leaves the pores and skin extra glowy and hydrated for hours after software.”
“Once I get up, my pores and skin is so hydrated and easy that it actually seems to be like glass. And that is only one evening. After utilizing this masks for per week, my pores and skin feels firmer, seems to be brighter, and is so hydrated—like my face went on a retreat and got here again dewy, wholesome, and refreshed.” —Angela Trakoshis, former buying market editor
- Key elements: ultra-low molecular weight collagen, galactomyces, oligo hyaluronic acid, allantoin
- Who it’s for: everybody
- The way to use it: depart on for 3-4 hours or in a single day
- Perfume-free: sure
Greatest In a single day Masks: Sungboon Editor Deep Collagen Energy Boosting Masks
Sungboon Editor
Deep Collagen Energy Boosting Masks
Why it’s price it: You might need numerous questions on us suggesting you put on a sheet masks in a single day—how does it even keep on?—however hear us out. Don’t do this with a typical material sheet masks (these will slide proper off in your sleep); nevertheless, the Sungboon Editor Deep Collagen Energy Boosting Masks is particularly designed to cling to the pores and skin all evening with its gel-like texture. As you snooze, collagen and peptides increase elasticity and soften tremendous traces, whereas niacinamide brightens and evens tone. Centella Asiatica calms redness and reinforces your pores and skin’s barrier, whereas glycerin locks in deep hydration, preserving your complexion supple. By morning, you pulled off an in a single day spa remedy with out ever leaving your mattress.
“This masks was my first foray into in a single day sheet masks, and I am merely obsessed. Once you first apply, it is opaque, then if you get up and all of that scrumptious, collagen-packed serum has been absorbed, it’s very clear. So cool, proper? In case you’re frightened about it slipping round in a single day, don’t be concerned—it’s a must to sit nonetheless for about 20 minutes if you first apply it, however after that,t it is fairly safe and you may transfer in regards to the cabin. I roll round rather a lot after I sleep, and it was nonetheless tacked to my fave after I wakened the subsequent morning. These masks are an effective way to lock in a bit of additional hydration, particularly if you happen to’re susceptible to occasional pores and skin dehydration like I’m.” —Sarah Hoffman, commerce producer
- Key elements: collagen, Centella Asiatica, niacinamide, peptides, glycerin
- Who it’s for: everybody
- The way to use it: depart on for 3-4 hours or in a single day
- Perfume-free: sure
Greatest Peel-Off Masks: Medicube Collagen Evening Wrapping Masks
Medicube
Collagen Evening Wrapping Masks
Why it is price it: Viral skin-care merchandise do not at all times stay as much as their fame, however we’re comfortable to report Medicube’s Collagen Evening Wrapping Masks is as much as snuff. Apart from being further satisfying to peel off—be at liberty to tug a “pores and skin shed” prank in your associate—this clear masks is chock-full of hyaluronic acid, collagen extract, niacinamide, and vitamin E to easy pores and skin whilst you snooze. Notably, it is also a much less messy various to the Biodance in a single day sheet masks—simply wait quarter-hour to make sure it’s very dry earlier than your face meets your pillow. “It leaves the pores and skin trying radiant and easy the subsequent morning,” Dr. Chang attests. “As a aspect sleeper, I like how shortly it dries so to go to sleep straight away.”
