7 Best Overnight Face Masks That Will Make Your Skin Glow
These leave-on masks help treat all kinds of skin concerns, from acne to dullness.
Tested by Chiara ButlerBeauty and Personal Care Lab Reviews Analyst
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Talk about getting your beauty sleep—there's an overnight mask out there to help combat practically any skin issue, whether you're dealing with dryness, dullness, or acne. They are "meant to be applied before bed and left on skin to allow the ingredients to work overnight," says Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler. Though your skin naturally repairs itself while you're sleeping, Marisa Garshick, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, adds that these masks enhance that process.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Osmotics Cosmeceuticals Blue Copper 5 Prime Sleep Tight Mask
- Best value: Sungboon Editor Deep Collagen Power Boosting Mask
- Best for acne: Skinfix Recovery+ Antioxidant Tetrapeptide Soothing Treatment
In their most recent test of overnight masks, our Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists recruited a panel of six testers to try 22 overnight masks over 15 days. This roundup includes the top-performing products from that test, along with a few Good Housekeeping Beauty Award winners and editor picks.
By the end of this guide, you'll know what to look for when shopping for an overnight mask, whether to apply moisturizer before it, and more.
Pros
- Measurably and significantly increases skin hydration
- Does not leave stains or residue after application
- Can help stimulate collagen production
Cons
- Some reported it was sticky when initially applying
Although on the pricier side, this Osmotics pick was a winner in the GH Beauty Lab's overnight mask test—in Lab testing, it increased skin hydration by 45%. The Lab was also impressed by its high level of sodium hyaluronate (a.k.a. hyaluronic acid) to boost hydration and copper peptides to help stimulate collagen production. Some testers found the product a little sticky upon application, but no one noticed any stains or residue on their pillow in the morning, which the Lab appreciated.
| Skin type | All, particularly aging skin |
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid |
Pros
- Perfect score for being the right shape and size for testers’ faces
- Doesn’t leave an unpleasant residue on skin
- Doesn’t interfere with skincare or makeup application afterwards
Cons
- Might not help with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Skip the typical 20-minute mask: This K-beauty pick is designed to be worn overnight for maximum results. A Beauty Award winner, it’s soaked in a bottle’s worth of collagen essence and turns from opaque to clear as skin absorbs the serum. Its fragrance-free formula includes low-molecular-weight collagen, nine peptides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to hydrate, plump, and brighten. It’s also suitable for sensitive skin.
In Beauty Lab testing, the mask earned perfect scores for hydration, fit, and leaving no unpleasant residue or interfering with skincare and makeup. Testers said it was easy to apply, stayed in place, and didn’t irritate their skin. It may not improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
“Love this mask!!” a tester said. “It is so easy to use, refreshing, relaxing, hydrating, and brings so much moisture to my face. This was my first time sleeping overnight with a face mask on, and it was surprisingly easy. The mask didn’t move or bother me during the night, so I could enjoy all its benefits. My skin was super hydrated the next morning, and I felt great.”
| Skin type | All |
| Ingredients | Collagen, peptides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide |
Pros
- Helps calm the skin and reduce blemishes
- Can be used after a retinol or retinoid to soothe skin overnight
Cons
- May not sufficiently reduce redness for some
Dr. Garshick likes this mask to "help calm the skin and reduce blemishes and redness that can go along with breakouts," she says. She advises that this mask "can be used following retinoid treatment to help soothe the skin overnight." It contains skin-loving ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides "to support the skin barrier," she adds. Plus, she notes that "it won't clog pores or worsen breakouts." However, some online reviewers say it didn't help with their redness, so you may need to add other treatments to reduce it.
| Skin type | Acne-prone, redness-prone |
| Key ingredients | Green tea, honey, peptide complex |
Pros
- Calms and smooths skin
- Soothes skin barrier
Cons
- Some feel that it doesn't absorb into skin well
Recommended by Dr. Garshick, this classic overnight mask is especially great for sensitive or dry skin types. GH analyst Grace Wu loves the "jelly-like texture and that it leaves my skin smooth and glowy," she says. "It's so lightweight and has a soothing feel on my skin." Dr. Garshick credits the inclusion of Centella asiatica, a brand staple, for the product's "calming, soothing, and hydrating" properties. She also notes that it soothes the skin barrier and locks in moisture. Some online reviewers feel it doesn't absorb well into the skin.
