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Sheet masks sit on the periphery of an essential skin care routine: Your face sunscreen, moisturizer, and retinol products are going to pack the most benefits in the long run. That said, there’s a time and place when we want a little pampering and a boost in radiance, and the best sheet masks deliver on exactly that.
“The idea behind sheet masks is that you create a somewhat more potent effect [than serums or lotions] by the occlusion of the mask,” says Boston-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ranella Hirsch. This occlusive effect refers to the physical sheet mask’s ability to seal the active ingredients onto the skin for increased benefits. “Moisture and occlusion always help make ingredients absorb into the skin better, and that is essentially what sheet masks do,” adds New York-based, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kavita Mariwalla.
WWD Shop editor Claire Sullivan tests top-rated sheet masks near WWD’s office in New York City.
WWD/ Claire Sullivan
Whether you use a sheet mask daily, weekly, or simply from time to time, there are options to address skin woes of all kinds by choosing your active ingredients wisely. If you’re after hydration, go with a sheet mask that packs humectants like hyaluronic acid or glycerin. To treat dullness, seek out ingredients like niacinamide or vitamin C. A word on wrinkles: A sheet mask isn’t going to eliminate them, however the burst of moisture can help to plump the skin and make fine lines less noticeable.
Our WWD Shop editors are constantly testing sheet masks to find our personal holy grails for a boost in skin moisture and radiance. The picks on our list stood out from the roster of 39 sheet masks we tested over the course of one year.
Top Sheet Masks of 2024
Editor’s Choice: Top 3 Sheet Masks, Tested & Reviewed
Selecting the best sheet mask for your skin depends on your current complexion concerns and goals. Those dealing with dry, dull skin will want to seek out a sheet mask that floods the skin with moisture, while oily, acne-prone skin types will want to consider options with ingredients like salicylic acid. Rather than selecting one best overall sheet mask, our editors are spotlighting the three sheet masks that earned the highest marks from product testers based off of criteria like comfort, value, and results.
- Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Masks: This TikTok-famous beauty product wowed our testers with its ability to stay put overnight (even on side sleepers). The mask contains skin-nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and allantoin that seep into the skin while you wear it for three-plus hours. Another perk? It’s one of the more affordable hydrating sheet masks on the market.
- 111Skin Celestial Black Diamond Lifting & Firming Treatment Mask: If you’re’ shopping for a sheet mask to prep your skin for a special event, 111Skin’s is worth the splurge. This two-piece mask provides a targeted approach with a different roster of ingredients for the upper and lower portions of your face.
- Dr. Jart+ Cryo Rubber Face Mask With Hyaluronic Acid: Many sheet masks claim to depuff your skin, but few actually do. Dr. Jart+’s Cryo Rubber face masks are tester favorites for their cooling effect and two-step system (apply the included ampoule of serum before the sheet mask) that makes your skin feel positively plumped.
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Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Masks
Best for: Overnight hydration
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, allantoin
Cost per mask: $4.75
Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Masks are TikTok’s favorite sheet mask, hands-down. The product has amassed tens of millions of double taps, with users calling it everything from a “pore eraser” to “the only product you need for glass skin.” Part of the viral appeal of this top-rated sheet mask is that it starts out white then turns clear after four hours of use, which according to TikTok, is a sign that the active ingredients have transferred from the hydrogel mask to your skin. While we can’t say if that’s actually the case, our editors experienced promising improvements in moisture, likely due to the mask’s hyaluronic acid.
Note that this sheet mask is recommended to sit on the skin for three to four hours, so consider wearing it overnight for best results.
Editor testing and review notes: “I love that Biodance’s face mask contains two sheets — one for the upper half of the face and another for the lower half. This allows for a snug fit around my jawline and prevents the mask from getting too close to my hair. I’m a side sleeper, so overnight face masks usually aren’t my jam, but Biodance’s adheres so well to my skin that it didn’t disrupt my sleep. In the morning, my skin felt much more hydrated than it typically does with a thick coat of night cream. For the price, this is an excellent sheet mask to have on hand when you want extra beauty rest.” — Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Commerce Editor Claire Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $19
111Skin Celestial Black Diamond Lifting & Firming Treatment Mask
Best for: Quick improvement in skin radiance and hydration
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, peptides, and cantella asiatica
Cost per mask: $35
For a special occasion — be it a big work presentation or your wedding day — 111Skin’s Celestial Black Diamond Lifting & Firming Treatment Mask is worth the splurge. Unlike other two-piece sheet masks on the market, this one has unique formulas soaked into the upper half and lower half of the mask. For the upper face, the mask packs peptides that target frown lines over time, while the lower section contains ingredients focused on plumping the skin. After 20 minutes, your skin will feel slightly firmer and look way more radiant.
