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Let’s dive into one of skin care’s most slept-on products—literally. The best overnight face masks are rich creams, balms, and gels that cocoon your skin, working while you sleep to hydrate, smooth, and restore. As board-certified dermatologist Dr. Charles Puza puts it: “Think of it as a ‘smart blanket’ for your skin—overnight masks trap hydration, reduce dryness, and enhance penetration of beneficial ingredients for smoother, plumper skin by morning.” These aren’t your 10-minute clay masks. Unlike rinse-offs, Puza adds, overnight masks “use film-formers and encapsulated ingredients that release slowly and are gentle enough for eight hours of wear. In short: rinse-offs are sprinters; overnight masks are marathoners.” Textures range from lightweight gels to creamy balms and Vaseline-like hybrids. Some feel cooling and sink right in, while others form a richer, more occlusive layer. And while hydration often takes the spotlight, most modern masks are multitaskers. “Formulators design masks around the skin’s main needs: hydration, barrier support, exfoliation, or brightening,” explains Dr. Nicole Ruth, board certified dermatologist “The good news is that many do double (or triple) duty, so you can tackle dryness and dullness—or calm irritation and boost radiance—in one step.” Below, we’ve rounded up ten of the best overnight face masks, plus an in-depth Q&A with Dr. Puza and Dr. Ruth to help you get your glow on. Stockholm-based Narcyss is a favorite among the skin care set for good reason. The Paris-via-Sweden brand champions small-batch production, clean formulations, and chic packaging (with equally cool names). Many of its products lean on adaptogens—active plant and mushroom extracts that naturally protect and repair skin. The Beach Grass Overnight Mask is powered by antioxidant-rich Schisandra (a woody vine native to the far east) and the ever-reliable niacinamide for hydration and barrier support. Texture-wise, it’s a luxurious balm-cream hybrid that melts into the skin yet forms a light occlusive layer that quenches and won’t smudge your pillow. I woke up to skin that looked dewy, calm, and noticeably more even. It doesn’t exfoliate or pull any flashy tricks, but it’s a stellar (and stylish) way to ease into the overnight mask game. Hydrating / Barrier Repair / Soothing Key Ingredients Schisandra (protects & firms), Niacinamide (hydrates & evens), Camelina Seed Oil (soothes) You don't typically think of an exfoliator as something you'd leave on overnight—it's usually a chemical enzyme or physical scrub used occasionally to refresh skin. But Borghese, the Italian skin care stalwart, rewrites that narrative with this overnight mask. The texture feels like a cushiony lotion-cream (more of a luxe moisturizer than a clinical peel), but don't be fooled by its soft demeanor. It blends glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids (AHA, BHA, and fruit acids) to quietly renew, unclog pores, and boost cell turnover through time-released exfoliation for a smoother, more even complexion. It's not a hydrating mask per se, but it will reset your skin and deliver a noticeable glow by sunrise. Best of all, it's gentle enough for most skin types, but use no more than once or twice a week, max. Exfoliating / Resurfacing Key Ingredients Glycolic and Lactic Acids (resurface, smooth, brighten), Salicylic Acid (unclogs pores, refines texture), Fruit Acids (boost cell turnover) What stood out about this overnight mask from Sephora favorite Dr. Jart+ isn’t just what’s in it—but what’s not. You won’t find parabens, phthalates, sulfates, or any of the usual irritants. Even skin care staples like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide are notably absent. Instead, this lightweight gel relies on cica complex (a soothing plant extract) and allantoin (a naturally derived humectant) to deliver deep, restorative hydration overnight. The texture is cool, jelly-like, non-sticky, and oddly fun to apply with minimal pillow transfer. By morning, skin looks calm, soft, and super dewy. It’s a stellar all-skin-type go-to, especially clutch for sensitive or over-exfoliated complexions. Calming / Barrier Repair / Hydrating Key Ingredients Centella Asiatica / Cica Complex (soothes redness, supports barrier), Allantoin (calms, hydrates, speeds repair) Can’t decide whether you’re after hydration, brightness, or repair? Drunk Elephant’s F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial pretty much covers it all. Packed with electrolytes, niacinamide, squalane, and vitamin F, this gel-balm strengthens the skin barrier, locks in moisture, and smooths texture overnight. The consistency is gel-creamy, with tiny vitamin F beads that melt into skin as you sleep for an extra hit of hydration. It’s cooling, non-greasy, and light enough to layer over moisturizer if you’re extra dry—or, if you’re oily-prone, use it occasionally as a moisture reset. Hydrating / Barrier Repair / Brightening Key Ingredients Niacinamide (brightens, smooths tone), Electrolytes (replenish moisture balance), Squalane + Vitamin F/Fatty Acids (soften, strengthen barrier) The first thing you notice about this mask from French cult favorite Yon-Ka is the tingle—and that’s a good thing. It’s one of the few on this list that doubles as a gentle exfoliant, powered by a higher 10% naturally derived glycolic acid that whisks away dull surface cells for fresher, radiant skin. Despite the “peel” in its name, it feels soft and creamy, boosted with brown algae extract (a mineral-rich hydrator that protects) and organic apricot kernel oil (packed with vitamins to nourish and smooth). The result: brighter, smoother, more alive-looking skin by morning. Just go easy—this is your once-in-a-while glow-up mask, not an every-night staple. Exfoliating / Brightening Key Ingredients Glycolic Acid 10% (peels dull surface cells, boosts glow), Brown Algae Extract (soothes, hydrates), Apricot Kernel Oil (vitamins A & E to nourish and smooth) Even though winter’s my favorite season, my face usually pays the price with varying redness, dryness, and irritation. Most masks on this list help replenish, but when your skin is under especially intense