“I have combination skin that tends to lean oily, so I was hesitant to use this overnight balm at first. But, I found that it’s actually a great way to try the slugging method. I woke up with super hydrated skin. I would recommend doing a very light layer if you have oily skin or don’t want too much product on your pillowcase,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle.
3. Best Sheet Mask: Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask
Original image by Jenifer Calle testing Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask
Okay, so sleeping in a sheet mask might sound a little overwhelming logistically and sensorially, but believe us, this isn’t a typical mask that you’ll wake up and find attached to your pillow. Here’s how it works: when you take it out of the package and put it on your face, it’ll feel thick and squishy, but it sticks to the face pretty well without sliding off or making a mess. After a few hours of wear, this Korean face mask will turn clear as the product absorbs into your skin. Ingredient-wise, the peel-off mask is made with collagen, which can hydrate deep beneath the skin while also tightening and filling in pores and fine lines. It also has a brightening effect thanks to the inclusion of niacinamide.
“I wore this on a five-hour flight to Mexico City—yes, I was that person—and it was the best thing I did,” says Glamour’s Calle. “It’s extremely hydrating, which is particularly helpful against the dry air from the airplane. It’s super slick though, so you do have to maneuver it around your face. Before landing I peeled off the (now clear) mask, and I was left with an amazing glow, which lasted way into the day. My face was so dewy that I didn’t even feel the need to apply foundation.”
4. Best Multi Use: Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask + Moisturizer
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Original photo from Danielle Jackson testing Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
This gem from Summer Fridays is made with brightening niacinamide as well as hydrating ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, and the best thing about it is that it can double as a sleeping mask and a daytime/nighttime moisturizer—so what you get out of it really depends on your needs. “I’ve used it for both purposes, and each time, I’ve noticed my skin has felt a lot softer and more plump. It has the exact texture of a rich cream or moisturizer, but I never have to worry about my skin feeling greasy or oily—and that’s coming from someone with combination skin,” says Glamour contributor Danielle Jackson. To wear it as a daytime moisturizer, just apply a thin layer to your skin after cleansing and toning. If you plan on wearing it overnight, apply a slightly thicker layer after cleansing during your bedtime routine.
5. Best for Brightening: Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Night Mask
Vitamin C has pretty much become a gold standard ingredient when it comes to brightening your complexion and addressing hyperpigmentation and dark spots. While this mask is full of it, that’s not the only featured ingredient that’s working hard to give you a glow. It also features antioxidant-rich berries that save your skin from free radical damage and early signs of aging. Hydrating squalane and hyaluronic acid rounds out the list of superstar ingredients to give you the softest skin of your life.
“I don’t get blemishes very often, but one of the few times I did, I grabbed this when I noticed a small dark spot that it left behind once it went away. My skin is already on the oilier side, so the thought of wearing a hydrating mask for an extended amount of time gave me pause, but even after applying and leaving it on for a few hours, my skin didn’t feel greasy at all—it actually felt a lot softer. Also, after a few days, I did notice that the dark spot was a lot less visible than it was before,” says Jackson.
6. Best for Redness: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Sleepair Intensive Repair Night Mask
We get it: At a time where it seems like there are dozens upon dozens of skin care products at your service that all promise to brighten, tone, and exfoliate, it’s easy to go overboard and, thus, compromise the integrity of your skin barrier if you’re not careful. When irritation and sensitive skin are an issue, this overnight mask from Dr. Jart+’s Cicapair lineup is a reliable product to turn to, as it’s designed to strengthen your barrier overnight.
“Its star ingredient, centella asiatica, is known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, making it perfect for sensitive or reactive skin,” Dr. Spearman says. “It also contains niacinamide, which helps brighten the skin and improve texture, along with glycerin and panthenol, which provide deep hydration without clogging pores.” Aside from combating irritation from over-exfoliation and environmental stressors, Dr. Spearman says you can also use this mask to address skin issues like rosacea.
7. Best Oil: Carter and Jane The Everything Oil Sleep Repair Mask
This oil is a favorite of Dr. King’s because it really does contain, well, everything. It features ingredients like organic prickly pear, avocado, and sweet almond oils, as well as organic aloe vera, which “both hydrate and moisturize, and they have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well,” she says. Remember: antioxidants can slow aging and prevent skin damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals.
If slowing signs of aging is what you’re after, this one is a great option because it also features bakuchiol, a more gentle alternative to retinol, which is known for exfoliating and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines but being slightly irritating for people with more sensitive skin.
“Bakuchiol seems to be activating the genes that regulate collagen and elastin production—the same ones retinol activates,” Dr. King says. “And it doesn’t seem to irritate and redden skin the way retinol often does, so it appears to be a gentler option.”
What ingredients should I look for in overnight face masks?
Above anything else, overnight face masks are meant to hydrate and prevent signs of aging, so when shopping for one, you should look for something that has hydrating or moisturizing ingredients.
“Those with dry skin may benefit from ingredients like ceramides and argan oil, which plump the skin with moisture and help repair its barrier function,” Dr. King says. “Those who are oily or acne-prone may prefer lighter moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which hydrates the skin without clogging pores.” Niacinamide and squalane are also common ingredients found in sleeping masks, since they both address issues related to dryness and dullness: squalane is usually a key ingredient in moisturizing products because it’s an emollient that mimics your skin’s natural oils, while niacinamide can reduce redness and help strengthen your skin barrier.
Dr. King adds that if you’re mostly looking for anti-aging benefits, you should choose a mask with retinol, “which stimulates collagen production and improves the skin’s tone and texture.” With that said, if you have sensitive skin, try to avoid overnight face masks with harsh active ingredients like exfoliating acids (lactic acid, salicylic acid, etc.), as Dr. King says they can lead to irritation.
How to use overnight face masks
Masks that feature hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid can pretty much be used based on the instructions on the product packaging, but three to four times a week is the general rule of thumb here. “If you’re using a mask that contains potentially irritating ingredients like chemical exfoliants, then one to two nights per week is a good start, and you can adjust as tolerated,” Dr. King says.