You're halfway through a long workday, or maybe you're sitting in a booth at a restaurant with harsh overhead lighting, and you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. Shiny. Not the "dewy" look that influencers brag about on TikTok, but actual, grease-level shine that makes your foundation look like it’s sliding off your chin. It’s annoying. Honestly, it’s one of those tiny daily frustrations that can kind of tank your confidence. While high-end brands want you to drop twenty bucks on a fancy pack of blotting linens, Target’s house brand, Up and Up oil absorbing sheets, has been quietly winning the game for years.
People sleep on store brands. They really do. They assume that if it’s cheap, it’s probably just thin tissue paper that’s going to tear the second it touches a pore. But these blue sheets are a different beast entirely.
What Are Up and Up Oil Absorbing Sheets Anyway?
If you've ever used the Clean & Clear version—the ones in the bright purple packaging—you already know exactly what these feel like. They aren't paper. They’re a soft, silky film. It's basically a polypropylene material that has a weirdly satisfying way of turning transparent once it drinks up the sebum on your forehead.
The texture matters.
Paper-based blotting sheets, like the ones made from wood pulp or rice, often feel scratchy. They can also leave behind a dusty residue or, even worse, take your expensive concealer right along with the oil. These film-based sheets from Up and Up don't do that. They’re surgical. They go in, grab the oil, and leave the pigment of your makeup exactly where you put it this morning.
Usually, you get 50 to 100 sheets in a pack. It’s small. It fits in a pocket or that tiny compartment in your gym bag that you never use for anything else. For about half the price of the name-brand equivalent, you’re getting the same chemical composition. It's one of those rare instances where the "generic" is identical in performance, not just a "close enough" substitute.
The Science of Why This Film Works Better Than Napkins
We've all tried the "Starbucks napkin" trick. It’s the ultimate desperation move when your face feels like a frying pan. You grab a rough brown napkin, dab your nose, and hope for the best.
It works, sure. But it’s messy.
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The Up and Up oil absorbing sheets work through a process called adsorption (with a "d," not a "b"). Instead of just soaking things up into the fiber like a sponge, the surface of the film attracts the oil molecules. Because the film is non-porous in the traditional sense, it doesn't "leak" the oil back onto your fingers.
Why your skin is oily in the first place
Sebum is actually good for you. It’s a mix of triglycerides, wax esters, and squalene that keeps your skin barrier intact. But sometimes your sebaceous glands go into overdrive because of humidity, hormones, or just plain genetics. When that oil sits on the surface, it oxidizes. That’s when it starts looking dull and greasy.
Using these sheets isn't just about vanity; it’s about hygiene. Removing that oxidized surface oil can actually help prevent the kind of "congested" look that leads to blackheads. You aren't stripping the skin—you're just managing the excess.
How to Use Them Without Ruining Your Look
Don't rub. Seriously, just don't.
If you take an Up and Up sheet and start scrubbing your T-zone, you’re going to move your blush to your ears. The technique is a "press and hold." You place the sheet on the oily area—usually the forehead, the sides of the nose, and the chin—and apply gentle pressure with two fingers. Hold it for about three seconds.
When you pull it away, you’ll see the "window effect." The opaque blue film turns clear where it’s saturated with oil. It’s gross. It’s also incredibly satisfying.
- Tip for the Nose: Use the edge of the sheet to get into the crease where your nostril meets your cheek. That’s where the most oil tends to pool.
- The "One Sheet" Challenge: Most people use three or four. If you're strategic, you can usually clear your whole face with just one.
- Post-Blotting: If you’re a fan of setting powder, wait until after you blot to reapply. Adding powder on top of oil creates a "cakey" paste that looks terrible in natural light.
Comparing the Options: Store Brand vs. Luxury
Why would anyone pay $20 for blotting papers? Some people like the ritual. Brands like Tatcha use abaca leaf and gold flakes. They feel like a luxury experience. They smell nice.
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But if you’re looking for utility, Up and Up is the clear winner.
I’ve looked at the ingredient lists. Most of these film-based sheets are just polypropylene and maybe a splash of blue dye (often Ultramarines or Dimethicone). There’s no secret sauce in the expensive versions. You're paying for the logo on the cardboard flap.
One thing to watch out for: some cheaper "paper" sheets use mineral oil or fragrances that can actually irritate sensitive skin. The Up and Up film is generally inert. It doesn't have a scent, and it doesn't have that "powdery" coating that some brands use to give a matte finish. That's a plus for anyone who breaks out easily.
Are There Any Downsides?
Nothing is perfect.
The biggest gripe people have with the Up and Up version is the adhesive on the packaging. You know that little sticky dot that's supposed to grab one sheet at a time when you open the flap? It usually dies about halfway through the pack. You end up having to fish the sheets out with your fingernails. It's a minor annoyance, but for three dollars, it's hard to complain too much.
There's also the environmental factor. These are plastic-based films. They aren't biodegradable. If you’re trying to live a zero-waste lifestyle, you might prefer reusable bamboo rounds or even a volcanic stone roller. Those rollers are cool—they're made of real volcanic stone that sucks up oil—but they're harder to clean than people admit. If you don't wash the stone regularly, you're just rolling yesterday’s bacteria back onto your face.
The sheets are single-use, which is a bummer for the planet but great for sanitation.
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What Real Users Actually Think
If you spend any time in the r/SkincareAddiction community or on makeup forums, you'll see these mentioned constantly. They are a "holy grail" for a reason.
One user on a popular beauty forum noted that they keep a pack in their car's sun visor. In the summer, when the humidity hits 90%, those sheets are the only thing standing between them and looking like they just ran a marathon.
Another common piece of feedback is the size. They’re slightly larger than some of the "boutique" brands, which means more surface area for oil absorption.
Actionable Steps for Managing Oily Skin
If you’re ready to stop the shine, don't just buy the sheets and call it a day. Management is a multi-step process.
First, check your cleanser. If you’re using something too harsh, you might be stripping your skin, which actually triggers more oil production. It’s a counterintuitive cycle. Switch to a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser.
Second, get a pack of Up and Up oil absorbing sheets for your most-used bag and your bathroom drawer. Having them handy is half the battle.
Third, evaluate your "glow" products. A lot of primers and foundations that promise a "radiant" finish are just loaded with oils that don't play well with naturally oily skin. Look for "oil-free" or "mattifying" on the label.
Finally, don't over-blot. Doing it once or twice a day is fine. If you’re doing it every twenty minutes, you’re probably irritating your skin. Use the sheets as a "reset" before a meeting or a date, not as a constant preoccupation.
These little blue slips of film aren't going to change your DNA, but they are a remarkably cheap way to feel a lot better about how you look under a fluorescent light. They do exactly what they promise without any of the marketing fluff. Sometimes the basic solution is actually the best one.