Is a sleeping mask the new K-beauty item that you absolutely have to add to your skincare routine? It’s touted as the next must-have for hydrated skin, but I think there’s a little more to it. Using most face masks make me feel like I’m going out of my way, but an overnight face mask certainly doesn’t.
In this article, we’ve selected the 15 best sleeping mask creams that you can buy online anywhere in the world. For that sound beauty sleep, here you have the best overnight face masks that have become cult-favorites!
1. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask
This was one of the first sleeping masks introduced in the West, and many consider it the best sleeping mask on the market. It is a gel mask that boasts hyaluronic acid as its second ingredient, right after water, which is nearly unheard of and ensures serious hydration capabilities.
It also contains a few antioxidant-rich plant extracts that give a nice boost. Since it contains glycolic acid, it also acts as a mild exfoliant, so it should only be used a few times a week. It’s got a sweet watermelon scent that might be polarizing. Get it at Sephora!
2. Julep Beauty Julep Night Shift Sleeping Mask
Whipped and mousse like, this is one of the creamier sleeping mask options out there, although it is fabulous for all skin types. It hydrates the skin with a collection of humectants, but it also seals in the moisture with shea butter and a bit of coconut oil. It has copper peptides to promote collagen formation, and just the tiniest hint of AHA to resurface the skin a bit – not so much that it can’t be used on a nightly basis, though. It is available in a squeeze tube at Nordstrom.
3. Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
This is another gel-based sleeping mask, with one of the lightest textures around. This would be the best sleeping mask for those with oily yet dehydrated skin, as it is very heavy on the moisturizing ingredients but doesn’t have heavy occlusives that’ll weigh you down or make you feel greasy.
It’s an extremely soothing sleeping mask made with a range of minerals that hydrate and calm the skin. Its fragrance, of orange flower, rose, and sandalwood, is intended to have a mood calming effect that should prepare you for sleep. You can buy it from Sephora.
4. Kora Organics Noni Glow Sleeping Mask
If you’re an organic beauty fanatic, we think this will be the best sleeping mask for you. It boasts all of the exceptional hydrating effects of other sleeping masks, but with all-natural and organic ingredients. It contains some buzzy sounding ingredients like caviar lime and kakadu plum extracts, but the results don’t lie: this mask works shockingly well. The formula is one of the more occlusive ones here, so you can use it even with very dry skin. Order it online from Net-a-Porter!
5. Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask
This thick, velvety cream is an anti-aging sleeping mask meant for those with normal to dry skin, as it deeply hydrates the skin and prevents extrinsic aging. It is made with a blend of tea extracts to boost the skin’s free radical defenses, along with glycerin and hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate. Jojoba esters act as emollients to soften the skin and prevent water loss. Fermented extracts add a boost to the skin’s microbiome, making it the perfect soothing blend. You can find it at Sephora.
6. Lancôme Énergie de Vie Overnight Recovery Sleeping Mask
Even French brands like Lancôme are taking note of the incredible potential of a sleeping mask and releasing their own great versions. This mask contains goji berry extract to keep the skin bright and fresh, as well as lactic acid and glycerin to hydrate. This lovely formula is cooling, soothing and softening, especially for dry, normal, and combination skin types. It is available for purchase at Nordstrom.
7. Belif Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask
The mixture of natural ingredients and K-beauty formulation techniques makes this one of the best sleeping mask options for those with sensitive dry skin. It contains a variety of herbal extracts to soothe the skin overnight, ensuring you wake up with hydrated and clear skin that is free of redness. Pick it up at Sephora!
8. Amorepacific ‘Moisture Bound’ Sleeping Recovery Masque
This sleeping mask comes in the form of a lotion-gel that is light yet uniquely occlusive, helping to pull moisture into the skin but then sealing it in. This formula includes skin-soothing ginseng, moisturizing squalane, and both glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Further down the list it’s got some amazing vitamins and minerals to fortify the skin against environmental damage. You can get it from Nordstrom.
9. CosRx Low pH BHA Overnight Mask
This is by far the best sleeping mask choice if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin. It contains a gentle form of BHA for preventing breakouts, along with niacinamide for controlling oils. It’s still a moisturizing formula, however, with butylene glycol to hydrate and centella asiatica to soothe the skin. It comes in a squeeze tube, which we also appreciate for the cleanliness. Find it online at Ulta!
10. Shiseido Ibuki Beauty Sleeping Mask
This bouncy gel sleeping mask gives fantastic nourishment with a wrinkle-preventing and skin-brightening boost. Despite the light texture of this formula it is super hydrating, even in drier weather. To keep the skin youthful, it contains vitamins E and C, which are micro-encapsulated to ensure they stay fresh and potent even in the jar packaging. It is available at Barneys.
11. Dior Hydra Life Jelly Sleeping Mask
This is a Western take on K-beauty that uses some of the excellent ingredients we’d normally see in Korean products, like ultra-soothing centella extract and hyaluronic acid. It’d definitely be one of the best sleeping mask choices for those with sensitive and dry skin, as it is extremely soothing and hydrating, but also moisture-sealing. Needless to say, it comes in the form of a light gel. You can find this sleeping mask at Nordstrom.
12. Yes To Superblueberries Recharging Greek Yogurt & Probiotics Sleeping Mask
This gorgeous sleeping mask is a little on the heavier side and is quite similar to a night cream. It comes in one of the coolest packages we’ve seen: a squeeze tube with an applicator brush head, for a perfect, mess-free application. The formula is rich, so it’s ideal for dry skin or dry climates, with shea butter, almond oil, and some wonderfully soothing probiotics. You can buy it from Ulta.
13. Dr. Brandt Skincare Hydro Biotic Recovery Sleeping Mask
This is another one of the best sleeping mask options for those who require occlusion. It has a velvety texture thanks to dimethicone, while its skin-fortifying properties come from a probiotic complex. It’s just as hydrating as other masks on this list, but it’s a touch creamier, with a super calming lavender scent. It is sold online through Sephora.
14. Mamonde Calming Hydro Sleeping Mask
This super light hydrating mask should work beautifully for those with oily skin. We gotta fess up – it does contain some alcohol to thin out the formula, but that is totally offset by the incredible amount of glycerin, propanediol, and other hydrators. It also contains calendula and centella to soothe the skin. Pick it up at Ulta!
15. Patchology Restoring Night CloudMasque Sleeping Mask
This gorgeous sleeping mask is one of the best, even for dry climates. It loads the skin up with moisture, but it also seals things in to prevent evaporation. It is crafted with a robust collection of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant extracts like centella and chamomile, but there are also some excellent anti-aging and smoothing actives like retinol, niacinamide, and even some peptides.
It’s one of the best sleeping mask options for those wanting age-prevention. The scent is delicate and reminiscent of jasmine, which is quite calming before bed. Pick it up from Ulta!
Photos via @luciebfink, Sephora, Nordstrom