Why we love it: Numbuzin’s No.3 Tingle-Pore Softening Sheet Mask is one of Olive Young’s bestsellers and also won a Hwahae 2024 midyear award, which is where we discovered it. “It’s formulated with bifida ferment lysate and galactomyces ferment filtrate to hydrate and brighten,” explains Dr. Chang, who also loves the inclusion of “other hydrating ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, brightening antioxidants like niacinamide, and anti-inflammatory ingredients like witch hazel and Camellia sinensis.” She recommends it for a range of skin types including “acne-prone skin.” Dr. Hwang is also familiar with the mask’s popularity in South Korea. “It offers a cooling sensation while targeting pore refinement,” he says. According to Dr. Hwang, the mask’s signature tingling sensation makes it “refreshing for some,” but he says it might not be the best pick for “sensitive” or “more reactive skin.”
“I definitely noticed the tingle right away, so I can confirm this mask lives up to its name,” says Wu. “I was worried it would be too much for my sensitive mid-face area, but it didn’t cause any irritation and I’d rank the tingling sensation as mild. If you compare it to something like an acid peel that actually stings, this is low on the scale. I did notice that the pores in my T-zone looked slightly less noticeable, but the more noticeable results for me were the overall smoothing, brightening effect.”
Original video by Glamour tester Sarah Y. Wu
Original image by Glamour tester Sarah Y. Wu
8. 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.”
“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.”
Original video by Glamour tester Sarah Y. Wu
Original image by Glamour tester Sarah Y. Wu
9. 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.
