The Best Taiwanese Sheet Masks
There’s nothing quite as relaxing to me than putting on a sheet mask, no matter what I am doing. If my skin is breaking out, feeling dull, or looking like it could use a pick-me-up, sheet masks are my go to to get my skin looking and feeling better. Something about giving my skin a hydrating treatment and chilling out does wonders for the soul. My skin feels refreshed and so does my spirit.
I love collecting sheet masks to try new popular ingredients and seeing how my skin reacts. It can be tricky sometimes though, as sheet masks can be packed with so many ingredients, it can be difficult to tell which ingredient caused which effect. So take a good look at the ingredient’s list to make sure you understand the formulation and active(s) used. For beginners looking to build out their skincare routines, sheet masks are a relatively inexpensive way to try new ingredients as well without having to invest in a full size product of that ingredient.
Because of my love for sheet masking, I have come to try many sheet masks from different brands and countries. I enjoy most of the sheet masks I try but there are some that just work better. What I’ve noticed after consistently sheet masking for years is that I always find myself grabbing a Taiwanese sheet mask most often.
What I love about many Taiwanese sheet masks is the fabric: thin, transparent, and juicy AF with essence. The fabric is one of the most important parts of a sheet mask and can make a sheet mask way more effective. Taiwanese manufacturers typically use either silk, Tencel, cotton, or biocellulose for their sheet mask fabrics. I find that the thinner the fabric, the better both the sheet and serum clings to my skin.
The History of Taiwanese Sheet Masks & Sheet Masks
In the 2000s, My Beauty Diary propelled a sheet mask trend as their affordable masks were popular all over Asia. Their sheet masks were all over beauty chains and drugstores across Asia.
Not long after, other brands started making their own sheet masks as well that grew awareness for sheet masks globally. Makeup artists were particularly obsessed with the SK-II Facial Treatment Mask as a way to perfectly prime the skin for makeup. But once the Korean Beauty craze landed in the US and everyone was trying to figure out their own 10 step routine, this buzz ultimately helped guarantee sheet masking as a permanent step in the routines of many.
My Beauty Diary
The OG sheet mask brand, My Beauty Diary was my first foray into both Taiwanese Beauty and sheet masks. Growing up, I would go back to Taiwan once a year with my family and every time we went to the drugstore or beauty store, the shelves would be lined with different colored boxes of My Beauty Diary masks.
Their Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Sheet mask was the first sheet mask I’ve ever tried and the second was their Black Pearl. Both times, I noticed a huge difference in the hydration, tone, and clarity of my skin. I loved the ritual of relaxing while having the sheet mask on as well – I was hooked!
Even now, I find myself reaching for My Beauty Diary’s masks. They have a wide range of flavors, ranging from the common, such as Hyaluronic Acid, to very specific ones that are popular in Asia, such as Natto, a popular Japanese dish made of fermented soybeans, and Bird’s Nest, a delicacy famed for its beauty benefits.
It’s a great starter brand for anyone who’s just getting into skincare or wants a taste of what a Taiwanese sheet mask feels like.
L’Herboflore
What’s unique about L’Herboflore sheet masks is that most of their sheet masks feature a design where there are 12 strategically placed cuts along the edge of the sheet. It’s so easy to rip the edges so the sheet mask fully conforms to the shape of your face and eliminates the need of using scissors.
I love how Taiwan is infused within the theme of the brand, from the sheet mask flavors to the packaging. All of the packaging is created by local artists in Taiwan. Lychee, yellow watermelon, and mango remind me so much of Taiwan. The flavor range speaks to me because tropical fruits are some of my favorite foods so I’ll take them in my skincare too when I can! Other Taiwanese ingredient inspired masks include Ginseng and Job’s Tears, which help with anti-aging and brightening.
The sheet masks feel great on the skin and the fabric itself is pretty thin and silk-like. Though these are not 100% silk, the material feels close to it.