“The way in which my pores and skin seems to be with a layer of Medicube Collagen Evening Wrapping Masks is strictly how I need my pores and skin to look with out it: glassy, glowy, and clear. And with every in a single day—sure, in a single day—software of its niacinamide- and hyaluronic acid-infused formulation, I get a bit bit nearer to that objective. I have been utilizing it a few times per week, and by no means stop to be delighted by the satisfaction of peeling it away within the morning.” —Dianna Singh, options director
- Key elements: hyaluronic acid, collagen extract, niacinamide, vitamin E
- Who it’s for: folks with uninteresting pores and skin
- The way to use it: apply a skinny, even layer over clear pores and skin earlier than mattress, let dry for quarter-hour, and rinse off any extra
- Perfume-free: sure
Greatest Cooling: Dr. Althea Jelly Seal Dewy Masks
Why it’s price it: As a substitute of a typical cotton sheet, this masks makes use of a gentle gauze infused with gel expertise, so it hugs each contour of your face with out slipping or effervescent up. The plush, cushiony texture creates a moisture-locking seal that helps actives take up extra successfully whereas delivering a refreshing cooling sensation that feels actually soothing on pores and skin. Inside, not one however 10 sorts (!) of hyaluronic acid—starting from excessive to ultra-low molecular weights—drench your pores and skin with multi-level hydration, immediately plumping the floor whereas sinking deep for long-lasting moisture and improved elasticity. To high it off, plant-derived PDRN (derived from salmon DNA) is thought for reinforcing pores and skin restore and regeneration, panthenol calms and strengthens the barrier, and madecassoside soothes irritation, leaving pores and skin recharged, resilient, and glowing.
“Sheet masks are at all times a deal with, however phew, Dr. Althea’s masks are simply next-level-drenched, and I find it irresistible. As a result of it is a jelly/gel masks, it takes me a bit longer to get the masks absolutely located, since I’ve to unfold some caught corners and nostril flaps, however in any other case the match is incredible and each inch of it’s hugging my face even after I’m staring down at my laptop computer. The model recommends 10 to fifteen minutes however I at all times go a bit over the higher-end quantity to essentially give the masks time to completely sink in. I at all times count on my pores and skin to be glowing after taking off sheet masks however I used to be nonetheless impressed simply how **glowy** I actually seemed. I took 20 further seconds to pat within the lotus-derived PDRN and hyaluronic acid goodness. As a result of the masks is so drenched, there is not as a lot essence left within the pouch—however that did not cease me from slathering what I might onto my neck and décolletage.” —Han, commerce editor
- Key elements: 10 forms of hyaluronic acid, plant-derived PDRN, panthenol, madecassoside
- Who it’s for: folks with delicate or dry pores and skin
- The way to use it: depart on for 10–quarter-hour, then gently pat the remaining essence into your pores and skin
- Perfume-free: sure
Greatest for Dry Pores and skin: Torriden Dive In Sheet Masks
Why it is price it: Torriden takes hydration significantly. Every product in its Dive In household is injected with a 5D multi-low-molecular hyaluronic acid system for optimum saturation. In layman’s phrases, which means 5 forms of HA with low, medium, and excessive molecular weights to deal with pores and skin at totally different ranges—not simply the floor. Allantoin and panthenol present extra skin-soothing, barrier-strengthening, and moisture-locking skills on this refreshing, 15- to 20-minute remedy. Get able to appear to be a dewy dumpling.
“I’ve dry, delicate pores and skin, and this sheet masks gave it a severe increase of hydration and luxury. It was a tad tough to unravel—the material is tremendous skinny—however that thinness meant it hugged each contour of my face completely. I did discover a little bit of product sitting on my pores and skin afterward, however it dried down shortly, leaving my complexion calm, hydrated, and refreshed.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce author
- Key elements: 5 forms of hyaluronic acid, panthenol, allantoin, ceramide NP
- Who it’s for: folks with dry, delicate, or uninteresting pores and skin
- The way to use it: depart on for 15–20 minutes, take away, then gently pat the remaining essence into your pores and skin
- Perfume-free: sure
Greatest for Oily Pores and skin: Innisfree Tremendous Volcanic Pore Clay Masks
Innisfree
Tremendous Volcanic Pore Clay Masks
Why it is price it: Clay masks actually draw out dust and extra sebum out of your pores, which suggests you get the satisfying take a look at your pores being singled out as soon as Innisfree’s Tremendous Volcanic Pore Clay Masks has dried down. Then there’s lactic acid to swiftly take away useless pores and skin cells and enhance cell turnover—leading to brighter, smoother pores and skin. In flip, “growing cell turnover additionally reduces clogged pores and the possibilities of growing pimples lesions,” Aegean Chan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Santa Barbara, California, beforehand defined. Bonus: Lactic acid has naturally occurring moisturizing properties so your barrier reaps advantages, too. All in all, this tingly wash-off masks retains oil, pores, and blackheads in examine whereas soothing the pores and skin—for lower than $20.
