Medically reviewed by Minimalist Health Specialist - Written by Aheli Sen (Fashion & Beauty Expert) on 30th Oct 2020
Should You Choose Overnight Face Masks Over Normal Masks?
Overnight face masks are trending, and we are all here for it, quite literally, to speak. We have all heard about it, and we all want to use them!
Even though we have all heard about or done some research on it, this article is for anyone new to the concept of sleeping masks.
It will include everything that you need to know about overnight masks and how beneficial they are.
So what is a sleeping mask?
A sleeping mask is actually from South Korea. It is a trend that started there, and the entire world has caught up with this trend very quickly. It took the skincare industry by storm as all skincare brands started making them right after the few brands that initially sold them.
The demand for it was and still is quite huge. Whether old or new, every skincare brand comes out with sleeping masks for each of their ranges or one for all skin types.
What makes these masks special?
Overnight sleeping masks have properties in them that deeply hydrate and nourish the skin. The sleeping masks are often said to perform wonders on the skin while you are asleep.
For a better understanding of what sleeping masks are and to clear the confusion between ordinary masks and sleeping masks, let us compare both:
Normal Masks Vs. Sleeping Masks:
There is a mask for each skin type and any skin concern from gel masks to clay masks to bubble masks to sheet masks and now sleeping masks. We have categorized most of these masks as ordinary masks or sleeping masks for simplicity's sake.
1. How Each Mask Works for the face:
As its name suggests, you apply a sleeping mask, also known as a leave-on face mask, to the front and leave it there for it to work. Such face masks lay on the show all night so you can "sleep," knowing that nourishing ingredients are being powerfully delivered to your skin through the night. It leaves the skin looking plump and too pampered and energized the following day.
On the other hand, ordinary masks or masks that need to be washed off after a certain period stay on the skin for a relatively lesser period and need to be rinsed off afterward. A few examples are clay masks or gel masks that help draw out impurities from the skin and hydrate the skin, respectively.
2. What Do Each Face Mask Contain:
Sleeping face masks tend to contain hydrators or humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic that help the skin absorb water from their immediate environment to replenish its water content.
Sleeping masks could also have occlusives like ceramides, which create a barrier to environmental pollutants while making sure to lock in the skin's moisture. Given the hydrating, nourishing, and moisturizing properties of humectants and occlusives, overnight sleeping face masks are fantastic for people with normal skin, combination skin, and especially for those with dry skin or fine lines.
Ordinary masks often have a variety of skin-nourishing components to target different skin problems. These masks could be used for toning, cleansing, exfoliating, soothing, brightening, moisturizing, or tightening the skin. The mask's pack of ingredients can range from pink clay to volcanic clay to vitamin C and even to AHA and BHA acids.
3. When to Apply Your Respective Face Mask:
Overnight face masks are usually applied as the last step of the nighttime skincare routine, on top of first, your toner, then the essence, then serum, and lastly, the night cream. Doing the same will effectively create a barrier against environmental polluting agents and seal in loving goodness for the skin for you to wake up with glowing and radiant skin the next day.
On the other hand, ordinary masks tend to be applied right after cleansing and toning before continuing with the rest of the skincare regime for the night. One does not want to risk washing off all the products (such as the night creams, essences, and serums) meant for the skin to absorb. Also, such masks like gel masks or clay masks remove excess sebum, resulting in dry skin, which means topping on a moisturizer afterward is necessary to prevent moisture loss.
One might think of overnight sleeping face masks as a skincare fad. However, they do give an entirely new meaning to beauty sleep. How? Well, your body heals and repairs itself while you sleep. It is also the time when the epidermal cells undergo a healing procedure.
Overnight Sleeping Mask Benefits for all Skin Types:
The main benefits of overnight sleeping face masks are properties to combat aging and restore skin moisture. Almost all overnight masks contain hyaluronic acid, a compound naturally produced by the skin that holds water, making the skin firm, tight and plump.
Hyaluronic acid levels lower with age, which is where sleeping face masks make an entry. Study shows that hyaluronic acid moisturizes skin, helps decrease wrinkle depth by making it plump through hydration and improves skin elasticity. This extra moisture leaves the skin looking plump, smooth, glowing, and tight.
Many overnight face masks also contain vitamins like vitamins A and C, both of which have excellent skincare goodness. Vitamin A has long been used to renew aging skin and helps the skin produce collagen, while vitamin C helps brighten and even out skin tone.
As with regular masks and other skincare products, sleeping face mask benefits are different based on different skin types.
BEST SLEEPING FACE MASK FOR DRY SKIN
For dry skin, look for hydrating formulations that draw moisture from the immediate environment around the skin and get absorbed into the skin.
The best sleeping face masks for dry skin almost always include extra moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or argan oil.
These masks can be used every night of the week for healthy, hydrated skin.
BEST SLEEPING FACE MASK FOR OILY SKIN
Those with oily skin should not be scared to use sleeping masks and avoid overnight sleeping face masks just because their main target is dehydration. Remember, oil is produced in abundance only when the skin is dehydrated, so a mild moisturizing substance is perfect for oily skin. Oily skin needs hydration as oil does not hydrate the skin and acts as a barrier to hydration.
The masks should be used in place of—not in addition to—your moisturizer.
BEST SLEEPING FACE MASK FOR ACNE
For acne-prone skin, look for sleeping masks that contain hyaluronic acid, a gentle ingredient that most skin types can use. The perfect/best overnight face masks for acne will also have Vitamin A, which effectively treats acne.
BEST SLEEPING FACE MASK FOR GLOWING SKIN
The best beauty routines are ones that require the least amount of effort, and sleeping face masks make it easy to maximize results in your sleep with minimum efforts.
Applying an overnight face mask for glowing skin takes a few seconds and works while you sleep.
Sleeping masks are your favorite night cream, but a dozen times better!