duress, you need one that hydrates and repairs. That’s where this mask from Murad shines. The formula leans on bilberry seed oil to calm and strengthen, hibiscus extract to boost elasticity and radiance, and a blend of antioxidant-rich botanicals to restore balance. The milky-cream texture feels instantly soothing, working overtime to bring your skin back to life and make it more resilient in the process. Pro tip: Apply generously but not heavily and give it a minute to settle before bed to avoid transfer. Barrier Repair / Soothing / Hydrating Key Ingredients Key Ingredients: Bilberry Seed Oil (omega fatty acids calm and fortify), Hibiscus Extract (antioxidant, supports firmness and bounce), Canadian Willowherb/soothing botanicals (reduce irritation, strengthen barrier) Heritage Korean skin care house Sulwhasoo has long been known for its luxury herbal-meets-holistic formulas. Its ginseng-powered products and spa-like textures shine here—or rather, make your face shine (in a good way), and if brightening is your goal, this mask delivers. It combines ginseng extract to boost circulation and radiance with walnut extract (rich in fatty acids) to smooth, while nutrient-dense botanicals lock in moisture. The brand’s signature warm, subtly herbal scent (from the botanicals) is soothing, and the cream-gel texture melts in effortlessly. One use and skin looks fresher and brighter with a well-rested glow. Brightening / Radiance / Repair Key Ingredients Ginseng Extract (energizes, boosts circulation, revives dull tone), Walnut Extract (fatty acids nourish and smooth), Herbal Nutritive Complex (reinforces barrier) New tube, same formula: this cult-classic overnight mask from Origins is the ultimate skin drink—an unapologetic moisture bomb that leaves your face dewy, soft, and hydrated by morning. Its heavy hitters include hyaluronic acid to draw in and retain moisture, niacinamide for hydration and barrier support, and avocado butter, rich in fatty acids, to lock it all in. A splash of glacial water cools and soothes, too. This stuff goes on rich with a creamy texture that feels its weight but not overly greasy, leaving behind a smooth, velvety finish. For dry skin, it’s a twice-a-week indulgent ritual you’ll look forward to. Hydrating / Nourishing / Soothing Key Ingredients Avocado Butter (cushions and softens), Hyaluronic Acid (draws in and seals hydration), Swiss Glacier Water/Mineral Water (soothes, replenishes), Niacinamide (strengthens barrier, evens tone) This gel-cream from Parisian apothecary favorite Typology is a toning titan that firms and smooths with a proprietary blend of potent botanicals. Besides my wordplay (and the brand’s cool tube dispenser), the apothecary vibes are strong: Prickly pear oil, rich in antioxidants, helps repair and protect while boosting cell turnover; immortelle essential oil amps up collagen production for a firmness; and strawberry leaf extract minimizes pores and refines texture. Classic shea butter restores elasticity and gives the buttercream-like texture its cushiony feel—though it can leave a faint film, so give it a few minutes to settle before bed. The payoff: tighter, more toned skin via nature’s goodness. Firming / Hydrating Key Ingredients Prickly Pear Oil (antioxidants + omegas to repair and protect), Shea Butter (nourishes, improves elasticity), Immortelle Essential Oil (supports collagen + firmness), Strawberry Leaf Extract (tightens pores, refines texture) I wanted to include at least one sheet mask, but fair warning, sleeping in one can be tricky, especially if you’re a side sleeper. The K-beauty favorite BioDance Cera-Nol Overnight Mask is worth the effort, whether you wear it overnight or during evening downtime. It uses barrier-strengthening ceramides and panthenol (the brand’s proprietary Cera-Nol complex) to calm and repair, paired with hyaluronic acid for hydration, niacinamide to brighten, and glacial water for a soothing finish that helps ease irritation. It can be a bit awkward to apply at first (and the hydrogel texture delivers a quick cold-shock moment), but once it’s on, the serum-soaked mask gradually turns transparent as your skin drinks it in for that next-morning glow up. Hydrating / Soothing Key Ingredients Cera-nol Complex (ceramides + panthenol to strengthen and repair the skin barrier), Hyaluronic Acid (hydration), Niacinamide (brightens), Glacial Water (soothes and cools) Any of the above will help you wake up with smoother, healthier, more hydrated skin, but finding the best overnight mask often comes down to intention (brightening, firming, barrier repair, etc.), texture, and even the season. It’s worth keeping a few in rotation if you’re serious about skin rejuvenation. Gels feel light and cooling—ideal for oily or combination types—while creams and balms deliver richer nourishment to dry skin. Film masks “wrap” the face in a breathable layer that locks in actives, though they can be tricky to sleep in. Overall, look for an easy-to-dispense tube or an airtight jar for hygiene and apply sparingly (at first) and give it a few minutes to set before bed. If you’re a side sleeper or layer multiple products, stick with lighter textures to avoid pillow transfer. Below, Dr. Charles Puza and Dr. Nicole Ruth break down common questions to help you in your quenching quest for the best overnight masks. Dr. Charles Puza (Dr. Charles MD) is a board-certified dermatologist and content creator based in New York City. He practices medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology at New York Dermatology Group and shares accessible, evidence-based content on beauty, health, and wellness with over 2.5 million followers. A graduate of Harvard University and Duke University School of Medicine, Dr. Charles is passionate about demystifying skin and health topics through digestible, engaging education for all audiences. Dr. Nicole Ruth is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in SoHo at Weiser Skin. She specializes in cosmetic and medical dermatology with a focus on hair, nails, and skin. Known for her thoughtful, evidence-based approach, Dr. Ruth blends medical expertise with an eye for aesthetics to help patients achieve healthy, natural-looking results.
