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Lest we state the obvious: The Korean skin-care industry is a hotbed of innovation, and the best Korean face masks (in all shapes and forms) are essential in helping us look our glowiest. Whether we’re masking once a week or daily—hey, daily sheet masking isn’t out of the question—these treatments load our skin with barrier-repairing, brightening, clarifying, hydrating, soothing, and texture-smoothing ingredients we can’t get enough of. Best of all? They’re as gentle on our wallets as they are on our skin—in fact, none of the masks on this page cost more than $45, with tons of $20-and-under picks. Ahead, our editors give us the low-down on their top picks from Beauty of Joseon, Innisfree, Medicube, Round Lab, and more. Time to reap in the glassy skin.
Our Top Korean Face Masks
- Best Wash-Off Mask Overall: Beauty of Joseon Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask, $18
- Best Sheet Mask Overall: Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask, $19
- Best Overnight Mask: Sungboon Editor Deep Collagen Power Boosting Mask, $19
- Best Peel-Off Mask: Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask, $19
- Best Cooling: Dr. Althea Jelly Seal Dewy Mask, $13
- Best for Dry Skin: Torriden Dive In Sheet Mask, $33
- Best for Oily Skin: Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask, $18
- Best for Barrier Support: Round Lab 1025 Water Gel Hydration Mask, $23
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Celimax The Real Cica Calming Ampoule Mask, $15
- Best for Mature Skin: Dr.Jart+ Cryo Rubber Firming Mask, $16
Best Wash-Off Mask Overall: Beauty of Joseon Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask
Why it’s worth it: Beauty of Joseon does a lot of things right, from sunscreens to toner-essences. The brand’s masks are no exception: The Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask, in particular, strikes the ideal balance between clarifying and brightening your complexion—all while being non-irritating. The stars of this formula are upcycled makgeolli lees (a byproduct of Korean rice wine), honey, kaolin clay, and rice hull powder—which together sweep away the gunk residing in your pores, gently buff away uneven texture, and with consistent use, help brighten discoloration.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“As someone who approaches physical exfoliation a little cautiously, I love how gentle this mask is. It gives my skin an instant brightening effect—as subtle as it may be—and helps even out some texture and redness I experience in and around my T-zone.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: kaolin, honey, upcycled makgeolli lees, rice hull powder
- Who it’s for: people with oily or combination skin, congested pores
- How to use it: apply a thick, even layer to clean, dry skin for 15-20 minutes and rinse off
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Sheet Mask Overall: Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask
Why it’s worth it: Whether you leave it on all night or call it quits around the 3- to 4-hour mark (hello, work-from-home days!), Biodance’s Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask is one tall glass of water for your skin. Using ultra-low molecular weight collagen and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (otherwise known as oligo HA) means deeper penetration of hydrating, plumping goodness. Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City, confirms this mask’s popularity, adding, “It leaves the skin more glowy and hydrated for hours after application.”
“When I wake up, my skin is so hydrated and smooth that it literally looks like glass. And that’s just one night. After using this mask for a week, my skin feels firmer, looks brighter, and is so hydrated—like my face went on a retreat and came back dewy, healthy, and refreshed.” —Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor
- Key ingredients: ultra-low molecular weight collagen, galactomyces, oligo hyaluronic acid, allantoin
- Who it’s for: everyone
- How to use it: leave on for 3-4 hours or overnight
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Overnight Mask: Sungboon Editor Deep Collagen Power Boosting Mask
Why it’s worth it: You might have a lot of questions about us suggesting you wear a sheet mask overnight—how does it even stay on?—but hear us out. Don’t try this with a standard cloth sheet mask (those will slide right off in your sleep); however, the Sungboon Editor Deep Collagen Power Boosting Mask is specifically designed to cling to the skin all night with its gel-like texture. As you snooze, collagen and peptides boost elasticity and soften fine lines, while niacinamide brightens and evens tone. Centella Asiatica calms redness and reinforces your skin’s barrier, while glycerin locks in deep hydration, keeping your complexion supple. By morning, you pulled off an overnight spa treatment without ever leaving your bed.
“This mask was my first foray into overnight sheet masks, and I’m simply obsessed. When you first apply, it’s opaque, then when you wake up and all of that delicious, collagen-packed serum has been absorbed, it’s totally clear. So cool, right? If you’re worried about it slipping around overnight, don’t worry—you have to sit still for about 20 minutes when you first apply it, but after that,t it’s pretty secure and you can move about the cabin. I roll around a lot when I sleep, and it was still tacked to my fave when I woke up the next morning. These masks are a great way to lock in a bit of extra hydration, especially if you’re prone to occasional skin dehydration like I am.” —Sarah Hoffman, commerce producer
- Key ingredients: collagen, Centella Asiatica, niacinamide, peptides, glycerin
- Who it’s for: everyone
- How to use it: leave on for 3-4 hours or overnight
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Peel-Off Mask: Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask
Why it’s worth it: Viral skin-care products don’t always live up to their fame, but we’re happy to report Medicube’s Collagen Night Wrapping Mask is up to snuff. Aside from being extra satisfying to peel off—feel free to pull a “skin shed” prank on your partner—this clear mask is chock-full of hyaluronic acid, collagen extract, niacinamide, and vitamin E to smooth skin while you snooze. Notably, it’s also a less messy alternative to the Biodance overnight sheet mask—just wait 15 minutes to ensure it’s totally dry before your face meets your pillow. “It leaves the skin looking radiant and smooth the next morning,” Dr. Chang attests. “As a side sleeper, I love how quickly it dries so that you can fall asleep right away.”
