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I've been doing sheet masks for a minute--the fancy hydrogel kind, regular cheap drugstore ones, etc.--and I'll be honest that I wasn't 100% sure that I was doing them correctly until very recently. I know I'm not alone--there are Reddit threads about it (but with no decisive answer!), there are countless articles about it--but the answer still wasn't clear. Especially for 3-sides face masks that have both a plastic side and gauze-y backing. Behold! I have uncovered the truth for you mask wearers...
Want to know what it is?
The answer: the side facing the paper!
Many sites feature confusing-at-best instructions for applying the masks--but the website for Le Mieux masks spelled it out (finally!):
"Apply the mask with the silky Freeze Dried Collagen side on to the face and the linen-like layer on the outside. "
The paper/plastic side is the one that goes directly on the skin (after the paper is removed, duh) and the gauze-y, linen layer is the backing which is purely used to protect the mask from itself when it's folded up.
After the mask is on your face, THEN you remove the gauzy layer. "Carefully remove the outer layer of linen-like material from mask."
But, wait--I got it confirmed!
"When applying a facial sheet mask that is attached to a protective backing, unfold the mask then remove the backing. Place the side that was protected directly to your face aligning the eye, nose and mouth openings. The protective backing keeps the mask clean and free from excess touching or exposure while keeping the ingredients intact," Kate Kimmerle, Founder of Miss Spa, exclusively told us.
Ah-hah! Now you'll never have to be confused again (thumbs up emoji).