Overnight Face Mask vs Night Cream: Key Differences Explained Simply

Overnight Face Mask Vs Night Cream: What’s the Difference and Which One to Use?

There’s no denying the fact we are spoilt for choice when it comes to skincare products. This usually results in you finding a routine that suits you and your skin type. Things can get a little tricky when it comes to figuring out what exactly is the difference between products that sound basically the same. No need to panic, we are going to get to the bottom of this and find out what are overnight face masks and night cream, what is the difference between them and which one is best to use?

What is an overnight mask?

Overnight masks are formulated around the same idea as regular face masks, the main difference being you wear them overnight, as you probably guessed. Packed full of active ingredients that will help transform your skin and address any concerns you may have such as, ageing, dullness and combating breakouts. You will also find that overnight masks come in a lightweight or gel like formulation making them quite compatible to almost all skin types. Also known to go by the name of sleeping masks, overnight masks are highly effective at treating the skin whilst you catch up on some shut eye. This also allows the potent blend of skin ingredients to absorb into the skin, penetrating the lower layers without having to battle against the environmental aggressors our skin comes into contact on a daily basis, such as free radicals, pollution and UV damage.

Many skincare experts believe that overnight masks containing ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, retinol or niacinamide have the most optimal time to work on the skin whilst we sleep. This is due to the fact that when we sleep our skin is able to reset and repair any damage caused from the day giving the product more potential to be most effective allowing you to really notice a difference by the morning.

Can I use an overnight mask every night?

This is really dependant on which active ingredients are in the overnight mask, for example, exposure to a chemical exfoliant on a regular basis can lead to the skin becoming UV sensitive meaning it can become irritated and red. When using overnight masks it should be considered more of a treatment product rather than an essential step in your evening skincare routine. This will stop the overuse of a sleep mask that can lead to skin reactions and tightness.

What is a night cream?

The formulas of night creams are typically thicker and creamy compared to overnight face masks and are able to soak into the skin throughout the night. These creams are not as potent as overnight masks allowing you to use them as part of your everyday skincare routine. Overnight masks regularly contain ingredients that are not recommended to be used during the day, such as retinol, making them fully effective at penetrating into the skin leaving you with noticeable difference in the overall look and feel of your complexion.

What is the best time to apply a night cream?

It is tricky to estimate the perfect time to apply your night cream, especially as so many of us hit the hay in various hours throughout the night. It is recommended to apply your night cream just before you go to bed which should ideally be around 10-11pm. Here is an example of a good evening skincare routine that will benefit your night cream and allow it to work more effectively;

Remove all traces of makeup with makeup remover or micellar water

Cleanse the skin with an none foaming cleanser to remove any remaining traces of product and debris

Swipe an acid toner-soaked cotton disc around your face, avoiding the eye area, removing any build-up of dead skin cells

Apply your serum of choice by patting it into the skin

Finally apply your night cream, your skin should feel tacky to touch as you head off to bed

Do I really need a night cream and overnight mask?

There is not really any need to use both in your routine, however it is a great idea to keep a couple of products on rotation to keep your skin looking and feeling its healthiest. If you are finding you have a number of concerns such as dullness, uneven skin tone and signs of ageing, such as fine line and wrinkles then using a night cream regularly will help target any of these concerns and help diminish any sing of them over a time of 6-8 weeks. When using an overnight mask, you can pick and choose when you apply them making them a more potent treatment product. Ideal for applying when you feel as though your skin is in need of something, such as an extra boost of hydration and brightening.

Should I use an overnight mask or night cream?

This really comes down to your own personal preferences, if you are noticing some signs of ageing or other concerns to the skin that can be helped with a daily night cream than this would be the best fit for you. Remembering to take into consideration which skin type you have, for example, oily skin would not appreciate a thick, heavy cream that can result in congested pores and flare-up in spots and blackheads.

Whichever product you will decide to use you’ll see a difference in the appearance of wrinkles, tighter skin and a complexion that looks vibrant with greater clarity.

Is there really a difference between day and night cream?

As you will know by now there is indeed a number of differences between an overnight face mask and night cream, the main concerning how often you are able to use them, here is a quick recap on the differences and how to use each product;

Benefits of overnight face mask

Formula is highly potent with active ingredients

Consistency is usually gel or light-weight cream

Can help with concerns such as dehydration, breakouts and skin ageing

Formula is too powerful to use every night and should be used as an occasional skin treatment

Best applied before you head to sleep to allow plenty of time for the product to penetrate the skin

Benefits of night cream

Formula isn’t as strong as a face mask so can be used every night

Usually has a thicker and creamy texture

Highly nourishing to the skin

Treats signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles

Best applied as the final step in your evening routine before bed

Today’s post would have hopefully by now answered a number of your questions about an overnight face mask and night cream, both products are highly effective at treating the skin and diminishing any signs of age, uneven skin tone and lose of firmness. With formulations packed with active ingredients that pack a punch and work tirelessly whilst you get some well-earned beauty sleep. Don’t forget you can check our dedicated blog post about the full skin benefits of using an overnight face mask.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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