Overnight sleeping mask or Night cream: what to use?

Night cream vs Sleeping mask

Overnight sleeping masks are an awesome Korean invention.   It is so cool that we can apply a product packed with all the good stuff on our skin, go to sleep and let the mask to its wonders.

If you are new to overnight sleeping masks you might have some questions about what those masks are and how they are different from night creams and any other moisturizers.

Let’s explore the most common questions that people ask about this topic.

What is a sleeping pack?

Sleeping masks are designed for intensive skin care at night. They are easy to use, won’t require too much for your time and will perfectly hydrate and nourish your skin while you are sleeping.  You are basically getting a sleeping facial because of many concentrated ingredients in the product.

As the name states you use sleeping mask right before you go to bed.  Sleeping masks usually have thick consistency and sometimes it feels that it will never absorb in your skin and you will end up with a dirty and oily pillow case.  Do not worry about that: overnight sleeping packs absorb very quickly into the skin and do not destroy your cloth or bed linens.

What is a Night Cream

Night creams are less potent than sleeping masks yet they are also full of ingredients beneficial to our skin.   Night creams are designed to address specific skin issues, nourish your skin and accommodate individual skin type.

You should use night cream every night.

To summarize, use night creams every night.  Sleeping masks are a booster, extra food, extra nourishment and extra hydration.  Use them 1-2 times a week.  If you use them more often, you can ran into couple of problems.

First, you will “overfeed” and “over hydrate” your skin.  Yes, it is a thing.  Skin that has had extensive amount of ingredients delivered on a regular basis will respond with breakouts, clogged pores, oil overproduction and puffiness.  It is like giving a person steroids all the time when it is not necessary.

If you have an important meeting, date or a party on the following day and want to look even more beautiful and refreshed than usual, then use a sleeping mask the night before.  Or just use to give your skin an extra kick of ingredients.

How to use sleeping mask?

There is nothing

1.  Cleanse your face first.  In the evening I strongly suggest to use double-cleansing method which will help you to remove all dirt and dust from your skin and at the same time will not destroy your skin protective barrier.   You can also read my posts on how to cleanse face at home the right way.
2. Apply toner, let dry;
3. Apply essence or serum, let dry;
4. If your skin is very dry and needs extra moisture, apply light weight moisturizer, let dry;
5. Apply overnight sleeping mask;
6. Let mask absorb for 30 minutes and go to bed;
7. Do not wash the mask off!

Some people with very dry skin apply sleeping masks over their night cream as a final layer and find that this way of application promotes extreme hydration to their dry, tired skin.

Types of sleeping masks and which one you should choose

There is a huge variety of sleeping masks and it is really hard to decide which one you should try.

Masks are different based on their consistency, base, ingredients and skin problems that they target.

(This post contains affiliate links.  That means that if you make a purchase, I might receive a small commission at no extra cost to you)

 

Gel and collagen night masks

If you sleep not 7-8 hours, and in the morning look like a tired panda with dark circles under the eyes from lack of sleep, then you need these types of masks

They are very effective in fighting  signs of fatigue and lack of sleep.

They create a protective a protective layer on the surface of the skin thus preventing water from evaporating. This keeps your skin moisturized and hydrated.   These masks will make your skin look plumped and fresh even though you only slept for few hours.

Elizavecca Green Piggy Collagen Jella Pack Sleeping mask – is a good example of collagen light weight mask.  This mask is suitable for young hydrated skin that needs a boost in good ingredients.  Please, read the detailed review here. 

Rejuvenating night mask

This mask contains restorative and regenerative ingredients which will repair dry patches, dark spots and rejuvenate overall complexion of the skin tone.   These types of masks are also super hydrating.  You will wake up with glowing and renewed skin.

Garnier Yogurt Sleeping Mask –   this Garnier sleeping mask has yogurt, probiotics,  pure extracts from lime, vitamins A and C.  It helps to revitalize the skin and make it look radiant. It reduces dark spots while nourishing the skin deeply throughout the night.

