The 9 Best Overnight Face Masks of 2023

Apr 22, 2023

And prices start at just $13

Sarah made her first foray into the beauty industry in late 2009, launching her own site and contributing to blogs such as Temptalia. She landed her first beauty editor role in 2013, and subsequently began freelancing for digital publications in 2014, including Forbes, Teen Vogue, Glamour, Refinery29, and more. Since then, Sarah has worked as a freelance copywriter and consultant for beauty PR firms and branding agencies (notable copywriting clients include Anna Sui, Hollister, and Oscar de la Renta fragrances). Before moving to Germany and returning to the freelance world, she was previously the beauty features editor at Teen Vogue, where she ran the beauty department and expanded digital coverage to include discussions on the intersection of identity and appearance. Sarah received a B.A. in Public Relations from the University of Southern California.

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People / Bianca Kratky

If you’re not boosting your beauty sleep with an overnight face mask, you're missing out. The best overnight face masks support and repair your skin while you snooze, helping you wake up hydrated, refreshed, and glowing. Better yet, you don't have to set a timer to rinse or peel them off. These pillow-proof formulations go to work as you rest, so all you have to do is rinse them off once you’re up.

Why apply them at night? It's the ideal time to maximize those potent formulations. "Skin regeneration is at its height between 10:00 P.M. and 2:00 A.M., and cell turnover increases when the body is in a deep, restful sleep," says Dr. Dendy Engelman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at New York's Shafer Clinic. Overnight face masks help supplement this process with key ingredients to support hydration and renewal.

From smoothing bumps to quenching dryness, there's a mask for every need. To figure out which ones are worth introducing into your nighttime routine, PEOPLE Tested changed into our pajamas to trial 23 popular versions, evaluating them thoroughly for application, feel, and effectiveness. Out of our initial test pool, nine impressed us enough to secure winning spots.

Read on for the best overnight face masks to supercharge your evening skin care.

Nordstrom

Yuzu extract, niacinamide, and retinol leave skin brighter, softer, and hydrated, with less visible fine lines

Jelly texture feels soothing and refreshing on skin

Results are immediate and so noticeable, it feels like going to an esthetician for a facial

The formula easily earned 5 stars, but the applicator shape was a little finicky and hard to hold

Our winning formula is this irresistible Saturday Skin jelly mask, which features a bouncy, lightweight texture that feels incredible going on. The formula contains yuzu extract, which contains three times more vitamin C than any other citrus fruit. It's paired with niacinamide and retinol for additional brightening, smoothing, and refining effects.

The mask feels a little goopy going on, so scoop it out with the included applicator. In testing, we did note that the mini applicator was slightly difficult to maneuver with the product texture, so it would be nice to use this with a larger applicator. That said, we had no complaints whatsoever about the formula. The brand recommends using it anywhere from 3-5 times a week, but we found that 2-3 times was enough to leave skin in excellent shape. Not only did it make skin feel softer and look brighter after a single use, it also made fine lines look much less visible and provided lasting hydration. It was so effective, the results were on par with what you would expect from an esthetician's facial.

Price at time of publish: $29

Size: 50 mL/1.69 fl. oz. | Skin Type: Normal, oily, combination, dry | Star Ingredients: Yuzu extract, niacinamide, retinol (Vitamin A) | Fragrance: No

People / Samantha Aronson

Youth To The People

Feels like a plush, thick moisturizer and absorbs quickly without leaving residue

In testing, it improved hyperpigmentation from breakouts and melasma

Noticeably boosts hydration and makes skin look dewy, not oily

We couldn't find any!

A close second to our overall winner, this decadent face mask is so creamy, it almost feels like a body butter or an especially thick moisturizer. It's a great option if you tend to find overnight face masks watery, leaving your skin feeling too wet overnight. Despite its plush texture, we found that it absorbed almost immediately upon application and didn't leave behind any greasy residue. It's formulated with a blend of antioxidant-rich superberries and stabilized vitamin C to target dullness and uneven skin tone.

In testing, it earned a callout for fading hyperpigmentation from breakouts and melasma, as well as deeply hydrating dry, flaky patches. We were especially impressed with the results after two weeks. Applied nightly (as the brand recommends), it improved hydration more than we thought possible and gave skin a dewy — not oily — glow.

Price at time of publish: $52

Size: 2 oz. | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, dull | Star Ingredients: Vitamin C and superberry blend of Maqui, acai, prickly pear, goji berry, sunflower, moringa, squalane | Fragrance: Yes (natural fragrance)

Burt's Bees

Avocado oil and prebiotics deeply hydrate and make skin feel calmer and more balanced

Lightweight texture sinks in and hydrates all night without leaving a greasy residue

Budget buy that delivers every result you could want from a hydrating sleep mask

We couldn't find any!

