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Byrdie / Alli Waataja
We’re all aware that proper sleep has a myriad of health benefits, but what if you could add to that list by incorporating efficacious skincare meant to support your skin overnight? With these overnight face masks, you can. Contrary to most other masks that are meant to be worn for a short period of time and then washed off, sleeping masks are meant to be applied before bed and left on throughout the night. They come in a wide range of formulas that work to address various skin concerns and make for low-maintenance additions to any skincare routine.Â
So, in order to find the best ones on the market, we combined extensive research and put many of the most popular and well-loved options to the test, evaluating them based on application, feel, and effectiveness. We used these insights to share with you our top picks of the best overnight face masks.
Best Overall
Sisley Paris Velvet Sleeping Mask
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Nordstrom
Lightweight, silky texture
Deeply hydrating
Makes skin look and feel more plump
Fragranced
Formulated with a blend of rich, nourishing ingredients, like saffron flower extract, shea butter, thyme honey, plant-based glycerin, and more, this deeply hydrating mask is like an instant reset for dull, dry skin. It has a silky but lightweight texture that spreads across the face smoothly before absorbing into the skin and allowing for a comfortable night's sleep as you wear it—no need to worry about it sticking to your pillow.Â
In addition to praising its ability to hydrate her dry skin, our tester even found that after two weeks of using this mask on a consistent basis, she noticed a significant reduction in the frequency of breakouts. She was incredibly pleased with her skin after putting this luxe formula to the test, saying that her smooth, soft, and plumped results made the case for her to repurchase it.Â
Price at time of publish: $160
Benefits: Soothing, hydrating | Highlighted Ingredients: Saffron flower extract, thyme honey, shea butter | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Budget
Burt's Bees Hydrating Overnight Face Mask
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Burt's Bees
Creamy, non-greasy texture
Deeply hydratingÂ
Doesn’t contain synthetic fragrance
Affordable and accessibleÂ
Nothing
If you’re looking for an affordable hydrating mask that you can grab at the drugstore, we can’t recommend this one enough. It’s formulated with avocado oil and prebiotics to nourish and help support a healthy microbiome, and it’s extremely effective at moisturizing dry skin, as confirmed by our tester and hundreds of happy online reviewers. When you squeeze it out of the tube, it does feel thick, but once you massage it into the skin, it absorbs nicely and doesn’t create a tacky texture that sticks to your pillow or clothing.Â
Something really unique that both our tester and tons of online reviewers noted is that while many thicker, more rich hydrating products often cause them to break out, this one didn’t at all. Rather it worked to balance out their skin, leaving it moisturized, radiant, and comfortable.Â
Price at time of publish: from $4
Benefits: Hydrating | Highlighted Ingredients: Avocado oil, prebiotics | Size: 0.57, 2.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Splurge
Augustinus Bader The Face Cream Mask
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Augustinus Bader
Comes in refillable packagingÂ
Lightweight, creamy textureÂ
Helps to balance the skin and even toneÂ
Doesn’t contain synthetic fragrance
Leaves a minor tacky feeling on the skin
Applicator it comes with is small and doesn’t make the application process more efficientÂ
Augustinus Bader products come with some seriously hefty price tags, but considering how excellent this one is, we think it’s worth the splurge if you’re willing to invest in skincare. Created to be applied on clean, dry skin and worn overnight, the brand claims that this formula hydrates and plumps the skin, provides firming benefits, reduces hyperpigmentation and the appearance of fine lines, and boosts elasticity—all thanks to a blend of botanical extracts, vitamin C, squalane, and hyaluronic acid.Â
In terms of the application, our tester found that the included applicator was small and a bit awkward to maneuver, so she chose to apply the mask with her hands which worked well. The product absorbed really quickly, forcing our tester to work in sections as she applied it, but once absorbed into the skin, it left her face feeling comfortable and hydrated. She did share that it felt just the slightest bit tacky but not nearly enough to make sleeping uncomfortable.Â
Over the course of the test, she noticed that her dull, uneven skin was beginning to appear brighter, more even, and balanced—noting that she had fewer oily sections and dry patches across her face. Though she didn’t see a difference in the appearance of deep wrinkles, her skin looked plumper overall—so much so that someone asked her if she had gotten filler or botox. If you’re looking for a mask that will provide moisture, even your skin tone, and create a more plump appearance, this one has the Byrdie stamp of approval.Â
Price at time of publish: $215
Benefits: Hydrating, firming, smooths texture | Highlighted Ingredients: Swiss grape, vitamin C, ginseng extract, squalane | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
What Our Testers say
“I have noticed a difference in the brightness of my skin. My skin tone looks more even overall. I have fewer dry and oily patches, and my skin just feels more balanced to the touch.” —Bronwyn Barnes, Commerce VP
Best Hydrating
Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask
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Youth To The People
Rich consistency absorbs easilyÂ
Deeply hydrates
Brightens and boosts radianceÂ
Comes in recyclable packaging
The narrow shape of the jar is a bit tricky to scrape product out of
If you struggle to keep your face sufficiently moisturized, adding a moisturizing overnight mask into your skincare routine can make a real difference. This hydrating and radiance-boosting overnight mask contains maqui (an antioxidant-rich berry,) squalane, hyaluronic acid, and THD ascorbate, a stable form of vitamin C to improve the look and feel of your skin while you sleep. The powerful ingredients are housed in a rich, body butter-like texture that quickly melts into the skin, leaving it dewy, hydrated, and soothed.Â
Our tester, who deals with dry skin and a bit of melasma, raved about how incredible this mask is, saying that it worked beautifully to moisturize her skin and even helped to fade some of her redness and melasma. She also explained that while she typically needs to reapply moisturizer every few hours during the cold months, she was able to forgo this during the testing period because this mask kept her face hydrated and nourished enough. At the end of the two-week testing period, her skin was feeling softer and more balanced, and she noticed a real improvement in the radiance of her complexion.
