A Dermatologist Shares the 5 Overnight Masks She Recommends for Each Skin Concern, and What They Can Realistically Do
An overnight mask promises to do its work while you sleep. That is the entire appeal of the category: hours of uninterrupted contact with the skin, and nothing required from you beyond going to bed.
The details, however, matter more than the promise. Not every mask is built for a full night on the skin. An ingredient that transforms one skin type can wreck another. And the category is crowded with claims that sound scientific but have little behind them.
So we put our questions to a board-certified dermatologist: meet Dr. Kate Zibilich Holcomb.
Dr Holcomb is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine, where she trains and mentors dermatology residents. Her clinical interests include acne, rosacea and allergic contact dermatitis. Most of her time, though, is spent with patients at Pure Dermatology, the medical and aesthetic practice she founded in New Orleans in 2017. It goes without saying: she has extensive experience treating all skin types and skin tones.
Below, the questions are ours and the answers are hers, starting with her picks by skin concern and the reasoning behind each one.
Your pick for dry skin?
Dr. Holcomb: The Neova Pure Copper Mask. This soothing gel makes stressed skin feel instantly better. Copper peptide supports tissue repair and rehabilitation, and the hyaluronic acid strengthens the barrier and improves elasticity. It is also useful well beyond dry skin. You can use it after a burn, an injury, or a procedure.
And for mature skin?
Dr. Holcomb: TheOmnilux Hydrogel Face Mask. Combine it with your Contour LED Mask for even better results.
What about fine lines and wrinkles?
Dr. Holcomb: TheMedicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask. It is cheap enough that you can use it every night, which is what makes it work. Users report improvement within a month.
Your brightening pick?
Dr. Holcomb: ThePaula’s Choice Radiance Renewal Mask. Brightening formulas are often abandoned because the acids in them can be irritating. This one is the exception. I find it very tolerable for most people, even those who are sensitive.
And for sensitive skin?
Dr. Holcomb: TheCo2Lift Pro Carboxy Treatment Mask. This makes all skin problems look better even after a single application. It is a bit pricey, but worth it.
Do overnight masks give you anything a night cream cannot?
Dr. Holcomb: Masks offer occlusion to the ingredients contained in them. I do not feel they work any better than regular daily and nightly skincare. They are just another tool in the toolshed, and they can augment or boost your regular routine.
What makes an overnight mask different from a regular face mask?
Dr. Holcomb: Some masks are not intended to be on the skin for more than a few minutes. Using a short contact product for longer than directed could irritate the skin or disrupt the skin barrier. The leave-on time is part of the formulation, not a suggestion.
What do you look for when shopping?
For all masks, I look for no fragrance. Fragrance is generally an irritant and can cause more problems than good when used on the skin.
Which ingredients make an overnight mask genuinely effective?
Dr. Holcomb: It depends on the problem. For example, a mask that is for brightening likely contains acids, and these may not be appropriate for someone with very dry or very sensitive skin. Match the product to the concern rather than to the claim on the box.
How quickly can someone expect results?
Dr. Holcomb: I consider a mask like a booster. Topical masks are not making some major biological change in the skin, so judge the timeline accordingly. If you do not see anything from a few weeks of daily use, it probably does not do much. The same goes for a mask meant to be used weekly if you are seeing little after two to three months.
