As a regular reader, you have probably figured out that we love to try all sorts of face masks. Clay, to get all those impurities out. Yogurt, to amp up probiotics. Avocado, honey, egg whites—you name it!
But all of these homemade masks can be a little messy. Making them is fun; having them on your face is relaxing, but cleaning the sink afterward? Not so much. That’s why sheet masks are a godsend.
And it’s even socially acceptable now to take a selfie in a sheet mask, so that’s a win-win! Super hydrating because of the high water content and the sheet acting as a barrier against evaporation, this type of face mask offers visible results on the spot. Perfect if you’re impatient like us!
5 Ways to DIY a Sheet Mask
The sheet is simply a vehicle to transport the fluids or ingredients to the skin. You can DIY your own sheet mask at home in a few different ways; here are five options. Just remember, always apply masks to clean skin.
1. Use a tissue
Grab a Kleenex and separate the tissue pieces. Fold each piece in half. Now you’ve got two pieces to use, one for the top half of your face (forehead, eyes, tops of cheeks) and one for the bottom (chin, lower cheeks, jawline).
2. Try cotton pads
Grab a few cotton pads that you use to remove makeup and soak them in the liquid face mask mixture. Then separate cotton layers and place them all over the face, including the forehead, nose, cheeks, chin, and jawline.
3. Buy pre-made blank sheet masks
Yes, you can buy blank sheet masks that are ready to use with your homemade facial mixtures!
4. Make your own fabric face template
Or cut your own, using a piece of cotton or silk to make a DIY reusable sheet mask. You can add holes for the eyes or nose or simply use extra sections to avoid these areas.
5. Seaweed or rice paper
You don’t have to stick to tissue or fabric! Pantry items like seaweed strips and rice paper can be repurposed into sheet masks. See the recipes below for how to use them.
What to Put in a Sheet Mask
Step 1: Start with a liquid.
Strong brewed tea
Try green or black tea for an antioxidant boost [source]; tea also has caffeine to tone skin and reduce puffiness. Use chamomile for redness or irritation [source]. Hibiscus [source] or rosehip [source] teas are great for a topical dose of vitamin C.
Steep the tea longer than you normally would for drinking, and then let it cool completely before using it on your face.
Rosewater
Rosewater is an excellent all-purpose sheet mask liquid that works for every skin type, especially combination or mature skin. The floral water has a calming effect, is hydrating, and has a natural mild antiseptic action [source].
Witch hazel
If you’re battling blemishes, witch hazel has astringent properties [source] that help dry out excess oil as well as antibacterial actions that ward off blemishes.
Fruit or veggie juice
If you’re a juice fan, save a bit next time for a sheet mask. Cucumber, tomato, and carrot juice are all great sheet mask options. You can also use fruit juices like pomegranate or pineapple.
Milk
Milk can help hydrate and soften dry, itchy skin, while its natural lactic acids exfoliate [source]. Use organic, whole milk, if possible.
Step 2: Add beneficial extras.
Honey: Its antifungal and antibacterial properties [source] combined with its natural ability to draw in moisture make it a favorite addition.
Carrier oil: Sheet masks are a great place to use powerhouses like avocado [source], pomegranate [source], and rosehip seed [source] oils, where a few drops go a long way in conditioning and hydrating the skin.
Activated charcoal: Stir in 1/4 teaspoon of activated charcoal to help clean out clogged pores.
Vitamin C powder: Vitamin C fights free radical damage and combats the effects of aging while it helps to balance the skin’s pH levels [source]. Add just a tiny pinch and patch test before using.
Hyaluronic acid: Add a few drops of hyaluronic acid serum to hydrate dry skin and plump up wrinkles and sagging [source].
Collagen: Stir a teaspoon of collagen into the liquid until it’s fully dissolved.
4 Homemade Sheet Face Mask Recipes
1. Hydrating Anti-Aging Sheet Mask
Rosehip seed oil is full of vitamins and essential fatty acids [source] that hydrate and treat aging skin. This nourishing oil is also a potent antioxidant [source] that promotes cell regeneration and brightens skin.
Combine these benefits with the dramatic dermatological effects of honey, which draws moisture into the skin, is naturally antibacterial, and is an excellent antioxidant [source], and—voila! A powerhouse combination is created with just these two ingredients.
- 3 tablespoons hibiscus tea, cooled
- ½ teaspoon raw honey
- 5–7 drops rosehip seed oil
In a bowl, combine the tea, 1/2 a teaspoon of honey, and 5–7 drops of rosehip seed oil. Mix together with a spoon or fork. Gently dip the tissue into the bowl until it is fully saturated.
Place the tissues over the face and press them into the skin. Leave on for 10–15 minutes or longer. Close your eyes, listen to music or a podcast, and relax.
When finished, peel off the sheet and rinse the face. Be sure to follow with an appropriate serum or moisturizer.
2. Acne DIY Sheet Mask
Tea tree’s antibacterial properties [source] are a great addition to any sheet mask, especially for battling acne. Witch hazel is also wonderful for drying out oily skin, treating inflammation [source], and warding off infection by skin bacteria [source].
Chamomile tea calms inflammation and redness [source], commonly seen in sensitive skin. Together, the components in this serum make it a beneficial acne treatment mask.
