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DIY Moisturizing Overnight Face Mask for Dry Skin

Inspired by Korean sleeping masks, this DIY overnight face mask helps prevent dry skin while you sleep. It forms a protective barrier that locks in moisture all night long, reducing skin water loss and helping you wake up glowing.

Moisturizing DIY overnight face mask

When it comes to nighttime skincare, typical face oils and night creams just don’t seem to do it for me.

No matter how much I apply, by the time I wake up, they’ve vanished into my bedding. Unfortunately, this means I tend to wake up with dry skin and moisturized pillows. Not exactly skincare goals.

I have very dry, sensitive skin that doesn’t seem to produce any oil at all, except for on my nose. Naturally, I need a little bit of help retaining moisture at night.

So when the latest nighttime skincare trend started popping up all over the shelves – overnight face masks – I thought it might be time to try something new.

This homemade overnight face mask (also called a sleeping mask) came out of my desire to stop waking up with dehydrated skin. It has a thick consistency that helps your skin retain moisture while you sleep. And for me, this mask actually stays in place throughout the night.

DIY overnight face mask

Additionally, this recipe is fragrance-free, with non-irritating ingredients that won’t aggravate sensitive skin.

And since it contains no questionable food materials like turmeric, milk, lemon juice, or tomatoes, it won’t stain your bedding. (Yes, these are actual ingredients I’ve seen in some overnight mask recipes!)

Certain foods left on your skin all night can promote bacterial growth, and caustic ingredients like lemon juice can cause chemical burns. For your own safety, please don’t follow an overnight mask recipe that includes lemon juice or tomatoes.

What is an overnight face mask?

While they may be trendy, overnight face masks are by no means a new invention. They’re clearly inspired by the sleeping masks in nighttime Korean skincare routines.

Also referred to as sleeping packs or sleeping creams, sleeping masks are not your typical night cream.

Sleeping mask textures range from light and gel-like to thick and occlusive, but their goal is always the same – to lock in hydration and help you wake up with dewy, glowing skin.

They also help seal in the rest of your skincare routine so that your products stay on your face, not your pillow.

It’s important to note that overnight face masks are not the same thing as daytime face masks. A typical mask is usually made from things you can’t wear to bed – think yogurt, clay, or coffee. And unlike daytime masks, sleeping packs aren’t washed off.

DIY overnight face mask for dry skin

What’s wrong with store bought sleeping masks?

Unfortunately, store-bought masks are not an option for those, like me, with very sensitive complexions. Most sleeping packs are packed with ingredients that aren’t very kind to reactive skin, like silicones, fragrance, and even synthetic dyes.

I don’t know about you, but if I used some of those ingredients on my face, I’d wake up inflamed, not glowing.

Silicones help lock in moisture, and some skin types have no issues with them. However, they can lead to irritation and clogged pores in some people, so tread carefully.

And for many individuals, synthetic fragrances can induce allergic reactions, cause migraines, and even aggravate respiratory issues. Not my idea of a beauty product.

While there are some natural choices on the market, many brands use sensitizing essential oils or unstable polyunsaturated fats in their products.

For example, this naturally-derived retinol sleeping mask looks like a good option, but the natural fragrance may be irritating for some.

If my skin wasn’t so sensitive, that product looks like it would be lovely to use – and so does the matching eye mask.

The best store bought sleeping pack

Update April 2020: I think the new SoonJung 5-Panthensoside Cica Sleeping Pack by Etude House is one of the best overnight masks for dry or sensitive skin. It’s silicone-free, low-PUFA and free of many common skin irritants.

I’ve been testing it for months now and it’s quickly become a staple in my nighttime skincare routine. It’s truly one of the most moisturizing products I’ve ever used, and I say this as someone used to waking up with very dry skin.

I still love my homemade overnight mask as it’s so inexpensive and effective. But if you’re looking for a clean store bought option, this product is incredibly moisturizing and non-irritating, as is the entire SoonJung line.

You can find the SoonJung Cica Sleeping Pack at Etude House or YesStyle.

A simple overnight face mask for dry skin

While it’s true that most sleeping masks contain water, water-based creams are more difficult to DIY. They’re also extremely prone to contamination, as water is a breeding ground for bacteria. That’s why I opted for an oil-based recipe instead.

Oil-based creams are much easier to make since they don’t require any preservatives, emulsifiers, or specific mixing techniques – all you have to do is melt the ingredients together.

Homemade Korean sleeping mask for dry skin

My simple overnight face mask contains squalane oil, white beeswax and vitamin E. Together, these ingredients create a breathable, protective barrier that helps your skin retain moisture while you sleep.

While this mask may look like a rich balm, don’t let its appearance fool you. Since squalane is such a dry oil, this recipe feels light, not greasy.

