18 Korean Beauty Face Masks for Hydrated, Glowy Skin—Approved by Derms (2024)

Fast Facts About Korean Beauty Face Masks

Our Top Picks

Benefits:Smooths, plumps, hydrates |Key Ingredients:Watermelon extract, hyaluronic acid |Skin Type:All |Size:1 / 2.7 fl. oz. |Cruelty-Free:Yes

You’d be hard-pressed to find ANY brand, Korean or not, that consistently launches products that sell out at the rapid rate that Glow Recipe does. Their newbies sell out, quite literally, within hours; this is one of the OGs, well worth all of the hype. The overnight treatment works while you snooze, loaded with hydrating watermelon extract and hyaluronic acid, as well as an AHA blend for gentle exfoliation. The result? Smoother, plumper, bouncier skin. It also feels incredibly luxurious on the skin, with a soft, fruity scent (just keep in mind that fragrance can be irritating for sensitive skin types). And it couldn't be any easier to use: just glide an even layer across your skin as the last step in your nightly routine—no need to rinse.

Read Full Review: Glow Recipe's Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask Is a Treat for Skin

Benefits:Softens, hydrates |Key Ingredients:Arginine, licorice root extract, allantoin |Skin Type:All |Size:1 count |Cruelty-Free:No

Prefer to shop for skincare at the drugstore? Don’t miss this wallet-friendly pick made of, wait for it, rice paper. As compared to many other sheet masks, it’s super thin and extremely lightweight, adheres well, and feels virtually undetectable. It also comes in five variants, each highlighting a different ingredient, such as soothing aloe vera or anti-inflammatory green tea, so there are choices for whatever your skin needs. Rough, dry skin feels softer and smoother after regular use. The only potential downside is that these masks keep it fairly simple compared with others that are loaded with active ingredients.

Benefits:Illuminates, hydrates |Key Ingredients:Niacinamide, yuzu, vitamin E, vitamin C |Skin Type:All |Size:1.7 fl. oz. |Cruelty-Free:Yes

This sleeping mask from buzzy brand Saturday Skin is packed with powerful active ingredients, like radiance-boosting vitamin C, blemish-fighting niacinamide, and anti-aging vitamin A (retinol), so that you wake up with radiant, hydrated skin. Its high vitamin C content comes from the yuzu fruit in the formula, giving it anti-aging and skin protective properties. We love that it can just be applied after your night moisturizer and doesn't have to be rinsed, although some reviewers lament that it makes their skin feel sticky.

Benefits: Boosts radiance | Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin C, white willow bark | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 count | Cruelty-Free: Yes

“I love the Mediheal line of sheet masks, which stay moist for a long time and stick well to the skin’s surface,” says Chang. This one, in particular, is one of her favorites: a cellulose mask that contains vitamin C and niacinamide to illuminate and nourish the skin. FYI: For this, or any sheet mask, for that matter, Chang recommends applying any remaining liquid in the pack to your neck, chest, and arms.

Benefits: Calms acne and redness | Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, willow bark | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Size: 5 / 10 count | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Per our point above, Chang also recommends this option from Mediheal. “It’s ideal for red, inflamed, or acne-prone skin,” she says, citing the use of ingredients such as naturally antibacterial tea tree oil and extra-soothing, healing centella asiatica. The formula is hydrating as well and touts protective antioxidants also. Though it contains actives that are tough on breakouts, the formula is balanced with soothing ingredients to be gentle on the skin. We would prefer it if the formula were a little less watery so the skin could soak it up more easily.

Benefits: Softens, hydrates | Key Ingredients: Centella asiatica, fig extract | Skin Type: Dry, combination | Size: 1 count | Cruelty-Free: No

No matter what your complexion concern may be, Innisfree makes a mask for it. “The 100%, naturally-derived cellulose sheet masks come with a variety of ingredients to suit your skin needs,” says Chang, who adds that tea tree (for purifying), aloe (for soothing), and manuka honey (for moisturizing) are some of her top picks. Those with sensitive skin should be aware that these particular masks contain fragrance, which is nice for the nose but can be irritating to the complexion.

Benefits: Softens, hydrates | Key Ingredients: Probiotic complex, squalane | Skin Type: Balanced, dry | Size: 2.3 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

It may be the overnight lip mask from this brand that gets the most buzz, but don’t sleep on (pun intended) this face mask. The gel-based mask is like a tall glass of water for your skin, packed with hyaluronic acid and water infused with moisture-maximizing minerals. On top of all of that, it also uses an exclusive technology to trap all of this hydration in your skin for up to eight hours, AKA, while you get a good night’s rest. However, reviewers with sensitive skin complain that the strong fragrance in this formula aggravated skin issues.

Benefits: Softens, hydrates | Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf extract, hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen | Skin Type: Balanced, dry | Size: 1 count | Cruelty-Free: No

As the name suggests, a hefty dose of aloe is the star of the show in this sheet mask, another one of Chang’s picks. She says the mask not only helps soothe the skin but also provides long-lasting hydration and points out that the brand also has a ton of different options that offer everything from more lightweight hydration to heavier moisture.

Benefits: Cleanses, exfoliates | Key Ingredients: Jeju volcanic clusters, lactic acid | Skin Type: Oily, combination | Size: 3.4 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

Clogged pores don’t stand a chance against this purifying mask. This mask is great for absorbing excess sebum. Couple volcanic lava and exfoliating lactic acid, and you’ve got yourself a great formula to reach for when you want to give your skin an extra deep clean. Some reviewers noted that the mask leaves a sticky residue behind, but we don’t think that’s a deal breaker by any means.