Consider this proof that drugstore options are just as effective as any luxury sleep mask. This one rings in at just under $15, giving you an affordable way to treat your skin while you sleep. Made for nightly use, it's formulated with avocado oil for a dose of nourishing fatty acids. It also contains prebiotics to help moisturize and balance your microbiome.

The squeeze tube makes it easy to dispense and the creamy, lightweight texture absorbs quickly. The mask completely absorbs after a few minutes but still manages to intensely hydrate all night. In testing, it also received a callout for having a calming effect on skin, keeping breakouts at bay while it soothed dryness. Skin felt smoother and softer and received a bonus radiance boost — basically everything we could ask for from a hydrating mask.

Price at time of publish: $12.72

Size: 2.5 oz. | Skin Type: All skin types | Star Ingredients: Avocado oil, prebiotics | Fragrance: Yes (natural fragrance)

Sephora

Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and antioxidants intensely hydrate your skin, completely eliminating dryness

Lightweight, fast-absorbing cream feels just like moisturizer

Fragrance-free and great for sensitive skin

While we were impressed at the hydration this mask delivered, we didn't see much improvement in texture and glow

Dry skin will drink up this fragrance-free formula, which helps nourish, hydrate, and calm with a blend of glycerin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and antioxidants. The lightweight cream feels just like your favorite moisturizer, absorbing quickly and leaving skin feeling hydrated without getting overly wet or greasy. It's gentle enough to use whenever you need it — we tested it nightly to see how effectively it could quench dryness. The result? Incredibly moisturized skin that looked and felt like it had never known dryness.

According to the brand, this mask was designed to leave skin looking renewed and radiant. We didn't notice much improvement in terms of texture or glow. That said, the hydration this delivers is so powerful, we’ll definitely reach for it whenever we start feeling dry.

Price at time of publish: $26-49.00

Size: 2.25 fl. oz. | Skin Type: All skin types, especially stressed and dry skin | Star Ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, hyaluronic acid | Fragrance: No

People / Bianca Kratky

People / Bianca Kratky

Sephora

AHA blend smooths and resurfaces skin without irritation — we even successfully tried it on sensitive skin

Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, quinoa peptide, and watermelon enzymes add a hydrating boost that leaves skin looking plumped and dewy

Refreshingly watery texture sinks into skin

While the brand sells a reusable spatula separately, we would love to see one included with the mask

Ditch your face scrub for this exfoliating overnight mask, which was made to give your skin a complete reset overnight. It's formulated with a pH-balanced AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) blend that smooths your skin without irritating it. It also contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, quinoa peptide, and watermelon enzymes to add a hydrating, firming boost to the exfoliating action. We purposely tested it on sensitive skin and were amazed at the results. Applied 2-3 times a week, it immediately left skin feeling shockingly smooth and fresh. A single use helped reduce bumps and texture on the chin area and left a plumped, hydrated finish that could only be described as transformative.

One of the reasons why this mask is so popular is that it's also a sensorial treat. Not only does it smell like the juiciest fresh watermelon, it also has a refreshingly watery texture. We loved the way it sank into skin, but the slippery gel was also slightly difficult to handle with fingers. While the brand does sell a reusable spatula separately, it would be great to see it included with the mask for easier application.

Price at time of publish: $40

Size: 60 mL | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily | Star Ingredients: AHA/glycolic complex, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, quinoa peptide, watermelon enzymes | Fragrance: Yes

Sephora

Calming floral extracts like passionflower, cornflower, and cherry blossom soothe redness and sensitivity

Silky, plush texture leaves skin feeling incredibly moisturized and nourished

Helps skin look more even and healthier overall

We noticed it took about 10 minutes for the mask to really absorb and it may make oily skin types feel a little greasy

Designed for flare ups and signs of sensitivity, this calming mask is formulated with floral extracts like passionflower, cornflower, and cherry blossom to counteract redness overnight. It also contains vitamin C and squalane for overall brightening and smoothing. The texture feels like an especially rich moisturizer, enveloping your face in a silky, moisturizing cocoon.

We did notice that because the mask was so thick and nourishing, it took about 10 minutes to truly sink in and left oily zones feeling slightly greasy until washed off. Used three times a week, it made skin feel incredibly hydrated and left it looking more even. We weren't able to test it on any emergency flare ups, but we definitely noticed an overall soothing effect that left skin looking and feeling healthier.

