We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Beauty Products Skincare The 9 Best Sheet Masks of 2024, Tested by Real People For glowing, supple skin By Melanie Rud Melanie Rud Melanie Rud is a freelance beauty writer, editor, and expert living in Chicago. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 28, 2024 01:59PM EDT In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews What to Know Behind the Scenes FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People / Jessica Juliao Whether you’re a seasoned skincare aficionado or a self-proclaimed minimalist who only owns face wash and a good sunscreen, a sheet mask can undoubtedly play a role in your product arsenal. Easy to use, they’re a fast and effective way to address a multitude of complexion concerns. “So long as you pick the right one, anyone can use a sheet mask, and they’re wonderful because they can deliver pretty speedy results,” says Dr. Geeta Yadav, a dermatologist in Toronto. Benefits of Sheet Masks It’s the "sheet" part of the mask that makes it so effective. It creates a physical barrier that protects the ingredients that are in the liquidy part from evaporating, improving their penetration into the skin, explains Dr. Deanne Mraz, a fellowship-trained, board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut. It makes sense that sheet masks are wildly popular, with stars like Jennifer Lopez and Florence Pugh implementing them into their skincare routines. To determine which sheet masks are the best, we tested 22 of them from a variety of brands, evaluating each for comfort (how well it fit and felt), application (if it stayed on or slipped off), and efficacy (if it delivered on its skin-enhancing promises). Our Top Picks Best Overall: SALE Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Mask at Amazon $56 $38 Jump to Review Best Brightening: Pixi Vitamin C Sheet Mask at Pixibeauty.com Jump to Review Best Radiance-Boosting: Perricone MD Cold Plasma Treatment Sheet Mask at Amazon $22 Jump to Review Best Plumping: Lancôme Hydrogel Melting Sheet Mask at Amazon $15 Jump to Review Best Splurge: By Terry Hydrating Sheet Mask at Amazon $18 Jump to Review Best Fit: Loops Sunrise Service Brightening Mask at Amazon $33 Jump to Review Best Anti-Aging: Skin Gym Red Carpet VIP Gold Foil Face Mask at Amazon $8 Jump to Review Best Cleansing: SALE PureDerm Deep Purifying Bubble Mask at Amazon $10 $8 Jump to Review Best Set: TONYMOLY All You Need Mask Set at Amazon $25 Jump to Review Best Overall Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Mask PHOTO: Amazon $38 at Amazon $3 at Target $4 at Walmart Star Qualities Smooth, comfortable feel Oil-free and non-comedogenic Consistency pleasant to the touch Red Flags None that we could find Offering great bang for your buck, this mask from Neutrogena is made of a hydrogel material that effectively locks in the hydrating hyaluronic acid in the formula. To that point, it does feel a little bit slimy, though a tester noted that this was actually quite pleasant — more of a lightweight, slippery feel. They also enjoyed the functionality of its two pieces, as well as the flaps that go over your eyelids and mouth. It also bears mentioning that this mask is oil-free and non-comedogenic, important criteria for those with oily skin or seeking acne products to fight breakouts, says Dr. Mraz. Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Key Benefits: Hydration PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao The 9 Best Overnight Face Masks for Smoothing Fine Lines and Brightening Skin Best Brightening Pixi Vitamin C Sheet Mask PHOTO: iHerb View on Pixibeauty.com Star Qualities Stimulates collagen production for more supple skin Offers antioxidant protection Great for sensitive skin Red Flags Hard to unravel Vitamin C is a standout ingredient in the skincare world, known for brightening skin, stimulating collagen production, and offering powerful antioxidant protection. It does all of the above in this sheet mask, coupled with ferulic acid (another protective antioxidant) as well as de-puffing caffeine. “My face is now very glowing and I look super moisturized," said our tester, who gave it top marks for efficacy. "I also noticed my skin glistening from the moment I started rubbing in the product after removing the sheet mask." They also lauded the cooling feel and noted that it didn’t irritate their sensitive skin, though they did lament that unrolling the mask itself was a little tricky. Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, ferulic acid, caffeine | Key Benefits: Brightening, de-puffing PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao The 15 Best Vitamin C Serums of 2024 That PEOPLE Tested Best Radiance-Boosting Perricone MD Cold Plasma Treatment Sheet Mask PHOTO: Ulta $19 at Amazon $22 at Dermstore View on Perriconemd.com Star Qualities Covers every part of the face Increased brightness and softened skin Thick consistency isn't runny Red Flags Slightly tacky feel after use Pricey for one mask If dull skin is your primary skincare gripe, consider this glow-enhancing winner. There are more than just hydrating ingredients in the mix; it's also infused with brightening vitamin C, a smoothing copper tripeptide, and phospholipids to help strengthen the skin barrier. Our tester gave it a 4.5 out of 5 when it came to efficacy. “You would probably have to use a mask like this more than once over time to see a noticeable difference, but my skin does look bright and soft after taking off the mask,” they said. They also noted a slightly tacky feeling after wearing the mask for the recommended 20 minutes. However, they liked how comfortable and easy to apply the two pieces were, as well as the fact that the serum wasn’t too thin or runny. Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, copper tripeptide, phospholipids | Key Benefits: Hydration, brightening PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao The 12 Best Under-Eye Patches That Boost Radiance, De-Puff, and Smooth Best Plumping Lancôme Hydrogel Melting Sheet Mask PHOTO: Ulta $15 at Amazon $15 at Nordstrom $15 at Ulta Star Qualities Strengthens skin barrier Immediate brightening and hydrating effect Red Flags Edges rolled up while wearing Increasing the hydration in your skin is one of the fastest ways to help make it appear plumper and smoother, and this mask does exactly that. Credit the use of glycerin, a well-known humectant that attracts water to and traps it in the skin. There’s also bifidus extract in the mix, a probiotic that helps to strengthen the skin barrier so that hydration can’t escape. Indeed, when it came to efficacy, our tester gave this mask a perfect score, calling out that their skin was brighter and dewier and that the mask felt very hydrating. Where they dinged the rating a little bit was comfort and application. The cut of the mask didn’t fit perfectly; there was some bunching, and the edges rolled up before it was dry. Key Ingredients: Glycerin, bifidus extract | Key Benefits: Hydration, plumping PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao Best Splurge By Terry Hydrating Sheet Mask PHOTO: Blue Mercury $18 at Amazon $19 at Saks Fifth Avenue Star Qualities Two pieces for a better fit Serum isn’t runny or slimy Lightweight and absorbs nicely Red Flags Contains fragrance This is definitely a pricier pick, but our testers found it to be worth every penny. Rosehip oil and vitamin E add plenty of nourishing moisture; our tester called out how hydrated and smooth their skin felt after. And the actual mask and serum itself are standouts, too. “The liquid component is lightweight and not runny, and the mask stayed on during the 20 minutes and didn’t move as I moved around,” they said. The mask actually consists of a top and a bottom section, which, according to Dr. Yadav, is an attribute to look for in sheet masks if you want to ensure a better fit. Key Ingredients: Rosehip oil, vitamin E | Key Benefits: Hydration, smoothing PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao Best Fit Loops Sunrise Service Brightening Mask PHOTO: Amazon $33 at Amazon Star Qualities Fits well Brightens, hydrates, and de-puffs Thick texture due to hydrogel Red Flags Stickier than some Finding a sheet mask that actually fits and stays on for the allotted time can be a struggle. Loops to the rescue! Each Loops sheet mask is cut into two pieces, so you can get the perfect fit for your face. While we love the Variety Loop Kit for its offerings for a multitude of skin concerns, the Sunrise Service Brightening Mask is our top pick. It's great for integrating into a morning skincare routine since it brightens, hydrates, and de-puffs the skin. With ingredients like vitamin-rich pumpkin extract, regenerative baobob oil, and refreshing white flower extract, the hydrogel mask targets the visible effects of late nights and early mornings. Key Ingredients: Baobab oil, pumpkin extract, white flower extract, Bio Duoferm | Key Benefits: Hydration, brightening, de-puffing Best Anti-Aging Skin Gym Red Carpet VIP Gold Foil Face Mask PHOTO: Amazon $8 at Amazon Star Qualities Easy to apply with two pieces Ideal for sensitive skin Brightens and hydrates dull skin Red Flags Expensive for one mask We might not get to walk the red carpet like the celebrities we write about, but we can bring that VIP experience home. These Instagram-worthy gold foil face masks from Skin Gym are loaded with active ingredients for soothing and de-puffing tired skin. Plus, there are anti-aging and anti-wrinkle effects with ingredients like bakuchiol, a natural retinol alternative for sensitive skin, and a superhydra complex that aids in hydrating and brightening the skin. The brand suggests refrigerating the mask for a cooling effect and using a facial roller over the mask while you wait for the ingredients to sink in. Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, sodium hyaluronate, amino acids | Key Benefits: Hydrating, brightening Best Cleansing PureDerm Deep Purifying Bubble Mask PHOTO: Amazon $8 at Amazon Star Qualities Leaves skin soft, clean, and glowy Ideal for sensitive skin Can feel the mask working Red Flags Difficult to unfold These Korean bubble masks offer a unique experience that will truly transform your skincare routine. Unlike a traditional sheet mask, you'll know this one is instantly working because oxygen bubbles will foam up on the skin's surface. The masks work in overdrive to remove dirt and hydrate, leaving skin soft, super glowy, and squeaky clean. Plus, you can grab a five-pack for under $8 at Amazon. There are other ingredients to try, too: turmeric, green tea, charcoal, and volcanic. Key Ingredients: Peach extract, superfood 10 complex | Key Benefits: Deep cleansing, clarifying, nourishing Best Set TONYMOLY All You Need Mask Set PHOTO: Amazon $25 at Amazon Star Qualities 13 different face and eye masks Addresses a variety of skincare