Whatever you call them, overnight masks or sleeping masks, they can unlock the smoothest, plumpest, and glowiest skin of your life. I know because that's what they did for me, transforming my dry, irritated skin into something spectacular. I'm so passionate about overnight masks that I don't let a week go by without applying one before bed and letting it work its magic on my skin as I sleep. I rest peacefully knowing my skin is marinating in active ingredients without me having to lift a finger (or even be conscious of it). It's the best beauty sleep… quite literally.
I don't know anyone who doesn't want better skin by morning, so I don't think I have to extol the virtues of overnight masks. However, I do think I have to name the best ones because no two overnight masks are alike, and some should be skipped entirely (too heavy, too fragranced, pore-clogging, etc.). Ahead, see my definitive list of the eight best overnight masks. They're beauty sleep, bottled.
My Top Picks
- Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Bubble Overnight Hydrating Sleep Mask
- Best Moisturizing: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Rehydrating Mask
- Best Soothing: Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask
- Best Brightening: Hanyul Yuja Brightening Sleeping Mask
- Best Firming: Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask
- Best Skin-Refining: Farmacy 10% Niacinamide Night Mask
- Best Plumping: Belif Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask
The Best Overnight Masks
Size: 1.3 oz | Skin Types: All | Key Ingredients: Thermal spring water, vitamin B5, shea butter, glycerin, copper, zinc, manganese
This is a multipurpose skin balm, but it can be used as an overnight mask. That's what it went viral for on Instagram and TikTok last year. Content creators shared before-and-after pictures of their skin after using it as an overnight mask. They had smoother, plumper, and healthier-looking skin by morning thanks to its skin-soothing and barrier-strengthening formula.
It contains thermal spring water rich in minerals and antioxidants. There's also vitamin B5, shea butter, glycerin, copper, zinc, and manganese. These ingredients effectively lock in moisture, strengthen the skin barrier, and soothe irritation.
If you swatch it, it feels like any other moisturizer. Apply it liberally all over your face and neck before bed, though, and you'll see the magic happen by morning.
I love using it as an overnight mask and do so about once a week. I apply it 30 minutes before bed, and I layer it on thickly so it looks pasty against my skin. (It might look a little funny, but I don't care; I do it in the name of better skin!)
Here's a filter-free photo I took upon waking up after using La Roche Posay's Cicaplast Balm B5 as an overnight mask. I took this before doing my morning skincare routine and before applying makeup. As you can see, my skin looks smooth, plump, and glowy. Any redness or irritation that was present the night before has vanished, and my skin feels petal-soft. Success.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Bubble Overnight Hydrating Sleep Mask
Size: 1.7 oz | Skin Types: All, especially acne-prone skin | Key Ingredients: Mandelic acid, kojic acid, arnica, maple sap, sodium PCA
If you have acne-prone skin and you're wary of using overnight masks, I get it. I'm not particularly acne-prone, but I've experienced clogged pores and breakouts after testing certain formulas. Rest assured that this one will do everything an overnight mask is supposed to do without exacerbating acne. It contains mandelic and kojic acids, which exfoliate the skin and keep pores clear. It also contains arnica to soothe redness and inflammation. Meanwhile, hydrating ingredients plump, soothe, and level up the skin overnight.
Customer review: "I literally use this every night!! It's sooo hydrating and gentle!! I have sensitive skin and this helps soo much!! literally glowy hydrated skin overnight! I apply over my moisturizer!"
Best for Dry Skin: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Rehydrating Mask
Size: 3.4 oz | Skin Types: All, especially dry skin | Key Ingredients: Squalane, glacial glyco-proteins
This is an incredible no-frills overnight mask for dry skin types because it's fragrance-free and contains 10% squalane and glacial glyco-proteins to lock in moisture and strengthen the natural skin barrier up to 72 hours. It's similar to the brand's Ultra Facial Moisturizing Cream ($39), which happens to be one of my favorite moisturizers.
Customer review: "I don’t normally write reviews but this stuff is amazing! I hope they never change the formula! I was having an intense reaction to retinol and my skin barrier was peeling immensely, this product (along with others) in ONE day it was virtually restored. Amazing product!"
Best Soothing: Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask
Size: 2.02 oz | Skin Types: All, especially sensitive skin | Key Ingredients: Centella asiatica, ectoin, allantoin, niacinamide
If you have sensitive, redness-prone skin, I can't recommend this Korean overnight mask enough. (I'm serious. Don't walk; run!) It has a hypoallergenic formula that features superstar soothing ingredients like Centella asiatica, ectoin, allantoin, and niacinamide to extinguish redness and irritation fast.
