But before you scroll down to the DIY section, you need to know what an overnight face mask is. Let’s find out.
What Is An Overnight Face Mask? Is It Different From Regular Face Masks?
Overnight face masks are masks that you apply right before going to bed and wash off only after you wake up. The main objective of an overnight face mask is to boost hydration and help the skin repair itself by providing nourishing ingredients throughout the night. You have to leave these masks on your face overnight and wash off the next morning. Overnight face masks are also known as sleeping masks, and you will get them easily in beauty stores. However, if you want to use natural ingredients, you can try the overnight face masks mentioned in the next section for your face.
12 Best DIY Overnight Face Masks
1. Coconut Oil Face Mask
Coconut oil is the superfood your skin needs if it is dry and irritated. Applying coconut oil on your face can reduce transepidermal water loss, calm your skin, reduce inflammation, improve hydration, treat sun damage, and prevent infection (2). However, if you have oily and acne-prone skin, stay away from coconut oil. Directions: Mix a teaspoon of extra virgin coconut oil or cold-pressed coconut oil in your favorite night cream. Massage it on your face and wash off the next morning. Note: You can also use coconut oil directly on your face without mixing it in creams.
2. Watermelon Sleeping Mask
Watermelon is not only refreshing, but it also pampers your skin. Watermelon contains lycopene that helps prevent skin damage caused by harmful free radicals (3), (4). Directions: Grate a cup of watermelon cubes (the red flesh) and strain the juice. Using a cotton ball, apply it on your face and let it dry before going to bed.
3. Turmeric And Milk Face Mask
Turmeric milk is a popular Ayurvedic remedy for many health issues. It has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, and it works as a powerful antioxidant that reduces acne and photoaging and improves alopecia and skin health (5). The lactic acid present in milk enhances skin texture and firmness (6). Directions: Mix half a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a tablespoon of raw milk. Use a cotton ball to apply it to your face, just the way you apply toner. Let it dry completely before going to bed. Make sure to use old pillow covers as turmeric can soil them.
4. Cucumber Face Mask
Cucumber is a superfood not only for your body but also for your skin. Cucumber juice has a cooling effect on the skin. It not only boosts skin hydration levels but also reduces inflammation, soothes sunburn, improves the appearance of wrinkles, and brightens your skin (7). Directions: Extract the juice of half a cucumber and apply it with a cotton ball on your face.
5. Olive Oil Mask
Olive oil is high in phenolic compounds (flavonoids and phenolic alcohols), linoleic acid, oleic acid, and other antioxidants that may promote dermal reconstruction, reduce oxidative stress, and have anti-inflammatory benefits (2). Directions: Mix a few drops of virgin olive oil in your favorite night cream and massage it on your face. Note: You can also use olive oil directly on your face without mixing it in any cream.
6. Aloe Vera And Vitamin E Face Mask
Aloe vera contains antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E, along with amino acids, salicylic acid, lignin, and enzymes. It reduces inflammation, promotes collagen synthesis, and protects your skin from the damaging effect of UV rays (8). Directions: Squeeze the oil from a vitamin E capsule and mix it with aloe vera gel. Apply it to your face and neck. Caution: Do a patch test before using Vitamin E oil on your skin to check if your skin is allergic to it.
7. Green Tea And Potato Face Mask
Green tea contains polyphenols, and topical green tea can help prevent inflammatory responses triggered by UV exposure and suppress oxidative stress (tested on animal and human models) (9). Potato juice, on the other hand, is good for oily skin. It can help in preventing skin rashes, reducing acne blemishes, and nourishing the skin (10). Directions: Take a tablespoon of freshly brewed (and cooled) green tea and mix a teaspoon of raw potato juice with it. Use a cotton ball to apply the mixture on your skin and leave it overnight.
8. Almond Oil Face Mask
Natural oils are excellent emollients that keep your skin hydrated and repair the skin barrier. Almond oil also has sclerosant properties and can help improve skin tone and complexion (11). Directions: Mix a teaspoon of almond oil (or sweet almond oil) with a tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel. You may add a pinch of turmeric if you want. Apply the mixture on your face, let it dry, and go to sleep.
9. Jojoba Oil And Tea Tree Essential Oil Face Mask
Jojoba oil and tea tree oil have anti-inflammatory properties. Jojoba oil can help reduce skin infections and delay skin aging (12). Tea tree oil can aid in the treatment of acne and other skin infections due to its high antioxidant activity (13). Directions: Mix 2-3 drops of tea tree essential oil in a teaspoon of jojoba oil and apply it to your face. Make sure you do a patch test before using tea tree oil. In case you are allergic to tea tree oil, avoid this mask.
10. Rose Water And Chamomile Mask
By rose water, we mean rose distillates or rose hydrosol. Rosewater (along with other botanical extracts) is effective against acne-causing bacteria. It also has a soothing effect on your skin (14). The topical application of chamomile extracts has anti-inflammatory effects on the skin (15). Directions: Add a teaspoon of freshly brewed chamomile tea (you may even use 2-3 drops of chamomile oil) to a tablespoon of rose hydrosol. You may add a pinch of turmeric. Apply the mixture to your face with a cotton ball before going to sleep.
11. Rosehip Seed Oil Face Mask
Rose hips (the fruit of the rose bush) are rich in vitamins and phenolic compounds, such as tocopherol, carotenoids, and tannins, which make them powerful antioxidants. The rosehip seed oil has anti-inflammatory properties and can help in reducing the signs of skin aging (16). Directions: Mix 5 drops of rosehip seed oil with a teaspoon of aloe vera gel and massage it on your face. You can also apply just rosehip seed oil on your face.
12. Licorice Oil Face Mask
Licorice extracts (whether in powder or oil form) can help in treating hyperpigmentation and melasma. They have anti-inflammatory properties and scavenge free radicals. They can also brighten your skin and reduce UV-induced skin damage (17). However, more research is required to establish the therapeutic properties of licorice. Directions: Mix 3-4 drops of pure licorice oil with a teaspoon of aloe vera gel and a teaspoon of freshly brewed green tea. Massage this mixture on your face and let it stay overnight.
Can I leave egg white and honey on my face overnight? A raw egg may contain salmonella, so it is not advisable to leave it on your face overnight. Sleeping with honey on your face can get messy and uncomfortable. Is it possible to use curd or tomato as overnight face masks? Curd has a cooling effect, but if left overnight, it may give you a cold. Tomato juice may irritate the skin if left for a long time. Hence, it is better to avoid these ingredients as overnight masks. Do you use moisturizer before a sleeping mask? While it is not required, you can apply a moisturizer or your night cream before your sleeping mask to boost hydration, especially if you have dry skin. Which is better – a night cream or a night mask? It depends on your needs. A night cream is formulated to be applied daily, while you use a sleeping mask 1-2 times a week. Use a night mask when you are in need of intense hydration and want to target a specific skin problem. Can I use a sleeping mask in the morning? You can use a sleeping mask in the morning as well. Remember that this product was created to be applied for hours at a time, so make sure you leave it on in the morning for as long as you can. Do overnight masks clog pores? Possibly not. Overnight masks were designed to have non-comedogenic properties with high sealant properties. Can I use Vaseline as a sleeping mask? It is not recommended to use Vaseline or petroleum jelly-based masks overnight as they may clog your pores and cause acne.