concerns Comfortable to wear Red Flags Slightly runny Consider this a good intro starter pack to sheet masks. With 13 different options (featuring both masks for the face and under-eye masks) that address a variety of different skin concerns, there’s a little something for everyone. (The formula contains ingredients such as purifying charcoal and hydrating hyaluronic acid.) The addition of the under-eye-specific masks is unique; our tester noted that while the shape was a bit big and the formula slightly runny, they were very comfortable to wear, easy to apply, and felt secure. Key Ingredients: Varies by mask | Key Benefits: Varies by mask PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao We Tried the 12 Best Foot Masks and Peels for Smooth, Baby Soft Skin What to Know About Sheet Masks Your Skincare Goals “When choosing any mask (including a sheet mask), the first thing you should determine is the results you’re after,” suggests Dr. Yadav. She recommends checking the packaging for easy clues: If it says "detoxifying" or "clarifying," it will help decongest pores and fight oil production, she says. Brightening masks help combat dullness, while hydrating ones address dry skin. Similarly, check the ingredients as well. A few good items to look out for: charcoal and clay in detox masks; vitamin C and niacinamide in brightening iterations; and hyaluronic acid and glycerin in hydrating ones. And, as with all skincare, make sure that the ingredient list is free of any known allergens or irritants, adds Dr. Mraz. The good news: “Typically, sheet masks are pretty mild and soothing, so there’s less of a risk of irritation than with other topicals,” she points out. Mask Material Some of the most common materials used in sheet masks include cotton, microfiber, and biocellulose. The first two are white and papery-looking, whereas biocellulose ones are often made of coconut fibers and are more effective at preventing drips, says Dr. Yadav. They also have a gel-like texture that’s better at trapping moisture, she adds. Design Face sheet masks have eye and mouth holes that you can line up to your face and smooth on. Eye masks should fit snugly just underneath your lower lash line (but not too close that they risk touching your eye). Place the thinner side under your inner corner so that the wider end can treat any fine lines near the outer corner. However, if you're trying to target puffiness and fine lines in the inner eye area, just reverse the positioning and place the thicker side of the eye patch in the inner corner. If sheet masks tend not to fit your face particularly well, Dr. Yadav recommends seeking out ones that come in two pieces, which will help to make for a more custom fit. (You can also cut sheet masks to better fit you.) Behind the Scenes Our testers applied each sheet mask to their freshly cleaned faces and wore it for the amount of time indicated on the packaging. They took note of how it felt, how easy it was to apply, and how well it stayed on during the intended amount of time. Once the allotted amount of time was up, they removed the mask, rubbing in any remaining product into their skin, and assessed how their skin looked and felt. Taking all of this into account, they then ranked the product on a scale of one to five in the following three categories: comfort, application, and overall efficacy. Frequently Asked Questions How is a sheet mask different from other face masks? Dr. Yadav suggests thinking of these as intensive serum treatments. The masks are saturated with a serum that’s meant to deliver particular benefits, and the mask holds it against your skin, improving the penetration of the product. Using your favorite dermaroller before applying the sheet mask may also help the products absorb and penetrate more deeply. Who should use a face mask? In short, pretty much anyone and everyone can use a face mask (so long as you’re choosing the right one for your skin, per our point above). That being said, Dr. Mraz says that sheet masks tend to be very hydrating, making them especially beneficial for those with dry skin. Add one to your skincare routine along with your eye cream and skin-tightening cream. How often should you use a face mask? This depends on the active ingredients in the mask and the condition of your skin, says Dr. Mraz. “Someone with very dry skin might benefit from using one a few times per week, while others may want to use one on an ‘as-needed’ basis [which] could be once a week or just after travel or a late night out,” she says. Still, because these generally are fairly mild formulas, there’s very little risk of overusing a sheet mask. Why Trust PEOPLE? Melanie Rud is a freelance writer and expert whose work has appeared in Byrdie, Real Simple, Brides, and many other outlets. To compile this review, she consulted our testers for their impressions of sheet masks, taking into account their ratings as to material, feel, and design. In researching sheet masks, we spoke with board-certified dermatologists Dr. Geeta Yadav and Dr. Deanne Mraz. We recently updated this article with fresh picks recommended by PEOPLE editors. Our Expert Panel Dr. Geeta Yadav is the founder of FACET Dermatology in Toronto. She is a board-certified dermatologist who trained at the University of Toronto, Johns Hopkins, and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Dr. Deanne Mraz is a fellowship-trained, board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.