“The way my skin looks with a layer of Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask is exactly how I want my skin to look without it: glassy, glowy, and clear. And with each overnight—yes, overnight—application of its niacinamide- and hyaluronic acid-infused formula, I get a little bit closer to that goal. I’ve been using it once or twice a week, and never cease to be delighted by the satisfaction of peeling it away in the morning.” —Dianna Singh, features director
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, collagen extract, niacinamide, vitamin E
- Who it’s for: people with dull skin
- How to use it: apply a thin, even layer over clean skin before bed, let dry for 15 minutes, and rinse off any excess
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Cooling: Dr. Althea Jelly Seal Dewy Mask
Why it’s worth it: Instead of a standard cotton sheet, this mask uses a soft gauze infused with gel technology, so it hugs every contour of your face without slipping or bubbling up. The plush, cushiony texture creates a moisture-locking seal that helps actives absorb more effectively while delivering a refreshing cooling sensation that feels truly soothing on skin. Inside, not one but 10 types (!) of hyaluronic acid—ranging from high to ultra-low molecular weights—drench your skin with multi-level hydration, instantly plumping the surface while sinking deep for long-lasting moisture and improved elasticity. To top it off, plant-derived PDRN (derived from salmon DNA) is known for boosting skin repair and regeneration, panthenol calms and strengthens the barrier, and madecassoside soothes irritation, leaving skin recharged, resilient, and glowing.
“Sheet masks are always a treat, but phew, Dr. Althea’s masks are just next-level-drenched, and I love it. Because it’s a jelly/gel mask, it takes me a little longer to get the mask fully situated, since I have to unfold some stuck corners and nose flaps, but otherwise the fit is fantastic and every inch of it is hugging my face even when I’m staring down at my laptop. The brand recommends 10 to 15 minutes but I always go a little over the higher-end number to really give the mask time to fully sink in. I always expect my skin to be glowing after taking off sheet masks but I was still impressed just how **glowy** I really looked. I took 20 extra seconds to pat in the lotus-derived PDRN and hyaluronic acid goodness. Because the mask is so drenched, there isn’t as much essence left in the pouch—but that didn’t stop me from slathering what I could onto my neck and décolletage.” —Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: 10 types of hyaluronic acid, plant-derived PDRN, panthenol, madecassoside
- Who it’s for: people with sensitive or dry skin
- How to use it: leave on for 10–15 minutes, then gently pat the remaining essence into your skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dry Skin: Torriden Dive In Sheet Mask
Why it’s worth it: Torriden takes hydration seriously. Each product in its Dive In family is injected with a 5D multi-low-molecular hyaluronic acid system for optimal saturation. In layman’s terms, that means five types of HA with low, medium, and high molecular weights to address skin at different levels—not just the surface. Allantoin and panthenol provide more skin-soothing, barrier-strengthening, and moisture-locking abilities in this refreshing, 15- to 20-minute treatment. Get ready to look like a dewy dumpling.
“I have dry, sensitive skin, and this sheet mask gave it a serious boost of hydration and comfort. It was a tad tricky to unravel—the fabric is super thin—but that thinness meant it hugged every contour of my face perfectly. I did notice a bit of product sitting on my skin afterward, but it dried down quickly, leaving my complexion calm, hydrated, and refreshed.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
- Key ingredients: five types of hyaluronic acid, panthenol, allantoin, ceramide NP
- Who it’s for: people with dry, sensitive, or dull skin
- How to use it: leave on for 15–20 minutes, remove, then gently pat the remaining essence into your skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Oily Skin: Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask
Why it’s worth it: Clay masks literally draw out dirt and excess sebum from your pores, which means you get the satisfying look at your pores being singled out once Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask has dried down. Then there’s lactic acid to swiftly remove dead skin cells and increase cell turnover—resulting in brighter, smoother skin. In turn, “increasing cell turnover also reduces clogged pores and the chances of developing acne lesions,” Aegean Chan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Santa Barbara, California, previously explained. Bonus: Lactic acid has naturally occurring moisturizing properties so your barrier reaps benefits, too. All in all, this tingly wash-off mask keeps oil, pores, and blackheads in check while soothing the skin—for less than $20.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“I’m not a hydration girlie. Instead, I look for masks that can suck the gunk out of my pores with abandon, and this mask does exactly that. What makes it great isn’t just the combo of bentonite and kaolin clays, but the addition of volcanic ash and lactic acid for dual exfoliation. I liked that I got a little scrubbing action as I was rinsing it off—and my skin looked way more even and radiant after just one use.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
- Key ingredients: volcanic ash clusters, lactic acid, bentonite, kaolin, walnut shell powder
- Who it’s for: people with acne-prone, oily skin
- How to use it: leave on for 10 minutes (or until dry) and gently rinse off with warm water
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Barrier Support: Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Hydrating Water Gel Mask
Why it’s worth it: Known for creating one of Korea’s most popular sunscreens, Round Lab brings the same gentle approach to its 1025 Dokdo Hydrating Water Gel Mask. “Thanks to its comforting ingredients and zero fragrance, it’s a great option for sensitive skin,” says Hee Jin Kim, MD, a board-certified internal medicine physician based in Fort Lee, NJ. The ultra-thin hydrogel sheet conforms perfectly to your face, locking in moisture as mineral-rich deep-sea water, hyaluronic acid, and amino acids drench skin in lasting hydration. Meanwhile, panthenol and allantoin soothe irritation and strengthen the barrier. In just 10 minutes, skin feels bouncier, calmer, and comfortably dewy.