Tester suggestions from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“I am not a hydration girlie. As a substitute, I search for masks that may suck the gunk out of my pores with abandon, and this masks does precisely that. What makes it nice is not simply the combo of bentonite and kaolin clays, however the addition of volcanic ash and lactic acid for twin exfoliation. I favored that I received a bit scrubbing motion as I used to be rinsing it off—and my pores and skin seemed far more even and radiant after only one use.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
- Key elements: volcanic ash clusters, lactic acid, bentonite, kaolin, walnut shell powder
- Who it’s for: folks with acne-prone, oily pores and skin
- The way to use it: depart on for 10 minutes (or till dry) and gently rinse off with heat water
- Perfume-free: sure
Greatest for Barrier Assist: Spherical Lab 1025 Dokdo Hydrating Water Gel Masks
Spherical Lab
1025 Dokdo Hydrating Water Gel Masks
Why it is price it: Identified for creating considered one of Korea’s hottest sunscreens, Spherical Lab brings the identical light method to its 1025 Dokdo Hydrating Water Gel Masks. “Because of its comforting elements and 0 perfume, it’s a terrific choice for delicate pores and skin,” says Hee Jin Kim, MD, a board-certified inner medication doctor based mostly in Fort Lee, NJ. The ultra-thin hydrogel sheet conforms completely to your face, locking in moisture as mineral-rich deep-sea water, hyaluronic acid, and amino acids drench pores and skin in lasting hydration. In the meantime, panthenol and allantoin soothe irritation and strengthen the barrier. In simply 10 minutes, pores and skin feels bouncier, calmer, and comfortably dewy.
- Key elements: deep-sea water, hyaluronic acid, amino acid, panthenol, allantoin
- Who it’s for: folks with delicate or reactive pores and skin
- The way to use it: depart on for 10 minutes, take away, then gently pat the remaining essence into your pores and skin
- Perfume-free: sure
Greatest for Delicate Pores and skin: Celimax The Actual Cica Calming Ampoule Masks
Celimax
The Actual Cica Calming Ampoule Masks
Why it is price it: When your pores and skin is feeling particularly burdened, Celimax The Actual Cica Calming Ampoule Masks is an on the spot reset. “In case you’re a giant fan of the hallmark Okay-beauty ingredient Centella Asiatica, this masks is ideal for these with delicate pores and skin that wants calming reduction,” says Judy Hong-Jin Joo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based mostly in Seoul, Korea. In case you haven’t tried cica earlier than, the ingredient is widely known for lowering redness, accelerating pores and skin restore, and reinforcing the pores and skin barrier—making it a go-to for irritation-prone complexions. Paired with madecassoside and hyaluronic acid for further soothing and hydrating powers, this ampoule-soaked masks leaves pores and skin supple and balanced.
- Key elements: Centella Asiatica, madecassoside, hyaluronic acid
- Who it’s for: folks with delicate or reactive pores and skin
- The way to use it: depart on for 10–20 minutes, then gently pat the remaining essence into your pores and skin
- Perfume-free: sure
Greatest for Mature Pores and skin: Dr.Jart+ Cryo Rubber Firming Masks
Dr.Jart+
Cryo Rubber Firming Masks
Why it is price it: Not like typical sheet masks that come pre-soaked, the Dr. Jart+ Cryo Rubber Firming Face Masks makes use of a two-step system for max outcomes. First, apply the included ampoule full of hydrolyzed collagen to spice up elasticity, niacinamide to brighten, and mango seed butter and macadamia oil to nourish and shield. Then, layer on the Cryo Rubber Firming Masks, infused with seaweed-derived chondrus crispus extract, panthenol, and mineral-rich clays that give it its signature rubbery texture. This cooling second step locks in all that hydration and delivers a tightening impact for firmer-looking pores and skin. “The outcomes mimic a facial you’d get from an esthetician—so hydrating that it’s develop into my favourite in-flight masks to fight dry cabin air,” says Dr. Hee Jin Kim.
