Summer’s here, and with the heat and endless days under the sun, my skin has been craving some serious TLC.

Enter LuLuLun’s Pure sheet masks — a little slice of Japanese skincare bliss that promises to keep my face fresh, hydrated, and glowing no matter how much time I spend outdoors. I’ve always loved the idea of quick, effective skincare that fits seamlessly into a busy lifestyle, and these masks felt like the perfect summer companion. Plus, who doesn’t want that just-back-from-a-spa radiance without the hefty price tag or time commitment?

LuLuLun: The Japanese Brand Behind the Glow

If you haven’t heard of LuLuLun yet, it’s time to get acquainted. Every Japanese drugstore now has aisles and aisles of multi-pack sheet masks, but back in 2011, individually packaged sheet masks still dominated the Japanese market, and LuLuLun was a pioneer who launched its sheet masks in a mega 36-piece box.

LuLuLun first gained popularity for its limited edition sheet masks featuring regional Japanese ingredients like Kyoto green tea, Tokyo koji, and Hokkaido lavender. These made great souvenirs (before they became available in Hong Kong), but generally, I found them too gimmicky and fragranced, and interest in the brand slowly dwindled. That was until it pivoted to core collections targeted for different skincare types and revolutionised the sheet mask game with its signature multi-packs that made skincare routines suddenly feel a lot more fuss-free.

The Pure Series

The Pure series is a core lineup of sheet masks that is most popular among shoppers. They are free of fragrances, pigments, mineral oil, or alcohol, making the formulas suitable for everyday use and friendly on sensitive skin.

Japan's latest scientific research tackles rough skin with Active Delivery System (ADS) capsules that enhance ingredient effectiveness by protecting them from degradation while controlling their release in targeted areas. The masks also feature bilberry leaf extract as a key ingredient, which is richer in anthocyanins than ordinary blueberries. Anthocyanins are potent antioxidants synthesised by plants to protect themselves, and they help condition skin by preventing dryness and eliminating harmful free radicals.

The Lineup — What’s the Difference?

Pure Sheet Mask (Balance)

Suitable for: Fluctuating combination skin

Key ingredients:

Cranberry Fruit Extract – Conditions skin and smooths out texture by focusing on the skin’s microbial flora
Soy Lecithin – Restores skin cholesterol to optimal levels and maintains skin hydration by restoring protective barrier functions
Lactic Acid Bacteria Fermentation Extract – Balances bacteria in the skin to keep skin healthy and resistant to external pollution, moisturising and anti-oxidant properties restore elasticity

I found the Balance sheet mask to be the perfect pick-me-up when my skin felt a little off-kilter from travel or stress. It’s lightweight yet soothing, a gentle hug for my complexion that left my skin feeling calm and refreshed without any heaviness, not unlike a breath of fresh air for tired skin.

Pure Sheet Mask (Moist)

Suitable for: Dry skin, fine lines and enlarged pores

Key ingredients:

Carrageenan – A marine-derived ingredient that focuses on hyaluronic acid and holds moisture while penetrating the stratum corneum
Minerals (Bentonite, Olive Oil Decyl Esters & Sea Salt) – Promote skin metabolism to smooth and firm skin
Imperata Extract – Imperata thrives in the desert with its strong water-retention properties, keeping skin hydrated and plump

Next up, the Moist sheet mask felt like a splash of hydration on a hot summer day. Its richer texture was a welcome relief after long hours in air conditioning, sinking in nicely and leaving my skin plump and dewy. I appreciated how it didn’t leave any sticky residue, something I often worry about with more moisturising masks. Compared to LuLuLun’s Hydra series, which leans more towards anti-ageing hydration, the Pure Moist mask feels lighter and more refreshing—ideal for when you want moisture without the weight.

Pure Sheet Mask (Clear)

Suitable for: Oily skin and blemishes

Key ingredients:

Wild Mint Extract – Derived from wild mint leaves of South America, it cleanses the skin and inhibits oil production
Star Lily Extract – Derived from the white flower that blooms on Crete, Greece, its extract fights melanin, improving the skin’s texture and clarity
Fermented White Mushroom Extract – Antioxidant properties enhance the skin’s immunity to dryness and sun damage

Lastly, the Clear sheet mask stood out as a gentle clarifier. It helped smooth out my skin tone and gave me that fresh, bright-faced look I crave after a day in the sun. It’s less intense than the brand’s Hydra-AZ line, which targets pore care with more active ingredients, making it a nice everyday option for sensitive skin that still needs a little extra glow.

Packaging and Usage

The Pure series is available in a resealable zip pack of 7 or a box of 32/36, depending on the mask variation. I love the revamped LuLuLun packaging; it’s a lot sleeker and grown-up than older versions and feels more compact compared to multi-packs by other brands.

The sheet masks themselves feel thicker with a cottony texture that retains a fair bit of essence. As a Japanese brand, all LuLuLun sheet masks are specially designed to fit Asian women’s face shapes, with more than enough to cover the eye areas.

Thoughts

Overall, the Pure lineup strikes a very affordable balance between simplicity and effectiveness. If it’s your first foray into Japanese multi-pack sheet masks, I highly recommend giving these a try as a gentle yet impactful way to keep your skin radiant all season.

Summertime skin deserves a little extra love, and whether you’re jet-setting or just soaking up the sun locally, these sheet masks invite you to indulge daily, effortlessly, sans complex choices, adding a moment of calm and care to your routine — and that’s the kind of joy we all need right now.