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Sleeping your way to better skin is actually possible, thanks to the best overnight masks. They’re super-charged, highly concentrated versions of your favorite night cream that’ll leave your skin feeling bouncier than ever before the sun rises. “An overnight mask can help supercharge skin hydration by offering a concentrated dose of moisture, antioxidants, vitamins, and active ingredients to nourish the skin,” says Melanie Palm, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in San Diego. If the thought of slathering on a dense mask before laying your head on your precious silk pillowcase makes you shudder, fret not, because these fast-drying formulations stay on your skin throughout the night so your pores can enjoy every drop. No gatekeeping here: Below, our editors share their all-time favorite overnight masks for bright, bouncy skin by morning.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: EltaMD Skin Recovery Night Mask, $56
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Dr. Loretta Tightening Detox Mask, $55
- Best Brightening: Saturday Skin Yuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask, $29
- Best for Fine Lines: Medicube Collagen Overnight Wrapping Mask, $19
- Best for Dry Skin: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask, $45
- Best Fast-Absorbing: Laneige Water Sleeping Mask, $32
- Best for Pairing with Retinol: Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial, $54
- Best Sheet Mask: Peace Out Overnight Barrier Hydrating Bio-Collagen Recovery Mask, $9
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why should I use an overnight mask?
- When should I use an overnight mask?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: EltaMD Skin Recovery Night Mask
Why it's worth it: Suitable for all skin types (including sensitive!), the EltaMD Skin Recovery Night Mask is our favorite shortcut to smoother, softer skin by the a.m. As this rich, custardy cream features a cocktail of ingredients to address a multitude of skin concerns on our beauty checklist, including tone-brightening ginger root extract and soothing bisabolol to calm redness. As its fast-absorbing formula seeps into your skin, you’ll also be treated to EltaMD’s proprietary AA Complex, a blend of amino acids that support damaged areas of the skin barrier to prevent moisture loss and calm skin. Its soothing formula feels cooling and calming the moment it touches your skin, and its moisturizing properties are great for minimizing dryness—although we found in our testing that it doesn’t leave behind a greasy feel on oilier skin types.
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Tester feedback: “Whenever my skin is sending up an SOS situation—a hormonal breakout needs calming, or I got more sun than usual—I swap my usual moisturizer for this mask,” says contributing editor Deanna Pai, who struggles with acne and dark spots. “It dries in about 30 seconds with zero residue, which is a major plus, and I find that my skin is less red and more radiant by morning.”
Key ingredients: ginger root extract, AA Complex (amino acids), bisabolol | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Dr. Loretta Tightening Detox Mask
Why it's worth it: Targeting acne can be tough, but there’s no breakout Dr. Loretta’s Tightening Detox Mask can’t handle. This gel-based mask calms swollen blemishes with its cooling texture as a combination of antioxidant-rich seawater algin and yeast extract provides a gentle exfoliating effect, addressing blemishes and fine lines at the same time (anyone dealing with adult acne should certainly take note). It’s also spiked with glycerin to leave skin feeling plump and smooth by the morning.
Tester feedback: “On the nights when I’m not using tretinoin, I’m using this mask,” says shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis. “My acne-prone skin can be a lot, but whenever it’s freaking out, I reach for this mask. I put it on at night, and by morning, the inflammation in my breakouts is visibly down. The sulfur and salicylic acid calm things down without stripping my skin, and there’s even charcoal and bentonite clay to go even deeper and pull out gunk. Not to mention the smell is a light subtle rose, which I love and puts me right to sleep.”
Key ingredients: seawater algin, yeast extract, glycerin | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Brightening: Saturday Skin Yuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask
Why it's worth it: Post-breakout dark spots and hyperpigmentation have absolutely nothing on the Saturday Skin Yuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask. As its name suggests, this gel-cream mask’s main ingredient is yuzu extract, rich in vitamin C, a gold standard for boosting skin radiance and evening tone. Its brightening properties are enhanced with niacinamide, another radiance-boosting antioxidant that helps minimize redness and oil, and retinol, a crown jewel for minimizing textural concerns like acne and fine lines. This jelly-textured mask is so lightweight that you can apply it over your densest moisturizer as a brightening final step to your nighttime skin-care routine—don’t worry, it’ll all dry down quicker than you can say “beautifully bouncy skin.” Its jelly texture can get a little messy, but its accompanying spatula makes application way easier and cleaner.
Tester feedback: “I like loading up with retinol at night, and this overnight mask is also packed with vitamin C-rich yuzu extract, so my skin is left immediately radiant but also smoother the next morning,” says commerce editor Sarah Han. “And, despite me piling hydrating essences and serums beforehand, this doesn't leave my skin feeling overly glowing and sticky. Head's up: The citrusy scent is quite potent, so some people might not be into that, but I love it!”
