If you're into beauty -- even if you only dabble -- you probably know that most of the hottest trends come courtesy of Korea. From BB creams and cushion compacts to oil cleansers, many Korean favorites have made their way stateside.
Of all the Korean beauty trends, sheet masks are one of the biggest right now. Even though they've been around for a while, most options were pricey -- and did little more than moisturize. Meanwhile, you could walk into any drugstore in Seoul and take your pick among a wall of sheet masks for under $20. But we're finally catching up on this side of the globe. The best new sheet masks do everything from kill acne to shrink pores -- and they cost less than $15 a treatment.
Need a refresher on sheet masks? Basically, they're paper-thin pieces of fabric soaked in serum meant to cover the whole face (insert Jason joke here -- or "Phantom of the Opera" if you're a theater geek). Leave one on for 10 to 20 minutes, pat the excess serum into your face and admire your new and improved skin.
Of all the Korean beauty trends, sheet masks are one of the biggest right now. Even though they've been around for a while, most options were pricey -- and did little more than moisturize. Meanwhile, you could walk into any drugstore in Seoul and take your pick among a wall of sheet masks for under $20. But we're finally catching up on this side of the globe. The best new sheet masks do everything from kill acne to shrink pores -- and they cost less than $15 a treatment.
Need a refresher on sheet masks? Basically, they're paper-thin pieces of fabric soaked in serum meant to cover the whole face (insert Jason joke here -- or "Phantom of the Opera" if you're a theater geek). Leave one on for 10 to 20 minutes, pat the excess serum into your face and admire your new and improved skin.
Masque Bar founder Allan Lever went straight to the source, studying the sheet mask trend in South Korea, before bringing us his own formulation. The Masque Bar Brightening Sheet Mask, $3.33 per sheet, uses orange extract, licorice root and vitamin C to leave skin instantly more illuminated and help reduce the appearance of dark spots.
The Karuna Clarifying+ Sheet Mask, $7 per sheet, combines Japanese shiso and ginger to wipe out acne-causing bacteria, and honey to moisturize and calm the skin -- all in one citrusy scented little sheet.
Whether you're looking to fade dark spots with regular use, or need a one-time brightening treatment, Garnier Skin Renew Dark Spot Treatment Mask, $2.83 per sheet, will do the trick. The tissue-thin sheet mask is doused in hydrating ingredients and vitamin C for brightening.
This sheet mask from Hada Labo Tokyo, $3.75 per sheet, contains hyaluronic acid and marine-based collagen to smooth out wrinkles and firm skin while hydrating.