Korean face masks are consistently some of the most innovative products we test at Glamour. I'm a journalist who is hard to impress, but from viral TikTok sensations to peel-off masks and hydro-gel iterations – for hydration, de-puffing or calming blemishes – I've found so many releases I genuinely adore.
Found, how? In the name of bringing you a Korean face mask edit you can actually trust, I've spent the past two years testing product launches and working alongside Sarah Y. Wu, who you'll see pictured throughout this piece. Sarah is a journalist who spent three months in Seoul researching all things Korean skincare, and who has quizzed dermatologists and trusted industry experts (such as veteran product developers, who clued her in on their most-used masks).
Together, we've landed on two conclusions. One, the Korean face mask market has become intensely competitive of late. There are thousands of K-beauty brands available in the Western beauty space, which makes things a tad confusing for consumers. Two? When you find the good ones, you'll genuinely see a difference. Many Koreans I spoke to for this piece actually use sheet masks daily – a habit known as “one day, one pack” – to achieve the intensely hydrated glass skin finish that has become synonymous with the nation. And their favourites are so good, I'm taking a second suitcase on my next trip to Seoul to bring enough home.
Pro tip: for the full Korean skincare routine, pair your chosen mask with a glow-boosting Korean toner, a de-puffing Korean eye cream and a great Korean moisturiser. Here's everything you need to know.
Shop my favourite Korean face masks:
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How I tested the best Korean face masks:
It's super important to me that I only recommend products I genuinely rate, so to pull together this edit, I started by assessing the ingredients and formulations on the packets of the top-rated Korean face masks, then assess which products will work for which skin types.
For this piece, I worked with Sarah and Denise and tested each mask for its immediate and long-term effects on our complexions. We avoided using any other products afterwards, to ensure we could notice the precise results of each product on our skin. My personal favourite sheet masks, and the ones I use a lot even now, include some Dr.Jart+ Cryo Rubber Mask and the viral Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask. You can find out more about how we test products at Glamour here.
Why you can trust me:
As a beauty editor and qualified facialist, I have been testing skincare products and in-clinic treatments for over a decade, for magazines in the UK and the US. I’ve thoroughly reviewed beauty tech, skincare and makeup for publications like Glamour, IndyBest, Cosmopolitan, HuffPost US and others.
I really enjoy quizzing dermatologists, product developers, brand founders and reading scientific papers to understand what goes into a product or treatment. I’ve had acne since my teens, so believe me when I say skincare found me, before I found it. I know the journey to skin health isn’t linear nor easy. I focus on long-term results rather than “quick” fixes or TikTok beauty hacks and viral products, but I’m always happy to test them out and give them my stamp of approval (or disapproval).
I am adamant about including science-backed information in my articles and debunking myths or viral hacks. I regularly attend press events for brands in the beauty and wellness industry, where I learn firsthand about new products, their ingredients, and the science behind them. The face masks included in this piece have been tested by various Glamour editors and beauty contributors with different skin types.
Ahead, the very best Korean face masks I've tried.
1. Best Korean Face Mask for Acne-Prone Skin: Mediheal Tea Tree Essential Mask
- Key ingredients: Tea-tree-leaf water, lactobacillus ferment, tea tree extract, and leaf oil.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: Calming sheet mask; instantly soothes and reduces inflammation; recommended for acne-prone skin.
Why we love it: I haven’t tried many Mediheal sheet masks, but the brand makes plenty for every single concern. I love their Watermide hydrating pads, which I use as a quick mask when I need an extra boost of hydration or as my makeup prep. Instant glass skin. Turns out the Mediheal Tea Tree Essential Mask is just as effective, previously winning a coveted Olive Young Award in 2022.
Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City, highly recommends this K-beauty sheet mask if you want to make blemishes go away faster. “It’s formulated with hydrating factors and tea tree oil to reduce inflammation in the skin,” she says. Tea tree oil is a common acne fighter because of its “known antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that may help prevent and improve acne,” says Dr Chang, who personally uses the mask when she’s breaking out.
Right off the bat, this mask impressed me with how juicy it is. There’s plenty of essence on the sheet mask and some extra in the packaging. I always apply the extra essence on my face, neck and décolletage. This mask feels cooling on the skin, which helps with inflammation and any active breakouts. “It doesn’t clog pores, and you can use your normal acne medications afterwards,” Y. Claire Chang, MD, previously told Glamour contributor Sarah.
Now, in terms of how well it works, I don’t think a single use of a sheet mask can effectively target skin conditions like acne, but it can give the skin an overall boost. People with acne or oily skin often forgo moisturiser, thinking it will make their skin worse. That couldn’t be further from the truth; even cystic spots need moisture to aid healing.
