If you’re like me, you probably have a very stringent nighttime skincare routine. And if not, you absolutely should. One thing experts have always advised for glorious skin is to invest in a stellar skincare routine at night.
The reason is because while our bodies rest, the active ingredients have a better chance to penetrate and work, leaving you waking up with a perfect glow.
Once upon a time though, it was just night creams that got all the action. Now though, overnight face masks, or sleeping masks, are starting to take over. They may seem like just another night cream, but oh no no no, they are so much more than a night cream!
Years ago, skincare was much more simplistic. It seems like now there are suddenly so many categories that didn’t exist. You might think they’re a marketing ploy, but when you have the chance to try them out and see what they’re good for, you’ll never go back.
That’s how I feel about sleeping masks. These are revolutionary in skincare and with the benefits they have, it’s easy to see why they’ve become so incredibly popular.
Once you read through all of this, you’re going to want to start using a sleeping mask in your nightly skincare routine, I promise.
Can I Use Sleeping Mask Everyday?
To be exact, you should use sleeping masks 2 to 3 nights per week, you can fuse it into your night routine in lieu of your moisturizer, if your skin approves of it. A recent study has proven that using night moisturizers every day can improve the skin’s elasticity.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, shall we? First, let me tell you a bit more about them, how often to use them, what they’re good for, and all that good stuff.
What are sleeping masks?
So sleeping masks are a new trend that comes from the place where some of the best beauty secrets on the planet are born…Korea!
They might seem like your night cream, but they’re different in that you’re supposed to massage them into your skin. This helps with circulation while soothing skin and integrating the product into it
These ingredients tend to be intense yet mild enough for skin to handle overnight. The one you choose should be for your specific skin type and skin concerns that you want to address. Sleeping masks should be used as that final step before bedtime, to lock in your other creams, serums, and facial oils.
If you have dry skin, you would likely do best with hydrating and repairing ingredients. Things like ceramides, lavender, and argan oil help smooth skin and plump it up. Those with dry skin will find a deeper type of hydration in a sleeping mask designed for their skin needs.
Do you have oily or acne-prone skin? You can use sleeping masks too. But if your skin ends up feeling greasy after moisturizing, you’ll want to look for formulations for your skin concern. Light moisturizers are best for your skin type.
Hyaluronic acid is one star ingredient that goes well with oily and blemish-prone skin types. It retains up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it essential for hydrating the skin without clogging up pores.
When you use a hyaluronic acid-based sleeping mask, you’ll reduce the probability for breakouts to make a bust of your day. Oily skin needs to be hydrated too or it can lead to flakiness, irritation, and even more breakouts.
Worried about losing your youthful looks? For aging skin, a sleeping mask that contains retinol and vitamin A is your jam. These ingredients are scientifically-proven to improve the texture and elasticity of your skin, resulting in a youthful complexion.
But can’t I just use my clay mask or sheet masks?
Nope, nope, and nope. Don’t do that. Clay masks need to be rinsed off once they dry. And you really don’t want that goo getting all over your pillowcases and sheets, do you? Didn’t think so.
Even if you wait until they dry before you lie down, clay masks get flakey when they dry. Unless you want all that in your hair, it’s not a good plan.
Sheet masks are formulated differently as well. You’re not supposed to leave them on all night long. Ever leave one on for a long time during the day and it’s all dried out? That’s not exactly going to help your skin any longer than it’s designed to.
Sleeping masks, however, are designed to infuse the skin throughout the night with a variety of compounds in formula that match your skin issues.
The benefits of using a sleep mask
Sleeping masks are face masks times 10, if I had to put it simplistically. They do all the hard work while you sleep, giving new meaning to the term “beauty sleep.” As mentioned, they come in a variety of formulations to benefit your skin. Choosing the one that suits your skin type will yield you the best results.
It’s always a wise idea though to test out a small spot on your skin, particularly if it’s sensitive, to make sure it doesn’t irritate you.
Still not convinced you need a sleeping mask to add to your regimen? There are many benefits you’ll soon discover when you roll over in the morning to face the day after using one.
– Deep hydration
Skin needs hydration down to the core, no matter the skin type. Different hydrators will be best for different skin types, but the idea of a sleeping mask is to give it that deep-down quench it needs to restore your glow.
– Restores protective barrier
All day long, your skin comes in contact with pollution, UVA and UVB rays, dust, and makeup. Plus, there’s stress from work and those bad choices you might make on your lunch break (we’re looking at you, all-you-can-eat taco bar!).