Naruko
Naruko is founded by Niu Er, the “Beauty King” of Taiwan. Niu Er suffered through skin issues growing up and eventually became a dermatologist, creating his skincare line, Naruko. Naruko is known for their high quality formulations that are literally packed to the brim with yummy ingredients good for your skin.
In Naruko’s Jing Cheng line, the star ingredient is 60 different botanical Western & Eastern extracts called Actuat E60.
Naruko’s sheet masks come packed with essence and always leave my skin looking better. The one qualm I have with Naruko’s sheet masks is the fact that the fragrance is definitely stronger than other Taiwanese sheet mask brands. Typically, there is little fragrance in Taiwanese sheet masks that completely goes away once the mask is on, but I’m still able to smell the fragrance when I have a Naruko sheet mask on.
My personal favorite from Naruko would either be their Snail mask or the Taiwan Magnolia Brightening & Firming Mask. The Snail mask is great for the days my skin needs some nourishment and I love the Magnolia mask for the days I want to look more lifted. It has added ear straps so you can loop the mask over your ears to really get a lift.
And their sheets are rippable! So any face shape should be able to use their masks.
My Scheming
Another great starter brand if you’re just getting into Taiwanese sheet masks. My Scheming is known for their black masks and Tencel masks.
I love their thin Tencel masks that are dripping with essence. I also love how the fabric is easy to rip so that the mask can fully contour to anyone’s face. You can’t always get this with sheet masks, as depending on the fabric, they can be hard to rip.
Annie’s Way
One of my favorite mask brands of all time. Annie’s Way uses 100% silk for most of their sheet mask fabrics and you can really tell once you put it on your skin. This is a great mask to use when you have a good chunk of free time since it stays moist on my skin for up to 40 minutes. I love how the silk sheet feels on my skin and just like Tencel, it takes on a transparent appearance when on the skin.
My personal favorites from Annie’s Way would be the Seaweed + Hyaluronic Mask in addition to their Pearl + Brightening Mask.
23.5°N
A Fragrance-Free Taiwanese sheet mask? Yes, they do exist! Thank you 23.5°N! Taiwanese brands love using fragrance within their sheet mask formulations, but 23.5°N was developed with those with sensitive skin in mind.
Their rice soothing sheet mask is one of my favorite sheet masks to use when my skin is feeling irritated. Not only does the rice help soothe red and irritated skin, it also helps brighten as well. It’s my go to sheet mask when I need my skin to look good and I know I can’t risk a breakout.
Lovemore
Lovemore is another Taiwanese brand that is known for its amazing 100% silk masks. Their range of sheet masks use popular Taiwanese ingredients such as Job’s tears, Loofah, and Milk.
They leave my skin looking fresh and hydrated without a sticky feeling. Even though there is fragrance, it’s mostly undetectable with the exception of the Rose Brightening sheet mask.
Lovemore’s sheet mask fabric is 100% silk and it’s a very durable fabric. Once you put it on, the sheet becomes transparent on the face but slowly turns white as it dries. that won’t rip. I do find the nose flap piece of the mask too long for my nose, so I fold the excess fabric up on my nose. So if this mask doesn’t fit your face, the best way to adjust would be to cut with scissors.
For Beloved One
For Beloved One is known for their ultra luxe and premium biocellulose sheet masks. The brainchild of a former veteran Taiwanese magazine editor, Margaret Wu, FBO launched the first biocellulose sheet mask to market back in 2003. Since then, they’ve expanded into facial skincare (which I haven’t tried yet), but I am a huge fan of their biocellulose sheet masks!
Their biocellulose sheet mask material is designed to be dense and thick, so the sheet mask contours better to your face so that essence is better absorbed in and doesn’t evaporate away. Biocellulose always feels luxe as a sheet mask material, but I do notice that FBO uses thicker than average biocellulose.
Taiwanese Sheet Masks
Have you tried any Taiwanese sheet masks? Which brands and masks are your favorites? Let me know in the comments below!