I kept the mask on for 35 minutes, and my skin felt hydrated and soothed after removal. This mask is described as ‘calming’ by the brand, and while I can’t attest to that, as my skin didn’t need calming, it certainly left my skin looking hydrated. This effect lasted for well over six hours post-application, which is great.
2. Best Korean Face Mask for Dry Skin: Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask
- Key ingredients: Ultra-low molecular weight collagen, galactomyces, oligo hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, glycerin.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: TikTok-viral overnight hydrogel mask; turns from white to clear as it dries; great for dry skin; leaves a visible glow.
Why we love it: “Sheet masks and overnight masks dominate the [K-beauty] market right now,” says Hwang Wonuk, MD, a cosmetic physician at Cheongdam LeBelle Dermatologic Clinic in Seoul. According to Dr. Hwang, sheet masks are “favoured for their convenience,” while overnight masks have become “increasingly popular for their intensive hydration properties.” This Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask, which falls under both categories, has been trending on both TikTok and Hwahae. (It took over TikTok as the sheet mask you wear while you sleep, although dermatologists and the brand both say you can remove it after three to four hours when the hydrogel turns from white to clear.)
Dr. Chang says the ingredients (hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and galactomyces ferment filtrate) are great for “deep hydration” and to “help repair the skin, brighten, and calm.” Collagen also helps moisturise, says Dr. Hwang, “but the effectiveness may be limited to superficial hydration.” If you’re looking for a mask that treats fine lines, he recommends looking for ingredients like “retinoids or peptides,” but this is the one to pick for intense hydration. Grab this when your skin’s dehydrated or getting rough. “It leaves my face feeling plumper and softer for days,” says Dr. Chang.
I used it overnight before my wedding and woke up with seriously luminous and glowy skin. It's one of the products that is viral for the right reasons. My fellow Glamour contributor Sarah Y. Wu agrees, noting that she loves its impressive radiance-boosting effects. “I remember seeing people use this all over my FYP,” she says. “They’d take it off and have immediate glass skin. I can now confirm that’s not a filter; you leave it on for so long that it really traps the moisture in your skin. I rarely have the patience to do a three-hour-long face mask, but the nice thing about the hydrogel is that it comes in two pieces that cling to my face. That means I can wear it while working and still chug coffee without the mask falling off. The most impressive thing about this is that by the time it turns clear and I take it off, my skin doesn’t even feel damp anymore but somehow still has that glassy glow.”
3. Best Korean Face Mask for Deep Cleansing: G9 SKIN Pore Clean Bubble Mask
- Key ingredients: Carbonated water, bamboo charcoal, botanic tannin
- Fragrance-free: No.
- Fast facts: Deeply cleansing; fun – and messy – to use; good for oily skin; gently exfoliates.
Why we love it: This mask got my attention as soon as I saw it. I was certain the ‘bubble’ aspect of it was probably a gimmick, but I was willing to give it a go and find out. First off, this mask is incredibly fun to use, as soon as you put it on it starts bubbling. I left it on for about 10 minutes and then massaged for a couple of minutes before removing. This mask is seriously messy, so next time I’ll use a headband to keep my hair from getting soapy.
It offers deep cleansing, which is ideal if you, like me, live in a big, polluted city and take public transport. Truthfully, I wasn’t expecting much from this mask. I picked it up on a whim and thought that, at best, it would be a little hydrating. I thought the bubbles were gimmicky but I was wrong! My skin looks and feels smoother and brighter right after application. Since it took less than 10 minutes for these results I’m pretty pleased.
It’s one of the best deep cleansing masks I’ve tried, thanks to the carbonated water and bamboo charcoal. Although a sheet mask won’t give me the same results as a chemical or physical exfoliator, I am certainly impressed with this one. One thing I dislike is how heavily scented this mask is. Although the scent is quite pleasant, like fresh lemonade, I could have done without it. Plus, it may not work for people with sensitive skin.
4. Best Hydrating Korean Face Mask: Dr. Jart+ Cryo Rubber with Moisturising Hyaluronic Acid
- Key ingredients: Allantoin, a prebiotic complex, glycerin, algae extract.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: Delivers a glass-like glow; feels soothing on the skin; once applied, stays on without slipping.
Why we love it: This soothing hydrogel face mask from Dr.Jart is everything you need to instantly soothe irritated skin and help strengthen your skin's barrier. Infused with the likes of allantoin, prebiotics, glycerin and algae extract, this calming mask offers a two-step treatment which includes a two-piece hydrogel mask and an ampoule.
