Waking up to glowy, dewy skin is the ultimate skin care lover’s dream. With overnight face masks, this dream can be a reality. These low-effort wonders are trending – and for good reason. Not only do they make it effortless to wake up with skin that’s ready to glow, but they’re packed with skin-loving ingredients like aloe vera, betaine and sodium hyaluronate. However, not all overnight face masks are created equal. Some could even be doing more harm than good. Craving an overnight glow? Here’s what to look for – and what to skip.
How does an overnight mask work?
As its name suggests, an overnight mask is designed to be applied before bed and left on through the night, allowing it to deeply hydrate, nourish and repair your skin while you sleep. As you rest, your skin naturally switches into repair mode, meaning cell turnover accelerates, collagen production kicks in and moisture levels are more easily replenished.
A well-formulated overnight mask amplifies this process. Typically thicker and more concentrated than your everyday moisturizer, these masks work by creating a protective barrier that helps lock in moisture and deliver active ingredients directly to your skin.
Are sheet masks OK to use overnight?
Sheet masks might feel like a quick fix that offers solid hydration perks. But if you’re serious about your skin, these one-trick masks don’t compare to professional-grade masks from a jar. Why? Because sheet masks are often soaked in a single-purpose serum designed to deliver just one benefit. That works for a temporary glow, but they don't have the power to multitask or provide long-lasting results.
Many sheet masks can also fall short when it comes to ingredient quality, often including artificial fragrances, dyes and filler ingredients that can irritate your skin. Reading ingredient labels is essential – what you put on your skin matters.
What ingredients should I look for in an overnight mask?
The best overnight masks are like a dream team for your skin, working overtime while you sleep to deliver results by morning. Think exfoliating enzymes, moisture-binding agents and skin-calming botanicals – these all work alone or together to provide visible results.
When choosing your go-to mask, look for skin-loving ingredients like soothing aloe vera, hydrating glycerin and barrier-repairing amino acids to strengthen and protect your skin. Whether solo or as part of a lineup, these ingredients set you up for a glowy complexion come sunrise.
Discover overnight face masks
Whether your skin needs an infusion of firming collagen or an invigorating boost of radiance, these top picks are sure to deliver.
Hydroplunge
This hyper-saturating immersion mask is for dehydrated skin, helping to balance skin’s water losses and gains. It submerges your skin in protective vital hydration to help you reclaim smooth, ageless bounce and softness. Leave it on for at least 10 minute, up to overnight after cleaning and toning.
Radiance Rescue
This instant-radiance mask is for the face and eyes, helping to increase skin elasticity and moisturization and reduce the look of eye puffiness and lines. It wakes your skin’s microcirculation and restores youthful resilience – skin emerges glowing, less lined and enviably luminescent. Leave it on for at least 10 minute, up to overnight after cleaning and toning.
Collagen Rehab
This instant-dewiness mask is for the face and lips, helping to support collagen and elastin performance so lines appear filled and skin looks firmer. It saturates the skin to create a discernible moisture barrier that lasts up to 72 hours – skin looks instantly renewed, dewy and firmer. Leave it on for at least 10 minutes, up to overnight after cleansing and toning.