- Key elements: ampoule: hydrolyzed collagen, niacinamide, mango seed butter, macadamia oil; masks: chondrus crispus, panthenol, clay
- Who it’s for: everybody, particularly these with mature pores and skin
- The way to use it: depart on for 30–40 minutes, then gently pat the remaining essence into your pores and skin
- Perfume-free: sure
Regularly Requested Questions
What makes Korean face masks modern?
“Korean face masks are all about delivering high-performance outcomes that assist the pores and skin optimize ingredient absorption,” says New York Metropolis-based Charlotte Cho, cofounder of Okay-beauty retailer Soko Glam and founding father of Then I Met You. Including on, Dr. Chang notes they “use superior and modern supplies, starting from bio-cellulose and hydrogel to bamboo fiber sheet masks, in addition to in a single day masks and peel-off masks,” including that the vary of masks sorts makes the expertise enjoyable and hands-on for the buyer.
Much like different skin-care classes, Korean face masks are recognized to be light and supportive to the pores and skin barrier—fashionable elements embody Centella asiatica (often known as cica), ceramides, and fermented elements, Cho notes. “There’s additionally been an increase in multi-functional actives like PDRN (salmon DNA) for regeneration, Volufiline for plumping, and micro-spicules for deeper penetration—elements as soon as reserved for skilled remedies and are actually present in serums and masks.” As for hydration, birch sap and polyglutamic acid are a number of the mainstream, tried-and-true elements, Cho provides.
What are the several types of Korean face masks?
We broke down the commonest forms of face masks in an episode of our The Science of Magnificence podcast, with the assistance of David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based mostly in New York Metropolis. There, you will discover the whole lot it’s good to learn about sheet, clay, charcoal, cream, wash-off, sleeping, peel-off, and bubble masks.
Meet the consultants
- Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified beauty dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York Metropolis
- Charlotte Cho, cofounder of Okay-beauty retailer Soko Glam and founding father of Then I Met You, based mostly in New York Metropolis
- David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology and founding father of Lightsaver, based mostly in New York Metropolis
- Hee Jin Kim, MD, a board-certified inner medication doctor and medical director of Pureen MD, based mostly in Fort Lee, NJ
- Judy Hong-Jin Joo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Glassy Pores and skin Clinic in Cheongdam, based mostly in Seoul, Korea
How we check and evaluation merchandise
When Attract assessments a product, our editors take a look at it from each angle in an effort to greatest serve you. We evaluation elements, scrutinize model claims, and, when essential, study peer-reviewed scientific and medical research. Along with testing each product that is included in each evaluation, we depend on consultants who form their fields, together with dermatology, beauty chemistry, and medication, to assist us vet the elements and formulation.
For our record of one of the best Korean face masks to make your pores and skin really feel totally refreshed, we thought of every product’s efficiency throughout 5 main classes: product elements and efficacy, packaging, perfume, texture, and product put on. Each product was decided to have excelled in every class by our editorial workforce, which consists of in-house writers and editors in addition to contributors—together with particular consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To be taught extra data on our reporting and testing processes, learn our full critiques course of and methodology web page.
Our workers and testers
A magnificence product is a private buy. You could be looking for a face cream to deal with persistent dryness or a brand new nail product so as to add to your Sunday self-care routine; it’s possible you’ll merely be searching round for the most recent launches to hit the hair market. It doesn’t matter what you search or your particular person wants and considerations, Attract needs to make sure that you like something we advocate in our tales. We imagine that having a various workforce of writers and editors—along with the wide selection of out of doors testers and trade consultants we frequently name upon—is important to reaching that objective.