The Dr.Jart masks are some of the first K-beauty masks I ever tried. Initially, I was drawn in by the fun packaging and colours, and I stayed for their amazing results. Their hydrating masks are some of the best I've tried for serious glow and moisture for my combination/dry skin.
“As a longtime Dr.Jart obsessive, I consider myself a veteran when it comes to the brand's coveted Cryo Rubber face mask range," Glamour Beauty Contributor Denise Primbet told me. “My favourite to date has to be the soothing iteration, which is a great pick-me-up for whenever I feel like I need to calm my mild rosacea. I love the two-step system: the potent ampoule feels nice and hydrating, while the mask has a gentle and cooling effect. Just 15 minutes later, and my redness is significantly reduced, and I'm left with the most glass-like glow. A must for anyone suffering from a damaged skin barrier.”
5. Best Gentle Korean Face Mask: Beauty of Joseon Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask
- Key ingredients: Kaolin, honey, rice hull powder, rice extract, bentonite, makgeolli lees.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: Thick rinse-off mask; nonirritating formula; gently addresses multiple concerns from pores to dryness.
Why we love it: Here’s another mask inspired by the Joseon dynasty practice of washing your face with rice water. Anyone who’s scrolled through K-beautyTok already knows this brand for its viral Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Prebiotics sunscreen. If you’re already a fan (or if you’re new to the brand), we recommend adding the Beauty of Joseon Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask to your collection. It’s infused with rice powder and extracts, along with makgeolli lees (upcycled ingredients from Korean rice wine). You’ll also find honey in the formula (a known anti-inflammatory), along with kaolin clay, a gentle ingredient for treating acne, pores, and sebum levels.
“This mask contains so many things I love, like honey, rice extracts, and clays,” says Wu. “It’s a do-it-all formula for days when I know my skin needs an extra boost but doesn’t have one specific concern. It feels like a thick paste, so I definitely scoop it out over my bathroom sink to avoid mess. I’ll leave it on for around 20 minutes — I personally recommend using a cleanser to rinse it off because it’s so thick. It leaves my skin feeling smooth and balanced, and never dries it out or causes irritation.”
6. Best Korean Collagen Face Mask: Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, vitamin E, niacinamide.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: Goes on as clear gel and dries down in 15 minutes; meant to be worn overnight and peeled off the next morning; visible brightening and hydrating; nourishing effects.
Why we love it: If you want to know how popular Medicube’s Collagen Night Wrapping Mask is, the brand says it’s been counterfeited so many times, they’ve recently updated the packaging from translucent to opaque to avoid fakes. (If you have an old version, don’t panic: Just check that it matches the brand’s official product images.) Dr. Hwang says this collagen-based mask is “suitable for dry or aging skin,” since it contains multiple hydrators. These “powerful” hydrating factors include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides, as well as antioxidants like vitamin E and niacinamide, says Dr. Chang.
Unlike other overnight masks, Medicube’s formula goes on as a clear gel and dries down in 15 minutes, “wrapping” your skin in moisture as you sleep. “It should be applied with a brush or spatula,” advises Dr. Chang. “You can peel it off in the morning and rinse your face. It’s comfortable to sleep in and leaves skin feeling softer and smoother.” It's so innovative – just like the Medicube Age-R Booster.
“TikTok got me again with this one,” says Wu. “The effect when it dries reminds me of Pat McGrath’s porcelain doll makeup at Maison Margiela. It balls up as I peel it off so I don’t feel like I’m taking a layer of my skin with it, and makes my skin look more hydrated and glowy the next morning. Sometimes I leave it on overnight — you really can sleep with this one without noticing it since it dries down — and sometimes I peel it off after half an hour. It’s definitely the most fun face mask I own.”
7. Best Korean Face Mask For Visible Pores: COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Glass Glow Hydrogel Mask
- Key ingredients: Snail secretion filtrate (25 %), low-molecular collagen, niacinamide, multiple hyaluronic acids, ceramides, panthenol, betaine, allantoin, adenosine.
- Fragrance-free: It has no added fragrance, but because of the snail mucin base and botanical extracts the mask can carry a subtle natural scent.
- Fast facts: Hydrogel-style mask; plunges skin into deep hydration while delivering a cocktail of barrier-strengthening ceramides, collagen and humectants; visibly improves firmness, plumpness, tone and radiance; suitable for all skin types including sensitive; helps smooth texture, even out tone, and boost glow after just one use.
