| Night Moisturiser | Sleeping Mask |
| Product you use as the final step in your evening regime and is designed to nourish your skin while you sleep | Product you use as the final step in your evening regime and is designed to nourish your skin while you sleep |
Oh, wait. Are they essentially the same product that goes by a different name? Are we just buying into a marketing gimmick?
We question experts and investigate the difference between the two products, how we should use them respectively, and what they do for our skin.
What’s the difference between a night moisturiser and sleeping mask?
A sleeping mask, like its name suggests, is a topical skincare product created to be left on overnight while you are sleeping.
Tina Oh, Training Manager of Laneige explains that sleeping masks are designed for overnight hydration and for reinforcing the skincare routine.
“It is excellent in providing deep moisture and is often paired with antioxidants to leave skin radiant and fresh in the morning,” she explains. “Night cream, on the other hand, provides a nightly dose of hydration, for moisturising and nourishing dry skin.”
Aimee Pua, Product Manager for Vichy highlights that the concentration of active ingredients found in both products is also different. “Sleeping masks are packed with more active ingredients and deliver better efficacies as compared to night creams,” she says.
If a sleeping mask is more “potent”, why should I still use a night cream?
Tina from Laneige explains that the night cream is a daily hydration booster whereas a sleeping mask acts as an “emergency beauty treatment”, and can be used once or twice a week. “Because of their potency, sleeping mask is not recommended for everyday usage. Overuse of masks can actually cause it to lose its efficacy. It is important to use the products according to its recommended usage,” she explains.
Aimee from Vichy echoes the same sentiments. She also recommends that sleeping masks be used twice a week, and night cream to be used daily. However, she comments that you can use sleeping mask on a daily basis depending on your skin type and concerns. In other words, you should vary its usage based on how your skin responds to it.
Can I use a sleeping mask every day?
The experts recommend that night creams are used daily, while sleeping mask are used approximately twice a week. Since the sleeping mask is an SOS booster, you can choose to use it the night before a big day to give your skin the added radiance and oomph it deserves!
If you are using the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask (click to see how review), Tina recommends that you skip your usual night-time products like the essence and the night cream. You can apply a generous layer of the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask after the Laneige Refiner and Emulsion.
When it comes to the Vichy Ideal White Sleeping Mask, however, Aimee says that you can use both the sleeping mask and the night cream at the same time. “You can use them together if you feel that it is not too oily or heavy for your preference. The night cream should go on first before the sleeping mask,” she advises.
How do you use a sleeping mask?
Use it as the last step of your night routine by slathering a generous layer of the product all over your face.
How do I know which sleeping mask to use?
As an intensive skincare booster, sleeping masks also has an added function of improving specific skin conditions, other than providing nourishment and hydration.
If you’re looking for brightening or whitening benefits, consider the Vichy Ideal White Sleeping Mask. This has a light gel texture that is suitable for those with oily to combination skin types.
But if your skin is fatigued and sensitised by stress during the day, try the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask. This contains skin-soothing agents to help your skin recover overnight and to achieve a well-rested appearance the next morning.
If you are looking to improve the appearance of fine lines, go for the Laneige Firming Sleeping Mask. This has a bouncy texture and promises to restore elasticity in dull skin so your complexion looks more youthful.
How about night cream?
For your daily night moisturiser, choose one that’s suitable for you according to your skin type. If you have dry skin, use one with a creamy texture; combination skin will love lotions that contain no acids; and oily skin will appreciate water-based, gel-moisturisers with light textures.
- You may also like these articles:
- 12 best beauty products to use if you’re not getting enough sleep at night
- You can still reap the benefits of “beauty sleep” despite late nights, if you apply skincare products at THIS time
- Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Dream Face Cream review: Is this really sleep-in-a-jar?
- 21 facial moisturisers that are the missing ingredient to your skincare routine
- 13 best moisturisers for combination skin with raves from reviewers
