Sheet masks: Yay or Nay?

Guest post by Sanchaita M.

So everyone seems to be obsessed with sheet masks. Be it celebrities, or normal teenagers, everyone is going gaga over sheet masks. I was curious to find out what the hype was all about, so I bought some. However, I have a very mixed opinion about these. Let’s start with the basics.

What are sheet masks?

Sheet masks are basically thin cotton sheets pre-soaked with a serum. They are usually kept for 20-25 minutes, and the left over serum should be massaged on the face and the neck.

There are so many types of sheet masks available in the market, like, tea tree and green tea masks for those with oily skin and acne, pomegranate masks to combat the wrinkles, strawberry, kiwi, blueberry for glowing skin, and many more. Tony moly, etude house, Innisfree are some Korean brands that have a huge collection of sheet masks; Innisfree is available in India as well. The price of the sheet masks varies between Rs.100-Rs.200. Sephora has a collection of their in house sheet masks, which are priced between Rs.400-Rs.600.

How to use sheet masks: Cleanse your face with a cleanser of your choice, apply toner, and then put on the sheet mask, adjust according to your face shape. However, you may not need to apply a moisturizer after this, because the serum in the sheet masks moisturizes the skin thoroughly.

How often should sheet masks be used: As many times you like. You could use them every day, or once a week; it all depends on you.

Few things to remember before purchasing sheet masks

• Choose according to your skin type. The first step is to find out what your skin needs. For those with dry skin, go for honey sheet masks. Those with oily skin should avoid masks with a creamier serum because they might result in clogged pores and breakouts.
• You need to be regular with sheet masks. Using sheet masks once or twice a month won’t do the trick.
• Sheet masks do not replace traditional masks. In my opinion, women with dry skin may benefit more from sheet masks. The best way to balance the oily skin would be using clay masks and exfoliation. They eliminate sebum and dirt to a great extent.
• Sheet masks might not suit those with sensitive skin, and since a patch test cannot be done, stick to those products that you know work.

What I think about them

Sheet masks work great for dry skin or for hydration. My mom used a pomegranate sheet mask (she has dry skin) and her skin looked dewy after using it. The next day, effects were more visible. But for those with oily, sensitive or acne-prone skin, it might not be a good idea. A friend of mine used bija sheet mask (she has an oily t-zone) and it didn’t work for her as well. There were no effects: the oiliness was still there. I read in an article that some Korean celebrities use sheet masks everyday to keep breakouts at bay, but they have failed to impress me. They cannot replace clay masks. It may be a staple for Korean women, but women with oily and acne prone skin need a lot more than just sheet masks. Although, I have to admit that putting sheet masks on face is very relaxing, there was a light sensation, but it felt so cool and soothing.

Sheet masks may not excite me, but this does not mean that I am discouraging you from using one. Your skin might say thank you after using them, but before purchasing one, I am going to tell you again that choose the right one for your skin. It takes a lot of effort to find out the best product for your skin, but it’s all worth it.

Have you used any sheet masks? How was your experience? Share in the comments below.

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