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We all know why sleep is so important – a full eight hours keeps our bodies and brains fitter, happier, and focused. As it turns out, the effects of sleep on our skin are similar to that on our bodies, and we can actually wake up with a healthier glow after a good night’s rest.

That’s because our skin shifts to a recovery mode at night, upping our regeneration process three times faster than during the day. Most notably, the skin sees a surge in HGH (human growth hormone) at night, which helps rebuild body tissues and spurs increased cell production to replace ones that were damaged throughout the day.

While I’ve been getting sufficient hours of sleep every day, I’m often greeted with a dull complexion in the morning with splotches of red on sensitive areas of my face. After scouring the internet for solutions, I decided to incorporate five of the top beauty practices for three weeks to see if I would wake up with a glow from head to toe.

Use a sleeping mask that addresses your skin concerns

cute press sleeping mask review group

During the night, your skin actually absorbs the nutrients in your products better. However, that also means your skin loses significant hydration as you sleep. So to make the most out of my beauty sleep, I reached for sleeping masks that could address my skin concerns and replenish my skin’s moisture barrier.

While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all nighttime skincare routine, having the option to use a sleeping mask to target dullness one night, and soothe irritation on another makes it easy to switch things up and address the issue at hand. So when Cute Press sent me three of their sleeping masks and they landed on my desk, I couldn’t wait to try them out.

Cute Press 8hr Full Night Sleep Overnight Mask (used during the first week)

cute press sleeping mask review 8hr Full Night Sleep Overnight Mask

My skin felt rough to the touch and looked dull and sallow too, so to kick things off, I went with the Cute Press 8hr Full Night Sleep Overnight Mask. Its lightweight, refreshing gel texture felt cooling and comfortable on my skin. Plus, it has a light, floral scent that soothed my senses too, helping me unwind from a long day.

What I love most about sleeping masks is that I don’t have to rinse them off after a few minutes. I could slather this on in place of my usual moisturiser and head to bed. While the 8hr Full Night Sleep Overnight Mask didn’t leave a sticky residue on my skin, I waited for a full hour to let the mask sink in completely before I hit the hay.

Trehalose and hyaluronic acid in the formula draw and lock in moisture for up to 10 hours, which is probably why I woke up to fresh, glowing skin. Seaweed extract soothes, softens, and reduces sensitivity too, while deep sea minerals energise the skin to boost radiance. Not to mention, it’s also free of parabens, silicone, alcohol, mineral oil, and synthetic colour.

My dull, exhausted complexion looked brand new the next morning. The mask even picked up the ‘Worth A Shot’ award at our Daily Vanity Beauty Awards 2021⁠!⁠

Cute Press 8hr Full Night Sleep Overnight Mask retails for S$23.90 at selected Watsons stores, Cute Press’ flagship store on Shopee, and LazMall on Lazada.

Cute Press Calming Cica Sleeping Mask (used during the second week)

cute press sleeping mask review Calming Cica Sleeping Mask 1

With Aunt Flo on her way, I decided to mask up with the Cute Press Calming Cica Sleeping Mask. If you like the smell of tea tree oil, you’ll love the earthy, herbal scent of this mask. Just like the 8hr Full Night Sleep Overnight Mask, it has a gel-like texture that instantly soothes and refreshes the skin.

It’s infused with three natural, acne-fighting ingredients: centella asiatica, tea tree oil, and neem extract. Together, the trio of ingredients soothe inflammation, reduce redness, and combats blemishes. The mask kept my skin hydrated all night, and I woke up to calmer, less inflamed skin. Some of the red patches on my face had disappeared too.

On top of being free of alcohol, silicones, parabens, mineral oil, and synthetic colour, the sleeping mask also doesn’t contain fragrance. As someone who struggles with redness, sensitivity, and maskne, this mask may just be my favourite of the bunch.

Cute Press Calming Cica Sleeping Mask retails for S$23.90 at selected Watsons stores, Cute Press’ flagship store on Shopee, and LazMall on Lazada.