| Skin type | Dry, sensitive |
| Key ingredients | Centella asiatica, glycerin, niacinamide |
Pros
- Lightweight formula hydrates skin
- Contains emollients for ultimate moisturization
Cons
- Fragrance is polarizing
A widely loved Korean skincare brand, Sulwhasoo's selection of luxe products includes this lightweight yet hydrating overnight mask. Butler loves that this mask "never makes my skin feel suffocated," adding that it "keeps her skin hydrated like an overnight mask but feels like a regular moisturizer." Featuring emollient ingredients like squalane and shea butter alongside antioxidant-containing fruit extracts, online reviewers note that the fragrance is polarizing.
| Skin type | All, especially dry |
| Key ingredients | Squalane, pomegranate extract, jujube |
Pros
- Measurably increases skin's moisture levels
- Refreshing scent
- Hydrates and soothes dry patches, even in the winter
Cons
- May feel tacky on skin
Aptly named, this Origins mask is like a gulp of hydration for even the driest skin. A top performer in Lab testing, it increased skin moisturization levels by 36%. It's also one of Butler's favorites; she calls it an "amazingly hydrating product." She likes the mask's refreshing scent and finds it "so comforting for skin affected by dry winter air and incredible at soothing dry patches." One downside is that "it can feel tacky on skin," she adds.
| Skin type | Dry, normal |
| Key ingredients | Swiss glacier water, hyaluronic acid, avocado butter |
Pros
- Softens and smooths skin
- Supports skin barrier
Cons
- Buttery texture of product is polarizing
Containing an impressive 10.5% squalane, this mask is loved by both GH Senior Beauty & Style Director April Franzino and Dr. Garshick for locking in moisture overnight. They both note that it's fragrance-free, with Dr. Garshick adding that it "leaves the skin feeling softer and smoother and helps to strengthen the skin barrier." Franzino reaches for it when her skin "is feeling extremely parched and reactive," she says, describing the texture as "butter-like." Some online reviewers don't love the buttery texture, though, as they find it a bit greasy.
| Skin type | Dry, normal |
| Key ingredients | Squalane |
How we test overnight masks
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab tests thousands of beauty products every year, including overnight masks.
In our most recent overnight mask test, Beauty Lab scientists evaluated 22 masks with six testers over 15 days. Using a Corneometer, they measured skin hydration at baseline and six hours after application at 10 measurement points. They then compared the changes in hydration to determine which masks delivered the strongest results.
What to look for when shopping for the best overnight masks
The most important thing to consider when shopping for an overnight face mask is your skin concern.
✔️ Dry skin: Dry skin usually needs a hydrating mask. Look for ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, Butler advises. These will "draw moisture in and boost hydration," Dr. Garshick adds.
✔️ Aging skin: For aging skin, try a mask with retinol to help treat fine lines and wrinkles and boost collagen production. It can be a "great option for someone who may not be able to tolerate a traditional retinol nightly but want to get the benefits of a retinol," explains Dr. Garshick.
✔️ Dull skin: Dealing with dullness or clogged pores? "Look for masks with exfoliating acids like AHAs or salicylic acid," notes Butler.
✔️ Sensitive skin: If your issue is sensitivity, it's "best to stick with hydrating masks that are gentle on the skin," says Dr. Garshick. You should also "avoid fragrance if you have sensitive skin," she adds.
Should you apply moisturizer before an overnight mask?
You don't need to apply moisturizer before an overnight mask, but you can if you'd like. “Most overnight masks are designed to be the last step of a nighttime routine. In some cases, they are meant to be applied to clean, dry skin,” says Dr. Garshick. But if you're feeling extra dry, a hydrating mask "may be applied on top of a serum or moisturizer to really help lock the moisture in," she adds.
How often should you use an overnight mask?
"Most overnight masks are meant to be used one to two times per week," Dr. Garshick says, especially those with harsher exfoliating ingredients. But check the instructions on the packaging, as some "hydrating masks can be used every night," adds Butler.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Former GH Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn worked closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to help deliver fact-based, science-backed beauty coverage. Over the years, she has interviewed experts, written product reviews, and tested hundreds of skincare products, including cleansers, moisturizers, serums, oils, toners, sunscreens, exfoliators, professional treatments, and more.
Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler regularly conducts hands-on testing and analysis of beauty and health products for the GH Institute. In addition to her experience at GH, her background as a cosmetic chemist includes evaluating ingredient efficacy and scrutinizing product claims.
Chiara (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Beauty and Personal Care Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she’s been doing hands-on testing of beauty products since 2022. She also covers aesthetic treatments like injectables and lasers. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. Before joining GH, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims. When not at GH, you can find her wandering the beauty aisles of the drugstore.
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