I have typically had a low maintenance skincare routine for night but in the last few years I’ve tried to up my game for night time treatments. As I’ve aged I’ve found my skin needs an added boost of moisture whether it’s for the face, lips or body. When we sleep we lose moisture and if you add a heater or air conditioner to the mix skin can become extra dry. I prefer lightweight products so they don’t get sticky or feel heavy. In the past my favorite night treatments were the Kate Somerville DermalQuench Liquid Lift +Retinol and her RetAsphere 2-in-1 Retinol Night Cream. I used them religiously and used up multiple bottles but eventually decided to try new things.
In the last year I’ve become really interested in sleep masks and oils. After months of testing I have a roundup of things I’ve tried in the last year. Some I’ve used up entirely while others I’ve been testing for a few months. In terms of skin type, I’m normal combination but in recent months it has been dry due to the weather and water in Florida is kinda harsh! My preference for night time skincare is something that feels weightless but adds enough moisture to remove any dry or tight feeling. Scents are also really important to me as some smells can interfere with my sleep.
Sleeping Masks
For the longest time I thought “sleep masks” were a fancy name for night cream/lotion but they really are different in texture and feel. There are a wide range of sleep masks that will do different things. The ones I’ve tried have a lighter weight feel compared to a cream. A lot of the ones I’ve tested have a gel or jelly like texture which has a less emollient finish so it doesn’t get all over your pillow or hair while you sleep. With all the sleeping masks I’ve tried I find a little goes a very long way. They usually come with a spatula to apply and some I feel like I can use every night regularly and barely make a dent even after several months. Some brands recommend you stir or mix before applying as the ingredients can separate or settle naturally.
- Glow Recipe Watermelon Sleeping Mask * ($45 for 2.7 oz/80 ml) – This is my favorite sleeping mask that I’ve tried to add bounce and moisture to the skin. I loved it so much I’ve probably bought at least a dozen in the mini size to give to my friends and also a few to giveaway here! They call it radiance in a jar and I think it’s just that. For me it’s lightweight but hydrating. Smells delicious. Has hyaluronic acid, AHAs and watermelon extract. It softens and hydrates the skin overnight.
- Ingredients listed at here
- Erno Laszlo Hydra-Therapy Memory Sleep Mask * ($90 for 40 ml/1.35 fl oz) – This is one I found a little too rich for me. If you have normal to dry skin or don’t mind something a tad bit sticky this one is great. It’s a memory sleep mask that I found works to calm redness, remove dry patches and smooth the skin. I’m super picky with any kind of texture and it feels like a mask on the skin when I fall asleep. However when I wake up, skin is refreshed, more plump/firm and ultra smooth. This has prickly pear extract, green ginger extract and kelp extract.
- Ingredients listed at here
- Omorovicza Midnight Radiance Mask ($125 for 1.7 oz) – This is a brightening mask and it does give the skin a really fresh glow when you use it overnight. I found this super lightweight – you only need to apply a thin layer and it almost feels like water. I haven’t noticed any of my sunspots or discoloration disappear with this, but in general the face looks brighter. The active ingredients are sand lily and salicylic acid to gently exfoliate the skin overnight. After using this I wake up feeling like the skin is truly rebalanced – not oily or dry. It’s very expensive but a little goes a VERY long way.
- Ingredients list here
- Kiehl’s Ginger Leaf and Hibiscus Firming Mask ($54 for 3.4 oz/100 ml) – This is one of the newest masks from Kiehl’s. It’s an overnight mask that has a cream texture with a velvelty finish. The hibiscus flowers close at night and this is in the mask to help preserve moisture. The ginger leaf softens the skin and fine lines. I’ve started to develop more noticeable lines on my forehead and this mask definitely helps to soften them. The wrinkles are something I feel like botox could help, but I’m really scared of needles and worry that once I start it’s something I’ll have to keep doing to maintain. I will probably try it eventually, but for now this mask has really helped to plump and firm the skin. In terms of moisture I’d say it’s moderate. If you only need a lightweight product and not a huge amount of moisture this is a great one to try.
- Ingredients listed at here
- Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask ($26 for 15 g) – Hands down one of my favorite night lip treatments. I’ve used up several tubes of the clear one. Right now I have the tinted options in Champagne and Maple. It hugs the lips and hydrates unlike any other balm.
- Ingredients listed at Sephora
As you can see below these look barely used but I assure you I have been using them for months (with the exception of the Kiehl’s mask because it just launched recently). A little truly goes a very long way – especially if you use the spatulas that come with the masks.
Night Cream and Oils
Night Creams and Oils are what I’ve traditionally gravitated towards in the past. All of the ones listed below I’ve used up entirely. Notes on which ones worked best for me and whether or not I’ll repurchase.
