Overnight Masks: The Secret to Glowing Skin While You Sleep

How Overnight Masks Will Give You Great Skin

It‘s a busy world out there in the beauty industry, there seems to be something new to try every day. Just when we perfect a nighttime routine another product comes along to tempt us, and by this I mean the wonderful range of overnight masks you can find on the market.

It all sounds like something out of a fairy tale, in all honesty, a magic cream that has the power to hydrate and reverses the signs of ageing all whilst you get your getting some shut-eye. So, what exactly does this product involve? Is it as good as it sounds? Will you become a sleeping beauty? Or is there something lurking in the shadows ready to prick you faster than the needle of a spinning wheel? We take the plunge and answer some of your questions about all things overnight masks.

What is An Overnight Mask?

An overnight mask is a product that is formulated to be applied to clean skin in the evening before bed. The idea is that whilst you sleep this mask, packed with powerful, skin-enhancing ingredients will restore the balance in the skin with a boost of moisture helping to reverse any signs of ageing and dehydration to the skin. Not to be confused with other treatment face masks as overnight masks neither set or dry and can be worn to bed and rinsed off in the morning to reveal perfectly nourished skin.

Should I Be Using an Overnight Mask?

Much like other face masks, overnight masks are considered a treatment product meaning they aren’t vital to an everyday skincare routine but are a great addition if you are feeling as though your skin is needing an extra boost. If you notice that your skin is feeling tight, your complexion is looking sallow and you feel as though you could do with some bounce back in the skin then applying an overnight mask may be the answer. Another point to remember is the time of year as throughout the cold winter months your skin will benefit a great deal from a weekly overnight mask.

How Do I Use an Overnight Mask?

Compared to other face masks that you have to wash off once dried, the formula of an overnight mask is usually a light-weight gel that you apply a 10p sized amount evenly over the face in the evening. It’s advisable to wait until 30 minutes before you plan to hit the hay to allow the mask to absorb into your skin and save your pillowcases from getting ruined.

The technology behind formulating these masks is well researched resulting in a potent blend of ingredients make their way into your skin over the course of the night. Unlike night creams that have weaker ingredients, you will also find that overnight masks form a protective film over the top layer of the skin stopping any dirt and dust from clogging the pores, once this barrier is formed than the active ingredients penetrate into the skin and target the areas of concerns, such as fine lines and wrinkles.

Can I use an overnight mask if I have oily skin?

One thing to remember is that oily skin can still become dehydrated, which will easily be helped with applying an overnight mask. Do ensure you do your research and choose a product that is right for your skin type and nothing too creamy to cause any imbalance or overproduction of oil which can lead to breakouts such as spots and blackheads.

Can I use overnight masks if I have dry skin?

If you have dry skin than overnight masks are a godsend to your dressing table. Enriched in hydrating ingredients your skin will be deeply nourished and feeling so comfortable by the morning.

Do overnight masks work?

Overnight masks were designed to give the skin an extra boost and work best during the night. This is because of the fact your skin begins to heal itself when your body is in restful sleep, with the peak time being 10 pm until 2 am. With the blend of active ingredients, including AHAs and BHAs such as hyaluronic and salicylic acids, in an overnight mask, any damage from the day is repaired.

As wonderful as these products may be, this does not mean you can bypass a good skincare routine, overnight masks should be the last step in your evening regime and always applied to cleansed skin. The mask should work together with any serums or creams you regularly use and provide additional benefits to the face.

Can I use an overnight mask every day?

You can have too much of a good thing, it is best to use an overnight mask 2 times a week, or when your skin is needing something. Using an overnight mask every day can lead to skin irritation and reactions due to the potency of the ingredients found in the formulas, such as the previously mentioned, AHAs and BHAs.

What is a good overnight face mask?

A good overnight mask is a product that will leave your skin feeling hydrated, brightened and nourished with any signs of ageing diminished. Any skin concerns such as blemishes and redness should also be notably improved and the overall look of the skin should be healthy, hydrated and glowing.

Can you sleep with a face mask on overnight?

Yes, indeed you can. The entire purpose of these masks is to busily work wonders whilst you sleep. The ingredients included are strong enough to penetrate the lower layers of the skin and help the natural healing process the skin performs every night. From anti-ageing, blemish fighting, redness calming and collagen-producing, these masks work overtime and you are none the wiser until you rinse off in the morning and see the results for yourself.

Do you apply moisturiser before a sleeping mask?

Your evening routine shouldn’t change when using an overnight mask, by applying a moisturiser you are allowing the skin’s barrier to receive extra protection and restorative benefits. Your skin can never have enough hydration and with both products working at different times throughout the night your skin will have continuous flow of moisture allowing it plenty of time to rejuvenate.

Is there a difference between an overnight mask and sleeping mask?

In a word, no, overnight masks and sleeping masks are basically the same product, it just boils down to the whichever name the brand decided to call the product.

Do you wash off overnight masks?

An overnight mask as its name suggests should be left on the whole night, unlike clay masks, it won’t harden and need to be removed after a certain time. It’s best to rinse off any residue from the mask in the morning and follow this with your usual skincare routine.

Do you wash off sleeping masks?

Much like overnight masks, sleeping masks can be left on throughout the night. If you find your skin feels tacky to touch in the morning than you applied the correct amount to the skin, washing this off will reveal vibrant, glowing results.

How do I know an overnight mask is working?

You will know your overnight mask is working by how your skin looks and feels after using it. The mask locks in moisture and supports collagen production resulting in firmer, plumper looking skin. Your face should feel comfortable and glowing with no signs of irritation or reaction. Overnight masks are formulated to be gentle but still contain a lot of powerful ingredients so you should still be cautious when using them, especially if you have sensitive skin.

We hope that is has cleared up a few of your questions about overnight masks, these are a great addition to your skincare routine and provide your skin many benefits. Though it is recommended to have a full 8 hours sleep every evening, in the hectic world we live in now, to some this seems just impossible at times. Overnight masks replenish the skin, aid the natural damage restoring and makes your skin appear as though it had a restful night’s sleep.

This is probably why the popularity of sleeping masks has increased over the years with this product making its way from South Korean trend to staple in our nightly regime. With formulations including benefiting properties such as peptides, ceramides and facial acids it would be silly of us not to invest in an overnight mask, it is called beauty sleep after all!

Want to know more about the active ingredients such as the facial acids found in overnight masks? Check out our full guide on AHAs and BHAs.

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.

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