So, what is the difference between a night cream and a sleeping mask? Well, none actually, because both are specifically meant to be used at night and at the same point in your skincare routine. The “sleeping pack” trend comes from – you guessed it – Korea, where using one is as popular as wearing SPF daily. Those are great beauty habits to adopt, by the way!
Why would anyone need a different moisturizer to use at night, you might ask? Because some ingredients work better when you sleep. Honestly, it doesn’t need to be labeled as a “night cream” as long as it has the right components and packed with humectants. For example, one of the best anti-aging ingredients – Retinol – is more effective when used at night, because it doesn’t play well with sunlight. Also, you can really layer a lot of different products for maximum benefits. That “cake” will nourish your skin overnight as you sleep, and you don’t even have to worry about your face looking greasy – all of those layers can be easily washed off in the morning with a splash of water. One thing to remember about Retinol and exfoliating acids: not only do they make your skin photosensitive [which most of you probably already know], but that photosensitivity sticks, sometimes for weeks, even after you wash off the product. So don’t think that you can skip sunscreen after washing off your Retinol sleeping pack or Glycolic Acid peel! But I digress…
Since sleeping packs came to us from Asia, today I wanted to show you three overnight treatments I’ve tested and enjoyed.
$ // Holika Holika Honey Sleeping Pack – Acerola [$13, available here] is a wonderful overnight moisturizer and budget-friendly, too! It’s made with 20% honey, which is a wonderful humectant and 20% acerola cherry extract, rich in Vitamin C that provides brightening properties. Honey also boasts anti-bacterial and anti-viral benefits so it might be the perfect sleeping pack for someone with problem skin. The texture is a little sticky, because it contains real honey after all, but it washes off in the morning without a trace. The fragrance though is absolutely divine! Imagine sweet, sugary cherry with whiffs of honey; I keep wanting to smear it over a toast, that’s how good it smells.
$$ // Amarte Overnight Express Therapy [$79, available here] is a great upper-midrange overnight treatment for anyone looking to boost collagen production while they sleep. Enhanced by 1% Retinol, the formula features brightening Silk Extract, skin-smoothing rh-Oligopeptide-1, and nourishing Propolis for a full anti-aging and skin-perfecting approach. This sleeping mask has lightweight texture that melts into the skin without feeling sticky. That quality makes it my top choice, because I like to layer many different products but at the same time I don’t want them leaving stains on my pillow case.
$$$ // Tatcha Overnight Memory Serum Concentrate [$110, available here] will delight the purveyors of all things luxury. The experience begins with the packaging, because even unboxing this little treasure is a thing of beauty. Inside the delicate ombre glass jar adorned with a golden spoon you will find jello-like milky emulsion that transforms into lightweight liquid on contact with warm skin. If you tried another Tatcha bestseller – Luminous Dewy Skin Mist – this overnight treatment is the same product, but very concentrated. The formula is enriched with Okinawa Red Algae and seven botanical extracts to quench the skin with moisture, rejuvenate, brighten, and restore radiance, while smoothing away rough spots and dry patches. Also available in travel size.
There are many more wonderful sleeping masks and packs out there, but these three are the ones I’ve been loving lately. Another great sleeping pack I liked but don’t currently own is Laneige Water Sleeping Mask [$22, available here]. It’s a basic moisturizing mask that doesn’t boast any miraculous anti-aging benefits, but it works hard to make sure you wake up with hydrated complexion. You can find it at your local Target!
Do you use a night cream or a sleeping pack? Have you tried any Asian overnight moisturizers? Do you think using one is necessary? Let me know in the comments below!
Disclosure: This post features products purchased by Glamorable and received for editorial consideration, and may contain affiliate or referral links. For more details about my product review policy, copyright, and information about affiliate links, please refer to Disclosures & Content Use page.
I adore the Holika Holika Honey Pack. I’m on my second jar. It’s so good to my skin, and doesn’t cost a bomb.
A lot of night creams are too rich for my oily skin, but I’ve tried Farmacy sleeping mask, and really liked it. It’s supposed to firm the skin while I sleep. Here’s hoping I can get rid of these jowls! lol
I haven’t tried the Holika Holika mask but I have one of their heart-shaped lipsticks and I’ve always meant to try some more of their products. I’ve got the gorgeous Tatcha Memory Serum and I also have a Paula’s Choice sleeping mask and a new one from The Body Shop Oils of Life line. Love ’em all!
Right now I’m using MDSUN Wrinkle Smoothener but I should put TATCHA on top–thanks for reminding me of that!
Im finally ready to start using the TATCHA… it’s been sitting waiting for the right time!
There’s just something so decadent about a sleep/night cream. They’re like the perfect end to a day. I had a sample of a cream from TATCHA but shoot, I can’t find it and now I’m totally intrigued.
I love your comparisons and that there’s something for almost every price. I’d love to try all of these actually.
The amarte masks sounds more my speed. I can’t imagine sleeping with something sticky on my face at night.
I love a good mask. These all sound amazing!
This is a good post. I’ve wondered about the difference between night mask and night cream. Someday I will own Tacha something. I’d try the honey one but I can’t imagine putting honey on my face at night