11 Overnight Face Masks for Expert Beauty Sleep (2025)

Think of this wrapping mask as a blanket of skincare for your face. Use the silicone applicator that comes with it to apply a layer onto the skin. Leave it on while you sleep, then peel it off in the morning for skin that really looks like glass. Ceramides in the gel keep skin from losing moisture while collagen extract replenishes elasticity. There's also adenosine to smooth out fine lines. It's also worth noting that while many peel-off masks can feel tight once dry, this one remains flexible, allowing you to sleep in it comfortably.

Customer review: "Love it! Makes my skin hydrating, glowing, and glassy. It’s definitely expensive, but worth it! When applying, you have to make sure you placed the right amount so that it peels off right. It’s very satisfying and when I wake up in the morning and peel it off. It definitely makes my skin feel great. Overall, it’s a great product!" —Yanne

Laneige is undoubtedly one of the originators of the sleeping mask trend, and every formula, whether it's for lips or the entire face, like this one, delivers big on moisture. A combination of smoothing niacinamide, moisturizing squalene, and barrier-protecting probiotics restores the skin to a healthy state and then maintains it.

Customer review: "I don’t know what type of sorcery is in this but my skin LOVES IT. I was just dealing with a bit of dermatitis around my nose, and after two nights of using this, it cleared right up. My skin looks visibly hydrated and glowy in the morning." —Caitscott

If you've ever tried Augustinus Bader's day cream, you'll know how transformative it is for fine lines and wrinkles. This mask takes things up a notch with a heftier dose of the brand's proprietary blend, which is packed with plumping Swiss grape extract, brightening vitamin C, and skin-smoothing ginseng. The formula is an investment, but it's adaptive, which means it'll adjust to meet your specific skin needs. So it's like having a customized cream made just for your skin.

Customer review: "This mask is amazing. I use it as an overnight treatment when my skin is feeling dehydrated. I wake up with brighter, smoother, hydrated skin. It is also my go-to before an event, apply & leave it on for a couple of hours-perfect prep before makeup." —Amanda

Stressors from the day can suck moisture from our skin, and you'll likely lose even more with your nightly face wash. Replenish lost nutrients with this hydrating mask that pushes moisturizing glycerin and a blend of antioxidants, including prickly pear, mugwort extract, and vitamin E, deep into the skin to erase dryness completely.

Customer review: "My skin is more supple and youthful-looking since using. Dryness is completely gone. My makeup even looks nicer! I’ve tried many products over the years and this is the best, by far." —Denise00700

This luxurious, brightening option is Akram's favorite for diminishing dullness. "It gives you hydration and a glow. Smooth it on evenly before bed and let it absorb while you sleep. No need to wash it off until the morning," she suggests. The lipid and protein-rich cream helps restore compromised skin barriers and then delivers potent antioxidants to keep it protected from further damage.

Customer review: "A must for dry skin or damaged moisture barriers. This is the best mask for fixing any dry patches or red, damaged skin (e.g. overexfoliation, sunburn, Retin-A, etc.). I use this at night as needed rather than every night, so it lasts a really long time. Fixes the damaged skin in a couple of days and brings it back to normal." —Ryan

Sensitive and irritated skin will find plenty of comfort from the star of this mask, propolis honey. The ingredient takes down redness, soothes stressed skin, and locks in moisture. To top it off, there's also royal jelly that firms the skin while nourishing it.

Customer review: "This overnight mask is a true gem for anyone with dry, aging skin, especially during the winter season. The texture is rich and luxurious, and upon application, it feels incredibly soothing and hydrating. The mask is absorbed quickly, leaving my skin feeling soft, plump, and deeply moisturized." —MHR

Paula's Choice looks to proven ingredients to minimize redness and restore skin after it's been exposed to environmental stressors throughout the day. Reishi mushroom and cloudberry help alleviate irritation, while shea butter and glycerin provide protection against free radicals and replenish moisture. The gel-cream works well on any skin type, particularly on reactive skin.

Customer review: "I have extremely sensitive skin. This mask is a game-changer and will reduce redness, blotchiness, and dryness in my skin. Love it!" —JM

While this is technically a cream, it can be used as a mask—just don't wash it off in the morning. Japanese indigo extract works on redness, but the focus here is on restoring a compromised skin barrier and sealing in moisture. That's done with Mondo grass root and a blend of biomimetic ceramides, respectively. The use of indigo in the treatment dates back centuries to Japanese samurai who wore indigo-dyed garments to heal injuries.

Customer review: "I have a lot of redness and dry, sensitive skin on my cheeks, and this product is amazing for all three. I can wear it in the morning or at night as more of a mask, and it works perfectly for both. Highly recommend if you’re easily sensitive to other products." —Brittany T.

Caviar for the face? Yes, please. Le Masque is filled with 100,000 tiny bubbles containing omega-9 oleic acid sourced from microalgae that burst and melt into the skin as you rub it in. The fatty acid nourishes dry skin without leaving it feeling oily or greasy in the morning. Packed into the tiny spheres are also meadowfoam seed oil, which softens rough skin and has antioxidant benefits, and shea butter to top off the hydration.

Customer review: "Amazing! I have tried dozens of moisturizers/serums and this is the best one yet! I struggle with dry skin and have never found anything hydrating enough to make a difference. This is a miracle worker. I wake up in the morning and my face is hydrated and glowing. I have also been able to start using Retinol again and apply this afterwards for an amazing overnight treatment. I can’t recommend enough." —Joeleen

Smoothing the texture of your skin, including making pores appear smaller, usually requires the purging of gunk so pores shrink back to a normal size. As the name suggests, this treatment does exactly what it says. A combination of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic and lactic acids, along with gluconolactone, a polyhydroxy acid (PHA), breaks down oil and grime from deep within pores. Once cleared, the once stretched pores look visibly smaller.

Customer review: "I was skeptical at first but wow did it work! I've been using the porefessional primer for years now to make my pores look smaller and now there's a way to make them actually shrink! I was shocked to see the results and I'm obsessed!" —Macy

If you have yet to give retinol a go in your routine, here's your chance. The slightly lower dosage is more tolerable across skin types, without compromising how well it works to smooth and firm skin. Not only does it have a retinol complex, but it also has bakuchiol, a retinol alternative that is gentler but just as effective. And since retinol tends to be drying and potentially irritating, this formula also contains hyaluronic acid, soothing aloe, bisabolol, and ginger to reduce inflammation, as well as lactic acid, which helps stimulate ceramide production to lock in moisture.

Customer review: "I wasn’t expecting to love the Ageless+ Retinol Overnight Masque as much as I do—but wow. The 0.5% retinol complex is just enough to be effective without making my skin freak out, and I wake up with that super smooth, glow-from-within kind of vibe. It feels luxe going on (like skincare-meets-self-care), and it’s actually helped even out my texture without any irritation. I’ve officially added it to my nighttime rotation." —Monty W.

The steps and frequency for each mask most often depend on the ingredients. Overnight masks with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and even peptides can usually be applied daily.

Stronger formulas with retinol or exfoliating acids are typically only suitable once or twice a week. Some masks come with an applicator while others need to be applied by hand. Always start with a clean face and take note if the instructions say to rinse in the morning or leave it on. You should always apply an SPF in the morning, but especially if you're wearing a retinol-laced mask to bed.

Using an overnight face mask is super easy. Cleanse your skin with your usual skincare routine (skip heavy moisturizers) and then apply the overnight mask.

• Sarah Akram is a licensed master esthetician and founder of Sarah Akram Skincare.

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