Beyond glycerin and seven forms of hyaluronic acid, the essence lists more than twenty amino acids plus urea, sodium lactate, PCA salts, uric acid and a trace of ammonia, a natural-moisturizing-factor mimic, all without fragrance or alcohol.
One of the more thoughtfully formulated hydration sheets on the market: fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and packed with glycerin, seven forms of hyaluronic acid and a natural-moisturizing-factor blend of amino acids, urea and lactate. It delivers the plump, dewy result sheet masks promise, gently enough for sensitive skin; the glucose is a theme rather than the engine, and the effect is temporary.
About seventy Olive Young Global reviews and the complete official ingredient list inform this assessment; as with nearly all sheet masks, there is no independent clinical study, so the scores reflect formula quality and user feedback.
The case for it
Same rule for everyone. “Good choice” is the verdict on 9,564 of 45,024 concern verdicts across the catalog; rule R5 decided 9,072 of them. As of September 25, 2026, engine 5.1.1.
Brand or formulator? Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
The studies behind the evidence row
The case for it
Same rule for everyone. “Good choice” is the verdict on 9,564 of 45,024 concern verdicts across the catalog; rule R5 decided 9,072 of them. As of September 25, 2026, engine 5.1.1.
Brand or formulator? Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
The studies behind the evidence row
The case for it
What would change this: Guideline or regulatory standing for the active on this concern would move this from a promising bet to a recommendation.
Same rule for everyone. “Promising” is the verdict on 7,858 of 45,024 concern verdicts across the catalog; rule R9p decided 7,858 of them. As of September 25, 2026, engine 5.1.1.
Brand or formulator? Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
The studies behind the evidence row
Also listed for Winter Skin — the actives here (Glycerin, Trehalose, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol (Vitamin B5) are in our research queue for that concern; there is no verdict until their evidence rows are written. That is a gap in our table, not a mark against the product.
As a maskNot judged: what a mask is for — works within its wear time, benefit outlasts the mask, comes off cleanly — cannot yet be measured from the ingredient list (only intensity without injury can).
A verdict is DermApproved’s assessment of how well a product’s ingredients fit a concern — never a claim about what the product treats. Evidence dots and collected reviews sit beside it and are never blended in. Rules 0.5.1 · evidence table ev-2026.09-r228 · how we decide
The last few ingredients on the Fation Glucose Hydro Mask read like a chemistry quiz: citrulline, uric acid, taurine, formic acid, ammonia. For a shopper scanning the label, ammonia in particular can be alarming. In context, it is the opposite of a warning sign. Those ingredients, along with the long run of amino acids before them and urea, sodium lactate and magnesium PCA, are the building blocks of natural moisturizing factor, the mix of small, water-binding molecules that the skin's own cells produce to stay hydrated. Formulators recreate it in trace amounts to support dehydrated skin, and this mask has one of the most complete versions you will see on a sheet mask label.
The bulk of the hydration comes from more familiar places. Glycerin is second, followed by butylene glycol, betaine, trehalose and polyglycerin-3, a strong humectant foundation. Hyaluronic acid appears in seven forms: sodium hyaluronate, hydroxypropyltrimonium hyaluronate, a crosspolymer, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid, sodium acetylated hyaluronate and hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans. Different molecular sizes and charges help them spread and cling across the skin surface. Panthenol and tocopherol support comfort. Biosaccharide gum-1, a film-forming sugar, and glyceryl glucoside, a glucose-derived humectant, add slip and a smooth finish. A trace of copper tripeptide-1 sits near the end, more as a flourish than an active dose.
The glucose in the name appears around twentieth, where it works as one humectant among many. Fation's Glucose Hydro line uses the idea of a sugar-and-amino-acid hydration complex as its theme, and that is a fair description of the formula as a whole, as long as no one expects the glucose itself to be doing anything special.
Just as notable is what is absent: no fragrance, no essential oils, no alcohol. Many sheet masks add perfume or denatured alcohol for a fresh feel, both of which can sting reactive skin. This one is built entirely around humectants and conditioning agents, which makes it one of the gentler masks available for sensitive, rosacea-prone or post-procedure skin that needs hydration without irritation.
In use, the thin sheet is well soaked in a slightly thick, slippery essence and feels cool on the skin. After fifteen to twenty minutes, skin looks plump, bouncy and glassy, the characteristic sheet-mask result. The leftover essence dries to a soft, slightly tacky layer, which a moisturiser smooths out and seals in. On smaller faces, the sheet can slip slightly around the jaw, a common issue with one-size sheets.
