Longer evenings, the heating on, a cup of tea on the sofa: autumn is when a lot of us slow down at night. It's also when skin tends to wake up looking a bit tired and feeling drier than in summer. That's where a sleeping mask comes in. But what is it exactly, and do you need one if you already have a night cream?
What a sleeping mask actually is
A sleeping mask (also called an overnight mask or sleeping pack) is a leave-on mask you apply as the very last step of your evening routine. Think of it as a comforting layer on top of everything else. It helps keep the hydration from your toner, essence and serum where it belongs while you sleep, so your skin feels softer and more comfortable in the morning.
Sleeping mask vs night cream
A night cream is your everyday moisturiser for the evening. A sleeping mask is more of an extra: something you add when your skin needs a bit more care, like after a long day in dry office air, a cold windy walk, or a few short nights. Some textures can do both, which is handy when you like to keep things simple.
How to use one
Use it as your final step, after your serum and moisturiser (or instead of your moisturiser if the texture is rich enough). Apply a thin, even layer, not a thick coat; more product doesn't mean more benefit, and a thin layer feels nicer on your pillow. Leave it on overnight and rinse in the morning. Two or three nights a week is a lovely rhythm to start with. Short on time? Some masks can also be applied generously, left on for 15 minutes and rinsed off.
Our pick: COSRX Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask
This creamy sleeping mask is made for dry, dull and uneven-looking skin. Rice extract tops the ingredient list and supports hydration and a healthy glow, while niacinamide helps improve the look of uneven tone. Glycerin, betaine, sunflower seed oil and allantoin help replenish and soothe. What we like most: it's flexible. Use it overnight, as a 15-minute wash-off mask, or as a rich moisturiser on very dry evenings.
A few gentle tips
Put on your mask about 15–20 minutes before bed, so it has time to settle before your face meets the pillow. Use a clean pillowcase. And if you're new to sleeping masks, start with one or two nights a week and see how your skin feels.
You'll find the COSRX Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask in our shop, a small evening ritual for the darker months.