Editor testing and review notes: “This is the face mask I reach for when my skin is sending out SOS signals. Even though it’s touted as a firming and lifting treatment, I notice an all-over improvement in the look of my skin after leaving it on for 20 to 30 minutes. My skin feels softer, looks brighter, and my makeup goes on flawlessly.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $140
Dr. Jart+ Cryo Rubber Face Mask With Hyaluronic Acid
Best for: Hydration and depuffing
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, mango seed butter, allantoin, and aloe
Cost per mask: $15
Many cooling beauty products and sheet masks claim to depuff your skin, but few do. From our extensive testing, the Dr. Jart+ Cryo Rubber line of face masks are your best bet for tamping down swelling. This two-step mask comes with an ampoule of face serum you apply generously onto the complexion before following up with the thick “rubber” mask. You’ll feel a cooling sensation that lasts about 10 minutes, but you can leave the mask on for up to 40 minutes to get extra hydration. Prep your skin with your favorite face exfoliator then follow up with this mask for a quick at-home facial.
Editor testing and review notes: “I keep multiple Dr. Jart+ face masks on hand at all times — they’re some of my favorites for a quick refresh before going out or to treat myself when I’m staying in. The hyaluronic acid Cryo Rubber mask is my all-time favorite from the brand for its sensorial feel and results. I store mine in the fridge to get an extra cooling effect.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $15
Cosrx Snail Mucin Sheet Masks
Best for: Calming and hydrating skin
Key ingredients: Snail mucin
Cost per mask: $2.50
Cosrx’s Snail Mucin Serum is one of Amazon’s top-selling beauty products, beloved by editors, everyday shoppers, and celebs like Emily Ratajkowski for its calming, hydrating, and gentle exfoliating effect. The brand’s Snail Mucin Sheet Masks provide a potent dose of the serum’s key ingredient — you guessed it, snail mucin — to give your skin a quick boost in hydration and softness.
Editor testing and review notes: “This is a great face mask that you don’t need to save for a special occasion — at just over $2 each when you buy a 10 pack, there’s plenty to share. The mask is thin but packed with solution, so you have plenty of excess to pat on your chest, arms, and hands, if you wish. I find that I need to stay still when I have it on to prevent it from sliding around, but otherwise, I have no critiques.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $19
Loops Dream Sleep Slugging Masks
Best for: Long-lasting hydration
Key ingredients: Six plant-based oils
Cost per mask: $7
If there’s anything a sheet mask does well, it’s acting as an occlusive to seal in moisture. So a sheet mask with additional occlusive ingredients — in this case, six plant-based oils — is pure genius for giving your skin some TLC. Loops’ Dream Sleep Slugging Masks are meant to be used as a last step in your nighttime skin routine, applied after anti-aging serums and night creams to help those formulas seep into your skin. It’s a lighter, less messy alternative to classic slugging techniques with petroleum jelly.
Editor testing and review notes: “When I discovered Loops’ slugging mask, I was gobsmacked — as a side sleeper, I have a hard time slugging without getting the petroleum jelly all over my pillowcase (or worse, in my hair). This Loops mask solves that problem by giving me the same effect after wearing it for just 10 minutes before bed. Like all Loops masks, it fits comfortably and doesn’t slide around while I’m wearing it.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $35
Vitabrid C12 Dual Masks
Best for: Hydrating and soothing
Key ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, and allantoin
Cost per mask: $7
If you have thirsty skin that’s easily irritated, some sheet masks may do more harm than good. The Vitabrid C12 Dual Masks are gentle and effective, making them a great choice for sensitive skin types that can be tricky to treat. The microfiber material is soaked in an essence with hyaluronic acid and peptides that help restore your skin back to a healthy, happy state.
Editor testing and review notes: “For the price, I was super impressed by the results I got from the Vitabrid face masks. The mask itself stays put well, there’s enough solution to coat your skin without dripping down your neck, and my skin felt silky and bouncy after I used it.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $35
SK-II Pitera Facial Treatment Masks
Best for: Smoothing and hydrating
Key ingredients: Fermented blend of vitamins and minerals
Cost per mask: $14.50 full price
This cult-favorite J-Beauty mask imparts undeniable glow courtesy of a micronutrient-rich, fermented blend of vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and organic acids that hydrate and gently exfoliate the skin. The makeup artist-loved mask is often used to prep celebrities’ skin for red carpet appearances due to the immediate glow you’ll get after wearing it for 15 minutes. Dr. Hirsch also names this as a pick for anti-aging, although she laments its high price point.
