Have you ever walked into a Japanese drugstore, found the sheet mask aisle and thought, Where do I even start?

There are so many. Brightly coloured packets promise moisture, glow, smoother-looking pores or a little moment of luxury. Some contain one mask; others contain enough to get you through most of a month. If you’re trying to choose just one to take home, I completely understand why you might stand there for a while.

I love sheet masks, and even I sometimes take ages to decide.

Featured image: So many sheet masks, and only one face. Where do you start?

My very practical sheet mask habit

I use a sheet mask every night, all year round. Sometimes I even use one in the morning as well.

That probably makes me sound very dedicated to skincare. Well, personally, I’m quite lazy about it. That’s exactly why sheet masks work for me.

After a shower, I dry myself off and put a mask straight on my face. Then I can dry my hair while it does its thing. To me, that feels quicker and easier than carefully spreading lotion all over my face when I’m already tired.

Like you, I have plenty to do every day, so I’ve come to appreciate the little win of getting two things done at once. Skincare and drying my hair? Lovely. I’ll take it.

Anyway, that was a long introduction to say this: I always keep several kinds of masks at home. I choose them according to how often I’ll use them, then look at what my skin feels like it needs.

Everyday Masks or a Little Treat?

I don’t expect the same thing from every sheet mask. Some nights I just want one that’s easy to grab before I get on with everything else. On other nights, opening a mask I’ve been saving feels like a small treat. That’s why I tend to keep a few different kinds at home.

For everyday use, I like a larger pack. Saborino Night is the sort I can keep within reach and use without giving it much thought. If I know I’m going to use a mask regularly, having a multi-sheet pouch makes sense for me.

When I want a little extra care, I often reach for a smaller pack. Melano CC Intensive Measures Mask Plus comes with 10 sheets in the pack shown here. That’s enough for several evenings, and I can try it without committing to a big box straight away.

Then there are the masks that make an ordinary evening feel a bit more special. SK-II Facial Treatment Mask and ELIXIR Lift Moist Mask are individually wrapped, so I tend to save them for when I have a little more time to myself.

It’s a little like having everyday clothes and a favourite outfit: I’m happy to have both, and which one I choose depends on how I feel that day.

Then, choose one thing your skin needs

When every packet seems to promise everything, I find it easier to ask one question: What is bothering me most today?

If my skin feels dry, I look for hyaluronic acid or ceramides. LuLuLun Precious RED is an easy name to remember if you’re looking for a moisturising mask. Another option to check is Quality 1st Derma Laser PRO Chō Chinsei Mask, whose ingredient list includes both sodium hyaluronate and ceramide NP. The ingredients in a mask matter, but I also pay attention to whether it actually feels comfortable on my skin.

If my skin feels easily irritated or looks red, I look at CICA or dipotassium glycyrrhizate. VT CICA Daily Soothing Mask is one option to look for. Quality 1st Derma Laser PRO Chō Chinsei Mask is another: its listed ingredients include centella extracts and dipotassium glycyrrhizate. Of course, an ingredient name alone doesn’t guarantee that a mask will suit sensitive skin, so I’d try a small pack first.

If dullness or uneven-looking tone is on my mind, I look for vitamin C or niacinamide. Quality 1st Derma Laser Super Black VC100 Mask lists both. I keep my expectations realistic, though. A sheet mask may make my skin feel lovely that evening, but I wouldn’t expect one mask to erase dark spots. I still make sun protection part of my daytime routine.

If I’m concerned about the look of my pores, I might look at a retinol mask such as Quality 1st Derma Laser Super Retinol 100 Mask. Its ingredient list specifies hydrogenated retinol. I’d follow the packet directions and pay attention to how my skin responds, especially if I were using it for the first time. A mask can’t permanently shrink pores.

You don’t need to memorise a long ingredient list. Pick one concern, look for one or two ingredients, and check the directions on the actual packet.

For Now, These Are My Favourites

These are the masks I’ve been enjoying lately. I say lately because, even while I’m writing this, there are probably new masks appearing on drugstore shelves in Japan.

Next time I’m there, I’ll be curious enough to pick one up. I’ll try it at home, see how I feel about it, and decide whether it earns a place among the masks I always keep in stock. I have a feeling there’ll always be room to try one more.