Do sheet masks really work?

Sheet masks allow the serum to be distributed more evenly and absorbed directly into the skin. This lets the acne-fighting ingredients (or whatever ingredients treat your skin condition) to go bat in treating those pesky breakouts.

Can I reuse a sheet mask?

No, you should not reuse a sheet mask. When you place the sheet mask on your face, it's pretty likely that it will be placed directly onto your problem areas, which are filled with dirt and bacteria. While taking the excess serum from the package is totally fine, you shouldn't reuse a sheet mask as it can potentially reintroduce that bacteria and dirt onto your skin.

Should sheet masks be refrigerated?

They don't have to be stored in the fridge, but it won't hurt. When you put them on after refrigerating, the cool temperatures may give you an added cooling effect which can potentially reduce some puffiness.

If You're Breaking Out, These Sheet Masks Will Help ASAP

Erin Jahns

Updated on Oct 11, 2021

Reviewed by

Lucy Chen, MD

Board-Certified Dermatologist

Fact checked by

Sabrina Crews

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

You wouldn't use a cleanser or moisturizer specifically formulated for dry, flaking skin if you have an oily, acne-prone complexion, right? And sheet masks should be no different. Though there's an ever-increasing number of fancy and innovative sheet mask formulas debuting within the skincare industry, it's still important to keep your eyes on the prize and select the products specifically designed to nurture, enhance, and improve your particular skin type.

So if you've been wondering: which sheet masks are specifically for targeting acne? We recommend opting for the formulas filled with acne-fighting ingredients. They'll not only fight current breakouts, but also help prevent future ones as well. The best part? Many of them only require you to wear them for ten minutes or less, an easy feat compared to some other acne treatments.

Keep reading for the best sheet masks for acne.

View On Ulta View On Sokoglam.com

Calming and hypo-allergenic, this acne-clearing sheet mask expertly relieves redness while keeping sensitive skin moisturized. Plus, it's gentle enough to incorporate as part of your daily skincare routine.

Yes To Tomatoes Clear Skin Acne Fighting Sheet Mask

View On Walmart

Key Ingredients

Tomato Extract is rich in carotenoids, like lycopene and beta carotene. It helps protect skin from UV damage, regulates sebum production, and prevents collagen deterioration.

FYI: Clear, pimple-free skin doesn't get more affordable than this. Enriched with acne-busting ingredients like tomato extracts and salicylic acid, this sheet mask kills two birds with one stone, fighting existing breakouts and preventing future breakouts from forming in the first place.

View On Amazon View On Revolve.com

If you're trying to control acne, it's best to steer clear of oily skin products. This oil-free pick is specifically designed to fight blemishes with powerful agents like hyaluronic acid, peptides, aloe vera, and chamomile. The result: lessened breakouts, enhanced radiance, and improved hydration levels.

Too Cool For School Egg Cream Mask Pore Tightening

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A great clarifying sheet mask for acne-prone skin, this one from Too Cool for School specifically targets larger-than-you'd-like pores and excess sebum. The sheet is made from baby-soft microfiber (for ultimate comfort) and it's chock-full of skin-improving fare like egg white, vinegar, and witch hazel extracts.

View On Sephora

Greasy skin and stubborn blemishes are practically synonymous. This green tea-infused sheet mask tackles both head-on—soothing existing acne and nixing excess oil for a calm, cool, and collected matte finish.

Dr. Jart+ Dermamask Micro Jet Clearing Solution

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Try this editor-approved mask and bid blemishes adieu. This sheet mask for acne by Dr. Jart+ utilizes tea tree oil, niacinamide, and salicylic acid to heal skin concerns like hyperpigmentation and shine.

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From French skincare line Talika comes the Queen B of all sheet maks for acne. Fortified with the likes of peptides, vitamin E, grapefruit, and hyaluronic acid, this pick troubleshoots your skin's concerns—on the dot.

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom

This luxe sheet mask for acne from Erno Laszlo expertly adheres to the contours of the face and claims to to eradicate impurities, blemishes, and excess oils without irritating the skin. Members of the all-star cast include a skin-renewing AHA fruit complex,charcoal, kiwi extract, and glutathione. Radiant skin, ahead.

View On Amazon

It's official: Wearing lace on your face can lend itself to lessened oil and cleared-up skin. Infused with mulberry leaf, lentil seed extract, and vitamin C, this compression mask stretches glamorously across the face while simultaneously saving a problematic complexion.

