:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(2999x0:3001x2)/the-best-overnight-face-masks-of-tested-and-reviewed-badge-new-tout-c6af986c44f1475da72ebdb1e7b0f02b.jpg?w=1500&resize=1500,1000&ssl=1 "We Tested Overnight Face Masks and the Winner Smoothed Fine Lines and Brightened Skin with Just One Use"){kind=icon}
If you’re not boosting your beauty sleep with an overnight face mask, you’re missing out. The best overnight face masks support and repair your skin while you snooze, helping you wake up hydrated, refreshed, and glowing. Better yet, you don’t have to set a timer to rinse or peel them off. Like our favorite night creams, these pillow-proof formulations go to work as you rest, so all you have to do is rinse them off once you’re up.
The More You Know
“Skin regeneration is at its height between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., and cell turnover increases when the body is in a deep, restful sleep,” Dr. Dendy Engelman tells PEOPLE.
From smoothing bumps to quenching dryness, there’s a mask for every need. To figure out which ones are worth introducing into your nighttime routine, PEOPLE Tested changed into our favorite pajamas to trial 23 popular versions, evaluating them thoroughly for application, feel, and effectiveness.
Read on for the best overnight face masks PEOPLE Tested.
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Leaves skin brighter, softer, and hydrated
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Jelly texture feels soothing and refreshing on skin
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Results are noticeable and immediate
Our winning formula is this irresistible Saturday Skin jelly mask, which features a bouncy, lightweight texture. The formula contains yuzu extract, which has three times more vitamin C than any other citrus fruit. It’s paired with niacinamide and retinol for additional brightening, smoothing, and refining effects.
The mask feels a little goopy going on, so scoop it out with the included applicator. In testing, we did note that the mini applicator was slightly difficult to maneuver with the product texture, so it would be nice to use this with a larger applicator. That said, we had no complaints whatsoever about the formula. The brand recommends using it from three to five times a week, but we found that two to three was enough to leave skin in excellent shape. Not only did it make skin feel softer and brighter after a single use, but it also made fine lines much less visible and provided lasting hydration. It was so effective that the results were on par with what you would expect from an esthetician’s facial.
Size: 1.69 oz. | Skin Type: Normal, oily, combination, dry | Star Ingredients: Yuzu extract, niacinamide, retinol (vitamin A) | Fragrance: No
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Plush, thick moisturizer
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In testing, it improved hyperpigmentation
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Makes skin look dewy, not oily
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Absorbs quickly without leaving residue
A close second to our overall winner, this decadent face mask is so creamy, it almost feels like a body butter or an especially thick moisturizer. It’s a great option if you tend to find overnight face masks watery. Despite its plush texture, we found that it absorbed almost immediately upon application and didn’t leave behind any greasy residue. It’s formulated with a blend of antioxidant-rich superberries and stabilized vitamin C to target dullness and uneven skin tone.
In testing, it earned a callout for fading hyperpigmentation from breakouts and melasma, as well as deeply hydrating dry, flaky patches. We were especially impressed with the results after two weeks. Applied nightly (as the brand recommends), it improved hydration and gave our skin a dewy — not oily — glow.
Size: 2 oz. | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, dull | Star Ingredients: Vitamin C; superberry blend of maqui, acai, prickly pear, goji berry; sunflower, moringa, squalane | Fragrance: Yes (natural fragrance)
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Consider this proof that drugstore options are just as effective as any luxury sleep mask. This one gives you an affordable way to treat your skin while you sleep. Made for nightly use, it’s formulated with avocado oil for a dose of nourishing fatty acids. It also contains prebiotics to help moisturize and balance your microbiome.
The squeeze tube makes it easy to dispense and the creamy, lightweight texture absorbs quickly. The mask completely absorbs after a few minutes but still manages to intensely hydrate all night. In testing, we found it had a calming effect on the skin, keeping breakouts at bay while it soothed dryness. Our skin felt smoother and softer and received a bonus radiance boost — everything we could ask for from a hydrating mask.