And though beeswax is an occlusive ingredient, it’s surprisingly breathable. It doesn’t feel heavy on the skin like silicones and petroleum-based occlusives can.

This moisturizing mask is most suited for dry, sensitive skin types that tend to lose a lot of water throughout the night. And if like me your skin is alipidic, (which means it doesn’t produce enough oil) then this recipe is perfect for you.

It’s also ideal for mature complexions since the skin’s rate of transepidermal water loss tends to speed up with aging, leading to dryness.

However, just because you have oily skin, that doesn’t mean this mask couldn’t work for you too. And as you’ll see in a moment, squalane is a unique type of oil that works for many skin types.

The beauty of DIY skincare is that you can easily adjust the ingredients to work for you. If this mask is not thick enough for your liking, you can easily melt it down and add more beeswax.

But if you live in a cooler climate, you may wish to use less beeswax so that the product is not too solid.

Homemade sleeping mask ingredients

Squalane oil

With its light and dry consistency, squalane is a very unique facial oil. It’s technically not an oil but a hydrocarbon, making it a great choice for even the most acne-prone, oil-phobic skin types.

If the term “hydrocarbon” gives you pause, don’t worry – squalane oil is natural and non-toxic. It’s made from olives (or sugarcane) and isn’t to be confused with shark-derived squalene.

Unlike many oils typically used in skincare products, squalane is completely saturated. Saturated oils are extremely stable, and they resist oxidation even when exposed to three major oxidizers: light, heat, and oxygen.

Homemade overnight face mask for dry skin

On the contrary, polyunsaturated oils like sunflower and sweet almond contain fatty acids that are very easily oxidized.

Oxidation is what causes an oil to become rancid. Not only can oxidized oils contribute to acne (think blackheads), but evidence also suggests that they can cause skin damage.

For more information on this topic, see my post on how polyunsaturated oils can cause skin aging.

Yet another benefit to note is that squalane oil doesn’t feed a genus of yeast called Malassezia, which is involved in conditions like fungal acne and seborrheic dermatitis.

Since this sleeping mask uses only squalane oil, this makes it safe for those who suffer from conditions caused by yeast overgrowth.

If you don’t have squalane oil on hand, MCT oil is a good alternative which works for some skin types. It’s completely saturated and possesses a similar dry quality.

Beeswax

Beeswax adds a lovely creaminess and density to any product it’s added to. But it’s not just a texture enhancer – beeswax has a variety of skin benefits, including humectant, protective, and anti-inflammatory properties.

The same substance that bees use to protect and reinforce their home also creates a protective barrier over your skin. This makes beeswax a wonderful alternative to the synthetic polymers and silicones found in many store bought face masks.

It helps skin retain moisture during the night, reducing water loss and helping you wake up hydrated.

Beeswax also has the remarkable ability to be both occlusive and breathable. And unlike a face oil, it will actually stick to your skin throughout the night.

Simple moisturizing overnight face mask

I chose to use filtered white beeswax for this recipe, which won’t stain bedding. White beeswax also has the advantage of being less allergenic than regular beeswax.

If you have sensitive skin that reacts to regular beeswax, you might find that your skin can tolerate the refined kind. (But as always, please check with your doctor if you have allergies.)

The only downside I’ve found is that white beeswax lacks the delicious, honey-like scent of unrefined beeswax. But if you don’t enjoy the smell, this may be a bonus for you.

If you’re severely allergic to bee products or prefer to avoid them for ethical reasons, plant-based candellila wax is a possible alternative.

However, it doesn’t have the same humectant properties as beeswax. It’s also more dense, so if substituting candelilla wax, use half the amount of beeswax called for in the recipe.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an important fat-soluble antioxidant found in human skin. It helps scavenge reactive oxygen species and free radicals, both of which contribute to visible skin aging.

Vitamin E’s effects are so powerful that it can even help protect skin from the harmful lipid peroxidation caused by UV rays and blue light.

In simple terms, this means that vitamin E helps protect our skin from damage. Therefore, we definitely want to have skin that’s replete with vitamin E.

Since vitamin E is delivered to the skin through sebum, those with oily complexions naturally have higher levels of vitamin E. Lucky them.

For those (like me) who are severely lacking in sebum, applying topical vitamin E can help raise the skin’s internal levels. So by using vitamin E, your “beauty sleep” really can result in more beauty!

Look for dark-coloured vitamin E oil that contains mixed tocopherols. Preferably, it should also be naturally-derived, as natural forms of vitamin E have been shown to be more effective than their synthetic equivalents.

This one would be a good option, but you can also break open a capsule of a high-quality vitamin E supplement.

For more information about the role of vitamin E in skin health, see this article by the Linus Pauling Institute.