Expectations should stay realistic. Sheet masks work largely through occlusion, holding humectants against the skin so it absorbs more water than it would otherwise. The effect is visible for hours, particularly when sealed with a moisturiser, but it is not a structural change to the skin. For persistently dry skin, the real fix is a consistent routine with a good barrier cream; this mask is a comfortable boost on top.
There are good moments to reach for it: after a long flight, on the day of an event, in winter when heating dries the air, or after sun or wind exposure. Because it is fragrance-free and alcohol-free, it is also one of the safer choices for skin that is temporarily sensitised by retinoids or acne treatments, used on a rest night.
A few habits make each sheet work harder. Apply it to skin that is still slightly damp from toner, so the essence spreads evenly and the sheet clings. Keep it on for fifteen to twenty minutes and no longer; once the fabric starts to dry, it can begin drawing water back out of the skin. Chilling the pouch in the fridge beforehand adds a pleasant cooling effect that helps puffy morning skin or sun-warmed cheeks. Afterwards, press the leftover essence into the neck and the backs of the hands rather than wasting it.
It also fits neatly into a wider routine. On a night off from retinoids or exfoliating acids, the mask gives the skin a rest day that still does something useful. Before makeup, it creates a smooth, hydrated base that helps foundation sit evenly, provided a light moisturiser goes on top and the essence has a few minutes to settle. For people who fly often, packing a couple of pouches for long flights, where cabin humidity can drop very low, is one of the simplest ways to arrive with comfortable skin.
On value, Olive Young Global sells single sheets for about three dollars, and multipacks lower the price. That is mid-range for Korean sheet masks, fair given the depth of the formula. Around seventy reviewers on Olive Young Global have rated it, many highlighting the hydration and gentleness.
Fation, Dong-A Pharmaceutical's derma brand, launched the Glucose Hydro range in 2025, and this mask is its most accessible entry point. As with nearly all sheet masks, no independent clinical data exist.
One note for label readers: hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans are often animal-derived, so the mask should not be assumed vegan.
The verdict is positive. For dehydrated, sensitive or simply tired skin, this is a well-made, fragrance-free hydration sheet with a genuinely skin-identical formula. Just remember to seal it in, and to treat the glow as a lovely temporary lift.
The hero actives that drive this product's performance.
| Ingredient | Function | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Glycerin | Second on the list and the main source of hydration while the sheet sits on the skin, backed by betaine, trehalose and polyglycerin-3. | Established mechanism for Dehydration · established mechanism |
| Sodium Hyaluronate | The first of seven hyaluronic acid forms, from crosspolymer to hydrolyzed and acetylated types, layering water-binding films of different sizes on the skin surface. | Established mechanism for Dehydration · established mechanism |
| Trehalose | A protective sugar placed eighth, well above the glucose of the name, that helps the skin hold on to water after the mask comes off. | Not yet assessed |
| Amino Acid Complex (Serine, Glycine, Arginine, Alanine and others) | Twenty-plus amino acids with urea, sodium lactate and PCA salts form a natural-moisturizing-factor mimic, the same family of water-binding molecules the skin makes itself. | Not yet assessed |
| Panthenol | Adds barrier comfort alongside the humectants, useful for tight, dehydrated skin. | Established mechanism for Dehydration · established mechanism |
Ingredient standings describe the active at treatment-level doses and vehicles; this product's own condition grades weigh its actual formula.
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Trehalose, Polyglycerin-3, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glyceryl Glucoside, Propanediol, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Glucose, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Cysteine, Glutamic Acid, Leucine, Serine, Aspartic Acid, Glutamine, Alanine, Arginine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine, Lysine, Glycine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Methionine, Proline, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Asparagine, Tyrosine, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Magnesium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Sucrose, Urea, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Hydroxide, Ornithine, Sea Salt, Magnesium Chloride, Dipotassium Phosphate, Magnesium Citrate, Glucosamine HCl, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Citrulline, Uric Acid, Taurine, Formic Acid, Ammonia
treatment
AM & PM
Use after toner, pat the leftover essence in, then seal with a moisturiser so the humectant-rich layer does not evaporate.
Immediate: plumper, bouncier, dewier skin that lasts for several hours when sealed with moisturiser. Regular use keeps dehydrated skin more comfortable; it does not change skin structure.
Sheet masks improve short-term skin hydration mainly through occlusion, holding a humectant essence against the stratum corneum and slowing evaporation. Glycerin, the second ingredient, is among the best-studied humectants and increases stratum corneum hydration while supporting barrier recovery. Betaine, trehalose and polyglycerin-3 add further water-binding capacity.
Hyaluronic acid is present in several forms with different molecular weights and charges. High-molecular-weight sodium hyaluronate forms a surface film that reduces water loss; lower-molecular-weight and hydrolyzed forms may penetrate slightly deeper into the stratum corneum; cationic hydroxypropyltrimonium hyaluronate adheres more strongly to the negatively charged skin surface. Clinical studies of topical hyaluronic acid show improvements in hydration and the appearance of fine lines, largely through surface water retention.
