korean sheet mask top pick

Get through winter with soft skin (Part 2) – Korean Sheet Mask Top Picks

I’ve been a huge fan of sheet masks for over 10 years. Prior to knowing Korean sheet masks, I’ve always used My Beauty Diary sheet masks from Taiwan. However, after trying out the Korean sheet mask, I’ve never looked back. It’s a completely different level to the Taiwanese ones I’ve always used. Of course, there are good ones and not so good ones in the K-beauty market as well. Higher priced sheet masks tend to have sheets that are much thinner and stronger, and the cotton weaved in a way that allows them to hold a lot of liquid (serum). This is extremely important, because the amount of liquid that the sheet could hold would determine how long you could leave the mask on and in effect how much treatment you’re receiving. A good mask would contain most of the 30g serum within the sheets, and not much is left in the bag. Cheaper masks are often made of thicker sheets, which cannot contain much liquid and drips during the masking experience – which is quite annoying.

The Sesame Shop carries over 20 types of sheet masks and I’ve used them all. In this post, I’ll let you know my top picks of Korean sheet masks.

Before get into the products, I’d like to touch on the routine of masking. Masking does give an instant result of plump, soft and brightened skin. This is because over the 20-30 minute, your skin have absorbed as much water and nutrients as possible. Once the process is finished, your skin would then slowly lose the hydration over time. That’s why it is important to do sheet masks as regularly as you can be bothered. For me, I do different types of masks on different days, and aim to do at least 3 sheet masks a week. I find my skin is happiest with this interval. If you have dryer skin, you may want to increase the number of times per week.

Now, let’s get into the products, there is no ranking to the following products mentioned.

Leaders Insolution Skin Clinic Mask

Leaders Insolution Skin Clinic Mask – $2.99

Leaders is one of the bigger companies who is focused on doing masks. I find companies who is dedicated to the mask industry produces better quality masks than larger cosmetic companies such as Etude House or Innisfree. You’ll find most masks I pick are from these dedicated companies.

The Insolution Skin Click Mask is one series, and probably the best known series out of all the masks Leaders does. I love this masks is due to its sheet and essence. The sheet is the kind that I said above, thin but strong, that adheres to the skin like a second skin and holds a tonne of serum. The serum is not too watery nor too sticky. It could be applied for 30 minutes on the skin without being too dry. My skin always feel so plump, soft and brightened after using this mask and the result lasts to the next day.

Leaders Insolution Skin Clinic Mask

There are many different “flavours” to pick from that are targeted at different skin concerns. I personally love the Melatox – for whitening, and Wrinkle-tox for anti-aging.

One thing to note about the Leaders Insolution Skin Clinic Mask is their heavy use of fragrance. I became acquainted to fragrances that Korean companies love to use, but if you’re sensitive to fragrances, you may want to steer clear of this one.

SNP Animal Mask

snp animal mask 4 front
SNP Animal Mask – $2.99

There was a time where these printed masks went viral and talked by so many people. It is such a fun notion to have the sheets printed with animal faces. I find I gravitate towards this mask on days when I feel a bit dull and bored. It is especially fun if you use it with your partner or friend.

SNP Animal Mask

The sheet of the SNP Animal Mask is thicker than the Leaders mentioned above. Hence, it does not adhere to the skin as well, and has the problem of dripping essence during the masking experience. I guess in order to have the sheets printed, they have to be thicker to hold the paint pigments. One thing to note is, SNP claims that the pigments used are food grade colouring which does not irritate the skin.

The serum contains coconut water which delivers more hydration than simple water. The consistency is more watery compared to the Leaders one, which some people may prefer.

There are four types of animals in this series, each targeting at a different skin concern. I find the level of fragrance also varies with the type of animal with Tiger being the most fragranced. Other than that, I don’t have a particular preference out of the four, all of them feels much the same when applied.

Due to the thicker sheets and thinner serum, this mask would dry out quicker and should be removed after 10-15 minutes.

Papa Recipe Bombee Honey Mask

Papa Recipe Bombee Honey Mask – $2.99

This is a more recent introduction in the masking world but have many followers already and I’m one of them. Papa Recipe has a more natural focus in their branding and uses organic propolis and honey extract in this product. Honey and propolis are well known for their healing properties and the added benefit of naturally anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory.

The sheet of this mask is the thinnest I’ve ever used, much thinner than leaders. It adheres to the skin just like a second skin, however, I wouldn’t say it holds more serum than Leaders. The masking experience is a pleasant one, but the serum does feel a bit tacky after the mask is removed. Apply a layer of moisturiser to remove the stickiness, leaving behind soothed and hydrated skin.

Papa Recipe Bombee Honey Mask

Mediheal Vita Light Beam Essential Mask

Mediheal-vita-lightbeam
Mediheal Vita Light Beam Essential Mask – $2.49

Mediheal is another company that was born in the mask industry. It shares the same origin and technology with Leaders before they were broken into two companies.

This is actually the face mask that got me hooked into the K-Mask world. It is priced a bit cheaper than the previously mentioned few, at 2,000 Won per sheet, however, the quality you’re getting is much better than many other 2,000 Won masks.

First of all, the sheet is extremely soft and holds a lot of serum. Although it is not the thinnest, it does adhere to the skin pretty well due to its softness. The serum is again not too watery nor sticky. The result of this mask is noticeably soft and brightened skin.

Mediheal Vita Light Beam Essential Mask

Final tip: before using a sheet mask, exfoliate the skin with a mild exfoliator to ensure that the hydration and nutrients is effectively absorbed into the skin and not blocked out by the dead skin cells.

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