While face masks aren’t new, the Hallyu or Korean Wave really boosted their popularity. Since K-beauty has cemented its spot in the skincare world, it’s not hard to find a Korean sheet mask that’s either used or endorsed by your favourite K-pop idols and K-drama actors.
What makes Korean face masks different?
Korean face sheet masks are noticeably bigger and rounder in shape, so every inch of your face is covered in the serum-infused fabric sheet. The serum’s textures can vary from watery and essence-like to creamy. The sheet itself creates an occlusive environment that helps the serum’s ingredients better penetrate into your skin. If it’s not in sheet mask form, Koreans also use a sleeping mask in a cream or gel formula to transform their skin overnight. Talk about beauty sleep!
These skincare masks also typically promote brightening, anti-ageing, pore minimising, and general hydrating benefits to achieve that clear, smooth complexion K-celebs all have. Popular ingredients include snail mucin, collagen, and hyaluronic acid. But the ingredients list is very very long since Korean skincare formulators are always innovating something new in their labs. It’s needless to say but there will be a Korean beauty face mask to help solve any skin woe.
Want to try one or add a new pick to your skincare arsenal? Here are some Korean sheet masks you can get in Singapore.
1. Mediheal Teatree Care Solution Essential Mask
Mediheal is one of the leading Korean face mask brands beloved by K-celebs. (Photo from: watsons.com.sg)
Mediheal is one of the most popular Korean face mask brands among Korean celebrities. Its loyal users and ambassadors include the likes of BTS’s J-Hope and Suga, the girls of Aespa, and Crash Landing On You’s Hyun Bin.
Left - Aespa's Winter and Karina for Mediheal. (Photo from: @mediheal_official) Right - A screenshot from BTS's J-Hope and Suga's VLIVE live stream where they used Mediheal sheet masks. (Photo from: vlive.tv)
J-Hope and Suga even had a live stream in 2017 where they showed themselves using the Mediheal Teatree Care Solution Essential Mask (oil-controlling and hydrating) and the Airguard Foilab Mask (brightening and moisturising). The latter is unfortunately unavailable in Singapore, but Mediheal has a healthy range of masks that you can choose from.
Why you’ll love it: Aside from hydrating your skin, its blend of tea tree leaf oil, pine needle and portulaca oleracea extracts help unclog pores and reduce excess sebum.
The Mediheal Teatree Care Solution Essential Mask is available at SGD3.90 per pack at Althea.
2. AHC Premium Hydra Gold Foil Mask
AHC ambassador Krystal Jung is all about travel-friendly sheet masks. (Photo from: ishopchangi.com)
Krystal Jung is quite a skincare minimalist since she’s always on the go, she shared in an interview, so she prefers multifunction products like the AHC Premium Hydra Gold Foil Mask. This anti-ageing Korean face mask is formulated with vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid to brighten and plump up your skin, giving you a youthful glow.
Why you’ll love it: The three-layer sheet mask — made of foil, matrix, and tencel — has good adherence, so every inch of your face will be coated in the rich emulsion.
The AHC Premium Hydra Gold Foil Mask is available at SGD55.50 per five pieces at Shopee and Watsons.
3. Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
Kim Yoo Jung for Laneige. (Photo from: laneige.com)
The Laneige Water Sleeping Mask is another popular leave-on Korean face mask that you may already know. Actress Kim Yoo Jung, whom you may know as the female lead in Love In The Moonlight opposite Park Bo-gum, is the main celebrity ambassador for the brand and this is one of her essentials. It’s also a fave of former SNSD member Tiffany Young. It’s one of ours too — you can read our review of this here.
Why you’ll love it: It’s instant hydration in a jar. It contains a Probiotics Complex that promotes a healthy moisture barrier and squalane to keep skin moisturised.
The Laneige Water Sleeping Mask is available at SGD50 per 70ML at Shopee and Sephora.
4. Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Creamy Mask
The Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Creamy Mask. (Photo from: sulwhasoo.com)
Throughout the years, Song Hye Kyo was able to maintain her smooth and youthful appearance through a dedicated skincare routine. The longtime Sulwhasoo ambassador swears by the Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Creamy Mask to keep her skin firm and vibrant.
Why you’ll love it: The brand’s Ginsenomics™ substance is extracted from Korean ginseng, which is known for its moisturising, brightening, and anti-ageing properties.
The Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Creamy Mask is available at SG155 per five pieces at Lazada.
5. Innisfree Moment For Skin Masks
Innisfree’s Moment For Skin Masks range has options for those who want a moisturising, brightening, soothing, or peeling solution. Depending on the variant, you’ll benefit from ingredients such as madecassoside, poly hydroxy acid (PHA), hyaluronic acid, or vitamin C. Korean stars like YoonA and IVE’s Jang Wonyoung have been the face of innisfree, so you know they’ve tried these sheet masks themselves.
Why you’ll love it: The silky-soft sheet masks are made to be lightweight and non-cloying, so it’s comfortable to use.
The Innisfree Moment For Skin Masks is available at SGD14.50 for four pieces at the innisfree online store.
6. The Saem Natural Aloe Face Mask
If your skin needs hydration and soothing, this mask is a good option. (Photo from: beautymnl.com)
K-pop group SEVENTEEN have been fans of the brand The Saem long before they collaborated on a collection. One of their top picks in maintaining their skin is the Natural Aloe Face Mask, a Korean face mask that contains anti-inflammatory aloe vera for calming down irritated skin.
Why you’ll love it: It’s also packed with restorative hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, panthenol, ceramides, and trehalose. If your skin is very dry and in need of a skincare drink, this is the mask to reach for.