Customer review: "I have dry dehydrated skin and sometimes it really acts up feeling red, itchy, and tight. This Cica overnight mask is the perfect cure. I put it on like an hour before bed to give it time to soak in and my skin feels soooo much better the next morning— plump and no more redness!"
Best Brightening: Hanyul Yuja Brightening Sleeping Mask
Size: 2.37 oz | Skin Types: All, especially dull or discolored skin | Key Ingredients: Yuja, vitamin C, niacinamide
Whether it's dullness, dark spots, or discoloration you're dealing with, this K-beauty mask is your fix. It has a cooling, jelly-like texture, and it features melting capsules that burst on contact with the skin, delivering brightening ingredients like Korean yuja, vitamin C, and niacinamide.
Customer review: "Just tried the Hanyul Yuja Brightening Sleeping Mask, and I totally get the hype now. It’s got that fresh, citrusy scent that instantly makes your nighttime routine feel like a spa moment—nothing overpowering, just the right amount of calming. The texture is a lightweight gel-cream that melts into the skin without any stickiness, which I love because I hate when sleeping masks feel heavy or greasy. After using it for a week, I woke up with skin that looked noticeably more even-toned and hydrated. The star ingredient is Yuja (Korean citron), packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, which explains the subtle glow I noticed in the morning. It also contains niacinamide, which is a win for brightening and smoothing out texture over time. I have combo skin, and this didn’t break me out or clog my pores, which is always a concern with overnight masks."
Best Firming: Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask
Size: 3.4 oz | Skin Types: All, especially mature skin| Key Ingredients: Black tea ferment, belle de nuit extract, peptides
The brand describes this as a "corset" for your face, meaning it treats fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity for a tight, firm-looking complexion. It's thanks to high-tech ingredients like a proprietary black tea ferment complex, belle de nuit extract, peptides, and more. Use it to sculpt and redefine your facial contours as you sleep.
Customer review: "I absolutely love this mask. I have incredibly sensitive skin that is irritated by almost every cream, so I mostly stick to Aveeno, Drunk Elephant, and Fresh. As I've aged (in my mid-40s now), my skin has needed a heavier moisturizer, especially in the winter. I still use Fresh's Rose moisturizer in the Summer, but in the colder months, I've added this as my evening hydration, and when I wake up my skin is supple like it was in my 20's. It's like magic. It also smells so good I have to remind myself not to eat it. Yes, it is a little pricey, but it's as hydrating as the $400 creams like La Mer, Augustinus Bader, Sisley and La Prairie (trust me, I've tried them all) without irritating, so I don't mind. I highly recommend it."
Best Skin-Refining: Farmacy 10% Niacinamide Night Mask
Size: 1.7 oz | Skin Types: All, especially textured skin | Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, beta-glucan, blueberry seed oil
If you have rough skin texture and enlarged pores, or you just want your makeup to look flawless on your skin by morning, I recommend Farmacy's 10% Niacinamide Night Mask. It's clinically proven to refine rough texture and minimize enlarged pores while hydrating and strengthening the skin. I like to use it before big events like parties or weddings because I know it will give my skin (and subsequently my makeup look) an overnight glow-up.
Customer review: "I have seen results immediately and with consistent use, my pores have shrunk while looking more hydrated. I use it daily, even during spa day times. Gentle, yet effective product. Will buy again and continue to use."
Best Plumping: Belif Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask
Size: 2.53 oz | Skin Types: All | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Scottish heather, lady's mantle
Belif's Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask is one of my top picks for super-plump, supple-looking skin. I love its jelly-pudding texture because it feels so nice and cooling on my skin and instantly makes it look smoother and plumper. I also love its skin-drenching formula that's rich in hyaluronic acid, Scottish heather (an anti-inflammatory herb), and lady's mantle (a moisturizing herb) to douse the skin in plumping moisture.
Customer review: "Anything from this brand is incredible and worth every cent. This didn’t fail me either. I use a prescription retinol and put this over top. It has stopped my face from peeling nonstop and gives me the best glow every single time."
What to Look For
It's always best to shop for skincare products based on your specific skin type and concerns. So, for example, if you have dry skin, search for an overnight mask that's labeled as "moisturizing," "hydrating," or "barrier-strengthening." Then, double-check the ingredient list. Look for ingredients like squalane, ceramides, and plant butters, which will lock in moisture. While the labels and ingredients will change depending on your skin type and concern, the process will remain the same.
How We Chose
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our curated lists based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best overnight masks, we leaned heavily on original testing and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several important factors, such as formula, texture, and skin type compatibility. We're aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to call out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list.
Why Trust Who What Wear
For almost 20 years, Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted beauty, style, and shopping resource.
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