Wake up to the new sleep masks, including the new collagen-boosting option that dermatologists can’t keep in stock …
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Main image; Codladh Sámha silk eye mask, €38, www.beowell.ie.
There are books, apps, smart rings, supplements and mists all focused on improving your night’s sleep. It’s enough to keep us up at night worrying that we’re doing enough to sleep well!
When it comes to evening skincare, what really works? And when did night cream get rebranded as a “sleep mask”?! In fact, night cream is starting to sound a little quaint. The same thing happened with “lip masks” (giving their lipbalms the title “Lip Sleeping Masks” has made Laneige a bestseller; the berry one is currently reduced to €20.40 online).
While a good hydrating cream at night is not an essential, if your skin tends to be dry it can help to restore moisture during the time when skin repairs itself. If your skin tends to be oily or prone to breakouts, though, you probably don’t need an extra layer rubbing off on your pillow.
Many sleep masks are different from your usual face masks as they’re designed to be left on while you sleep, so you don’t have to worry about washing it off after 20 minutes. It should be deeply moisturising without any stickiness … no-one wants to wake up with a pillowcase stuck to their face.
Here’s our pick of seven overnight skincare options, from masks to concentrates, that work well:
THE CLASSIC
Weleda Skin Food Nourishing Night Cream is a nutrient-rich formula. A little goes a long way, which we appreciate. Vegan-friendly and gentle, with oils including Sacha Inchi, pansy and calendula, plus hydrating squalane, this does the job without fanfare. From €17.75; at pharmacies nationwide and Marks & Spencer.
THE IRISH ONE
I’ve recently been trying out the new Ground Wellbeing Biome skincare, using the Overnight Repair Oil (from €26) – which contains a type of bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative to retinol – topped with the lovely Biome Repair Cream (from €14). The cream contains Lactobacillus Ferment, a probiotic that is said to help repair DNA and protect against environmental stressors. I’m finding it a really hydrating duo, plus both smell amazing. Tthe facial oil contains a barrel-load of oils from chamomile to geranium leaf and rose. I love that it’s suitable for all skin types, including during pregnancy and cancer treatment. A natural and affordable option. Look out for a Biome Facial exclusively at The Shelbourne Spa in Dublin in March, a 90-minute ritual designed to balance skin and address areas of stress.
THE SOOTHING ONE
Indigo Overnight Repair (€99). Another favourite of Nicola Coughlan, who has raved about Tatcha many times over the years, this brand is renowned for its Dewy Skin Cream, and also for this luxurious and calming night cream. The distinctive blue pot contains a bouncy “serum in moisturiser treatment” that delivers bounce and hydration. Glowy skin, ahoy! I recommend their Kissu Lip Treatment to go with it (we know of many devotees to this decadent lip hydrator, including facialist Kakie at Floraison).
SEE MORE: Exclusive Interview With Nicola Coughlan On Her Skincare Secrets
THE STYLISH ONE
This eye-catching lavender mask will also look pretty on your beauty shelf, which is a bonus. The US-made Pleasing Beauty Sleep Mask (€43.95) contains lots of plant and flower extracts, although fragrance/parfum is pretty high up the ingredients list. It has a gel-like texture and goes on transparent, so you can wear it anytime. It makes your skin look glowy, without feeling sticky.
THE RESTFUL ONE
Rowse Melatonin Sleep Mask (€58). We love this French/Spanish skincare (and their lip tint). This leave-on recovery mask is designed to soothe the skin. With its 100 per cent plant-based, organic formula, it’s suitable for all skin types. Ideal for times when your skin feels irritated or sensitive. It includes lavender, shea butter, sweet almond oil, chia seed and African baobab seed oil, plus vegan melatonin. These natural oils help to lock in moisture while you sleep.
THE EFFECTIVE ONE
The Skin Diary Night Repair Therapy. The pot may look pretty ordinary, but it has a lot of buzz around it as a breakthrough skin product. Dr Rosemary Coleman’s glowing review says that, along with your sunblock, “If you can only invest in one active topical product, this should be it. It’s a long time since I have been so excited by a skincare product as very few are so thoroughly researched.” If your skin tends to be sensitive to retinoids, this is an excellent alternative as it’s very well tolerated. It’s the brainchild of Irish dermatologist Dr Clare Kiely and Dr Tamara Griffiths, a board-certified dermatologist. “Very few products are ever subjected to the rigorous testing this has undergone, and been published,” says Dr Coleman, “but it is no surprise coming from the laboratory of a world-renowned dermatologist, Professor Chris Griffiths OBE, who undertook a lot of the early pioneering work on topical retinols.” Results show that it increases collagen in 12 days and is 20 times more effective than retinols, wth proven benefits on tone, texture, age spots and firming skin. Indeed, Dr Coleman has a waiting list as her stock has already sold out; it’s available at €150 direct from www.skindiary.com.
THE BREAK THE BANK ONE
La Mer Night Recovery Concentrate (€690). I honestly can’t imagine spending this much on a night cream, but I was lucky enough to try it and it undeniably melts on the skin like a gel cream, with a seaweed extract feel. It’s deeply soothing and refreshed my skin. It’s recommended as ideal to use with retinoids, reducing any dryness or flakiness, as well as post-procedures. So, if your skin’s feeling fragile or in need of a deep comfort blanket, with its “barrier wrap” to strengthen skin while you’re sleeping, this is pure, unadulterated luxury.
