Sleeping masks are perfect for people who don’t have enough time to stick to a very strict skincare routine. They are designed to be richer in active ingredients to make sure that all of the work happens whilst you sleep!
When we sleep our body begins to repair itself. “There are many important connections between health and sleep,” says Johns Hopkins sleep expert and neurologist Mark Wu, M.D., Ph.D. It has been noticed that deep sleep is the time of peak growth hormone release in the body. This is incredibly important when it comes to skincare that your skin cells reproduce and repair, to the best of their ability.
Sleeping Masks or Overnight Masks are constructed differently to normal masks as they release the active ingredients over a prolonged period of time. “While you’re snoozing, sleep masks will create a seal over your complexion to lock in moisture and allow ingredients like retinol and peptides to absorb into the skin more efficiently,” says Dr. Mostafa M. Omar, Professor of Pharmacognosy at the University of Rhode Island, School of Pharmacy. Moisturising your skin is key in keeping signs of ageing at bay. Keeping your skin moisturised means that it remains plump and encourages the production of collagen and elastin. These two components of your skin, reduce as you age and so promoting them will really help keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay. Dr. Engelman suggests looking for a mask with peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients help “support collagen production, which can smooth fine lines and wrinkles and lock in moisture for eight hours.”
There are however certain skin types that might not react well to Sleeping Masks. As mentioned earlier they seal in the moisture to your skin and therefore if you have particularly oily or acne-prone skin. Sleeping masks might not help the issue as it could make your skin even more oily.
How do I use a Sleeping Mask?
Most dermatologists suggest that you use Sleeping Mask once or twice a week as they aren’t needed all week. On the days that you don’t use the sleeping mask, you can still use your usual night cream.
It’s also incredibly important that you apply your Sleeping Mask after cleansing and exfoliating your skin. This is due to the fact that the mask locks in moisture and if there’s still dirt trapped on the surface of your skin, there could be negative effects such as sudden breakouts. It would also be beneficial for you to apply Sleeping Masks about 30 minutes before you go to sleep, just to make sure that the mask sinks into your skin instead of your pillow!
If you would like to try a Sleeping Mask for yourself, try our Anti-Ageing Platinum Sleeping Mask.