Size: 2.5 oz. | Skin Type: All | Star Ingredients: Avocado oil, prebiotics | Fragrance: Yes (natural fragrance)
People / Michael Navarro
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Dry skin will drink up this fragrance-free formula, which helps nourish, hydrate, and calm with a blend of glycerin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and antioxidants. The lightweight cream feels just like your favorite moisturizer, absorbing quickly and leaving skin feeling hydrated without getting overly wet or greasy. It’s gentle enough to use whenever you need it — we tested it nightly and it left our skin incredibly moisturized with no signs of dryness.
According to the brand, this mask was designed to leave skin looking renewed and radiant. We didn’t notice much improvement in terms of texture or glow. That said, the hydration this delivers is so powerful, and we’ll reach for it whenever we start feeling dry.
Size: 2.25 oz. | Skin Type: All, especially stressed and dry skin | Star Ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, hyaluronic acid | Fragrance: No
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AHA blend smoothes and resurfaces skin without irritation
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Leaves skin looking plumped and dewy
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Refreshingly watery texture
Ditch your face scrub for this exfoliating overnight mask, which was made to give your skin a complete reset overnight. Like some other chemical exfoliators, it’s formulated with a pH-balanced AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) blend that smoothes your skin without irritating it. It also contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, quinoa peptide, and watermelon enzymes to add a hydrating, firming boost to the exfoliating action. We purposely tested it on sensitive skin and were amazed at the results. Applied two to three times a week, it immediately left our skin feeling smooth and fresh. A single use helped reduce bumps and texture on the chin area and left a plumped, hydrated finish that could only be described as transformative.
One of the reasons why this mask is so popular is that it’s also a sensorial treat. Not only does it smell like the juiciest fresh watermelon, but it also has a refreshingly watery texture. While loved the way it sank into the skin, the slippery gel was slightly difficult to handle with our fingers. While the brand does sell a reusable spatula separately, it would be great if it was included with the mask for easier application.
Size: 2.02 oz. | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily | Star Ingredients: AHA/glycolic complex, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, quinoa peptide, watermelon enzymes | Fragrance: Yes
People / Sarah Felbin
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Designed for flare-ups and signs of sensitivity, this calming mask is formulated with floral extracts like passionflower, cornflower, and cherry blossom to counteract redness overnight. It also contains vitamin C and squalane for overall brightening and smoothing. The texture feels like an especially rich moisturizer, enveloping your face in a silky, moisturizing cocoon.
We did notice that because the mask was so thick and nourishing, it took about 10 minutes to truly sink in and left oily zones feeling slightly greasy until washed off. Used three times a week, it made our skin feel incredibly hydrated and left it looking more even. We weren’t able to test it on any emergency flare-ups, but we definitely noticed an overall soothing effect that left skin looking and feeling healthier.
Size: 3.3 oz. | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive | Star Ingredients: Floral extracts (passionflower, cornflower, cherry blossom, and peony), vitamin C, squalane | Fragrance: Yes
People / Jada Allison
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Rejuvenated skin and made it feel softer
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Works especially well on areas with large pores
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Sinks in quickly and doesn’t feel greasy
Formulated to firm and nourish, this mask also gives skin an intensely brightening boost. The thicker, frosting-like texture absorbs quickly and doesn’t feel greasy or leave behind residue. The blend of prickly pear oil, shea butter, and immortelle essential oil is designed to regenerate skin, plumping and firming with each use. To put it to the test, we used it on skin with collagen deficiencies to see how it would stack up.
After one application, we noticed that the skin felt immediately softer. The firming effect was subtle, but we were impressed by the mask’s ability to boost glow and smooth skin. Used two to three times a week, it also made the skin texture look more even, which was particularly noticeable in areas with large pores. While the tube packaging looked pretty, we sometimes had issues with the cap not screwing on evenly.