- 111Skin Celestial Black Diamond Retinol Oil * ($230 for 1 oz/30 ml) – This is an oil I received as a press sample a year ago. It’s one of the most expensive oils I’ve tried and has 1% pure retinol oil. I usually can’t tolerate retinol products. This and the ones from Kate Somerville are the only ones I’ve been able to use. This one from 111Skin really works to help the skin speed up the resurfacing process, reduce fine lines and wrinkles. They recommend starting up to 3 times per week and increase frequency to every other night. I kept this at 2-3 times per week until I used it up. It lasted a very long time for me. I loved this because it absorbed nicely, smoothed the skin, reduced breakouts and added a glow. I’m not sure I will purchase a second tube.
- Ingredients listed here
- Caudalie Vinoperfect Overnight Renewal Cream * ($59 for 1.3 oz/40 ml) – I also received this as a press sample a little over a year ago. I feel like I neglect Caudalie because of all the other things I want to try, but I’ve been such a huge fan of their skincare and body care. This is the best gentle night cream I’ve used. It has glycolic acid to also help brighten and retexturize the skin but it’s very gentle and non-irritating. This is supposed to help with sunspots and melasma – it did work for me to gently reduce sunspot darkness. I will be repurchasing this week.
- Ingredients listed at here
- Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate ($47 to $73) – Probably my favorite night oil. I’ve used up several bottles as it’s a great oil to use at night to help replenish the skin. It helps to rebalance and hydrate the skin in the most amazing way I’ve ever tried. I’m trying to get my husband to start using it at night. I will always be repurchasing this.
- Ingredients listed at here
- L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Oil * ($99 for 1 fl oz) – This has been a favorite for years. It’s not technically designed for night but I use it occasionally at night because it hydrates the skin, adds a beautiful glow and smells lovely.
- Ingredients listed here
Miscellaneous
A few other items I love to use at night. For body or hands I’ve always been more consistent about using product. I feel like my hands are prone to getting dry. Some of the things I’ve had in rotation:
- L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Eye Balm * ($94 for 15 ml) – This is a gentle eye treatment that doesn’t creep into my eyes. It’s emollient and instantly refreshes the skin around the eye area. I’ve normally used the Immortelle Precious Eye Balm and Immortelle Divine Eyes from L’Occitane but this is one I’ve had in rotation for a little over a month now. I’ll do a more detailed report once I’ve used it up, but I love the way it feels.
- La Mer Eye Concentrate ($205 for 15 ml) – I bought this during the Sephora sale so I’ve only used it 3x so far. I will have to use it more to give a proper review but so far no irritation, no stinging and it has a very smooth feel. Will review sometime in the future.
- Ingredients listed here
- Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado ($29 for 0.5 oz) – This is a super creamy and thick eye treatment that feels like a mask for the eyes. It’s one of the most hydrating creams I’ve tried and has a thick feel but doesn’t feel super greasy. Since it’s on the rich side I’ve used this at night. It does a good job at moisturizing. I used this up all the way, I’m not sure it’s something I will repurchase, but I love that it’s a very affordable option that works.
- Ingredients listed here
- Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Body Cream * ($69 for 200 ml/6.7 fl oz) – This is the newest from Fresh Beauty and I’m 100% obsessed. I’ve used it for around 3 weeks now and love the fresh black tea and cucumber scent that it has. I’ve noticed with exposure to heat, sun and Florida air my legs get dried out more easily. This is a nice smooth cream that instantly comforts itchy dry skin and adds life back into the body. It’s moisturizing but not heavy and has a nice dry down so I don’t stick to my sheets at night.
- Ingredients listed here
- Chanel Fresh Body Cream ($130 for 150 g) – This is my favorite night cream for the body because it’s lightweight, feels cool on the skin and has the freshest clean scent. If you have super dry skin you will need something heavier. This works for me day or night – it layers nicely with any fragrance too. For me I often only need a light veil of moisture on the arms and legs and this does just that. This is my third tub. For hands I also love the La Creme Main because it has a velvety non-sticky finish. They just launched a No 5 L’Eau version which I’m so exited to try.
- Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Oil ($20 for 0.5 oz) – This has been something I’ve used since the before my blogging days. It has pure white jojoba oil, vitamin E and coconut oil. I love using this at night on the cuticles, I don’t use it everyday although I should. You can see my full hand and nail care routine here.
If you’re looking for some night treatments whether it’s an oil or sleep mask I hope this roundup helped you! If you have any favorite skincare you swear by or love for night let me know in the comments!
Press samples have a * next to them. Other items purchased by me.
