culture what's in my bag

Inside a skincare MD’s mask pack routine

6min
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J, an OLIVE YOUNG Daily Skincare Team merchandiser overseeing the mask pack category, shares how she uses different masks throughout her morning and evening routines. Her selections range from Biodance and the Caviar PDRN Real Deep Mask to AROCELL, MEDIHEAL, Mamonde, and the newer EIOM Trouble Patch Mask, reflecting different hydration, nourishment, sebum care, and makeup-prep needs.

A bag may hold the things we reach for every day, but open it up and you may find a glimpse into someone’s routines, preferences, and expertise. As part of 'what’s in my bag,' an original content series by 'editorial by OLIVE YOUNG', we take a closer look at what OLIVE YOUNG employees carry with them, from everyday essentials to new discoveries, and the stories behind what they reach for every day. 





“From morning to night, there’s a mask for every skin concern and every time of day.” 


For J, a merchandiser (MD) from OLIVE YOUNG’s Daily Skincare Team, mask packs are more than just a product category. They’re part of her everyday routine. After working across body care and sun care categories, J is now in her second year overseeing the mask pack category.


Since taking on offline merchandising this year, she spends her weekends visiting OLIVE YOUNG stores, observing what customers are putting in their baskets and keeping a close eye on emerging trends. With a collection that she jokingly describes as having “every mask pack I’ve ever tried,” J shares the products in her bag and the routines she has built around them.

(Interview conducted in March 2026.) 


Hands hold a cosmetic jar beside skincare products and colorful facial sheet-mask packages.

Q. Your bag looks like a mask pack library. Are mask packs really that much a part of your everyday routine? 

They really are. Since I work with mask packs, I’ve naturally worked them into both my morning and evening routines. Since taking on offline merchandising, I also visit OLIVE YOUNG stores on weekends to see which mask packs customers are picking up.


There are some clear differences between channels, too. International shoppers at our stores often pick up individual masks in larger quantities, while Korean customers shopping online tend to gravitate toward bundles and special sets. I also like to walk around other categories in the store and see how products are displayed, which often gives me ideas for how we can create a better in-store experience.


Q. Do you have a go-to combination of mask packs that you actually use in your daily routine?

At night, I focus on giving my skin intensive care and nourishment. One of my go-to products is the gel mask from Biodance. I’ve also been reaching for the purple Caviar PDRN Real Deep Mask, which launched last year. It contains caviar extract and PDRN and leaves my skin feeling more hydrated and radiant, so it has become one of my current favorites.


I also have a little trick: before applying a gel mask, I’ll layer on plenty of retinol serum or a barrier-focused ampoule. I find that the gel mask helps seal everything in and gives my routine an extra boost.


On days when my skin feels particularly dry, I reach for the AROCELL Super Collagen Mask, which has a thicker texture and a high collagen content, or the MEDIHEAL Hyper Collagen Gel Mask, which is a great affordable option.


Q. I've heard you use mask packs in the morning, too. How does your morning routine differ from your evening one?

In the morning, the goal is to get my skin ready for makeup, so I go for lightweight formulas that deliver a quick hit of hydration. After cleansing, I use Biodance Collagen Gel Toner Pads, which have a cooling feel and help smooth the skin’s texture, followed by Menokin 30 Seconds Quick Bubble Mask #Moist to layer on more hydration.


If I have an important event or special occasion, I always reach for the Mamonde Pore Control Peony Liquid Mask. It’s a spray-on liquid mask designed to help manage excess sebum and smooth the skin’s texture. I’ll mist it on in the morning before applying makeup, and it helps create a smoother base for makeup.


Q. What’s something new in the mask pack category that has caught your attention lately?

One product I’ve been reaching for lately is the EIOM Trouble Patch Mask. Traditional acne patches are usually small, firm films designed for specific spots, but this is a soft gel mask designed to cover the entire face and help absorb excess sebum. It’s a new take on sebum care in a mask format. 


I think it could be especially useful when your skin starts acting up before an important event, when you want to quickly address excess sebum and uneven texture at the same time. It’s definitely a product I’ll be keeping in my routine this year.


Q. Finally, do you have any mask pack tips for OLIVE YOUNG customers reading this?

Mask packs are no longer something you save for special occasions. They’re an easy way to address everyday skin concerns as part of your regular skincare routine. I hope customers can use OLIVE YOUNG to find the mask packs that work best for their skin and fit naturally into their routines, whether it’s morning or night.