A good night's sleep is one of the cornerstones of achieving perfect skin. Catching some quality zzz's gives your skin the opportunity to renew itself while you rest, and repair the damage done by moisture suckers like central heating, pollution and other elements. But rather than just washing the day off and retiring with freshly-cleansed skin, why not actively help the rejuvenating process by using an overnight sleep mask.
"Overnight treatment masks are meant to provide a more intense treatment that can be used over a longer period of time," explains aesthetic skin doctor, Dr. Maryam Zamani, founder of MZ Skin. "As the body and skin repairs and recovers while sleeping, delivery of active ingredients help to allow deeper penetration than a treatment used for a shorter time. Sometimes overnight masks can be used to provide a deeper hydration or to treat active skin conditions. I prefer overnight masks to treat anti-aging concerns like radiance, hydration and firming." Skin-loving ingredients like vitamins, antioxidants and hydrating hyaluronic acid will work to strengthen your visage whilst you snooze. All you have to do is pick a mask, apply, go to bed and let your skincare do the hard work.
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MZ Skin's Radiance & Renewal
"(The) radiance and renewal mask has intense exfoliating action to help brighten tired skin and to reduce pigmentation while promoting firmer and smooth skin," explains Maryam. Alpha hydroxy acid and Carica papaya deeply exfoliate, while arabinogalactans and Glycokines smooth and nourish.
Abyssinian Oil Night Halo Potent Sleep Mask
This night-time treatment will moisturise and detox while you sleep like an angel. Suitable for all skin types, the balm absorbs overnight to deeply hydrate and refresh your skin, leaving a glowing finish. Smooth a finger full over your face and neck to form a thin layer. Once you've woken up from your beauty sleep, cleanse your face with a konjac sponge or face cloth.
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Manuka Doctor Overnight Lavender Mask
Manuka Doctor's mask contains manuka honey to help boost hydration and elastin, lavender oil to help you relax and promote a restful night's sleep, plus glycerin and hyaluronic acid to increase firmness and refine the appearance of wrinkles. Great for all skin types, it also promotes a dewy, radiant complexion.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque
Celebrity favourite Kiehl's option includes plant-based glycerin that works as a magnet to pull in essential moisture and squalane, an easily absorbed botanical lipid that helps restore skin's natural balance. Apply a generous layer of the masque onto clean skin and leave on for 10 minutes. Do not rinse for a major hydration boost.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask
This gel-like mask combines hyaluronic acid and alpha hydroxy acids, hydrating and refining pores to give baby-soft skin come morning. As a sleeping mask, use two scoops or a generous layer on skin as the final step of your evening routine. Pat gently until absorbed and wash thoroughly in the morning.
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Now go get your beauty sleep!