The formula includes a natural moisturizing factor (NMF) mimic. Endogenous NMF, formed from the breakdown of the protein filaggrin, consists mainly of free amino acids, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA), lactate, urea, sugars and inorganic ions. Deficiency in NMF is associated with dry skin and atopic dermatitis. Topical products containing NMF components, including amino acids, sodium PCA, sodium lactate and urea, have been shown to improve skin hydration. Uric acid, citrulline, formic acid and ammonia appear here in trace amounts as minor NMF constituents, not at levels associated with irritation.
Copper tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) has laboratory and small clinical evidence for wound healing and collagen support, but at its final position in this list its contribution is negligible. The absence of fragrance and alcohol reduces the risk of irritation for sensitive skin.
Sheet masks are generally regarded in dermatology as cosmetic hydration aids that can temporarily improve comfort and appearance, especially for dehydrated skin. Clinicians often recommend fragrance-free, alcohol-free formulations for patients with sensitive skin, rosacea or those using irritating treatments such as retinoids, and this mask fits that profile. Following a mask with a moisturiser helps retain the added water. For chronically dry or eczema-prone skin, the foundation of care remains gentle cleansing and regular use of barrier-repairing emollients; masks are an optional supplement rather than a treatment.
Once your face is cleansed and toned, open the pouch and unfold the sheet. Align the eye and mouth openings, smooth it over the face and press out any air bubbles. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, removing it before it dries. Pat the remaining essence into the face and neck, then apply a moisturiser to seal it in. Use two to three times a week, or daily during very dry periods. Chill the pouch beforehand for extra cooling after sun or flights.
At about $3.00 per sheet on Olive Young Global, with multipacks lowering the cost, the mask is mid-range for Korean sheet masks and offers good value for its unusually complete humectant and NMF formula, fragrance-free base and gentle profile. As with all sheet masks, the benefit is temporary, so its value depends on how often you use it. Dong-A Pharmaceutical's backing supports quality, and around seventy retailer reviews are broadly positive.
People with dehydrated, dry, sensitive or tired skin who want a fragrance-free, alcohol-free hydration boost, including those on retinoids or recovering from irritation, and anyone preparing skin before an event.
Anyone expecting lasting structural changes or treatment of wrinkles or pigmentation will be disappointed, since the effect is temporary hydration. Strict vegans may want to avoid it because of the likely animal-derived glycosaminoglycans.
Ready to try Fation Glucose Hydro Mask?
Buy at Amazon ♥A thin sheet soaked in a slightly thick, clear, slippery gel essence.
Unscented.
A white-and-aqua foil pouch, sold singly or in multipacks.
Feels cool and wet with no sting. After 15 to 20 minutes skin looks plump and glassy; the essence dries to a soft, slightly tacky layer that a moisturiser smooths out.
One use per sheet.
fall winter
Fation's Glucose Hydro line, launched in 2025, targets dehydrated skin with a toner, serum, cream and this sheet mask. The range is built on Dong-A's idea of feeding skin a sugar-and-amino-acid hydration complex.
Fation is a derma-focused Korean skincare brand created by Dong-A Pharmaceutical, a 90-year-old health-science company, and launched in 2018. The brand is young, but its formulas lean on the parent company's pharmaceutical research, and the Nosca9 line is positioned clinically for troubled, sensitive skin.
Ammonia and uric acid on a skincare label mean the mask is harsh.
They appear at the very end of the list in trace amounts, as part of a blend that mimics the skin's own natural moisturizing factor.
Glucose feeds the skin energy.
Glucose sits around twentieth and acts as a humectant here. The hydration comes mainly from glycerin, hyaluronic acid and the amino-acid complex.
Yes. The official ingredient list contains no fragrance or essential oils, and it is also alcohol-free.
They are trace components of a natural-moisturizing-factor blend, listed at the very end with amino acids, urea and lactate; they are not present at irritating levels.
Daily use is fine for dehydrated skin, though two to three times a week is enough for most people.
Yes. It is fragrance-free, alcohol-free and built from humectants, making it one of the gentler sheet masks available.
No. Pat the remaining essence into the skin, then apply moisturiser to seal it in.
Not necessarily. Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans are often animal-derived, so it should not be assumed vegan.
Recurring themes our editors read across retailer reviews of this product — summaries in our words, not quotations, and not a substitute for your own patch test.
Very hydrating and bouncy afterwards
No scent
Gentle on sensitive skin
Effect is temporary
Sheet can slip on smaller faces