- 2 tablespoons chamomile tea, cooled
- 3 drops tea tree essential oil
- 1 tablespoon witch hazel
Combine the tea tree, cooled chamomile tea, and witch hazel in a bowl and mix. Next, place the tissue into the bowl to absorb the liquid. When the tissue is fully saturated, place it on the face for 10–15 minutes.
Gently pat with your fingertips any excess liquid after removing the sheet mask. Rinsing is not necessary for this mask but optional. Follow with an appropriate serum or moisturizer.
3. Wrinkle-fighting sheet mask
Use honey, egg white, and green tea to restore moisture, tighten and lift skin, and destroy free radicals that cause aging.
- 1/4 cup green tea, cooled
- 1 egg white
- 1 teaspoon honey
Brew 1 cup of green tea and let it cool. Put 1/4 cup of cooled tea in a small bowl and whisk in one egg white. Add the honey and stir. Soak the mask in the liquid and apply it to your skin for 15 minutes.
When finished, peel off the sheet and pat the skin dry. Follow with an appropriate serum or moisturizer.
4. Redness calming sheet mask
Soothe skin irritation with a combination of aloe vera and chamomile. Aloe vera reduces swelling and promotes healing, and chamomile eases inflammation. Add a bit of oil to moisturize while treating your skin.
- 1/4 cup chamomile tea, cooled
- 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
- 6 drops grapeseed oil
Brew the tea and let it cool; then stir in the aloe vera gel and oil. Soak the mask and apply it to your skin for 15 minutes.
When finished, peel off the sheet and pat your skin dry. Follow with an appropriate serum or moisturizer.
Homemade Sheet Mask Tips
What if my sheet mask falls apart?
If your sheet mask is delicate, like a tissue, you don’t want it to disintegrate before it gets to your face. To avoid this, you can combine the mask ingredients in a bowl and then pour the liquid onto a plate. Lay the mask flat onto the plate, let it absorb the liquid, and then carefully pick it up and apply it to your face.
Can I just use a serum I already have?
Yes! You can easily make a sheet mask just by adding a few drops of a serum you already own to a bit of liquid, like rosewater or tea. You can even use filtered water.
Can I add essential oils?
Yes, but don’t add more than 1–3 drops, and stick to essential oils that are gentle enough to be used on the face. You can find our guide to the right essential oils for your skin type here.
7 More DIY Sheet Face Mask Recipes
These are some of our favorite DIY sheet mask recipes and tutorials:
5. Seaweed Sheet Mask from Hello Glow
Seaweed’s anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and natural exfoliant properties [source] make it a perfect sheet mask for those suffering from acne or rosacea. Plus, it’s packed with vitamins, meaning you won’t need to add anything other than filtered water to the mask.
6. Honey Bee Sheet Face Mask from Humblebee and Me
Honey is loaded with enzymes and antibacterial properties [source], making it the perfect base for a hydrating face mask. When paired with pollen and propolis, this mask will make you feel like the queen bee.
7. Rice Paper Sheet Mask from Rosyscription
Instead of store-bought disposable masks to treat your skin, how about using rice paper? It’s eco-friendly, easy to apply, and it leaves your skin supple and moisturized.
8. Korean-Inspired DIY Sheet Mask from Thrive Market
Tighten and brighten your skin with just three ingredients: rosewater, glycerin, and your favorite serum. This way, you’ll use a mask that’s most suitable for your skin’s particular needs.
9. DIY Sheet Mask 3 Ways from Dottie Bowles
Three DIY face mask recipes that you can keep on your face for longer with the aid of compression masks.
10. DIY Hydrating Sheet Mask from A Beautiful Mess
Hydrate your skin with a combination of rosewater, witch hazel, and rosehip oil without spending a ton of money on an imported sheet mask.
11. DIY Sheet Mask for Sensitive Skin from Soap Deli News
Ever noticed how expensive sheet masks can get, especially the Korean ones? Even if you only apply a mask weekly, you’re still spending plenty.
This DIY version from Soap Deli News is perfectly customized for sensitive skin. And they’re also frugal at under 10 cents apiece!
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This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Gina Jansheski, a licensed, board-certified physician who has been practicing for more than 20 years. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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More great tips.
It’s such a shame sheet masks are so freaking expensive in the west. I used to live in Japan where you can buy a package of 7 masks for about 400 Yen. There are even some for 300 Yen (about 2.50 $). You are supposed to do a sheet mask every single day to truly benefit from its effects. How should we Europeans and Americans do so if one f*cking mask ranks about 4 $? It’s ridiculous. In Korea, sheet masks are even cheaper than in Japan, especially when there are special weekend-sales in drugstores.
Thank you for sharing the DIY ideas! I will get myself some raw sheets and try the masks you featured here. I miss the super positive effect of the daily sheet masks I experienced in Japan.
You can get sheet masks super cheap on eBay. You can even order directly from Korea, and for DIY you can get 50 sheet masks for a couple dollars.
Can we buy raw sheets. ..? Plzz tell
Miniso sells compressed sheet masks or you can just buy them on amazon or ebay and use them with the serum of your choice
Nori sheet mask!