Using a sleeping mask helps undo the damage from the day and puts protective measures in place so with each passing day, those aggressors will be kept at arm’s length.
– Assists with cell turnover
For glowing, fresh-faced skin, you need your dead skin cells to move out of the way so the new ones can shine through in all their glory. Sleeping masks contain ingredients that help speed along this natural process so you wake up with brighter skin.
– Reduces wrinkles
Dry and sensitive skin should look to products like Dr. Dream Age Sleeping Pack. It combines a conditioner for smoother skin with a silky texture along with shea butter and argan oil. These plump up skin for a youthful appearance.
Additionally, with niacinamide, dark spots and hyperpigmentation are brightened away. Aloe and hyaluronic acid are also included for soothing hydration.
It also contains Rosa Damascena stem cell extracts. This helps rejuvenate skin with a lifted effect. Working in harmony, ingredients like these are just what you need to refuel aging skin and get it back to a youthful and glowing state.
– Cleaning the skin deeply and reduces blemishes
With blemish-prone skin, there is always a continuous cycle of dry skin that results from applying those spot treatments. If you’re in this vicious cycle, try Eco Your Skin Lavender Bedside Mask which hydrates deeply and keeps skin from getting that tight, dry feeling.
In it, it employs salicylic acid, an all-star ingredient for tackling blemishes. And who doesn’t love the calming scent of lavender? While it smells divine, lavender is very soothing for skin too.
Milk proteins are also added which help polish skin gently to give it a smoother texture. This is a great formula that works at the root of your blemish cycle to put an end to it for good. Once you stop breakouts from happening, you can enjoy clear and refreshed skin.
– Pore refining
Caolion Pore Tightening Memory Sleeping Pack has a rich, jelly-like texture that’s fun to play with. It features a memory-form technology that’s almost hypnotic.
Within it, the witch hazel is used to reduce inflammation and balance oil, all while tightening pores. It’s a special natural ingredient that does great for spot treatment too.
The formula also uses lactobacillus and allantoin to help skin turnover while you sleep for a softer and more youthful texture. Shea butter locks in the moisture as green tea stands guard against damaging free radicals like a forcefield.
How to use a sleep mask
As I mentioned earlier, you should put your sleep mask on as the final step before going to bed. That means you should cleanse skin, exfoliate, apply your serums, essences, and creams, and THEN the sleeping mask. The sleeping mask is like a giant seal that locks in all that beautiful nutrition for your skin.
Now, you CAN use them every night, but at minimum, you should use them 2 to 3 times a week. If you’re in a drier climate, you might really benefit from a hydrating formula every night. And if the winters get rough where you are, using a sleeping mask will definitely be a game-changer for you.
It’s best to start using them once or twice a week first to see how they do with your skin. You’re really going to love them, but again, I must remind you that you really need to choose one that is suited to your skin type.
Is there anyone who shouldn’t use a face mask?
All skin types can do with moisture, so just about everyone can benefit from the hydrating effects of a sleeping mask. There are, of course, some exceptions.
Very oily skin or those with severe acne shouldn’t use them without working with a dermatologist. Because sleeping masks are the final seal for all your other skincare applications, it can trap the oils from the skin in their too.
Aside from that caveat, most people will benefit from the use of a sleeping mask. You may need to try out a few to find your best match. If you find your face feels oily every time you wake up though, you might want to try a different formulation to suit your skin.
If you have dry or aging skin though, get ready to fall head over heels for sleeping masks. These are going to be your new BFF!
Conclusion
Sleeping masks are just face masks that are designed to wear as you sleep. They tend to have a thicker texture and might feel a bit tacky and wet just after you slather them on. They dry enough though that you’re not left with a goopy, gloppy mess all over your bed.
Because they’re formulated to continuously hydrated and benefit your skin, they are different than ordinary face masks that you might already have in your stash of beauty items. On the surface, you might think that sleeping masks are just another type of cream for nighttime, but they go so far beyond that.
Seeing is truly believing when it comes to using a sleeping mask. Grab one that services your skin type and get in on this hot beauty trend. You’ll wake up looking refreshed and glowing and your skin will keep improving over time.
You should aim to do your sleeping mask routine 2 to 3 times per week though some opt to do it nightly, if your skin can tolerate it.
My skin tends to bode best with hyaluronic acid and retinoids, but that’s what works for me. Find sleeping masks designed for your skin type and watch the magic happen!
Oh! And one last thing…they’re so soothing! You might think it sounds awfully heavy since it is the last product you put on your face every night – even on top of all your other skincare products for your nighttime routine. But once it adheres to your skin, you’re going to just love it. Trust!