Key ingredients: yuzu extract, niacinamide, retinol | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Fine Lines: Medicube Collagen Overnight Wrapping Mask
Why it's worth it: Peel-off masks are having a moment (they’re just so fun!), and we’re currently loving the viral Medicube Collagen Overnight Wrapping Mask for its plumping, fine line-reducing abilities. As it dries from a wet gel to a shiny veil of what looks like cling wrap, its combination of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, glycerin, and collagen extract all work hand-in-hand to firm and hydrate for an ultra-dewy appearance. Since it dries into a peel-off formula, it won’t leave a trace of stickiness on your pillowcase (so long as you wait 15 minutes to allow its formula to fully dry).
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Tester feedback: "The way my skin looks with a layer of Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask is exactly how I want my skin to look without it: glassy, glowy, and clear," says features director Dianna Mazzone Singh. "And with each overnight—yes, overnight—application of its niacinamide- and hyaluronic acid-infused formula, I get a little bit closer to that goal. I've been using it once or twice a week and never cease to be delighted by the satisfaction of peeling it away in the morning."
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, glycerin, collagen | Fragrance-free: yes
More overnight face masks we love:
Best for Dry Skin: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask
Why it's worth it: Dry skin types, meet the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Mask, your new savior here to rescue you from flaky patches and rough texture. This Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning overnight treatment is powered by squalane, an emollient that not only conditions skin but also supports the barrier to prevent moisture loss as you sleep. This rich, moisturizer-like mask (which bills itself as a balm-to-oil formulation) also contains glacial glycoproteins that hydrate the skin for a smoother, plumper feel in the morning.
Tester feedback: “I consider this mask my little secret to waking up with radiant, glowing skin,” says Trakoshis. “It's packed with hydrating squalane, antioxidant-rich ginger leaf, and firming botanicals that all work together on my dry, acne-prone skin while I sleep. The smallest amount melts in with ease, locking in my nighttime skin-care routine. I put mine in the fridge so I don't wake up puffy."
Key ingredients: squalane, glacial glycoprotein | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Fast-Absorbing: Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
Why it's worth it: Don’t want to wait around for your face mask to dry before hitting the hay? The lightweight gel texture of Laneige’s Water Sleeping Mask allows its niacinamide and squalane-powered formula to seep in quickly, needing only five minutes at most to fully absorb and leave your skin with not a trace of stickiness behind. “I love how lightweight yet effective it is—it’s perfect for dehydrated or dull skin without feeling greasy,” says Kristina Collins, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin. “Patients often tell me their skin looks visibly more refreshed and plump by morning.”
Key ingredients: niacinamide, squalane | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Pairing with Retinol: Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial
Why it's worth it: The cooling feel of Drunk Elephant’s F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial will have you hooked, especially if you’re prone to redness, sensitivity, or need soothing relief after using harsher prescription-strength active ingredients like tretinoin. Its formula is powered by vitamin F, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties that replenishes moisture for a smoother, plumper feel. Niacinamide also makes an appearance in this formula to brighten without disturbing sensitive skin. “I recommend it for anyone experiencing dryness, redness, or irritation, especially after retinol or exfoliation,” says Dr. Collins.
Key ingredients: vitamin F, niacinamide | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Sheet Mask: Peace Out Overnight Barrier Hydrating Bio-Collagen Recovery Mask
Why it's worth it: A sheet mask for nighttime? We’re here for it. The Peace Out Overnight Barrier Hydrating Bio-Collagen Recovery Mask stays put throughout the night as it douses your skin in a fine line-plumping combination of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and the brand’s Core Peptide Complex. The latter is a mix of five peptide chains to improve laxity at different levels of the skin, leaving it with a firmer, more youthful appearance. Not only does it provide a wrinkle-reducing boost, but its formula also contains niacinamide and Centella asiatica extract to soothe sensitivity and redness.
Tester feedback: "I'm not a big sheet mask girl, but this is the exception—mostly because I don't have to wear it while trying to go about my day," says Pai, who at 35 now counts acne and signs of aging among her concerns. "When I need extra hydration, I throw this on before bed; it leaves my skin plumper and softer. I want to test it on an active breakout text—since I'm hoping it'll act like a full-face pimple patch."
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, collagen, Core Peptide Complex, niacinamide, Centella asiatica extract | Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use an overnight mask?
Overnight masks are especially beneficial for those who want a plumper, bouncier complexion (so, basically everyone). “As a dermatologist, I often recommend overnight masks to patients looking to enhance skin hydration and support repair while they sleep,” says Dr. Palm. That’s because overnight masks tend to be richer than traditional moisturizers and usually include occlusive ingredients to help seal in moisture and active ingredients applied beforehand, according to Dr. Palm. “Since our skin enters a regenerative phase at night, this is the ideal time to use products that restore the skin barrier and improve overall texture,” she says.
When should I use an overnight mask?
Each face mask has its own suggested instructions for use, so always check the label to make sure you’re applying it properly. With that being said. Both Dr. Palm and Dr. Collins say that it’s best to apply up to three times per week, depending on your skin concerns and type. “Overuse can sometimes clog pores or overwhelm the skin barrier, especially if the formula is rich or active-heavy,” says Dr. Collins. “Think of it as a treatment step—like a mini-facial for your skin—rather than a nightly staple.”
Meet the experts
- Melanie Palm, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in San Diego
- Kristina Collins, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best overnight face masks, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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