What is an overnight mask and how do you use it?
Short answer
An overnight mask is the last step of your evening skincare: it stays on your skin all night and keeps moisture at the surface. You apply it to clean skin as a thin layer after serum and cream and remove it in the morning. Besides classic creamy masks, there are masks that dry into a film and gel masks that you can also wear during the day.
Overnight masks and a cream from our range
What is an overnight mask and how is it different from a night cream?
A night cream is your nourishing everyday evening cream. A night-time mask is an extra step that goes on top of the cream and stays on the skin all night. Its job is to keep moisture at the skin’s surface and leave skin feeling fresh and soft in the morning. If you are looking for an everyday evening cream, browse our night creams.
What kinds of night-time masks are there?
- A mask that dries into a film. Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask is a clear gel in a 75 ml tube that dries into a thin film on the skin. The format is called a “Wrapping Mask”, and its key ingredients are collagen extract, niacinamide, ceramide NP and hyaluronic acid.
- A gel mask. Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask and Kojic Acid Turmeric are thin gel sheets in two pieces: an upper one for around the eyes and a lower one for around the mouth. The mask turns transparent on the skin as the essence absorbs, and you can also wear it overnight.
How do you use a mask that dries into a film?
- Cleanse your skin and apply toner, serum and cream.
- Squeeze out a suitable amount and spread a thin, even layer over your face. Leave the eye and lip areas free.
- Let the mask dry completely. This takes about 15 minutes.
- Go to sleep. In the morning, gently peel the film away from the edge or rinse it off with lukewarm water.
A thin layer matters: that way the overnight mask dries evenly and comes off in one piece in the morning. Because a little is enough each time, the 75 ml tube lasts for many evenings.
How do you use a gel mask?
- Cleanse your skin and apply toner and serum.
- Open the pouch and peel the film from both pieces. Place the upper piece around the eyes and the lower piece around the mouth.
- Wear the mask until it turns transparent. Kojic Acid Turmeric takes 1–3 hours, the pink gel mask 3–4 hours. Both can also be worn overnight.
- Remove the mask and pat the remaining essence into your skin.
Kojic Acid Turmeric turns from gold to transparent, and it contains kojic acid, turmeric and niacinamide. The pink gel mask combines salmon DNA with low-molecular collagen, and the pack holds four masks.
Does a night-time mask replace your cream?
No. The mask is an extra step and the cream is the base of your routine. Collagen Night Wrapping Mask goes on after serum and cream. If you need a light cream, Collagen Jelly Cream works well, and a small amount is enough. You can find other masks among our face masks.
Frequently asked questions
How often can I use a night-time mask?
Use the overnight mask whenever your skin wants extra hydration, for example after a long day or in cold weather. The film-forming mask is meant as the last step of the evening.
Can I wear a gel mask during the day?
Yes. You can wear the pink gel mask during the day too: apply it over toner or cream and remove it after 3–4 hours or once it has turned transparent.
Can I use a night-time mask with niacinamide?
Yes. Collagen Night Wrapping Mask itself contains niacinamide alongside collagen extract, ceramide NP and hyaluronic acid. Read more about this vitamin B3 form in our post on niacinamide.