Culinary torch not necessary (but encouraged).
Over the past few years, the act of slapping on a sheet mask has become synonymous with self-care. And it makes sense: Applying these serum-soaked sheets to your face makes you feel like you’re doing something productive for your skin without really having to do anything at all. You can wear them while you cook dinner, while you rot on the couch watching Love Is Blind, while you sit on a cross-country flight (the list truly goes on and on), and know that you’re giving your complexion a little treat without having to take any extra time or effort out of your already-endlessly-busy day.
According to board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, the “ease of use” factor is only one reason why sheet masks deserve a spot in your skin-care—and self-care—routines. “Sheet masks give a boost of hydration and may offer an immediate improvement in the overall look and feel of the skin,” she explains. And while there are plenty of inexpensive sheet masks on the market that work just fine, there also happen to be some luxury ones out there that are well worth their hefty price point. Keep scrolling for the ones that Dr. Garshick recommends, and invest in one (or many!) to give your skin the treat it deserves.
The best luxury sheet masks, at a glance:
- Best for overall skin health: PerriconeMD, Cold Plasma Plus+ Sheet Mask, $105
- Best for fine lines and wrinkles: Filorga Time Filler Mask, $51
- Best for sensitive skin: SkinCeuticals, Biocellulose Restorative Sheet Mask, $130
- Best for stressed skin: Medik8, Ultimate Recovery Bio-Cellulose Mask, $70
- Best for dry skin: Dr. Jart+, Ceramidin
Cream-Infused Mask, $16
- Best for brightening: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, Brightening Treatment Mask, $46
- Best for under eyes: Shiseido, Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Pure Retinol Eye Mask, $72
- Best for inflammation: 111Skin Cryo Depuffing Energy Mask Box, $135
How sheet masks work
These types of products are one step above your standard gel and cream masks because their sheet delivery system creates a seal on top of the skin, locking in moisture and allowing for peak penetration of other actives. Because the physical sheet prevents whatever ingredients it’s slathered in from escaping into the environment—which often happens with topical skin care, especially at the times of the year when the air is dry and looking to suck up moisture— they’re able to work to their peak potential.
“Different types of face masks, including sheet masks, can help to address skin concerns provided they contain ingredients that hydrate skin and help it retain moisture,” says Dr. Garshick. As for what ingredients she recommends? Hyaluronic acid (for hydration), peptides (for boosting collagen and firming the skin), and niacinamide (for evening discoloration, balancing sebum production, and calming skin).
Sheet masks have the power to transform your skin in 20 minutes or less, which makes them endlessly appealing for anyone who’s after instant results. One thing to remember about these types of products, though, is that you need to be realistic about your expectations: A single treatment with a sheet mask may instantly improve the appearance of whatever skin concern you’re dealing with, but those results are only temporary. If you’re looking for more long-term benefits, you’ll want to pair your sheet mask with a consistent skin-care routine to address them in tandem.
Shop the 8 best dermatologist-approved luxury sheet masks
Key ingredients: Vitamin C ester, copper tripeptide, phospholipids
With more than 500 five-star reviews, this is one of Dermstore’s best-selling (and most beloved) sheet masks. It combines the brightening properties of vitamin C with the collagen-stimulating powers of collagen plus the barrier-strengthening abilities of phospholipids to give your skin a hefty dose of whatever it may need on a given day. Thanks to PerriconeMD’s proprietary liquid crystal delivery system, this multi-purpose mix of ingredients dives way down deep into skin’s layers, and targets dullness, uneven texture and tone, discoloration, and loss of firmness.
Size: 6 masks
Price per mask: $17.50
Treatment time: 20 minutes
Pros:
- Targets multiple skin concerns, including dullness, uneven texture and tone, discoloration, and loss of firmness.
- Comes in two pieces for a more targeted application and better fit
- Drenched in product, so there will be some left over to apply to your neck after using it on your face
Cons:
- Pricey
Originally $60, now $51
Key ingredients: Natural-origin collagen
While actually treating fine lines and wrinkles takes at least four weeks with topical skin care, this mask will help temporarily smooth their appearance in 15 minutes, making it perfect to use before a night out or big event. It uses natural-origin collagen and peptides to offer immediate plumping and firming effects and features exfoliants to whisk away dead skin cells and ensure that these actives can work their maximum amount of magic. It targets four different types of lines: Contraction wrinkles, deep-set wrinkles, surface wrinkles, and tiredness wrinkles. And if you continue to use it night after night, those instant benefits will become long-term ones.
Quantity: 4 masks
Price per mask: Originally $15, now $12.75
Treatment time: 15 minutes
Pros:
- Instantly smooths and firms skin
- Treats four types of wrinkles
- Material designed to fit tightly (and comfortably) on all faces
Cons:
- Requires repeated use for lasting benefits, which can get pricey
Key ingredients: Water, biocellulose fibers
Slip this mask over your face and feel your skin breathe a sign of relief. “This soothing face mask is especially helpful for those dry, sensitive, or post-procedure skin, as it helps to provide a protective barrier and replenish moisture,” says Dr. Garshick. “It’s cooling and soothing on the skin, providing immediate relief for those with particularly sensitive skin.”
