The ins and outs of sheet masks

Confused about the proliferation of so-hot-right-now sheet masks suddenly turning up in Insta selfies and lining the aisles of everywhere? Here’s what you need to know.

They’re a little bit Phantom of the Opera, and the hottest trend in face masks.

Perfect for home spa night or a mid-week refresh, face-shaped sheets of fabric soaked in serum are designed to give you a super-charged dose of goodness in one easy-to-apply go.

How do sheet masks work?

Just as the name implies, sheet masks are a skincare treatment that comes in sheet form, with holes for your eyes, nose and mouth.

Usually bought in a single-use packet, your “sheet” sits in a concentrated version of one or more active ingredients until you’re ready to use it.

Attractive they may not be; but they are hugely popular (with a reason!) and look like being here to stay.

How to apply a sheet mask

Everyone’s face is a different shape and size, so there’s a trick to getting masks in place and covering all the corners of your visage.

Step 1.
Try starting at the forehead and lining up the eye holes with your peepers so you don’t get air pockets.

Step 2.
Pat the mask on to your cheeks, moving down towards the chin.

Step 3.
Lie back and get ready to spend the next 10 to 20 minutes reading your latest book or watching that Netflix series. We call that winning.

Face the (ingredient) facts

As with any skincare product, not all sheet masks are created equal.

Whether it’s soothing, hydrating, mattifying, firming or detoxifying you’re after, look for ingredients that are based on your skin care needs.

And of course, being a one-time-use product, sheet masks can seem a little wasteful.

So, check out which material your mask is made of (and also the packet it comes in) and choose products that are biodegradable. Caring for your skin, and the planet!

Deeply hydrating and planet-friendly

Sukin sheet masks are made with 100 per cent cotton fibres that will fully biodegrade six months after use.

And the sachets are aluminium free, which means they can be recycled through soft plastic recycling streams.

Even better, Sukin sheet masks come in four variants, with something for every skin.

For those with thirsty skin (especially in the cold, dry air of winter), Sukin Deeply Hydrating Biodegradable Sheet Mask comes with a concentrated serum, formulated with an active bio-marine blend of sea algae, hyaluronic acid and maize complex, to deliver deep hydration into the skin lasting up to 72 hours after four weeks of use.

Or try Sukin Purely Ageless Intensive Firming Biodegradable Sheet Mask, Super Greens Detoxifying Biodegradable Sheet Mask and Oil Balancing Shine Control Biodegradable Sheet Mask.

All free from parabens and silicones, sustainable and naturally healthy.

Oh, and final tip. Get some extra mileage from your mask by massaging any leftover serum in the sachet into your neck and chest. A treat in a sheet indeed.

* This post is brought to you by Sukin.