Benefits: Softens, hydrates | Key Ingredients: Ceramides, panthenol, aloe vera | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 count | Cruelty-Free: No

If you suspect your skin barrier might be damaged (signs include increased sensitivity, itching, hyperpigmentation, and dehydration), this fortifying mask can help restore it. The focus is on boosting your skin barrier, the secret to keeping moisture locked in and irritants locked out. At work are ceramides, lipids that hold the skin barrier together, as well as panthenol, a soothing and moisturizing ingredient that also helps support the skin barrier. The point is that this pick is ideal for those with sensitive, compromised complexions, although the strong scent might be off-putting to some.

Benefits: Moisturizes, purifies | Key Ingredients: Varies | Skin Type: All | Size: 15 count | Cruelty-Free: No

Ringing in at just slightly over a dollar apiece, this set of eight different masks is a great way to get your hands (erm, face) on some great K-Beauty goods. Each is centered around a different natural ingredient that offers a unique benefit; think olive for moisturizing, kelp for purifying... you get the picture. They can be a little sticky but consistently pull in rave reviews with shoppers talking about how well they work (and how affordable they are).

Benefits: Calms acne and redness | Key Ingredients: Hydrocolloid bandage | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Size: 24 count | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Okay, so it may not technically be a mask, but this stick-on patch from Korean mainstay COSRX is next-level good at significantly reducing the look of pimples overnight. To Chang’s point that K-Beauty products shouldn’t irritate skin, this pick doesn’t contain any harsh actives. Instead, the adhesive hydrocolloid bandage works by covering the skin, protecting the blemish from any additional bacteria, and speeding up the time in which the skin can heal itself.

Read Full Review: These Pimple Patches Gave Me Visible Overnight Results

Benefits: Exfoliates, hydrates | Key Ingredients: Rice extract, niacinamide | Skin Type: Dry | Size: 2 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We love waking up to flake-free, smooth skin. Dry, rough skin needs extra exfoliation and hydration, and this overnight treatment featuring rice extract delivers both. It also contains niacinamide to help with skin cell turnover, a plus if you have hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone. It's a great choice if you want your skin to feel nourished without being greasy, and it sinks into the skin without leaving a noticeable residue.

Benefits: Exfoliates, resurfaces | Key Ingredients: 6% glycolic and lactic acids | Skin Type: Combination | Size: 1.76 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

While we're all for a product that works overnight, it's nice to get results quickly, too. Then I Met You's Rosé Resurfacing Mask works in 15 minutes to reveal glowier, clearer skin. Exfoliating glycolic and lactic acids work together with illuminating resveratrol and moisturizing damask rose petals to soften and boost radiance of skin, as well as tone, resurface, and strengthen its barrier. So, although the price is a bit steep, this product fulfills several skincare needs. Be aware this will tingle upon application, so if your skin is sensitive, you might want to test it out with just a dab or find a gentler option. This is a great pick if you have textured skin or roughness and uneven tone you'd like to even out.

Benefits:Hydrates, exfoliates |Key Ingredients:Snail mucin, hyaluronic acid, licorice root extract |Skin Type:All |Size:3.4 fl. oz. |Cruelty-Free:Yes

Formulated with 95% snail mucin—AKA one of the most popular ingredients in K-Beauty—this rinse-off mask is able to deeply hydrate rough, dry complexions for skin that feels soft and smooth to the touch. With consistent use, you'll notice that your skin is more hydrated and healthy, as well as more radiant and even (thanks to the licorice root in the formula). To use, just apply for 15 minutes and then rinse for a complexion that looks nourished and glowy. Unsurprisingly, given that snail mucin is the main ingredient, the mask has a slimy texture that some reviewers couldn’t get on board with.

Benefits: Clears breakouts, hydrates | Key Ingredients: Vitamin B3, vitamin C, vitamin E, bentonite | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Size: 5 pack | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Congested, clogged pores can quickly turn into stubborn blackheads, which can enlarge pores over time. This bentonite and kaolin clay-infused sheet mask promises to clear out any debris from excess sebum and skin cells, leaving your skin clear and blemish-free. While similar products can be drying, this vitamin E-rich formula leaves your skin feeling hydrated. It’s even gentle enough for sensitive skin types. The only downside is that the mask can be messy to apply, and it can slide off the face easily, so we recommend lying down while it works its magic.

Benefits: Radiance-boosting, hydrating | Key Ingredients: Pearl extract, probiotics, white flower extract | Skin Type: Dry, uneven tone | Size: 5 pack | Cruelty-Free: No

This K-Beauty favorite gives skin the kind of lit-from-within glow that garners lots of compliments. Amino acid-rich pearl extract illuminates skin, probiotics support collagen production, and soothing chamomile extract adds a big dose of hydration, leaving your complexion looking noticeably luminous. This mask has a strong scent, but if fragrance doesn’t bother you then be sure to scoop up all the serum from the packet and dap it onto your face and neck until fully absorbed.

Benefits: Anti-aging | Key Ingredients: Snail mucin, buckthorn oil, rice bran, kaolin | Skin Type: Mature, fine lines | Size: 5 pack | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This hardworking mask from Seoul Ceuticals blends cruelty-free snail mucin with anti-inflammatory turmeric to revive tired skin, improve signs of aging, and boost collagen production. In addition, it contains clarifying ​​kaolin clay, wrinkle-preventing sea buckthorn oil, and protective rice bran, resulting in a potent formula designed to give skin a youthful glow. Although we love to see so many effective ingredients on a label, especially when 97% of them are naturally derived, this mask isn’t the best choice for sensitive skin.