Size: 6 masks
Price per mask: $21.67
Treatment time: 10-15 minutes
Pros:
- Instantly soothes skin
- Aids in hydration
- Made with biocellulose fibers to maximize penetration
- Great for sensitive skin
- Works in as little as 10 minutes
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer additional benefits beyond hydration and calming
- Pricey
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Key ingredients: Zinc, hyaluronic acid, rockweed algae extract
“This hydrating mineral sheet mask contains hyaluronic acid, zinc, and rockweed algae extract in addition to purslane to boost moisture and soothe the skin,” says Dr. Garshick. It’s great for skin that’s been overworked (read: exfoliated within an inch of its life) or is starting to show signs of stress (like dryness and irritation). “The biocellulose mask is durable and helps to ensure delivery to all areas necessary,” adds Dr. Garshick.
Size: 6 masks
Price per mask: $11.67
Treatment time: 15 minutes
Pros:
- Calms and hydrates skin
- Biocellulose fibers enhance penetration
- Great for post-procedure or post-treatment skin
- Zinc helps to balance sebum production, which means it’s great for oily skin
Cons:
- Great for instant hydration and calming, but doesn’t offer longterm benefits to the skin
Key ingredients: Ceramides, shea butter, argan oil
“This sheet mask works great for those with dry skin as it contains ceramide NP, which works to support the skin’s barrier,” says Dr. Garshick. Ceramides work to fill in the gaps between your skin cells, which locks moisture beneath the surface so that skin stays hydrated. Shea butter and argan oil are also in the mix to offer softening and smoothing benefits so that your skin looks just as supple as it feels. “After you use it, it leaves the skin feeling moisturized for 24 hours,” Dr. Garshick adds.
Size: 1 mask
Price per mask: $16
Treatment time: 20 minutes
Pros:
- Sufficiently hydrates super-dry skin
- Softens skin
- Strengthens the skin barrier
- Comes with two pieces (for the top and bottom half of the face) that can be used separately or together
Cons:
- Some reviewers sat it irritated their sensitive skin
- May be too much moisture for those with oily skin
Key ingredients: L-Ascorbic Acid, lactic acid, niacinamide
Dr. Dennis Gross’s Lactic Acid and Vitamin C serum is beloved for its brightening abilities (one W+G writer swears by it for sensitive skin), and this mask delivers the same formula in an ultra-concentrated form (and by way of a sheet mask, which helps seal in all those good-for-skin nutrients). The mask offers the gentle exfoliating properties of lactic acid, which melts away dead skin cells so that the vitamin C can really work its magic. “Lactic acid uniquely builds the moisture barrier,” Dr. Dennis Gross previously told W+G. “It specially triggers genes in the DNA of the epidermis to make more ceramides and squalane, and stimulates the production of the skin’s ingredients.”
Size: 4 masks
Price per mask: $11.50
Treatment time: 15 minutes
Pros:
- Immediately brightens and hydrates skin
- Made from biocellulose for optimal absorption
- Available as a single mask ($12) or pack of four ($46)
Cons:
- Strong smell
- Shape and sizing of cutouts may not fit well on some faces
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Key ingredients: Retinol and hyaluronic acid
90,000 Sephora users “love” these eye masks, and it’s for good reason. The hero ingredient here is retinol, which works to smooth the appearance of fine lines and crepey under-eye skin. “Around the eyes, [retinol] can help improve fine lines like crow’s feet, some skin laxity, and under-eye circles, depending on their causes,” says Geeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology, previously told Well+Good. “It stimulates cellular turnover and promotes collagen production, making skin smoother, firmer, and brighter.” The heavy-hitting active is paired with what the brand refers to as “super bio-hyaluronic acid,” which offers deep hydration and offsets the potentially irritating side effects of retinol.
Size: 12 pairs of eye masks
Price per mask: $6/pair
Treatment time: 15 minutes
Pros:
- Instantly plumps and hydrates skin
- Diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time
Cons:
- Retinol may be irritating to sensitive skin
Key ingredients: Caffeine
When you wake up with puffy skin after a night of little sleep (or lots of alcohol), this mask is a saving grace. It’s power-packed with caffeine, which stimulates circulation to minimize swelling in your face. Better yet, it’s delivered via hydrogel, which offers a nice cooling effect that will calm things down even further, and (obviously) feels amazing.
Size: 5 masks
Price per mask: $27
Treatment time: 20 minutes
Pros:
- Instantly de-puffs
- Feels cooling on the skin for extra calming and relief
- Comes in two pieces for a more targeted application and better fit
Cons:
- No longterm benefits
- Pricey
FAQs
How long do sheet masks last?
The shelf life of sheet masks can vary depending on their ingredients and packaging. Generally speaking, however, most last about one year if stored properly. Most come with an expiration date on the packaging, too, which is an easy way to check.
How often should I use a sheet mask?
It depends! Some can be used daily, while others should be used sparingly (1-2 times per month) depending on the ingredients. Always follow the instructions provided by the sheet mask manufacturer and pay attention to your skin’s response to find the right frequency for you.
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