Sheet face masks for ultimate skin perfection

Like all modern beauty innovations, sheet face masks originated in South Korea before becoming a mainstay of supermodels' Instagram accounts.

Yes, they leave you looking like a character from Halloween h20 for 15 minutes, but that's a small price to pay for glowing skin that will win more likes than a Natasha Poly selfie.

Created using a cloth, paper or gel, the masks are drenched with potent ingredients that target specific skin issues, from dehydration and redness to pore reduction and wrinkles.

Formulated with a liquid-based serum, they won’t exfoliate or cleanse, but they do provide active ingredients straight to the face, often in dosages a dozen times stronger than your average serum.

This makes them an effect way to add some oomph to your weekly skincare routine, and dermatologists have given them the thumbs up because they provide a warm environment that allows the serum's components to be rapidly absorbed.  

To use, simply unfold the fabric and gently stretch it over a freshly cleansed face. Ensure the entire face (excluding the eyes) is covered, and leave on for the designated length of time.

Unlike a traditional clay mask, there's no rinsing required - just remove the mask and you're ready to go.

Whatever your skin concern there is a sheet for you:

Five to try:

For dull, lacklustre skin: The Brightening Facial, $350 (six masks), La Mer

For dehydrated skin: Hydro Boost Mask, $19.99 (five sheets), Neutrogena (out August)

For an instant refresh: Facial Treatment Mask, $140 (six pieces), SK-II

To combat the signs of ageing: Benefiance Firming Massage Mask, $78 (four masks), Shiseido

For issues with pigmentation: Whitening, Moisturising and Pigmentation Face Mask, $9.95 (one mask), LonVitalite C8

For regeneration: Extreme Regeneration Mask, $78 (two masks), Ella Bache, available in all Ella Baché stores and David Jones stores nationally