Cute Press 1 Night Brightening Overnight Mask (used during the third week)

cute press sleeping mask review 1 Night Brightening Overnight Mask

On the third week of the trial, I wanted to target the stubborn pigmentation on the sides of my face, so I reached for the Cute Press 1 Night Brightening Overnight Mask. Similar to the other two masks in the range, this one has a lightweight, gel texture that doesn’t leave my skin feeling tacky after application.

It has a bright, citrusy scent that made me feel like I was taking a deep breath under a lemon tree. White flower complex in the formula gives my skin a boost in antioxidants to keep it healthy and youthful, while citrus extract gently removes dead skin cells for a brighter complexion.

On top of that, there’s niacinamide (vitamin B3) to minimise the appearance of large pores and lighten dark spots too. Likewise, it’s free of parabens, alcohol, mineral oil, PEG sulphates, and synthetic colour.

Overnight, I saw brighter, smoother skin that looked more radiant and fresh. I couldn’t wait to continue using it for the rest of the week.

Cute Press 1 Night Brightening Overnight Mask retails for S$23.90 at selected Watsons stores, Cute Press’ flagship store on Shopee, and LazMall on Lazada.

Avoid snacking on processed foods before bedtime

cute press sleeping mask review healthy snacks

Credit: Karolina Grabowska/Pexels

Ideally, we should be eating whole foods consistently throughout the day. And if that means a healthy snack before you turn in for the night, it shouldn’t be a problem for your health – just as long as you aren’t bingeing on late-night cookies.

I used to chomp on spicy potato chips as I tuned in to a Netflix series, which didn’t do any good for my skin, overall health, and waistline. Instead, I started opting for antioxidant-rich fruits, such as apples, berries, and bananas. These are easier on the stomach and are brimming with nutrients and vitamins.

Turn on the humidifier

cute press sleeping mask review humidifier

Credit: Cottonbro/Pexels

Since I sleep in an air-conditioned environment to stay cool at night, I often wake up with dryer skin in the morning. On top of Cute Press’ sleeping masks, using a humidifier can help to keep my skin hydrated, as the humidity not only prevents your pores from drying out, but can also keep the eyes and nasal passages moisturised as well.

Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase

cute press sleeping mask review silk pillowcase

Credit: Medium Photoclub/Pexels

If, like me, you really want to get regal with your beauty rest, opt for a silk or satin pillowcase rather than one made of cotton. This is because cotton actually pulls moisture and sebum (a.k.a. oil) from your skin, causing it to dry out overnight.

The moisture pulled into the pillow can also draw in allergens and bacteria, causing damage and reactions to your hair and skin. Plus, some dermatologists believe that sleeping on silk or satin helps prevent wrinkles by providing your skin with a smoother surface to rub against during the night.

Go to bed before midnight

cute press sleeping mask review sleep

Credit: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels

It’s not always possible or fun, but hitting the sheets before midnight can do wonders for your skin. That’s because our circadian rhythms affect skin repair and function. Translation: your skin actually knows what time it is.

Researchers have also found that mitosis – the process by which cells divide and repair – occurs roughly between 11pm and midnight, whether you’re asleep or awake. So, I decided to catch some Zs while mitosis is at its peak to reap more of its skin benefits.

The results after 3 weeks

cute press sleeping mask review before after

After three weeks, my complexion gained a dewy, moist sheen. The blotchy red patches on my temples and cheeks were less apparent, and my skin looked much calmer than before. My skin felt smoother to the touch too, and I experienced less acne around my jawline.

cute press sleeping mask review group 1

While I plan on keeping these tips as part of my regular nightly routine, I must admit that the step I looked forward to the most during the trial was reaching for the Cute Press sleeping masks. They’re a quick and easy way to get glowing, radiant skin, and I could tailor my routine according to my skin concerns by switching up the variants, which makes it perfect for skincare novices too.

Each tub of sleeping mask comes with a plastic spatula, which reduces mess and keeps the formula clean. I also didn’t have to rinse the mask off, and could use it in place of my moisturiser. I was surprised to find out that each mask was free of alcohol, silicone, parabens, mineral oil, and synthetic colour too – something my sensitive skin is thankful for.

Radiant, glowing skin can indeed be achieved overnight, and it’s made much easier thanks to Cute Press’ sleeping masks.

This article is brought to you by Cute Press.