Types of Sheet Mask Fabrics: Cotton, Tencel, and Bio-Cellulose

Sheet masks have become an essential part of many people’s daily skincare routines. Whether you’re looking to quickly hydrate, soothe the skin, or boost brightening and anti-aging effects, choosing the right mask can make all the difference. However, beyond the serum ingredients, the type of mask fabric actually plays an equally crucial role. It directly affects how well the essence is absorbed, how comfortable the mask feels on your skin, and even the overall effectiveness of the treatment.

In this article, we’ll start with a brief introduction to sheet masks, then dive into why choosing the right mask fabric matters so much. We’ll also explore the most common types of sheet mask materials on the market today and explain why bio cellulose facial masks have become the top choice among premium skincare brands.

What Are Sheet Masks?

A sheet mask is a skincare product where a fabric sheet is thoroughly saturated with a concentrated essence or serum. These masks are pre-cut to match the shape of a face, featuring openings for the eyes, nose, and mouth, which makes them incredibly convenient and intuitive to use.

The primary advantages of a sheet mask lie in its occlusive effect and efficient penetration. The fabric creates a barrier that reduces the loss of the essence and keeps the nutrients in close contact with the skin for a longer time. This process significantly enhances the absorption efficiency of the active ingredients.

To use it, you simply apply the mask to fit the contours of your face and leave it on for several minutes, allowing your skin to rapidly absorb the potent nutrients.

Thanks to their simple application, comfortable user experience, and immediate visible effects, such as boosted hydration and radiance, sheet masks have become one of the most popular skincare choices globally.

Why Choosing the Right Mask Fabric Matters?

From the serum retention capacity and the comfort of the mask on your skin to the overall absorption efficiency, everything is closely related to the type of fabric used. The right material can significantly enhance how well your skin benefits from each masking session. Below are three key factors that explain why selecting the right sheet mask fabric truly makes a difference in your skincare results:

• Absorbency

  The absorbency of the mask fabric directly determines how much serum it can hold and how effectively it can deliver the active ingredients to the skin. Fabrics with poor absorbency tend to let the essence drip or slide off easily, making the mask inconvenient to use and reducing its effectiveness. In such cases, valuable nutrients may evaporate before they have a chance to be absorbed. A high-quality mask material should have excellent adhesion and serum-holding ability, allowing it to lock in moisture and gradually release the essence into the skin throughout the application time.

• Breathability

  Although sheet masks are only applied for a short period, poor breathability can make the skin feel suffocated, hot, or uncomfortable. Choosing a fabric with good breathability allows the skin to “breathe” normally during use and helps the active ingredients absorb more effectively. This makes the masking process both comfortable and beneficial.

• Adherence

  Every face has its own unique contours and lines, and the adherence of the mask determines how well it fits the skin’s surface. If the fabric is too stiff or lacks flexibility, it can create air bubbles and gaps, leading to uneven serum distribution and reduced absorption. In contrast, a mask with excellent adherence can cling closely to the skin, ensuring that nutrients are evenly and efficiently delivered to every area of the face, enhancing both the overall experience and the skincare results.

Types of Sheet Masks Fabrics

Below are the main types of sheet mask fabrics, each with its own characteristics. Understanding their differences will help you choose the best option for your skin type or product positioning:

• Cotton

  Cotton sheet masks are made from natural plant fibers, offering a soft and skin-friendly texture that is especially gentle for sensitive skin. They have excellent absorbency and can hold a generous amount of serum, making them a common choice for entry-level sheet masks. However, due to their thicker texture, cotton masks generally have moderate breathability and adherence.

• Nonwoven

  Nonwoven masks are among the most common and cost-effective options. Made from synthetic fibers pressed into sheets, they are lightweight and durable, ideal for mass production and budget-friendly products. On the downside, their adherence is relatively poor, particularly around contoured areas like the nose and chin. Because the material tends to dry out quickly, leaving it on too long may cause it to draw moisture back from the skin, so proper usage time is important.

• Tencel

  Tencel is a sustainable fabric made from natural wood pulp fibers. It is known for its excellent absorbency and breathability. The texture is smooth, silky, and highly adhesive, allowing the mask to fit snugly on the skin without slipping. This helps enhance serum penetration and overall skincare efficacy. Due to its eco-friendly production process and luxurious feel, Tencel is a popular choice for mid- to high-end sheet mask brands.

• Bamboo

  Bamboo fiber masks are made from natural bamboo pulp and are known for their antibacterial and deodorizing properties. They also maintain good absorbency and breathability. These masks are particularly suitable for oily or sweat-prone skin types, helping keep the skin feeling fresh and comfortable even in hot or humid climates.

• Microfiber

  Microfiber masks are made from advanced synthetic fibers that are much finer than traditional cotton or polyester. As a result, they offer excellent adhesion and absorption capabilities. The fabric is thin yet durable, allowing it to lock in the serum effectively and reduce evaporation during use.

• Bio-Cellulose

  Bio-cellulose masks are made from nanoscale fibers produced through natural microbial fermentation. They have exceptional adherence and absorbency, forming a gel-like layer that clings closely to the skin, even fitting into fine lines and contours. Originally developed for medical dressings, bio-cellulose is pure, non-irritating, and biocompatible, which is why it has become a premium choice in high-end skincare formulations.

What Are Bio-Cellulose Masks? Why Do They Stand Out?

Bio cellulose sheet masks were originally developed for medical use, first designed as dressings for burn patients to protect areas where new skin had not yet formed. Thanks to their exceptional skin compatibility and protective performance, they’re often called a “second skin.”

Their core advantage is a 3D nanofiber network. The fibers are much finer than cotton or Tencel yet form a denser matrix that conforms to every facial contour. This allows the mask to lock in a large amount of serum and release it steadily into the skin. The material is highly breathable, non-irritating, and delivers active ingredients efficiently, making it suitable for dry, sensitive, and even post-procedure skin.

Bio-cellulose is produced by fermenting natural microorganisms, and many commercially available bio-cellulose masks are commonly produced through coconut-based fermentation. This traditional method uses coconut water as the nutrient source for microbial growth.

However, Liang Guam cultivates its bio-cellulose mask in a clean-room fermentation process rather than the common coconut-based method, enabling tighter control over purity and batch consistency, lowering contamination risk, and offering a safer, more reliable masking experience.

Conclusion

Each type of sheet mask fabric has its own unique advantages and ideal applications. Liang Guam offers a wide range of mask materials, including the ones introduced above. In particular, the bio-cellulose mask series stands out for its advanced sterile cultivation process, consistent quality, and exceptional skin compatibility. It provides superior hydration and adherence, earning strong recognition in the professional skincare market.

Whether you’re a startup brand, pursuing OEM/ODM development, or an international distributor, you can mix and match fabrics to fit your target customers and market positioning. For product development or customization, feel free to contact us; Liang Guam is your trusted partner in creating high-quality sheet mask solutions.