How to Use a Moisturizing Night Mask
We here at Beauty Insider Blog are big fans of night masks, especially moisturizing ones! As busy days go by, it can feel like we simply don’t have time to sip our coffee, let alone take care of our skin the way it should. That’s why a perfectly coordinated nighttime skincare routine is so important to ensure your skin looks and feels as healthy as possible. This is where an effective night mask (also known as a sleeping mask) comes into play, which can provide a host of benefits to the skin. Dehydration, uneven skin tone, and even premature aging can all be combated with a moisturizing night mask, and we’ll be sharing more about these products in today’s blog post.
What are night masks?
Night masks are light creams and gels that are applied topically at night before you go to sleep. They’re packed with highly concentrated active ingredients like AHAs, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and more. These formulas are so effective that even if the mask is only used 2-3 times a week as a treatment, it still provides optimal benefits to the skin. Overuse of night masks can lead to skin irritation, as the ingredients are so strong. If you find yourself with skin issues that need regular care, then a night cream would be a better choice for you and your skin. To understand the difference between a night mask and a night cream, you can read our blog post where everything is explained in more detail.
How to apply a night mask?
When using a mask, you need to make sure your skin is clean and free of all traces of makeup and other residue. Here are the best ways to use a night mask and how to use it correctly:
Remove all traces of makeup with a cleanser or micellar water
Double cleanse with a foam-free cleanser to ensure your skin is completely free of residue (optional)
Apply a chemical peel cream to your face, avoiding the eye area
Alternatively, you can use a non-abrasive facial scrub to exfoliate your skin
Pad the serum onto your face and wait 2-3 minutes for it to absorb into the lower layers of the skin
You can now apply a moisturizer with active ingredients that are not recommended for daytime use, such as: B, retinol
Apply a generous amount of the night mask to your skin. Your face should look and feel sticky, but not wet
It is recommended to take a quick look at the instructions for use of the mask you choose, as some formulas call for wiping off excess mask with a cloth. To know if you have enough product, gently touch your skin in the morning to see if it is sticky or not. This means that you have applied enough product and it has been fully absorbed into the skin overnight.
Can a hydrating mask be left on overnight?
It really depends on the product. When described as a night mask or sleeping mask, it is meant to be used at night and does not need to be removed after a period of time. A night mask is packed with highly effective skin ingredients that work on the different layers of the skin while you sleep. This also has a positive effect on the overall appearance of your complexion because, at night, our body and skin regenerate skin cells and repair any damage caused by free radicals and daily aggressors that the skin comes into contact with during the day. It is these aggressors, such as UV rays, pollution and bacteria, that do not come into contact with the skin at night that allow night masks to treat the skin undisturbed and see results faster than any other skin care product.
Do night masks need to be washed off?
Night masks require more time than any other skin care product to work on the skin. They are not called night masks for nothing. It is believed that 7-8 hours is the ideal time for the mask to be absorbed by the skin and work to the full effect of the powerful ingredients contained in the formula. As mentioned before, night masks can vary from brand to brand. Therefore, it is best to read the application and usage instructions on the back of the packaging.
After waking up in the morning, it is best to cleanse your skin of all residue. Don’t forget to apply a sun protection factor every day to protect your skin from UV rays. To prevent allergies, use an effective hydrating night mask with powerful ingredients such as retinol or vitamin C.
Is a hydrating sleeping mask a moisturizer?
Due to the mix of ingredients in the formula, you might think that you can use a hydrating sleeping mask as a moisturizer, which is understandable. It really depends on how your skin reacts to the mask you use. For example, oily skin types can benefit from a simple routine of using a hydrating sleeping mask as a moisturizer at night and a light night gel the next night. For dry skin types, moisturizers and night masks act on different areas of the skin, not weighing it down, but helping to retain the required moisture.
To determine which routine is right for you, you just need to pay attention to the ingredients and texture of the product and make sure it is suitable for your skin and will not cause any reactions, irritation or breakouts. If you want to know your skin type, check out our guide to the 4 different skin types.
Is wearing a hydrating sleeping mask harmful to the body?
If you overuse a hydrating sleeping mask, it can only do you harm. The concentration of active ingredients in a night mask is much higher than in a day-use product, which can sometimes cause your skin to become sensitive, irritated, or have a skin reaction. If you notice flaking, redness, or itching, you are using a night mask too much and should take a break. After about a week, you will notice your face calming down and signs of irritation subsiding.
If you have questions about using a night mask or similar products, it is best to consult your primary care physician or dermatologist to better understand how it can work for you and your skin.
We hope this blog has helped you understand how to use a hydrating night mask. If you have any further questions about how a night mask works and how it benefits your skin, you can learn more in 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.
