Wake up with glowing skin: sleep masks vs. night creams

Overnight sleeping masks and night cream seem similar. They are both products you put on for a complexion boost before you go to sleep and rinse away when you wash your face in the morning. Both make your skin feel hydrated, and supply moisture for healthy skin. But actually they are, quite literally night and day, they offer different results and have a different purpose. In this blog we will explain the difference, share a few of our favorites, and answer questions such as: when is the right time to use each product?  

What exactly is a Sleeping Mask (or Sleeping Pack)?

A sleeping mask works similarly to a normal face mask, except that you leave it on overnight. Normal masks are usually thick and creamy, on the other hand most sleeping masks are easily absorbed into the skin via a gel or lightweight cream formula. When we sleep our bodies have a chance to reset and recover, and time allows these masks to deeply penetrate into your skin, hydrating the deeper layers and preventing dry skin.

Used as a final part of your night skincare regime, sleeping masks are packed with active ingredients depending on your skin type and skin concern like anti-aging, fighting breakouts, brightening, or moisturizing. Just like normal face masks or sheet masks, these skin treatments should only be used when your skin feels like it could use something extra. Overusing sleeping masks could result in irritation, that why we recommend to use it twice or thrice a week. On nights where you opt to apply a sleeping pack, you do not need to apply a night cream.

If your skin is lacking moisture or you're dealing with rough skin, we recommend the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask. This mask keeps the skin hydrated during sleep when the skin tends to dry and Sleep-Tox™ technology purifies the skin for dewy and healthy complexion. The Sleeping mask is available in two different types: the Water Sleeping Mask which has a light gel-type texture to hydrate the skin when you feel lack of moisture, and Cica Sleeping Mask which has a creamy texture to soothe and strengthen skin barrier when feeling sensitive. There's a sleeping mask for every skin problem!

We recommend Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask to slow down aging. This special sleeping mask can be used as a sleeping mask and as a moisturizer as well. It contains ingredients that help to protect skin against harmful UV rays and fades skin discolorations and brightens skin, making it feel supple and hydrated. 

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask	Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask	Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask

What exactly is a Night Cream?

A night cream provides overall general nourishment and hydration which helps to balance the skin on a daily basis. Night creams are typically thick, creamy moisturizes designed to slowly soak into the skin overnight. They can be used daily, and doesn’t need to be rinsed off in the morning as opposed to a sleeping mask. However if you do have excess product when you wake up then you can either massage it into the skin, wipe it away, or gently rinse. One of the most populair nights creams on our website is the Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream. This is a gentle cream that provides comfort to rapidly calm and soothe sensitive skin. In the Little Wonderland shop you can also find a Neogen Vita Duo Cream with two different yet complementary formulas in one jar. 

Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream	Neogen Vita Duo Cream

A night cream can be used every night, especially during the winter months. Sleeping masks on the other hand, should be used occasionally like treatments. Both can be key in getting healthy skin. Does the phrase “beauty sleep” make more sense now? ;)

XoXo, Team LW