How to Use Overnight Hydrating Mask

We here at The Beauty Insiders blog are huge fans of using overnight face masks, especially hydrating ones! With our hectic days sprinting past us it feels like there’s never any time to take a sip of coffee, let alone look after our skin the way we should. This is why using a perfectly crafted evening skincare routine is vital at keeping your skin looking and feeling it's healthiest. This is when potent overnight masks, also known as sleeping masks, come into play and deliver a multiple amount of benefits for the skin. Dehydration, uneven skin tone and even premature ageing can be combated with an overnight hydrating mask and we are going to share some more about these products in today’s blog post.

What is an overnight mask?

Overnight masks are lightweight creams and gels that are applied topically in the evenings before you head off to bed. They are enriched in high concentrates of active ingredients such as AHAs, such as, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and many more to name a few. The formulas are made to be potent enough that the masks deliver the best skin benefits with the idea of them only being used 2-3 times a week as a treatment based product. Overusing an overnight mask can result in some irritation to the skin due to the ingredients being too strong. If you are finding you have some skin concerns that need regular care than opting for a night cream will work better for you and your skin. To understand what the difference is between an overnight mask and night cream, you can check out our blog post that explains it all in more detail.

How do you apply an overnight face mask?

When applying a face mask you must ensure your skin is clean with all traces of makeup and other debris removed, here is the best routine to use and how to apply an overnight face mask properly;

1. Remove all traces of makeup with cleanser or micellar water
2. Double cleanse by using a non-foaming cleanser to ensure the skin is completely clear of any remaining debris (optional)
3. Swipe a chemical exfoliant across the face avoiding your eye area
4. Alternatively, you can exfoliate the skin with a non-abrasive face scrub
5. Apply a serum by patting it onto the face, allowing 2-3 minutes for it to penetrate the lower layers of the skin
6. You can now apply a moisturiser containing active ingredients that aren't recommended for use during the day, eg retinol
7. Apply a liberal amount of overnight mask over the skin, your face should look and feel sticky but not wet

It is advisable to take a quick look at the directions of the face mask you decide to use as some formulas need to have the excess tissued off. The best way of knowing if you have enough product is to touch your skin gently in the morning to see if its tacky, this means there was plenty of product applied and it was fully absorbed into the skin overnight.

 Can you leave a hydrating mask on overnight?

This really depends on the product, if it is described as an overnight or sleeping face mask it has been formulated to be used in the evening and does not need to be removed after a certain time. Overnight formulas are packed with high performing skin ingredients that work away in the different layers of the skin whilst you sleep. This will also benefit the overall look of your complexion as throughout the night our body and skin rejuvenates skin cells and repairs any damage caused from free radicals and the daily aggressors your skin would have come into contact with throughout the day. It is these exact aggressors, such as UV rays, pollution and bacteria, that don’t come into contact with the skin during the night allowing the overnight face mask to treat the skin undisturbed and show results a lot quicker than any other skincare product.

Do you wash off overnight masks?

Overnight masks need a lot more time to work on the skin than any other skincare product, they are called overnight for a reason after all, it is thought that 7-8 hours is the ideal time for the face mask to absorb into the skin and deliver the full effects of the powerful blend of ingredients found in the formulas. As we previously mentioned overnight masks can vary from brand to brand so it is best to check the directions of application and usage on the back of the packaging.

Once you have woken up in the morning it is best to cleanse the skin of any residue left behind, not forgetting to apply a daily SPF to protect the skin from any sensitivity to UV rays that can result from using a potent overnight hydrating mask containing powerhouse ingredients such as retinol or vitamin C.

Is a hydrating sleep mask a moisturiser?

Due the mix of ingredients in the formula it is understandable to think you can use a hydrating sleep mask as a moisturiser and it is really down to how your skin reacts to the mask you apply. For example, oily skin types may benefit from a simple routine by using a hydrating sleep mask as a moisturiser one evening and light-weight night gel the following evening. For more dry skin types a moisturiser and overnight masks work on different areas of the skin and won’t overload the it, but will help lock in the hydration and moisture it needs.

Finding out which routine would work for you is just a case of paying attention to the ingredients and texture of the product, ensuring it will work well with your skin and not cause any reactions, irritations or breakouts. If you are wanting to figure out which skin type you have, check out our guide about the 4 different skin types.

Is wearing a hydrating sleep mask bad for you?

The only way a hydrating sleep mask can be bad for you is if you overuse the product. The concentrations of active ingredients in overnight masks are a lot stronger than the ones found in products used for everyday application, which can sometimes lead to the skin becoming sensitive and suffer from irritations or skin reactions. If you find yourself to have flaky patches of skin, redness or itching you have used an overnight face mask too frequently and should take a break from using it, after a week or so you will find your face has calmed and signs of irritations have subsided.

If you ever have any concerns about using an overnight face masks or similar product it is best to consult your GP or dermatologist to get a better understanding of how it will work for you and your skin.

We hope you have found this blog to be useful when finding out how to use an overnight hydrating mask, if you have any more questions about how overnight face masks work and their skin benefits you can find out more on our Beauty Insiders blog.

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