Size: 1.69 oz. | Skin Type: All skin types, especially dry or mature skin | Star Ingredients: Prickly pear oil, shea butter, immortelle essential oil | Fragrance: No
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Left skin feeling incredibly smooth, soft, and hydrated
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Squeeze tube makes it easy to apply
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Effective for calming and clearing up breakouts
This was the most surprising overnight mask we tested. While it’s formulated to deeply hydrate dry skin, we found it was equally powerful at calming and clearing up breakouts. It’s packaged in a squeeze tube, making it easy to pack for travel. You only need a little bit to coat your face, and the lightweight texture sinks in so fast that it’s barely noticeable. What you will notice: a ton of instant hydration from saffron flowers and other restorative ingredients.
It’s recommended that you use it once or twice a week, but we loved the results so much that we used it every other night without any irritation issues. Instead, it left skin feeling firm, smooth, and incredibly soft — clearing away any traces of dryness while also eliminating stray chin breakouts. It’s expensive, but if you can swing it, it’s worth the high price tag.
Size: 2 oz. | Skin Type: Dry, combination, sensitive, acne-prone | Star Ingredients: Thyme honey, shea butter, macadamia oil, cottonseed oil, kokum butter, Japanese lilyturf and padina pavonica extracts | Fragrance: Yes
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If you’re looking for an overnight face mask that makes you feel like royalty, Sulwhasoo’s sleeping mask is a magical experience. It comes with a super soft brush that gently glides the mask over your skin. The consistency of the mask itself is creamy, light, and soothing. The blend of Korean red pine extract and red ginseng sinks in right away, working to replenish dry skin, smooth fine lines, and boost glow.
The brand recommends using it a few times a week, but we couldn’t resist nightly applications during testing — the results were just that good. It minimized dryness, faded fine lines, and left skin feeling smooth and soft with each application. We also noticed a refreshing, calming effect; skin seemed less prone to breakouts and was noticeably glowier.
Size: 2.7 oz. | Skin Type: All skin types, especially dry or mature skin | Star Ingredients: Korean red pine, red ginseng | Fragrance: Yes
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PHOTO: People / Chantia Murphy
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PHOTO: People / Chantia Murphy
What to Know About Overnight Face Masks
Price
Most overnight face masks are meant to be used as a supplement to your skin-care routine a few nights a week, so keep in mind that a single tube or tub will last a long time. Most of the winning formulas we found do skew toward the pricier side, but the results were on par with what we would expect from a professional facial — all from the comfort of our homes. We also found some great affordable options, like Burt’s Bees Hydrating Overnight Face Mask and our overall winner, Saturday Skin Yuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask.
Consistency and Packaging
The right consistency and packaging is truly dependent on your personal preference. Some of our testers delighted in thicker formulas that reminded them of rich moisturizers, while others liked the refreshing sensation of a watery gel. Packaging recommendations also depend on how you personally like to dispense and apply products. For some, tubes like Summer Fridays’ Jet Lag Mask are the perfect option for on-the-go application. Others love the sensory experience of a tub and applicator like Sulwhasoo’s Timetreasure Invigorating Sleeping Mask. Go for the consistency and packaging that fits best with your skin-care routine.
Skin Type and Ingredients
Just like with any other face mask, the most important thing to keep in mind when shopping for overnight face masks is your skin type and the ingredients and formulations it needs. You can figure this out just by looking at the label on your mask, but to get you started, we consulted Dr. Engelman for some expert advice.
Dry Skin
If you have dry or dehydrated skin, you’ll want to look for masks designed for hydration and barrier repair. “The most important ingredients to look for in overnight masks for dry skin are peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid,” says Dr. Engelman. “These ingredients promote cell renewal, which helps to restore what was lost during the day, and work to make the skin hydrated, firm and plump.” One of her personal favorites for dry skin is also a PEOPLE Tested pick: the Sisley Paris Velvet Sleeping Mask, which our testing team found also worked great for calming acne and redness. Dr. Engelman says the ingredients are excellent “for soothing and hydrating dry skin.”
Combination Skin
Combination skin types benefit from a combination of ingredients. Dr. Engelman recommends masks with peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid to repair and strengthen your skin’s barrier function. At the same time, you can also look for gentle AHAs like lactic acid and glycolic acid. “These are great for combination skin because they provide hydration for drier areas of the face while balancing the skin and removing dead skin cells without irritation,” she says. Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment, our pick for the best exfoliating mask, fits the bill.
