I Tried 10 Sleep Masks So You Don't Have To

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Sleep Masks--ever tried them?

Nope, I'm not talking about those sleeping masks you place over your eyes to block out light. Sleep masks are overnight facial treatments that are becoming a big trend. I've been using sleep masks for the past two years, and am sharing 10 of them today.

Out of all of the products I test, sleep masks have to be the easiest. Just apply and go to sleep! And rinse off in the morning.

• Sleep Masks are usually a gel-cream product
• They sit on the skin, sealing in moisture, and usually don't absorb as thoroughly as a cream
• Apply to clean, dry skin before going to sleep
• Sometimes I will apply other products, like a serum or essence, and then this on top
• Use as directed--some indicate nightly, some indicate a few times a week.

1. Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial

• "This overnight facial-in-a-jar is a breakthrough in beauty sleep. More than a mask, more than a night cream, it contains the Korres Phos Compound, a proprietary blend including a brightening agent and stabilized vitamin C. Day after day, week after week, uneven tone and dark spots will continuously improve. After only 14 days you'll see skin that's brighter, more even-toned, and exceptionally radiant. "
• $48, Sephora
• Scented
• Loved this on my skin, as it soaked in. I woke up with hydrated skin, but I didn't love the heave rose scent. It gave me a headache every time.

2. First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Overnight Mask

• "Wake up to a luminous complexion with FAB Facial Radiance® Overnight Mask. This leave-on mask is a rich gel cream that is formulated with a powerful combination of ingredients to brighten, hydrate, and deeply nourish the skin. It goes on like a normal moisturizer and should be blended in until just a slight residue remains on the skin. Upon application, the skin looks brighter; overnight as the actives are absorbed deep into the dermis, the mask performs its magic. Upon awakening, skin is hydrated and refreshed, revealing a brighter, more even-toned, and smoother complexion."
• $38, Sephora
• Not artificially scented, but it does smell after 6 months
• This is a thicker product and it took a bit of time to find the right amount that wasn't too sticky on my face and on my pillow. It made my skin glow and hydrated, but not too much. Since the container is so small (typical of FAB products I find) I just don't think I would repurchase. Those with allergies or combo skin might want to try this!

3. Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

• "Recharge dehydrated skin overnight. Highly concentrated, ionized mineral water and ceramides deliver intensive doses of moisture to stressed, parched skin. Aromatic Sleepscent -- orange flower, rose and sandalwood -- relaxes and rejuvenates while apricot and chestnut extracts brighten and purify fatigued skin. The result: skin looks and feels radiant, refreshed. Wake up to soft, glowing skin with Water Sleeping Mask."
• $23, Target
• Slightly scented, and to me it doesn't smell like what it described above
• This gel sleeping mask is one of my FAVES. It gives the right amount of hydration and the best price for the ingredients. Great for all skin types. Would repurchase in a heartbeat!

4. Mizon Multi Function Formula Snail Wrinkle Care Sleeping Pack

• "Intense overnight skin treatment from Korean cult faves Mizon. The hard-to-find beauty insider must-have Snail Sleeping Pack is formulated with nutrient-packed snail extract, the all-natural, cruelty free way to get smooth, rejuvenated skin. Smooth the intense hydrator to clean skin 1-2 times a week before bed and let it work its magic overnight. It penetrates deeply to moisturize, brighten and rejuvenate your skin. You wake up to supple skin with a radiant glow."
• $14-$26, depending on where you purchase. Amazon is the cheapest. Urban Outfitters is the priciest.
• Slight citrus scent, but I like it.
• I lost you at snail, didn't I? I promise it isn't gross. This Korean beauty product was the first sleep mask I tried, and I'm using it to represent the other Korean ones I have tried. Searching for "Sleep pack" was how I found most of the ones I tried until last year when they started showing up in American stores.
• This is a very thick gel-cream and you have to apply it a good 30 min before sleeping, otherwise it sticks to the pillow something awful.
• It worked wonderfully, but I have others I prefer since this is so tacky-feeling.