Why we love it: I genuinely reach for this CosRx mask when my skin feels dull, stressed or lacking glow - especially after travel or late nights. The hydrogel texture hugs your face like a second skin, delivering a rich essence that sinks in deeply and leaves skin plumped, dewy and “glass-skin” smooth. The 25 % snail mucin + collagen blend doesn’t just hydrate – it helps restore elasticity and softness, so next morning, your skin feels firmer, looks more radiant, and texture feels refined. And because it also includes soothing agents like panthenol, ceramides and allantoin, it’s a great reset for stressed or sensitised skin.
8. Best Korean Face Mask for Skin Barrier: Roundlab Camellia Collagen Mask
- Key ingredients: Low-molecular collagen, camellia extract, niacinamide.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: Two-piece hydrogel mask that can be left on for 1–2 hours (or less); intensely hydrating; recommended for dry or mature skin.
Why we love it: Roundlab is popular in South Korea for its Dokdo Toner, a household staple made with locally sourced seawater. The brand’s most recent launch, the Roundlab Camellia Collagen Mask, is also worth adding to your routine. Dr Hwang says this mask focuses “on hydration and elasticity” and is recommended for “dry or mature” skin. While he notes that topical collagen like this won’t “significantly change skin structure over time,” the ingredients are great for “immediate” hydration. Dr Chang also likes the rest of the ingredients list, which includes “camellia extract, quercetin and niacinamide to brighten, soothe, and hydrate.”
“The first thing I noticed about this mask was how comfortable and cushy the hydrogel felt,” says Wu. “Like the viral Biodance mask, it also comes separated into two pieces so I can get a perfect fit on my face. You can leave it on for up to two hours, but I usually do a shorter half-hour treatment, which is enough time to make my skin feel calm, plump, and hydrated. Hydrogel masks like this one often come with two or three extra circular patches. A lot of people layer them on their smile lines under the mask, but I chose to stick these on my neck lines. Whatever works for you!”
9. Best Soothing Korean Face Mask: Abib Mild Acidic pH Sheet Mask Heartleaf Fit
- Key ingredients: Heartleaf extract, centella asiatica extract, glycerin, rosemary leaf extract.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: Immediate soothing and calming effect; contains anti-inflammatory plant extracts; generously soaked in essence.
Why we love it: Abib’s soothing heartleaf line is a steady seller at Olive Young; the Abib Mild Acidic pH Sheet Mask Heartleaf Fit is so popular, it won an Olive Young Award twice in a row in 2021 and 2022. Try this Korean sheet mask if you’re breaking out or need to rebalance your skin. It comes soaked in a full bottle of clear, watery essence (again, you should definitely consider repurposing the extra formula). The hero ingredient is heartleaf extract, which studies have shown to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties perfect for soothing, calming, and toning down redness.
“I love how gentle and calming this sheet mask feels,” says Wu. “I had a stray forehead pimple while testing this mask and the last thing I wanted to do was dry my skin out and further irritate it. I recommend this mask to friends who are acne-prone or experiencing active breakouts, but also have sensitive skin. It feels incredibly refreshing as soon as I put it on, and I douse my neck and arms in the leftover essence while I wait for it to do its job. This and a dab of spot treatment over breakouts is my magic formula.”
10. Best Retinol Korean Face Mask: PRMR Vitatinol Serum Gel Mask
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- Key ingredients: Vitatinol (proprietary retinol and vitamin C blend), glycerin, ceramide NP.
- Fragrance-free: No.
- Fast facts: Overnight gel mask that can also be worn for three hours; turns clear when dry; derm-recommended for its powerful combination of vitamin C and retinol.
Why we love it: Dr Chang loves the hero ingredient behind this mask: Vitatinol, a “proprietary retinol ingredient fused with vitamin C, my two favourite youth-boosting ingredients,” she says. It’s “designed to deliver intense hydration and plumping benefits.” Dr Hwang says this mask is a useful pick “for those looking to address early signs of ageing,” although anyone with especially sensitive skin may want to do a patch test first.
“I tested so many overnight gel masks recently, and this was one of the few that stood out,” says Wu. “I’m already a fan of PRMR’s Vitatinol Serum, and this mask feels like an even more concentrated treatment. I’m incapable of wearing sheet masks in my sleep, but I do love this for a shorter treatment during the day. I’m happy with the brightening effects even if I just leave it on for 30 to 40 minutes instead of the full three hours. My skin is so picky with retinol and can’t tolerate high concentrations, but I’ve never had any irritation with this formula.”