Oily Skin
According to Dr. Engelman, oily skin types should avoid fragrance, alcohol, and other irritants that can lead to breakouts. If you know your skin is sensitive to fragrance, we’ve clarified which of our winners are fragrance-free. (Summer Fridays’ Jet Lag Mask is a great option.) That said, not all oily skin types will react negatively to fragrance, so if you’re unsure, do a patch test first. You’ll also want to look for pore-unclogging ingredients like salicylic acid or overall “balanced formulas” with clarifying ingredients.
Sensitive Skin
Gel masks are your best bet for sensitive skin. “They’re soothing and provide lots of moisture,” says Dr. Engelman. Look for ingredients like ceramides and peptides, which help strengthen and repair your barrier function. We also love the calming ingredients found in Fresh’s Floral Recovery Redness Reducing Overnight Mask.
Acneic Skin
Drying out acne-prone skin can actually lead to more breakouts. Instead, Dr. Engelman recommends using hydrating ingredients. In testing, we also found that the deeply moisturizing Sisley Paris Velvet Sleeping Mask effectively soothed chin breakouts. “Hyaluronic acid helps wounds heal faster and reduces scarring, while helping to keep the skin barrier healthy through hydration,” she says. Balance it with clarifying formulations that sweep away pore-clogging skin cells.
Behind the Scenes
To find the best overnight face masks on the market, our testers evaluated 23 popular options over a period of two weeks. We used them at least three times a week — or less often if specifically recommended by the brand.
- Application: After cleansing and applying our usual nighttime skin-care products, we applied a thin, even layer of each mask, waiting for it to fully absorb before going to sleep. We noted how easy it was to apply and how it felt immediately after application and after sinking into our skin.
- Before and After Photos: Our testers took before-and-after photos of their skin to track both the immediate and long-term results.
- Ratings: After two weeks of intense masking, we rated each one’s application, feel, and overall effectiveness. Each attribute was given a score of 1 to 5 and the numerical scoring was taken into consideration along with the individual testers’ comments. Multiple masks on our list received perfect 5s, including a Burt’s Bees mask that’s under $15.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What do overnight face masks do?
Overnight face masks are leave-on formulas that support your skin with key ingredients while you sleep and your skin goes into repair mode. “Skin is vulnerable to losing water during this time, so using overnight face masks can create a permeable seal on top of the skin that helps prevent excess moisture loss,” says Dr. Engelman. Additionally, they’re often formulated with ingredients that boost your skin’s natural repair functions.
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Will overnight face masks stain your pillowcase?
Formulations have come a long way, and today’s overnight face masks are typically designed to be totally pillow-proof. In testing, our pillows all survived the night. That said, make sure to wait for your mask to fully absorb before you go to bed. Dr. Engelman recommends applying 30 minutes before you sleep, which helps ensure total absorption and prevent staining.
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How often should you use overnight face masks?
Frequency depends on the type of formulation you use. Always read the instructions and pay attention to your skin’s needs. Dr. Engelman says most masks don’t need to be used more than once a week. “It’s a great way to give your skin an extra boost,” she says. Some masks are designed to be used nightly, but using a weekly mask too often can also be too much of a good thing. “This can be too intense and result in other skin problems,” she says. “It’s important to let your skin breathe through the night sometimes.”
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Sarah Y. Wu is a freelance contributor for PEOPLE and has been a freelance beauty editor, copy director, and brand consultant since 2010. Her bylines have appeared on Glamour, Vogue, Teen Vogue, Byrdie, Marie Claire, Women’s Health, WWD, TZR, and Forbes. Previously, she was the contributing content director for Milk Makeup, where she relaunched the brand’s editorial platform in 2022. For this piece, she analyzed the insights from our team of testers, who tried 23 hair masks at home for two weeks. She also interviewed Dr. Dendy Engelman, a cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, for an expert’s opinion on effective overnight face masks.
Our Expert Panel
- Dendy Engelman, M.D., FACMS, FAAD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at New York’s Shafer Clinic.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
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