How to use this homemade sleeping mask

This mask should be used as the very last step in your nighttime skincare routine, once you’ve applied your serums, toners, and any other products you use before bed.

For me, using the mask after a BHA product makes for smooth, dewy skin in the morning. (My favourite is Paula’s Choice BHA, but I also really love the Blackhead Power Liquid from Korean beauty brand COSRX.)

Homemade overnight face mask recipe with squalane oil

Before you apply your overnight face mask, make sure to spritz your face with a face mist of your choice. (My personal favourites are this store bought grape water and my own DIY rosewater spray.)

It’s important to remember that this mask is an occlusive, not a true moisturizer. It protects your skin from water loss, but it doesn’t actually contain any water of its own.

Therefore it’s up to you to ensure there’s enough hydration under the mask for it to hold onto. The best way to do this is by using a face mist right before you apply your mask, while your skin is still damp.

To use the sleeping mask, scoop out a generous amount of product with a clean fingertip or cosmetic scoop. Rub it between your fingers to soften, and apply it like you would apply a night cream.

Don’t forget to pat it gently around the eyes for extra hydration in this delicate area.

Have you ever tried a sleeping pack or an overnight face mask? If you end up making this recipe, I’d love to hear how it worked for you!

DIY sleeping mask inspired by Korean skin care
Homemade overnight face mask in glass jar
Yield: 1 mask

DIY Overnight Face Mask for Dry Skin

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $5

If you frequently wake up with dry skin, this DIY overnight face mask can help! It forms a protective barrier that locks in hydration throughout the night, reducing water loss and helping you wake up moisturized.

Materials

Tools

Instructions

    1. In a Turkish coffee pot or small double boiler, melt the beeswax on medium heat, stirring frequently to break up any lumps.
    2. Once the beeswax is melted, reduce the heat to low and add the squalane oil. Some of the beeswax may re-solidify at this point. Continue stirring to break up any lumps.
    3. Once the mixture is completely melted, remove it from heat. Allow it to stand for a few minutes and then add the vitamin E. Stir to combine.
    4. Transfer to a cosmetic jar, small mason jar, or other glass container. Leave at room temperature to solidify for 1-2 hours depending on your climate. No need to refrigerate.

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More natural DIY skincare recipes

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Korean beauty inspired DIY overnight mask
Overnight mask for dry skin

Agnieszka

Friday 8th of September 2023

Hello Could you please write the recipe in the grams please. Thank you 🙏

Kyla

Monday 11th of September 2023

Hi Agnieszka! I will add it to my to-do list and get back to you as soon as I can. I’m in the process of updating my older recipes with weight measurements, but I have a long to-do list for the blog so it’s taking me a while to update each one. Thank you for your patience. 🙏

shaquana vincent

Saturday 11th of September 2021

Hello I love your recipes for the diy can I add a something to keep it from getting old fast what do you suggest? How long does this last with/without any

Kyla

Monday 13th of September 2021

Hi Shaquana, the overnight mask should last up to 2 years. Squalane oil by itself is very stable and has a shelf life of 2 years or more. Beeswax is thought to have an almost indefinite shelf life, and adding vitamin E adds further protection from oxidation. So no need to worry about it expiring quickly. I hope this helps! 😊

Sus

Friday 22nd of January 2021

This looks amazing! How many jars does it yield so I know how many to buy. Also - if I do use a moisturizer and face oils - where do I use this. In the last step after everything absorbs into the skin? Is this for acne prone skin? Thx!!

Kyla

Saturday 23rd of January 2021

Hi Sus! The recipe makes approximately 130g or so. But you could also half it so that it fits into a 100ml jar. And yes, it's meant to be used as the last step of your skincare routine. Acne-prone skin tends to tolerate squalane oil pretty well, but it will also depend on your unique skin type, so you may want to make a smaller amount and test it out before committing to the full size. I hope this helps, and please let me know how it goes for you! 😊

Cere

Thursday 24th of October 2019

The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of the squalane oil, but the link is to a 30ml bottle. So, I need to buy 4 bottles for one recipe since there are 118.29ml for 1/2 cup? Did I do my math correctly?

Kyla

Thursday 24th of October 2019

Hi Cere, you’re right! I’ve changed that link to a bulk 8oz bottle of squalane that I should've linked to in the first place. It's a better value anyway. You can find it here. Thanks for pointing this out. ? If you'd prefer, you could also halve the recipe and get a smaller 2oz bottle instead.

Rebecca Dillon

Friday 10th of May 2019

What a lovely recipe! I love the addition of squalene. I bet it makes this feel super luxe. Can't wait to make it!

Kyla

Sunday 12th of May 2019

Thanks so much Rebecca! I love squalane. It gives the mask such a lovely texture!

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