Price at time of publish: $69

Size: 100 mL/3.3 fl. oz. | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive | Star Ingredients: Floral extracts (passionflower, cornflower, cherry blossom, and peony), vitamin C, squalane | Fragrance: Yes

People / Jada Allison

People / Jada Allison

Typology

Prickly pear oil, shea butter, and immortelle essential oil rejuvenates skin, making it feel softer and look brighter

Makes skin texture look more even overall, especially in areas with large pores

Frosting-like texture sinks in quickly and doesn't feel greasy

The cap gave us some trouble and was sometimes hard to screw completely shut

Formulated to firm and nourish, this mask also gives skin an intensely brightening boost. The thicker, frosting-like texture absorbs quickly and doesn't feel greasy or leave behind residue. The blend of prickly pear oil, shea butter, and immortelle essential oil is designed to regenerate skin, plumping and firming with each use. To put it to the test, we used it on skin with collagen deficiencies to see how it would stack up.

After one application, we noticed that skin felt immediately softer. The firming effect was subtle, but where we were really impressed was its ability to boost glow and smooth skin. Used 2-3 times a week, it also made skin texture look more even, which was particularly noticeable in areas with large pores. While the tube packaging looked pretty, we would love to see this in another packaging option; the cap sometimes gave us issues and wouldn't screw on evenly. Besides that, we loved how this made our skin look and feel.

Price at time of publish: $46.90

Size: 1.69 fl. oz. | Skin Type: All skin types, especially dry or mature skin | Star Ingredients: Prickly pear oil, shea butter, immortelle essential oil | Fragrance: No

People / Elizabeth Theriot

Nordstrom

Thyme honey, shea butter, macadamia oil, and floral extracts leave skin feeling incredibly smooth, soft, and hydrated

Lightweight texture and squeeze tube make this easy to use and apply

While it's formulated for dry skin, we also found it effective for calming and clearing up breakouts

While we absolutely love this product, we realize it's expensive

This was the most surprising overnight mask we tested. While it's formulated to deeply hydrate dry skin, we found it was equally powerful at calming and clearing up breakouts. It's packaged in a squeeze tube, making it easy to pack for travel. You only need a little bit to coat your face, and the lightweight texture sinks in so fast, it's barely noticeable. What you will notice: a ton of instant hydration and from thyme honey, shea butter, macadamia oil, cottonseed oil, kokum butter, Japanese Lilyturf, and Padina pavonica extracts.

It's recommended that you use it 1-2 times a week, but we loved the results so much, we used it every other night without any irritation issues. Instead, it left skin feeling firm, smooth, and incredibly soft — clearing away any traces of dryness while also completely eliminating stray chin breakouts. It's expensive, but if you can swing it, it's worth the high price tag.

Price at time of publish: $160

Size: 60 mL/2 fl. oz. | Skin Type: Dry, combination, sensitive, acne-prone | Star Ingredients: Thyme honey, shea butter, macadamia oil, cottonseed oil, kokum butter, Japanese Lilyturf, Padina pavonica extracts | Fragrance: Yes

People / Meredith Butcher

Sulwhasoo

Korean red pine extract and red ginseng leave skin feeling incredibly smooth, hydrated, even, and glowy

Overall refreshing effect makes skin feel calmer and less prone to breakouts

Supersoft brush applicator delivers an application that feels like a luxury spa experience

While we think it's worth it, the price is a definite splurge

If you’re looking for an overnight face mask that makes you feel like royalty, Sulwhasoo's sleeping mask is an actual magical experience. It comes with a supersoft brush that gently glides the mask over your skin. The consistency of the mask itself is creamy, light, and soothing. The blend of Korean red pine extract and red ginseng sinks in right away, working to replenish dry skin, smooth fine lines, and boost glow.

The brand recommends using it a few times a week, but we couldn't resist nightly applications during testing — the results were just that good. With each sensorial application, it minimized dryness, left skin feeling incredibly smooth and soft, and made fine lines fade. We also noticed an overall refreshing, calming effect; skin seemed less prone to breakouts and noticeably glowier.

Price at time of publish: $200

Size: 80 mL/2.7 fl. oz. | Skin Type: All skin types, especially dry or mature skin | Star Ingredients: Korean red pine, red ginseng | Fragrance: Yes

Most overnight face masks are meant to be used as a supplement to your skin-care routine a few nights a week, so keep in mind that a single tube or tub will last a long time. Most of the winning formulas we found do skew toward the pricier side, but the results were on par with what we would expect from a professional facial — all from the comfort of our homes. We did also find some great affordable options, like Burt's Bees Hydrating Overnight Face Mask ($12.72) and our overall winner, Saturday Skin Yuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask ($29).

The right consistency and packaging is truly dependent on your personal preference. Some of our testers delighted in thicker formulas that reminded them of rich moisturizers, while others liked the refreshing sensation of a watery gel. Packaging recommendations also depend on how you personally like to dispense and apply products. For some, tubes like Summer Fridays’ Jet Lag Mask are the perfect option for on-the-go masking. Others love the sensorial experience of a tub and applicator like Sulwhasoo's Timetreasure Invigorating Sleeping Mask. Go for the consistency and packaging that fits best with your skin-care routine.