11. Best Korean Face Mask for Oily Skin: Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Quick Clay Stick Mask
- Key ingredients: Five types of clay (kaolin, bentonite, illite, montmorillonite, calamine), aloe, centella asiatica extract.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: Swipe-on clay-stick mask; recommended for combination, acne-prone, and oily skin; immediately refines pores and soaks up excess oil.
Why we love it: If you’re not a fan of overly messy clay masks, it truly doesn’t get more streamlined than this one. The Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Quick Clay Stick Mask lets you apply your mask as a swipe-on stick that you rinse off after a few minutes. Dr. Hwang recommends it as “an excellent choice for oily or acne-prone skin” because the clay base helps “absorb excess oil.” Dr Chang confirms that the “five types of clay help cleanse clogged pores.” Who should avoid it? Anyone with very dry or dehydrated skin, since clay masks can be drying. The formula shouldn’t feel stripping on any other skin types, especially since it pairs clay with hydrating aloe and centella asiastica (also known as cica), an ingredient “known for its soothing properties,” says Dr Hwang.
“I have combination skin, so I swipe this on across my T-zone like an extra-large glue stick,” says Wu. “It’s great on my nose, forehead, and chin. It’s so easy to apply and target specific areas that I start questioning why I used to mix my own clay masks. It only takes a few minutes to dry down — no more than five — probably because you apply it in such thin layers. I can feel it immediately soaking up all the excess oil on my T-zone, and my pores look less noticeable as soon as I rinse it off, especially on my nose.”
Your Korean face mask FAQs, answered:
What makes Korean face masks so innovative?
Korean face masks are considered some of the most innovative in beauty thanks to their advanced textures, high-performing ingredients and clinic-inspired formulas. Brands constantly experiment with materials like hydrogel, bio-cellulose and jelly sheets that hug the skin and deliver actives - think hyaluronic acid, centella, peptides and fermented extracts - more effectively. The formulas are typically potent yet gentle, balancing strong ingredients with barrier-boosters like ceramides and panthenol, which is why even sensitive skin tends to tolerate them well. South Korea’s hyper-competitive beauty market also drives rapid innovation, with thousands of brands pushing out new technologies and sensorial experiences each season. The result? Masks that hydrate, soothe and brighten in a single step, giving that instant “glass-skin” payoff K-beauty is known for.
“Face masks can be beneficial for a wide variety of people and skin concerns,” says Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City. These at-home treatments can do everything from providing “a boost of hydration” to “improving acne-prone skin, inflamed skin, dull skin, or photoaged skin.” While they may not deliver the results of a dermatologist visit, they’re meant to do more than your daily skin-care routine. “I recommend face masks if your skin is feeling particularly dry, if you need a boost of active ingredients, or if you just feel like being pampered for the evening,” says Dr Chang.
What are the different types?
The most popular are sheet masks, made from cotton, bio-cellulose or hydrogel, which deliver a concentrated dose of serum in one go. Hydrogel masks offer a cooling, jelly-like texture that adheres closely to the skin for deeper absorption, while wash-off or sleeping masks work overnight to hydrate, exfoliate or brighten. There are also ampoule masks, which contain extra essence for a more intensive treatment, and rubber or modelling masks, inspired by professional facials, that create a vacuum-seal effect to lock in moisture and boost glow.
How to get Korean glass skin?
TikTok is a good place to start to search for Korea’s most popular skin-care products, but some of them don’t go viral globally. If you want a better idea of what’s currently trending in South Korea, we recommend checking the Olive Young Awards and Hwahae. “The Olive Young Awards and Hwahae are key platforms that represent the landscape of skin-care products in South Korea,” explains Hwang Wonuk, MD, a cosmetic physician at Cheongdam LeBelle Dermatologic Clinic in Seoul.
Olive Young issues its coveted awards every year, relying on “sales data and customer reviews” to confirm what’s most popular, says Dr. Hwang. Hwahae also announces its awards twice a year, every year, but the app tracks leading products in real time. “It’s a user-driven app that aggregates reviews and ratings, providing insights into current trends and ingredient transparency,” he says. “Together, these platforms reflect evolving trends in K-beauty.” To compile this list of best Korean face masks, we searched the Olive Young and Hwahae awards, as well as TikTok-viral hits, Glamour editor favourites, and dermatologist recommendations.
Meet the experts
- Hwang Wonuk, MD, cosmetic physician at Cheongdam LeBelle Dermatologic Clinic in Seoul
- Y. Claire Chang, MD, board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City
- Christina Chung, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in Pennsylvania
This article originally appeared on GLAMOUR US.
