How to Use Overnight Hydrating Mask
We here at The Beauty Insiders blog are huge fans of using overnight face masks, especially hydrating ones! With our hectic days sprinting past us it feels like there’s never any time to take a sip of coffee, let alone look after our skin the way we should. This is why using a perfectly crafted evening skincare routine is vital at keeping your skin looking and feeling it’s healthiest. This is when potent overnight masks, also known as sleeping masks, come into play and deliver a multiple amount of benefits for the skin. Dehydration, uneven skin tone and even premature ageing can be combated with an overnight hydrating mask and we are going to share some more about these products in today’s blog post.
What is an overnight mask?
Overnight masks are lightweight creams and gels that are applied topically in the evenings before you head off to bed. They are enriched in high concentrates of active ingredients such as AHAs, such as, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and many more to name a few. The formulas are made to be potent enough that the masks deliver the best skin benefits with the idea of them only being used 2-3 times a week as a treatment based product. Overusing an overnight mask can result in some irritation to the skin due to the ingredients being too strong. If you are finding you have some skin concerns that need regular care than opting for a night cream will work better for you and your skin. To understand what the difference is between an overnight mask and night cream, you can check out our blog post that explains it all in more detail.
How do you apply an overnight face mask?
When applying a face mask you must ensure your skin is clean with all traces of makeup and other debris removed, here is the best routine to use and how to apply an overnight face mask properly;
Remove all traces of makeup with cleanser or micellar water
Double cleanse by using a non-foaming cleanser to ensure the skin is completely clear of any remaining debris (optional)
Swipe a chemical exfoliant across the face avoiding your eye area
Alternatively, you can exfoliate the skin with a non-abrasive face scrub
Apply a serum by patting it onto the face, allowing 2-3 minutes for it to penetrate the lower layers of the skin
You can now apply a moisturiser containing active ingredients that aren’t recommended for use during the day, eg retinol
Apply a liberal amount of overnight mask over the skin, your face should look and feel sticky but not wet
It is advisable to take a quick look at the directions of the face mask you decide to use as some formulas need to have the excess tissued off. The best way of knowing if you have enough product is to touch your skin gently in the morning to see if its tacky, this means there was plenty of product applied and it was fully absorbed into the skin overnight.
Can you leave a hydrating mask on overnight?
This really depends on the product, if it is described as an overnight or sleeping face mask it has been formulated to be used in the evening and does not need to be removed after a certain time. Overnight formulas are packed with high performing skin ingredients that work away in the different layers of the skin whilst you sleep. This will also benefit the overall look of your complexion as throughout the night our body and skin rejuvenates skin cells and repairs any damage caused from free radicals and the daily aggressors your skin would have come into contact with throughout the day. It is these exact aggressors, such as UV rays, pollution and bacteria, that don’t come into contact with the skin during the night allowing the overnight face mask to treat the skin undisturbed and show results a lot quicker than any other skincare product.
Do you wash off overnight masks?
Overnight masks need a lot more time to work on the skin than any other skincare product, they are called overnight for a reason after all, it is thought that 7-8 hours is the ideal time for the face mask to absorb into the skin and deliver the full effects of the powerful blend of ingredients found in the formulas. As we previously mentioned overnight masks can vary from brand to brand so it is best to check the directions of application and usage on the back of the packaging.
Once you have woken up in the morning it is best to cleanse the skin of any residue left behind, not forgetting to apply a daily SPF to protect the skin from any sensitivity to UV rays that can result from using a potent overnight hydrating mask containing powerhouse ingredients such as retinol or vitamin C.
Is a hydrating sleep mask a moisturiser?
Due the mix of ingredients in the formula it is understandable to think you can use a hydrating sleep mask as a moisturiser and it is really down to how your skin reacts to the mask you apply. For example, oily skin types may benefit from a simple routine by using a hydrating sleep mask as a moisturiser one evening and light-weight night gel the following evening. For more dry skin types a moisturiser and overnight masks work on different areas of the skin and won’t overload the it, but will help lock in the hydration and moisture it needs.
Finding out which routine would work for you is just a case of paying attention to the ingredients and texture of the product, ensuring it will work well with your skin and not cause any reactions, irritations or breakouts. If you are wanting to figure out which skin type you have, check out our guide about the 4 different skin types.
Is wearing a hydrating sleep mask bad for you?
The only way a hydrating sleep mask can be bad for you is if you overuse the product. The concentrations of active ingredients in overnight masks are a lot stronger than the ones found in products used for everyday application, which can sometimes lead to the skin becoming sensitive and suffer from irritations or skin reactions. If you find yourself to have flaky patches of skin, redness or itching you have used an overnight face mask too frequently and should take a break from using it, after a week or so you will find your face has calmed and signs of irritations have subsided.
If you ever have any concerns about using an overnight face masks or similar product it is best to consult your GP or dermatologist to get a better understanding of how it will work for you and your skin.
We hope you have found this blog to be useful when finding out how to use an overnight hydrating mask, if you have any more questions about how overnight face masks work and their skin benefits you can find out more on our Beauty Insiders blog.
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DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
