The One Hydrating Mask Trick You Need To Know

There are plenty of overnight face masks on the market, popularized most recently by the Korean beauty practice of wearing a sleeping pack while your brain shuts off and slides into REM visions of soft, supple skin and reduced pore size. While I've tried plenty of those products and can attest to their effectiveness, there's a lesser-known mask trick I employ to get the most from my favorite products: I wear all of my masks overnight — even if the directions don't tell me to do so.

OK, let's rewind: Not all masks. Clay masks, peel-offs, and anything meant to cleanse pores are, in my experience, best removed in the recommended amount of time on the package. They'll also leave your pillow a total mess if you hit the sack with them on. Lighter, moisturizing masks, however: Those are a different story. Emulsified with a bit of water and spread evenly and thinly over your face, moisture-rich and restorative masks are great for overnight use, even if they're not marketed for nighttime, specifically.

Full disclosure: It's best to test your intended overnight mask on a small patch of your skin (I usually do so on my neck) while you sleep to make sure that you don't have a reaction (technically, you should do this with any product that touches your face). Though these products don't explicitly state that you should wear them at night, I have — and the results I've seen have been pretty amazing.

1. Eminence Clear Skin Probiotic Masque

Clear Skin Probiotic Masque, $35, Amazon

This one's a rich, luxurious mask with yogurt, cucumber, shea butter, marigold, kaolin clay (though without a typical clay mask finish), stone crop, and tea tree oil. Emulsify a small amount of this product with water in your hand, then spread a thin layer over clean skin before bed. Let it dry before turning off the lights — you'll want to anyway, as the tea tree oil in this mask will give your skin an invigorating cool sensation.

2. Neutrogena HydroBoost Water Gel

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, $14, Amazon

Though technically a moisturizer, this product works extraordinarily well as a moisturizing overnight mask. Apply a thick layer of it before brewing your nighttime tea, then allow it to soak in a bit before turning out the lights.

3. Glossier Hydrating Moon Mask

Glossier Moisturizing Moon Mask, $22, Glossier

Intensely hydrating with sweet almond oil, plant-based squalane, licorice root, lemon fruit extract, and hyaluronic acid, this mask may have the moon moniker, but doesn't explicitly say to wear at night. I do anyway, and when I apply this bad boy to my skin right before bed, I wake up with plump and glowy skin that seems to hide the fact that I most likely got, like, four hours of sleep. I don't believe in miracle products, but this might be close.

4. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask, $21, Amazon

This mask is particularly chunky, so it definitely needs to be emulsified to wear overnight. This is for those winter months when you need intense hydration, and the results should give you just that.

5. Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem-Cell Gel Mask

Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem-Cell Gel Mask, $52, Sephora

This anti-aging mask firms and tones while hydrating your skin, and its easily-absorbed gel texture makes it perfect for overnight use. It smells amazing as well — the perfect scent to send you off into smooth-skinned slumber.

Overnight masks can be really great, but you don't have to use one with the title to get the results. Try one of your favorite hydrating masks overnight and be prepared to enjoy some serious results. Who knew you could get so much done while you sleep?

Love masks and looking for more beauty products to try? Check out these innovative beauty launches from 2016 on Bustle's YouTube page!

Images: Fotolia (1); Courtesy Brands