Editor testing and review notes: “This is one of those beauty products you’ll find yourself saving for a special occasion after you see the results. I used it on my wedding day to balance and hydrate my skin: It gave me the perfect baseline glow to build off of with glam.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $145
Barneys New York Beauty Double Action Hydrogel Mask Ready to Party Bundle
Best for: Exfoliating and hydrating skin
Key ingredients: Polyhydroxy acid and lypohydroxy acid (toner pad); rose water (mask)
Cost per mask: $15
Barneys New York Beauty added a genius step to the standard sheet mask with their Double Action Hydrogel Masks. Each one comes with a pre-soaked toner pad that effectively sweeps away dead skin and everyday debris, then a hydrogel mask to apply afterwards. Not only does this two-step system feel like an at-home facial, but it also makes the sheet mask more effective at hydrating skin.
Editor testing and review notes: “This is such a hidden gem. These masks are the perfect deep treatment after a long week or before a special event — I find that the results rival the work of my favorite facialist. My skin feels soft, smooth, and plumped when I use this Ready to Party option.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $75
Do Sheet Masks Work?
Sheet masks are not going to erase your wrinkles overnight or resolve acne in an hour. However, our experts say that they can provide temporary benefits, mostly by helping with hydration and boosting skin radiance.
“I would say they really work because you are occluding these amazing, liquid serums into the skin for ten to fifteen minutes,” says celebrity aesthetician Celeste Rodrigues. “The skin becomes more hydrated, brighter, more firm, and glowing. From what I have seen and experienced myself, I give them a thumbs up.”
How to Use a Sheet Mask
Depending on the ingredients in the sheet mask, Rodrigues says that they can be beneficial in your skin regimens whether used daily, a couple times per week, or simply to prep for, or recover from, an event.
“I love when clients use them to prep the skin before a big shoot as they help to de-puff and hydrate the skin before makeup application,” Rodrigues continues. “I personally love to use them at night when I’m winding down — after cleansing, before doing my end of night routine.” Not only is it a great way to relax, but choosing ingredients that help your skin regenerate overnight syncs to the skin’s natural functions.
Another key factor to consider is when to use a face mask. Ingredients like caffeine, vitamin C and licorice root are indicators that the mask should be used in the morning to de-puff and brighten, while others are best used in the evenings to work their regenerative magic while you sleep, similar to creamy overnight masks.
To apply the mask, first find a comfortable position to relax for the next twenty minutes — moving around can result in it falling off or falling out of place. Sometimes masks come encased between two pieces of mesh that you will want to remove before positioning it on the body part being treated. Once applied, you can also take the remaining serum in the packaging and apply it to your neck, décolleté, the backs of your hands, or other areas of the body’s skin.
How We Tested and Selected the Best Sheet Masks
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections.
To select the top sheet masks on this list, two WWD Shop editors conducted extensive research, expert outreach, and product testing. Dermatologists weighed in on if sheet masks really work, then shared their input on what to look for in a sheet mask for certain skin concerns. Using their input, our editors rounded up a list of 39 sheet masks to test. We tested these masks during all four seasons and on multiple skin types to ensure we include options for all shoppers. While testing, we judged each sheet mask against a set criteria, including the mask’s fit, ingredients, and results. Our editors are continuing to test these sheet masks and more for consideration in this expert-approved guide. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Ranella Hirsch is a board-certified dermatologist. She often lectures to physicians in the fields of laser surgery and cosmetic dermatology, and is the author of many scientific articles, abstracts, and textbook chapters. Dr. Hirsch serves on the editorial boards of several leading dermatology journals including Dermatology Times, Cosmetic Dermatology, The Dermatologist, and Cutis.
Dr. Kavita Mariwalla is a board-certified dermatologist and nationally recognized key opinion leader in dermatology and dermatologic surgery. Her expertise is in the areas of anti-aging procedures and skin cancer treatment. She is sought after for opinions on cosmetic formulations and is regularly invited as a featured speaker in the United States and overseas.
Celeste Rodrigues is a celebrity aesthetician based in Los Angeles. Rodrigues is a trusted and sought-after skin care expert and aesthetician loved by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skin care obsessives everywhere. As a licensed medical aesthetician trained by some of the best plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills, she has 14 years of experience with top celebrity clients.
Meet the Author
Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion and lifestyle stories. She has over eight years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She keeps her finger on the pulse of all things related to beauty and wellness, as well as the latest shopping trends and clothing brands. Sullivan personally tested each sheet mask on this list — as well as many others — to spotlight the best options for various skin goals.
Source: Shop – wwd.com
