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What Are the Benefits of Sleeping With A Face Mask
JUNE 2026The average person spends approximately one-third of their life sleeping. That may sound excessive (that’s so much time that could be spent doing other things!), but sleep affects everything, including your skin’s appearance, because that’s when your body works to repair damage.
That’s why using skincare products designed for nighttime use, such as overnight face masks, can help you make the most of the time you spend snoozing.
Also known as sleep masks and night masks, overnight masks are designed to be applied to your face before bed and worn throughout the night. Overnight hydrating masks aim to provide deep hydration and help support your skin’s natural repair processes, leaving you with a fresher, more radiant appearance come sunrise.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about overnight sleep mask skincare. Read on for a deep dive into the benefits of overnight masking, plus discover two of Kiehl’s best overnight masks to bolster your nighttime skincare routine.
Sleeping with a facemask: Key takeaways
- Overnight hydrating masks are treatments designed to target skincare issues while you sleep.
- What your overnight sleeping mask targets will depend on its formula, but most will look to target dry skin, oily skin, or overly tight skin.
- Before applying an overnight sleeping mask, cleanse and tone your face to ensure your mask can properly target the issues you intend it to.
- For an overnight hydrating mask that nourishes and refreshes skin, try Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask with 10.5% Squalane.
What is an overnight hydrating mask?
While an overnight hydrating mask can technically refer to any skincare treatment designed to be worn while you sleep (including lip masks and overnight hair masks), the term is generally reserved for face masks.
As stated above, they’re applied at night, after cleansing and toning your face, then left on while you sleep. In the morning, after sleeping with a face mask, you either wash it off or pat in the excess formula before completing your usual morning skincare routine.
Kiehl's Tip: You can repurpose lots of our skincare products for use as DIY overnight treatments. For example, if you have severely dry feet, try applying a thick layer of body cream to your feet before bed. Immediately after application, cover your feet with a pair of thick cotton socks.
This helps lock in moisture for softer, smoother soles by morning. You can offer the same intense moisturisation to your hands by sleeping in gloves, worn over a generous amount of hand cream.
What are the benefits of sleeping masks?
Overnight masks boast similar benefits to regular face masks: they can help hydrate, address skin concerns, and offer time for self-care. However, unlike regular masks, you sleep with them on, allowing more time for product absorption.
More specific sleeping mask benefits will depend on the formula you choose, so once you've figured out what skin concerns you want to tackle, you can get started on finding the right formula for your needs.
If your skin is dry, for example, we recommend reaching for Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask with 10.5% Squalane. The ultra-nourishing balm-to-oil formula contains glacial glycoprotein and squalane derived from sugarcane. It helps stabilise the skin’s natural moisture barrier, minimising moisture loss and visibly improving the appearance of dry skin. Over time, it also helps skin feel less tight and diminishes visible flakiness.
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How often should you use overnight sleeping masks?
How often you should use an overnight sleeping mask depends primarily on the formula you choose. Some can be used nightly, others are best used more sparingly (think: once or twice per week).
The mask you’re using should have specific instructions on the label that tell you exactly how often it should be used. As for the masks mentioned above, our Ultra Facial mask can be used up to three times per week, while you can apply the firming mask as many as five times per week.
How to use overnight masks?
Now that you’re caught up on what overnight sleeping masks are (and what they can do for your skin), keep reading to learn exactly how to incorporate one into your nightly skincare routine.
Step 1: Cleanse and Tone Your Face
Before we start with how to use overnight masks, you’ll need to cleanse your face. Any cleanser suitable for your skin type will do, but we’re particularly fond of Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil for a nighttime, pre-mask cleanse.
The non-comedogenic formula emulsifies with water to create a light, milky lather that effectively washes away dirt, excess oil, and even waterproof makeup. Unlike traditional cleansers, which are generally meant to be used on damp skin, you’ll want to apply this cleansing oil while your skin is still dry. Then, add lukewarm water, rinse thoroughly, and pat your skin dry with a clean washcloth.
Next, reach for a gentle, non-stripping facial toner, like Ultra Facial Toner. The alcohol-free formula helps remove any dirt and debris left behind after cleansing while simultaneously providing lightweight hydration.
The pH-balanced formula contains avocado oil and squalane, and it’s suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Soak a cotton pad in the liquid toner, then sweep the pad over your face, taking care to avoid the immediate eye area.
Step 2: Apply an Eye Cream
Unless your overnight hydrating mask is suitable for use around the eye area, you’ll also want to apply a hydrating eye cream so your eyes look fresh when you wake up, too. Try Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado.
The classic Kiehl’s formula uses avocado oil and caffeine to deeply hydrate and nourish the delicate under-eye area. 93% of users agree that the eye area looks less puffy*, smoother, and brighter**. Doubling as a hydrating under-eye mask, it’s the perfect pair for use with your overnight hydrating mask.
*With massage
**4-week consumer study of 71 people, when used as a 15min mask
Step 3: Smooth On Your Chosen Face Mask
While your skin is still damp from cleansing, reach for your chosen overnight face mask and smooth on a generous amount, starting from your neck and spreading the formula with upward sweeping motions.
If your overnight sleeping mask is a balm-to-oil formula, like our Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask with 10.5% Squalane, make sure to continue massaging it over your skin until the consistency transforms.
Once you’ve finished applying your mask, brush your teeth and crawl into bed. In the morning, you can go ahead and follow your usual morning skincare routine (don’t forget the SPF!)
Shop Our Best overnight Face Mask
Ultra Facial Overnight Rehydrating Mask with 10.5% Squalane
A deeply hydrating mask for dry skin that helps locks moisture in overnight and stabilizes skin’s moisture barrier to help treat dryness, tightness and flaky skin.
Sleeping with a face mask: FAQs
Can I sleep with a face mask on?
As long as your sleep mask is a dedicated overnight hydrating mask, like Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask with 10.5% Squalane, you can use it overnight. Do not use a non-overnight sleeping mask while you sleep.
What are sleeping masks for?
Overnight hydrating masks use targeted and concentrated formulas to target skincare issues while you sleep. Depending on the formula of the mask, it may look to target dry, blemished, or oily skin.
Can you leave a face mask on overnight?
You can leave a face mask on overnight if it is a dedicated overnight sleeping mask. Do not leave non-overnight face masks on whilst you sleep.
How to use an overnight mask?
To use an overnight hydrating mask, simply rub the mask into your skin until it changes in consistency and feels natural. Then, just go to bed and enjoy the masks effects. In the morning, wash the mask off your face and begin your normal skincare routine.
