We’ll be the first to admit that we love the idea of a daytime skincare routine more than the actual practice.
The reason is simple: It feels heavy, and there’s always that mid-day shine to greet us in the mirror. From layering on serum, to sunscreen, to a light moisturiser… sometimes a good hydrating face mist, and some eye cream are enough (or so we tell ourselves).
So the best thing we do to care for our skin all day is to sleep. And while clocking in rest, overnight hydration masks actually feel cool and nice on the skin. The results have been amazing — waking up with skin that feels plump, incredibly soft and hydrated.
It’s become a mission when skincare shopping to look for overnight sleeping masks (to make up for daytime guilt), and we’ve found our favourites below.
Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

According to Laneige, a jar of this overnight face mask is sold every 12 seconds — and the brand has already sold over 16 million. The brand has become synonymous with this cult favourite; harnessing its exclusive Sleep-Tox technology that purifies the skin and normalises skin that’s been sensitised by stress during the day. The mask is packed with moisture, thanks to ingredients like Hydro Ion Mineral water, evening primrose root extract, Hunza apricot extracts and more.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque

If you have really dry skin, try the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque. It has ingredients like Ophiopogon Japonicus Extract, also known as “Fountain Plant”, and pro-hydration glacial proteins that help protect and reinforce the skin barrier. This formula can feel a little thick, but that’s a good thing for colder sleeping conditions like air-conditioning that tend to dry the skin out.
The History of Whoo Gongjinhyang Soo Hydrating Overnight Mask

More love for Korean skincare and overnight masks on this list. The History of Whoo has its roots in skincare designed for the Korean royal family, and if they were fans of early versions of the Gongjinhyang Soo Hydrating Overnight Mask, it’s safe to assume they had the healthiest complexions around. The formula packs camellia extract to “lower heat”, Kyongokbidan to help circulate hydration, and is slightly acidic to match the natural pH level of our skin.
Shiseido Waso Beauty Sleeping Mask

If the popular ingredient hyaluronic acid has been your friend so far, try this mask. It targets skin prone to breakouts and visibly large pores by feeing it with botanical ingredients like yuzu seed extract and Vitamin A from carrot cells. A generous amount of the product before bedtime is perfect as prep for a big event the next day, and especially for softer skin that looks smooth under foundation.
Sulwhasoo Timetreasure Invigorating Sleeping Mask

This Sulwhasoo sleeping mask is infused with concentrated Upright Korean Red Pine, which is prized for its anti-ageing properties. Application is easy and fuss-free: Simply dispense a dollop on the back of your hand and use the included brush to slather it over your face, while avoiding your eye area. Next, get your beauty rest and look forward to waking up with clearer and firmer skin.
This story first appeared on Prestige Malaysia
(Main photo: Zulmaury Saavedra/ Unsplash; Featured photo: Coline Hasle/ Unsplash)