Gel Based Sleeping Pack

These types of masks are packed with anti-aging and lifting ingredients.  They improve skin elasticity, nourish skin with many ingredients, soften and extensively hydrate your skin. These masks are perfect for any type of skin.

Shiseido WASO Sleeping Mask    – this Shiseido Sleeping Gel moisture wrap made with yuzu citrus, replenishes and recharges your skin overnight. Delivers dewy hydration to skin that has lost moisture and clarity due to stress and lack of sleep.

Laneige water sleeping mask – this a very unique mask that contains  SLEEP-TOX™ technology’s purifying effects help to rejuvenate and normalize skin that is often fatigued and sensitized by stress during the day. This helps the skin to achieve a well-rested appearance the next morning.

This mask helps skin retain moisture throughout the night
The dense beta-glucan moisturizing shield (network) consists of active agents such as Hydro Ion Mineral Water, evening primrose root extract, Hunza apricot extracts, and more so that skin fully absorbs the goodness during 8 hours of sleep.

Holika Holika Red and Wine Sleeping Pack – 2 interesting gel sleeping masks that are good for young skin.  Read the full review here.

Cream based night mask

These types of masks work the best for people with very dry skin.  They have moisturizing ingredients that will hydrate any dry and sensitive skin.

These masks are very rich in consistency but absorb quickly.

TONYMOLY Golden Mushroom Sleeping Mask is a good example of cream sleeping mask.  It has thick consistency and yet does not make your skin heavy and oily.  Please, read the detailed review here.

 

Night masks with plant extracts

I decided to make this pod-category to highlight sleeping masks for oily skin.   Many people, once they feel the consistency of night masks, become worry that these masks are too heavy for their oily skin.

If you have oily skin, try to use gel masks or masks that contain natural sources of salicylic acid and zinc. Also look for ingredients that have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties (like honey, tea tree oil, aloe vera).

SOME BY MI Yuja Niacin Brightening Sleeping Mask – this mask contains citrus extract together with niacinamide, arbutin, peel oil and 10 vitamins to deliver amazing ingredients to brighten and whiten your skin.  Calming night sleeping masks

People with sensitive skin type will appreciate calming masks that will reduce redness and inflammation of the sensitive skin type.  Look for aloe vera, lavender, and chamomile ingredients.

Mamonde Calming Sleeping Mask – this mask contains calendula, a herb that is famous for its anti-bacterial, anti-irritating and calming properties.

Acid exfoliating night masks

If you have age/sun spots and uneven dull skin tone, then you should consider exfoliating night masks.  These masks contain small amount of acids that will remove dead cells from your skin and brighten up skin tone.  You need to be careful with these types of masks during summer time.  Always use sunscreen in the morning.

IsNtree Clear Skin PHA Sleeping Mask –   this mask is suitable for all skin types, just carefully read the label and follow the instructions which tell you, when to apply the mask. The mask removes dead cells, brightens up the skin and improves its tone.

Whitening Sleeping Masks

Apply these types of masks at night, and in the morning your skin will be lighter and more radiant.

O HUI Extreme Whitening Sleeping Mask – O HUI brand is considered to be a luxury skin care brand.  All products are packed with high quality ingredients. This mask will visibly brighten and whiten your skin as well as will infuse it with hydrating minerals and vitamins.

Anti-ageing sleeping masks

These masks contain ingredients that boost collagen production, improve elasticity, hydrate and rejuvenate the skin.

In conclusion let’s recoup.  Night cream is a cream that you would use on a daily basis.  You should purchase night cream based on your skin type and skin issues you would like to target.  Overnight sleeping mask should be used 1, maximum 2 times a week.  Treat is as a booster of strong, concentrated ingredients that will wake up your skin and make it look glowing.

Please, share your experiences with both products.  Maybe, share your favorite products in each category.  Or ask a question if you have any.

Stay beautiful!!!!