Price at time of publish: from $18
Benefits: Hydrating, brightening, plumping | Highlighted Ingredients: Antioxidant-rich superberries, vitamin C | Size: 0.5, 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
What Our Testers Say
“This mask promises hydration and glow, and it has delivered on both! Oscillating between the cold, windy outside air and the dry artificial heat inside is the perfect storm for tight, dehydrated skin. However, I haven't been dealing with it to the extent that I normally do this winter, and I certainly believe this mask is to thank!” —Abby Moore, Tester
Best Exfoliating
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment
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Sephora
Lightweight, water-gel texture
Fast-absorbingÂ
Provides hydrationÂ
Works to smooth uneven skin texture
Can be slightly sensitizing on sensitive skinÂ
Contains synthetic fragranceÂ
If you peruse TikTok, then chances are you’re familiar with this viral face mask. And we can confirm: it lives up to its praise. The water-gel texture is bouncy and extremely lightweight, making it comfortable to wear as you sleep, and the formula delivers on its claims. Created with a blend of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides, and watermelon enzymes, this formula works to hydrate the skin, promote radiance, and gently exfoliate.
Although our tester found it to be slightly sensitizing when she used it more than one night in a row, using it just two to three nights per week ended up being a sweet spot for her—it was no longer irritating, and it helped her to achieve some really impressive results. After her first use, she immediately noticed a reduction in texture on her chin the next morning. With continued use, she said her skin was more hydrated, even, bright, and smooth. Our editors and tester agree—it’s like an at-home facial in a jar. We highly recommend checking it out if you’re dealing with uneven skin texture, dullness, or skin dehydration.Â
Price at time of publish: from $21
Benefits: Exfoliating, hydrating, brightening | Highlighted Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, quinoa peptide, watermelon enzymes | Size: 0.8, 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
What Our Testers Say
“My face is smoother, softer, and firmer than before I started using the mask. And it's definitely more radiant—my skin also looks more plump and hydrated. This has totally transformed my winter skin—it's like an at-home facial!” —Sarah Felbin, TesterÂ
Best Soothing
Fresh Floral Recovery Redness Reducing Overnight Mask
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Sephora
Smooth, creamy textureÂ
Makes skin feel more hydrated
Helps to soothe redness
Contains synthetic fragranceÂ
A bit pricey compared to moisturizers that perform similarlyÂ
Whether it’s the result of harsh weather, over-exfoliating, or anything else, sometimes our skin feels irritated, hot to the touch, or inflamed. If you experience these sensations often, having a product in your skincare stash that can help to soothe stressed skin is so valuable. This one is a fantastic option because it’s formulated with passionflower and cornflower extracts because of their soothing properties, as well as vitamin C, squalane, to brighten, smooth, and hydrate the skin. The texture is a dense cream that feels really nourishing and pillowy on the skin (though not greasy or oily), and it’s comfortable to sleep in so long as you don’t over-apply it.
Both our tester and online reviewers praise it for its hydrating ability, in addition to how effectively it works to calm redness and enhance the skin’s glow. Although we really enjoy the formula and think it’s a great choice for anyone seeking a soothing overnight mask, it’s worth pointing out that it does function similarly to calming moisturizers, many of which are more affordable. However, if you’re looking for a rich, creamy formula that was specifically created to act as an overnight mask, you can’t go wrong with this one.Â
Price at time of publish: from $28
Benefits: Calming, soothing | Highlighted Ingredients: Floral extracts, vitamin C, squalane | Size: 1, 3.3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Firming
Sulwhasoo Timetreasure Invigorating Sleeping Mask
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Sulwhasoo
Comes with a soft applicator tool
Gentle, creamy texture doesn’t leave behind a residueÂ
Hydrates and smoothes skinÂ
Helps create a more firm appearanceÂ
Contains synthetic fragrance
If you’re noticing signs of aging, like dullness, fine lines, and a lack of elasticity, firming skincare products can help to combat these. This one has a creamy texture that feels plush and comfortable on the skin, and it’s formulated with antioxidant-rich Korean red pine extract (an anti-aging ingredient) as well as red ginseng to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also comes with a little brush applicator that’s high-quality, ultra-soft, and adds to the luxurious self-care experience.