What To Look For in a Sheet Mask For Acne

Acne fighting ingredients

In order to treat acne, you need acne-fighting ingredients. Opt to choose formulas that are made with ingredients to help eliminate and treat acne. AHAs (salicylic acid, glycolic acid, etc.) and green tea are just some of the ingredients that will help rid your skin of pesky breakouts. These ingredients may also help with other skin conditions, like hyperpigmentation.

Formula

Since there are so many different sheet masks out there, make sure you choose ones that are made to treat acne. They'll typically contain some sort of acne fighting ingredients and work to treat and prevent breakouts. Try to also find a formula that claims to clarify or purify, to help reduce excess sebum production, which causes more oil (and, breakouts!).

FAQ

Do sheet masks really work?

Sheet masks allow the serum to be distributed more evenly and absorbed directly into the skin. This lets the acne-fighting ingredients (or whatever ingredients treat your skin condition) to go bat in treating those pesky breakouts.
Can I reuse a sheet mask?

No, you should not reuse a sheet mask. When you place the sheet mask on your face, it's pretty likely that it will be placed directly onto your problem areas, which are filled with dirt and bacteria. While taking the excess serum from the package is totally fine, you shouldn't reuse a sheet mask as it can potentially reintroduce that bacteria and dirt onto your skin.
Should sheet masks be refrigerated?

They don't have to be stored in the fridge, but it won't hurt. When you put them on after refrigerating, the cool temperatures may give you an added cooling effect which can potentially reduce some puffiness.

Find Out What a Sheet Mask Can Do for Your Skin

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

Story EN, Kopec RE, Schwartz SJ, Harris GK. An update on the health effects of tomato lycopene. Annu Rev Food Sci Technol. 2010;1. doi:10.1146/annurev.food.102308.124120
Davies M, Marks R. Studies on the effect of salicylic acid on normal skin. Br J Dermatol. 1976 Aug;95(2):187-92. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.1976.tb00825.x
Bukhari SNA, Roswandi NL, Waqas M, et al. Hyaluronic acid, a promising skin rejuvenating biomedicine: A review of recent updates and pre-clinical and clinical investigations on cosmetic and nutricosmetic effects. Int J Biol Macromol. 2018;120(Pt B):1682-1695. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.09.188
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Mazzarello V, Donadu M, Ferrari M, et al. Treatment of acne with a combination of propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera compared to erythromycin cream: two double-blind investigations. Clin Pharmacol. 2018 Dec 13;10:175-181. doi:10.2147/CPAA.S180474
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Jensen GS, Shah B, Holtz R, Patel A, Lo DC. Reduction of facial wrinkles by hydrolyzed water-soluble egg membrane associated with reduction of free radical stress and support of matrix production by dermal fibroblasts. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2016 Oct 14;9:357-366. doi:10.2147/CCID.S111999
Thring TS, Hili P, Naughton DP. Antioxidant and potential anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and formulations of white tea, rose, and witch hazel on primary human dermal fibroblast cells. J Inflamm (Lond). 2011 Oct 13;8(1):27. doi:10.1186/1476-9255-8-27
Kim S, Park TH, Kim WI, Park S, Kim JH, Cho MK. The effects of green tea on acne vulgaris: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Phytother Res. 2021;35(1):374-383. doi:10.1002/ptr.6809
Gehring W. Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2004 Apr;3(2):88-93. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x
Tang S-C, Yang J-H. Dual effects of alpha-hydroxy acids on the skin. Molecules. 2018;23(4):863. doi:10.3390/molecules23040863
Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The roles of vitamin c in skin health. Nutrients. 2017 Aug;9(8):866. doi:10.3390/nu9080866
Kraft J, Freiman A. Management of acne. CMAJ. 2011;183(7):E430-E435. doi:10.1503/cmaj.090374

If You're Breaking Out, These Sheet Masks Will Help ASAP

Best Overall: Leaders AC Clear Treatment Mask

Best Budget: Yes To Tomatoes Acne-fighting Paper Mask

Best Oil-Free: Karuna Clarifying+ Facial Sheet Mask

Best for Large Pores: Too Cool For School Egg Cream Mask Pore Tightening

Best Soothing: Sephora Collection Green Tea Face Mask

Best for Hyperpigmentation: Dr. Jart+ Dermamask Micro Jet Clearing Solution

Best Purifying: Talika Bio Enzymes Purifying Face Mask

Best Splurge: Erno Laszlo Detoxifying Hydrogel Mask

Best Compression: Dermovia Lace Your Face Facial Mask

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