5. GARNIER Ultra-Lift Miracle Sleeping Night Cream

• "Combines the hydrating and recharging power of a mask with the light refreshing feel of a cream. This anti-aging formula reduces signs of dull, dry and tired looking skin. Infused with Lavender Essential Oil, Rare Plant Extracts & Adenosine, it absorbs fast and works nightly boosting cell renewal to regenerate skin¿s surface layer, helping to repair skin¿s moisture barrier and reduce wrinkles. Skin is firm, looks younger and well rested."
• $16, ULTA, Walmart, Target, drugstores
• Scented
• Does this look familiar? I actually reviewed it here. I used this the most right after my dad died and I was unable to sleep, and it helped my skin so much. I have repurchased it, but I know a couple of you broke out due to the fragrance, or if you applied too much, so keep that in mind.

Posting the list again so you don't have to scroll up :)

6. Lancôme Energie de Vie the Melt-In Sleeping Mask

• "This Melt-In Sleeping Mask deeply hydrates skin, creating a healthy-looking glow and a refined texture as you sleep. In a fascinating journey of the senses, this cooling formula infuses skin with an instant burst of deliciously invigorating freshness and a natural fragrance. Instantly, its refreshing texture decreases skin’s temperature to help prime the skin for optimal nighttime conditions. During the night, the formula melts into skin to help reinforce skin's barrier and maintain ideal an ideal hydration level. In the morning, skin looks hydrated, glowy, and plumped-up."
• $65, Sephora
• Scented
• This reminded me of the Laniege in terms of texture and results. While it was lovely, I can't justify the price for the results.

7.Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Water-Max Sleeping Mask

• "Sleep is when the body repairs itself. Make use of this precious healing period with this weightless, leave-on mask that creates a protective barrier on your skin, locking in vital moisture and nutrients while you “beauty sleep.” Hyaluronic acid macromolecule feeds continuous moisture deep into the dermal layer, replenishing skin’s nighttime water supply, while olive leaf and cranberry strengthen the skin barrier to boost elasticity. A fragrant blend of nine essential oils promote a deep, comforting sleep, leaving your skin ultimately revitalized and you refreshed."
• $48, Sephora
• Slightly scented
• So far I haven't noticed overwhelming results with this. I do like it as a sealer to lock in other night time skin care products.

8. Pure Oils Sleep Spa Mask

• "These 100% Natural Bamboo face masks are infused with Argan and Baobab Oils to intensely hydrate, smooth and regenerate skin. (Pure Oils) And Papaya and Pineapple Enzymes to slough off dead skin and leave your skin looking radiant. Extremely easy to use, you first, cleanse your face, snuggle up in bed, apply the fabric mask to facial contours and relax for 10 minutes. Simply remove the fabric mask and massage any excess product into the skin. Then drift off to sleep and wake up to amazing results."
• $14, 3 pack, online. Since originally crafting this draft several months ago, I see they are no longer sold at ULTA.
• I originally shared this here.
• This is different from the others out there. Essentially you wear a sheet mask for 10 minutes, remove, and then massage in the product. It surprisingly did work.

9.SEPHORA COLLECTION Sleeping Mask

• "Each of these masks is infused with a different active ingredient for relaxing the skin and achieving a brighter, more revitalized complexion. The luxurious cream-gel texture melts into skin for penetration of the active ingredients while you sleep."
• These come in 8 different types, and come in small pods similar to the Nug Masks, if you've ever tried those.
• $4, Sephora, and you can get two uses out of it.
• Scented
• Unlike the other sleep creams, which are gel-creams, this is a colored gel. I found them all to work very similarly despite the type.
• These are ok, but I would skip them.

10. Peter Thomas Roth Camu Camu Power C x 30™ Vitamin C Brightening Sleeping Mask

• Treat while you sleep—wake up with the appearance of brighter, more moisturized skin. This must-have Sleeping Mask contains camu camu berry, a potent superfruit that has 30 times the vitamin C of an orange and powerful absorption properties.
• $62, Sephora
• Scented
• I don't like the scent of this--smells like vitamins.
• I like the pump, very sanitary and prevents sunlight exposure.
• The sleep mask is brown, so be sure to rinse away in the morning and it is sticky, so give it time to soak in.
• Since my skin is very sensitive to citric acid, it took me a while to see positive results from this. It is a very good mask, but that smell!

Overall:

While not a necessity, sleep masks are a great addition to a night time skin care routine.

Extra Elle:

• I just finished the Magic Art of Tidying Up--let's just say I spent 4 hours cleaning out my makeup room and product closet. Yikes! Have you read it?