The most important thing to keep in mind when shopping for overnight face masks is your skin type and the ingredients and formulations it needs. You can figure this out just by looking at the label on your mask, but to get you started, we consulted Dr. Engelman for some expert advice.

If you have dry or dehydrated skin, you’ll want to look for masks designed for hydration and barrier repair. "The most important ingredients to look for in overnight masks for dry skin are peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid," says Dr. Engelman. "These ingredients promote cell renewal, which helps to restore what was lost during the day, and work to make the skin hydrated, firm and plump." One of her personal favorites for dry skin is also a PEOPLE Tested pick: the Sisley Paris Velvet Sleeping Mask, which our testing team found also worked great for calming acne and redness. Dr. Engelman says the ingredients are excellent "for soothing and hydrating dry skin."

Combination skin types benefit from a combination of ingredient approaches. Dr. Engelman recommends masks with peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid to repair and strengthen your skin's barrier function. At the same time, you can also look for gentle AHAs like lactic acid and glycolic acid. "These are great for combination skin because they provide hydration for drier areas of the face while balancing the skin and removing dead skin cells without irritation," she says. Glow Recipe's Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment, our pick for best exfoliating mask, fits the bill.

According to Dr. Engelman, oily skin types should avoid fragrance, alcohol, and other irritants that can lead to breakouts. If you know your skin is sensitive to fragrance, we’ve clarified which of our winners are fragrance-free. (Summer Fridays’ Jet Lag Mask is a great option.) That said, not all oily skin types will react negatively to fragrance, so if you’re unsure, do a patch test first. You’ll also want to look for pore-unclogging ingredients like salicylic acid or overall "balanced formulas" with clarifying ingredients.

Gel masks are your best bet for sensitive skin. "They’re soothing and provide lots of moisture," says Dr. Engelman. Look for ingredients like ceramides and peptides, which help strengthen and repair your barrier function. We also love the calming ingredients found in Fresh's Floral Recovery Redness Reducing Overnight Mask.

Drying out acne-prone skin can actually lead to more breakouts. Instead, Dr. Engelman recommends using hydrating ingredients. In testing, we also found that the deeply moisturizing Sisley Paris Velvet Sleeping Mask effectively soothed chin breakouts. "Hyaluronic acid helps wounds heal faster and reduces scarring, while helping to keep the skin barrier healthy through hydration," she says. Balance it with clarifying formulations that sweep away pore-clogging skin cells.

To find the best overnight face masks on the market, our testers evaluated 23 popular options over a period of two weeks. We used them at least three times a week — or less often if specifically recommended by the brand. After cleansing and applying our usual nighttime skin-care products, we applied a thin, even layer of each mask, waiting for it to fully absorb before going to sleep. Our testers took before-and-after photos of their skin to track both the immediate and long-term results. After two weeks of intense masking, we rated each one's application, feel, and overall effectiveness. Each attribute was given a score of 1-5 and the numerical scoring was taken into consideration along with the individual testers' comments. Multiple masks on our list received perfect 5s, including a Burt's Bees mask that's under $15.

Overnight face masks are leave-on formulas that support your skin with key ingredients while you sleep and your skin goes into repair mode. "Skin is vulnerable to losing water during this time, so using overnight face masks can create a permeable seal on top of the skin that helps prevent excess moisture loss," says Dr. Engelman. Additionally, they’re often formulated with ingredients that boost your skin's natural repair functions.

Formulations have come a long way, and today's overnight face masks are typically designed to be totally pillow-proof. In testing, our pillows all survived the night. That said, make sure to wait for your mask to fully absorb before you go to bed. Dr. Engelman recommends applying 30 minutes before you sleep, which helps ensure total absorption and prevent staining.

Frequency depends on the type of formulation you use. Always read the instructions and pay attention to your skin's needs. Dr. Engelman says most masks don't need to be used more than once a week. "It's a great way to give your skin an extra boost," she says. Some masks are designed to be used nightly but using a weekly mask too often can also be too much of a good thing. "This can be too intense and result in other skin problems," she says. "It's important to let your skin breathe through the night sometimes."

Sarah Y. Wu is a freelance contributor for PEOPLE and has been a freelance beauty editor, copy director, and brand consultant since 2010. Her bylines have appeared on Glamour, Vogue, Teen Vogue, Byrdie, Marie Claire, Women's Health, WWD, TZR, and Forbes. Previously, she was the Contributing Content Director for Milk Makeup, where she relaunched the brand's editorial platform in 2022. For this piece, she analyzed the insights from our team of testers who tried 23 hair masks at home for two weeks. She also interviewed Dr. Dendy Engelman, M.D., F.A.C.M.S., F.A.A.D., a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at New York's Shafer Clinic for an expert's opinion on effective overnight face masks.

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