Sheet masks are one of the easiest parts of Korean skincare to get slightly wrong, mostly around timing and what to do with the leftover essence.
When to use one
A sheet mask goes after cleansing and toner, before serum and moisturizer, since it's essentially a concentrated essence step. Using one on freshly cleansed, slightly damp skin helps the essence absorb more effectively than on dry skin.
How long to leave it on
Most sheet masks work best at 15 to 20 minutes. Leaving one on much longer, especially until it fully dries out, can actually pull moisture back out of the skin rather than adding it, which defeats the purpose.
Don't waste the leftover essence
There's almost always essence left in the packet after removing the mask, and more sitting on your skin after you take it off. Pat the remaining essence from the packet onto your neck and hands, and gently press whatever's left on your face into the skin rather than rinsing it away.
Which one to pick
MISSHA's Airy Fit sheet masks come in variants for almost any need: aloe and cucumber for hydration, honey and rice for dullness, tea tree for oily or blemish-prone skin. SKIN1004's Centella Watergel Sheet Mask suits sensitive or overheated skin with a cooling, gel-based sheet.
How often
Two to three times a week is a reasonable amount for most skin types. Daily masking isn't necessary and, for some ingredients, can be more than skin needs.
Browse sheet masks and exfoliators to find the right one for your skin.