Our tester, who has dry skin, said she adored the texture of this mask, saying it’s creamy and moisturizing but not so much that it feels heavy or oily. She loved applying it with the included brush, and she mentioned that it layered beautifully on top of her retinol cream without pilling. At the end of the testing period, she shared that her face felt significantly smoother (even her boyfriend noticed), it was far less dry than before, and she noticed a reduction in the appearance of fine lines, making her skin look firmer overall. There’s no denying that this overnight mask is pricey, but it’s truly a luxurious product that features an elevated user experience and delivers some impressive results.Â
Price at time of publish: $200
Benefits: Hydrating, firming, smoothing | Highlighted Ingredients: Korean red pine extract, red ginseng | Size: 2.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Brightening
Saturday Skin Yuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask
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Nordstrom
Thick, jelly-like texture is comfortable on the skinÂ
Fragrance-freeÂ
Provides deep hydration
Helps to lessen the appearance of fine lines
Leaves some yuzu particles on the skin
Who doesn’t want to wake up with bright, glowy skin? According to our tester (and tons of online reviews), this mask is the secret to rolling out of bed with a radiant complexion. The thick, jelly texture is surprisingly comfortable to sleep in, despite it leaving behind some small yuzu particles on the skin. Though not ideal, our tester said the particles didn’t inhibit the experience or make a mess. The mask feels gentle and hydrating, and the combination of antioxidant-rich yuzu, niacinamide, and retinol work together to brighten, and smooth the skin while evening the complexion.
Calling it a “facial in a bottle,” our tester raved about how awesome this made her skin look and feel. After her first use, she immediately noticed an improvement in her skin's softness and radiance. Over time, she continued to see these benefits with the addition of a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and texture. And although the mask doesn’t contain an added synthetic fragrance, she noted that it has a really fresh, pleasant citrusy scent. If you’ve been looking for an overnight mask to brighten your complexion, this is a fantastic choice.Â
Price at time of publish: $29
Benefits: Smoothing, hydrating, brightening | Highlighted Ingredients: Yuzu, niacinamide, retinol | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Final Verdict
Our favorite overnight face mask is the Sisley Paris Velvet Sleeping Mask with Saffron Flowers. It has a lightweight, luxurious texture, provides deep hydration, and it helps the skin look and feel significantly more plump. But if you’re looking for a more affordable option, the Burt's Bees Hydrating Overnight Face Mask does an excellent job of hydrating the skin.
Meet the Expert
- Dr. Angela Lamb is a New York City-based dermatologist who serves as the head of Mount Sinai West Dermatology and is also Veracity advisor.
How We Tested
After reading the manufacturing directions on the package of the face wash they chose, each tester used their overnight face mask at least three times per week during the two-week testing period. They took progress photos, noted any changes they saw or felt in their skin, and evaluated their masks based on application, feel, and effectiveness. Those that scored highest appear on this list.Â
Other Options We Tested
Cocokind Resurfacing Sleep Mask
While our tester did notice that this resurfacing night mask helped smooth her skin texture, she found the texture to be quite thin and sticky, making it not the most comfortable to sleep in.
Truly Starface Jelly Sleep Mask
The color of this jelly mask is so fun and different, but our tester found that it transferred quite a bit onto her pillow and felt pretty heavy on her skin.
Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Mask
This popular overnight mask claims to plump and restore the skin while you sleep, but our tester didn’t notice any difference in the hydration, plumpness, or radiance of her complexion after using it consistently.
What to Look for in Overnight Face Masks
Benefits
As is true with all face masks, it’s important to consider what benefits your overnight mask will provide. You’ll find that a large portion of overnight masks are best for giving the skin an extra boost of hydration, but there are absolutely options that tout different benefits. For example, the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment provides gentle exfoliation in addition to hydrating and brightening the skin. Considering the formula and benefits is essential in order to ensure that the mask you choose will help you achieve your skincare goals.
Ingredients
Be sure to consider what ingredients are in your overnight mask so that you can ensure it’s a fitting product for you. As for specific ingredients to seek out, Dr. Angela Lamb recommends choosing a formula that contains hyaluronic acid. “This [hyaluronic acid] has a low irritation profile and can be very effective for trapping in moisture especially in the winter,” she says. The Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask is a great option containing hyaluronic acid.
She also explains that there are certain ingredients that are best to avoid. “As with all skincare products, I look for formulations that are free of endocrine disruptors, so you know they're safe for your skin but also your overall health.”
Why Trust Byrdie
Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.
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