The The Saem Natural Aloe Face Mask is available at SGD3.49 per 21ML at Care To Beauty.
7. The Face Shop Real Nature Sheet Mask (Potato)
Did you know potatoes can also be good for your skin? (Photo from: thefaceshop.in)
Dreamcatcher's leader JiU shared with Allure that she loves using potato sheet masks, especially this one from The Face Shop, whenever they have performances and flights. Its serum is infused with potato essence, which helps soothe tired and sun-damaged skin.
Why you’ll love it: This Korean face mask has a noticeable cooling effect on top of its soothing benefits, which you can amp up by popping it into the fridge for a few minutes before applying.
The The Face Shop Real Nature Sheet Mask (Potato) is available at SGD22 per bundle of 10 at The Face Shop.
8. Be Balance Idebenone Micro Fiber Mask
Be Balance Idebenone Micro Fiber Mask perfect for dry skin. (shopee.sg)
In an episode of Harpers Bazaar’s Go To Bed With Me series, singer Jeon Somi revealed that she loves using the Be Balance Idebenone Micro Fiber Mask for her dry skin. It’s a brightening Korean face mask with an antioxidant called idebenone. It’s also infused with anti-ageing amino acids and skin-strengthening herb extracts to further nourish the skin. Plus, it comes in a bright yellow colour — just an extra touch to uplift your spirits.
Why you’ll love it: It’s not just a sheet mask, each pack contains a cream and ampoule that you need to apply before the sheet mask.
The Be Balance Idebenone Micro Fiber Mask is available at SGD89.64 for a box of 10 at Shopee.
9. THEFACESHOP The Solution Sheet Mask (Moisturizing)
THEFACESHOP The Solution Sheet Mask (Moisturizing). (amazon.sg)
In another episode of Harper’s Bazaar’s Go To Bed With Me series, Lim Jae-bom a.k.a GOT7’s leader JAY B shared that he uses THEFACESHOP’s The Solution Sheet Mask (Moisturizing) as part of his evening skincare routine. It’s a sheet mask made to moisturise dry and rough skin. JAY B’s tip is to store it in the fridge so it has a cooling sensation once you apply it to your face.
Why you’ll love it: It’s infused with ceramides that nourish thirsty skin.
It’s available at SGD35 per bundle of 10 at THEFACESHOP’s stores and website.
10. Acwell Real Aqua Balancing Sleeping Mask
The Acwell Real Aqua Balancing Sleeping Mask keeps your skin texture smooth. (Photo from: @acwellsg)
Girls Generation's maknae (youngest member) Seohyun was announced as the brand ambassador for Acwell in October 2022. One of the very first products she was pictured with was the Acwell Real Aqua Balancing Sleeping Mask, a hydrating and smoothing overnight mask.
Why you'll love it: It's formulated with mineral-rich Water Capsule Bursts that refine and hydrate your skin as well as rosemary extract from Jeju Island that helps your skin relax as you sleep.
It's priced at SGD46.80 per 60ML on Beauty Insider.
11. KAHI Wrinkle Bounce Water Full Perfecting Facial Mask
The KAHI Wrinkle Bounce Water Full Perfecting Facial Mask helps prevent lax skin due to moisture loss. (amazon.sg)
If you've heard about the pink beauty stick almost every K-drama heroine was touting last year, you'll be pleased to know that KAHI Cosmetics — which is endorsed by Goblin's Kim Go Eun — actually has a mask too! It's a sheet mask that is doused in an essence containing nine types of hyaluronic acid and three types of Jeju Fermentation Oil to combat moisture loss.
Why you'll love it: It also harnesses the powers of salmon collagen, Sodium DNA extracted from salmon , and salmon proteglycan to restore your skin barrier and prevent sagging skin.
It's priced at SGD10 on Best Buy World.
12. Etude House 0.2 Therapy Air Mask
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Etude House 0.2 Therapy Air Mask that targets various skin concerns. (etudehouse.com)
If you're a fan of LE SSERAFIM, you would know that Kazuha has become an ambassador for Etude House — and we just know why she loves it! Aside from the adorable makeup products they put out, the brand also has good skincare items that are a must-have for skincare enthusiasts! Just like the 0.2 Therapy Air Mask, a sheet mask that comes in different types to address various skin concerns.
Why we love it: It's lightweight but deeply moisturising. Plus, it has also been tested for sensitive skin meaning it's safe for use even if you have more sensitive skin than others!
It's priced at SGD2.50 per sheet at Watsons.
13. Bring Green Bamboo Charcoal 90% Fresh Mask
Bring Green Bamboo Charcoal 90% Fresh Mask takes care of your pores. (guardian.com.sg)
You know a brand's products are good when multiple celebrities endorse and use it, right? So we're pretty sure Bring Green is great at skincare because the likes of SEVENTEEN members Hoshi, DK and Seungkwan, ZEROBASEONE, and EXO's Baekhyun are their endorsers. And one of Bring Green's skincare products is the Bamboo Charcoal 90% Fresh Mask.
Why we love it: It contains 90% bamboo charcoal extract which helps with deep cleansing of the skin. Excess oils, dirt, and impurities are absorbed by the charcoal allowing pores to be clean and clog-free.
It's priced at SGD2.25 per sheet at Guardian Singapore.
(Cover photo from: @bringgreen_official)
This article was first published on 16 February 2023. Last updated: 28 December 2023.
Need something more clarifying? Try these clay masks for a deep skin cleanse.
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