- Key ingredients: deep-sea water, hyaluronic acid, amino acid, panthenol, allantoin
- Who it’s for: people with sensitive or reactive skin
- How to use it: leave on for 10 minutes, remove, then gently pat the remaining essence into your skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Celimax The Real Cica Calming Ampoule Mask
Why it’s worth it: When your skin is feeling especially stressed, Celimax The Real Cica Calming Ampoule Mask is an instant reset. “If you’re a big fan of the hallmark K-beauty ingredient Centella Asiatica, this mask is perfect for those with sensitive skin that needs calming relief,” says Judy Hong-Jin Joo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Seoul, Korea. If you haven’t tried cica before, the ingredient is celebrated for reducing redness, accelerating skin repair, and reinforcing the skin barrier—making it a go-to for irritation-prone complexions. Paired with madecassoside and hyaluronic acid for extra soothing and hydrating powers, this ampoule-soaked mask leaves skin supple and balanced.
- Key ingredients: Centella Asiatica, madecassoside, hyaluronic acid
- Who it’s for: people with sensitive or reactive skin
- How to use it: leave on for 10–20 minutes, then gently pat the remaining essence into your skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Mature Skin: Dr.Jart+ Cryo Rubber Firming Mask
Why it’s worth it: Unlike typical sheet masks that come pre-soaked, the Dr. Jart+ Cryo Rubber Firming Face Mask uses a two-step system for maximum results. First, apply the included ampoule packed with hydrolyzed collagen to boost elasticity, niacinamide to brighten, and mango seed butter and macadamia oil to nourish and protect. Then, layer on the Cryo Rubber Firming Mask, infused with seaweed-derived chondrus crispus extract, panthenol, and mineral-rich clays that give it its signature rubbery texture. This cooling second step locks in all that hydration and delivers a tightening effect for firmer-looking skin. “The results mimic a facial you’d get from an esthetician—so hydrating that it’s become my favorite in-flight mask to combat dry cabin air,” says Dr. Hee Jin Kim.
- Key ingredients: ampoule: hydrolyzed collagen, niacinamide, mango seed butter, macadamia oil; mask: chondrus crispus, panthenol, clay
- Who it’s for: everyone, especially those with mature skin
- How to use it: leave on for 30–40 minutes, then gently pat the remaining essence into your skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Korean face masks innovative?
“Korean face masks are all about delivering high-performance results that help the skin optimize ingredient absorption,” says New York City-based Charlotte Cho, cofounder of K-beauty retailer Soko Glam and founder of Then I Met You. Adding on, Dr. Chang notes they “use advanced and innovative materials, ranging from bio-cellulose and hydrogel to bamboo fiber sheet masks, as well as overnight masks and peel-off masks,” adding that the range of mask types makes the experience fun and hands-on for the consumer.
Similar to other skin-care categories, Korean face masks are known to be gentle and supportive to the skin barrier—popular ingredients include Centella asiatica (also known as cica), ceramides, and fermented ingredients, Cho notes. “There’s also been a rise in multi-functional actives like PDRN (salmon DNA) for regeneration, Volufiline for plumping, and micro-spicules for deeper penetration—ingredients once reserved for professional treatments and are now found in serums and masks.” As for hydration, birch sap and polyglutamic acid are some of the mainstream, tried-and-true ingredients, Cho adds.
What are the different types of Korean face masks?
We broke down the most common types of face masks in an episode of our The Science of Beauty podcast, with the help of David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. There, you’ll find everything you need to know about sheet, clay, charcoal, cream, wash-off, sleeping, peel-off, and bubble masks.
Meet the experts
- Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City
- Charlotte Cho, cofounder of K-beauty retailer Soko Glam and founder of Then I Met You, based in New York City
- David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology and founder of Lightsaver, based in New York City
- Hee Jin Kim, MD, a board-certified internal medicine physician and medical director of Pureen MD, based in Fort Lee, NJ
- Judy Hong-Jin Joo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Glassy Skin Clinic in Cheongdam, based in Seoul, Korea
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best Korean face masks to make your skin feel utterly refreshed, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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