The Best Korean Face Masks of 2024

Korean Face Masks: A Buying Guide

Korean face masks are a gateway into the world of Korean skincare. They can provide intense hydration, brightening, and softness in a matter of minutes thanks to their nourishing active ingredients that get absorbed and locked into your skin. With face masks, you can essentially give yourself a mini facial in less than half an hour and at a fraction of the cost.

There are a variety of Korean face masks, ranging in materials, functions, and ingredients, and differing based on the skin concern they're meant to target. Considering the broad range of options, finding one that suits your skin type can be kind of complicated. To make the process easier for you, here’s a guide that can help you choose and integrate these masks into your skincare routine.

What to Consider Before Buying a Korean Face Mask

You'll come across masks in the form of sheets, gels, creams, peel-offs, and clay masks. After you’ve decided which option you’d prefer, you can begin to choose the right one for your skin type and achieve your desired skin goals.

Material

Most Korean face masks are available in the form of sheet masks. They're typically made of cotton because it’s non-irritable and able to provide a ton of moisture. You can also go for hydrogel masks that provide more of a cooling effect but can tear easily when they come into contact with the warmth of your skin. Cellulose masks, on the other hand, are the easiest to keep on your face and adhere to the skin best, which makes ingredients in the formula more absorbable.

Your skin’s needs

One of the most crucial details you need to figure out before purchasing your Korean face mask is your skin type. Is your skin dry, oily, or somewhere in the middle? Do you have specific complexion concerns you'd like to address? Once you know your skin type, you can choose the mask that's best suited for you. Here are some of the options for different skin types:

For dry skin

If you’re looking to treat dry skin, you need to buy a mask that includes hydrating, nourishing, and moisturizing ingredients. These types of masks typically contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, avocado, cucumber, honey, shea butter, papaya, and coconut, all of which help lock in moisture.

For oily skin

Oily skin can be prone to breakouts and the appearance of large pores. To treat oily skin, you should go for anti-acne, purifying, or soothing masks. These contain ingredients like turmeric, green tea, tea tree, charcoal, aloe vera, neem, and other antioxidants.

For aging skin

Anti-aging masks are generally labeled as ‘renewing,’ ‘anti-wrinkle, ‘revitalizing,’ or ‘firming’ masks. The two main ingredients these kinds of masks need to include are collagen and hyaluronic acid. A few other ingredients that can enhance anti-aging effects include blueberry, pomegranate, catechin, and peptides.

For dull skin

Dull skin requires lightening or brightening masks, which typically contain lemon, rice, yogurt, milk, Vitamin C, tomato, or lime. All of these ingredients are specifically meant to target skin that lacks a healthy glow.

For large pores

Large, open pores invite debris and other acne-causing bacteria to settle on your skin. If you’re suffering from this kind of skin condition, then look for a pore-minimizing or purifying face mask. These contain pore-reducing agents like green tea, black mud, mung beans, charcoal, tea tree, camellia, or rice that will minimize the pores on your face and reduce the risk of breakouts.

How to Apply a Korean Face Mask

Most of these face masks will come in packages, soaked in their respective formulas. After you remove it from the package, carefully unfold it and place it on your face after aligning the holes on the mask with your mouth, nose, and eyes. Relax with it on your face for 15-25 minutes (or as mentioned in the instructions on the packaging). You can easily wear it while watching an episode of your favorite show.

There’s no set rule for how to fit a face mask into your skincare routine because every skin type is different and has different requirements. Generally, before applying the mask, you should cleanse your face thoroughly and exfoliate to to ensure you’ve gotten rid of the dead cells and cleared any debris clogging your pores. Ideally, you shouldn’t be exfoliating every day because that may damage your skin from excessive scrubbing. Even when you do exfoliate, make sure to do it gently.

Follow this up by using a toner for hydration, cleansing, and balancing pH levels. You may also use serums, boosters, or ampoules, but these aren’t necessary because the sheet mask serves a similar function. Next, you can finally apply your sheet mask. Remove it after the instructed time duration and follow it up with a moisturizer to seal in the essence of all the products you've used. If you’re headed outdoors, remember to slather on some sunscreen.