Things I find particularly unfair about the life of a Disney princess: One, they have few responsibilities because woodland creatures tend to pick up most of the slack. Two, they consistently wake up feeling fresh with beautiful, glowing skin and not a pimple, puffy eye, or pillow-line in sight. (Also, three, they feel entitled to drop down and daintily cry on any surface within a ten foot radius, and no one even thinks to call the authorities — but that's neither here nor there.)
While I’m not qualified enough to help anyone out with No. 1 or No. 3, having a few sleeping hacks for waking up looking fresher is most definitely doable. Most people don’t think about applying overnight solutions to their faces while they sleep, but it turns out it’s actually one of the best times to do so. In fact, according to a new study from researchers at the University of California-Irvine, new skin cells grow faster while you sleep, so it’s especially important to support that growth with healing, nourishing, and hydrating ingredients.
Whether you suffer from dry skin, oily skin, or breakouts, here are a few of the best and most effective overnight hacks that you can use to make sure you wake up looking your best (whether that particular best resembles a Disney princess — or anyone else with particularly healthy skin).
Make Sure Your Skin’s Getting The Moisture It Needs
Laneige Water Sleeping Mask, $25, Amazon
Skin is especially permeable at night. That’s why, for a bright and hydrated face overnight, Laneige's sleeping mask is one of the most popular masks out there. It’s absolutely loaded with moisture to help your skin look fresh and dewy, as well as antioxidants from apricot extracts and protein-rich chestnuts to renew, strengthen, purify, and smooth. It also contains essential oils from orange flower, rose, ylang ylang, and sandalwood, and has a smooth gel consistency that easily soaks into skin, leaving it plump and moisturized. Reviewers say that consistently wake up looking like they underwent a full facial, instead of the tired, deflated version of them that was there when they went to bed.
Overcome Dry, Skin-Suffocating Air While You Sleep
PureGlo Air Purifier Humidifier, $20, Amazon
When it comes to better skin during the night, a high-quality humidifier is a must. Not only does dry air suck the moisture right out of your skin, heavily impacting its elasticity and fresh glow, but it causes skin to dry, crack, and flake, which leaves it especially susceptible to infection. PureGlo's humidifier is a new and innovative portable humidifier that adds cool mist back into the air without noise and without hassle. Not only can it be powered through USB or through AC/DC plug, but it’s got really cool features like an automatic shut-off and a removable stem that can be placed in any water bottle or cup. When it’s put in the included holder, the water is protected from dust and lint, and reviewers say that because it works great and is whisper-quiet, making it a great addition to any bedroom — or car, office, or living room.
Deliver Antioxidants, Vitamins, And Minerals To Tired Skin
Aya Naturals Night Cream, $27, Amazon
What do your face and a salad have in common? They could both benefit from some olive oil, avocado, and lemon peel. This Aya Naturals night cream contains all that and more to deliver loads of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to your skin while you sleep. It’s great for just about any facial issue you may want to correct, including fine lines, wrinkles, blotchy skin, dryness, and puffiness. And, because it’s 100 percent vegan and 97 percent natural, you can sleep well knowing that you’ve applied only the best, and you’ll wake up with beautiful, soft skin to show for it.
Go All-Natural And Organic With Things You’d Find In Your Pantry
Bee Friendly Night Cream, $25, Amazon
If there’s anything that I’m entirely in love with, it’s natural and organic ingredients that do their job better than synthetic ingredients. That’s why I’m a personal advocate of the entire Bee Friendly skin care line. Bee Friendly's night cream contains nothing but natural and entirely pronounceable things like extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, raw Hawaiian honey, lemon essential oil, and vitamin E. Although this nightly moisturizer is rich and nourishing, it absorbs into skin right away for a light, healing makeover while you sleep. The color and scent are subtle and natural, and words like “lush, silky, and gorgeous” are being tossed around by reviewers.
Experience The Beauty Miracle That Is Rose Extracts
Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio Repair Gel Mask, $26, Amazon
I’ve spoken time and time again about how much I love rosewater for various toning and moisturizing purposes, and Peter Thomas Roth's repairing gel mask has been called “Rose water on steroids” by reviewers. It contains rose water as well as plant stem cells and flower oils, which give it its ultra-hydrating and skin-plumping abilities. Not only does it brighten, soothe, even, and hydrate, but it’s especially great for damaged skin. For an especially intense treatment, refrigerate the bottle and leave on overnight, and this “miracle gel” will transform your skin while you sleep.
Wake Up With A Bright, Even Skin Tone
Good Night White Sleeping Mask , $9, Amazon
If uneven skin tone is your biggest problem, this sleeping mask smooths, moisturizes, and evens overnight. It has Natto gum and placenta to create a protective layer over skin, and because it’s free of artificial fragrances or parabens, it’s good for those who are more sensitive when it comes to beauty products. The consistency is nice and thick, but this moisturizing mask goes on smoothly without any sticky residue, so you don’t feel like you have anything on while you’re sleeping. Best of all, when you look in the mirror the next morning, you’ll see toned, brighter, healthier skin.
Get Your Nightly Dose Of Vitamin E
Overnight Vitamin E Serum, $19, Amazon
For your daily (or nightly) dose of ultra-hydrating vitamin E, there’s this overnight vitamin E serum. Along with loads of the skin-healing vitamin, it’s also got moisturizing oils like sweet almond and sunflower seed, but it remains non-greasy and easy for your skin to absorb. A little goes a very long way, and reviewers describe a light floral scent that doesn’t disturb them at night. This nourishing serum soaks into skin while you sleep to reveal soft, fresh, replenished skin in the morning, and if you’re one of those people who goes to sleep with dry skin and wakes up with even dryer skin, this is a definite must for you.
Take Your Skin Out For A Seafood Dinner
Korean Innovative Caviar Capsule Cream, $28, Amazon
This is admittedly one of the stranger solutions, but people totally swear by the amazing effects that salmon and caviar have on skin; because they’re so rich in fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, they’re great for improving both texture and tone. This Korean Innovative caviar capsule cream contains both of the aforementioned, as well as other healing ingredients like peppermint, witch hazel, and algae. Simply pop three on your face and spread evenly for an ultra-hydrating and rejuvenating sleep mask, so you can wake up to smoother, softer, and younger-looking skin come morning.
Soothe Your Under-Eye Circles While You Sleep
Radha Beauty Eye Gel, $15, Amazon
I’ve used some pretty tingly eye gels to try and get rid of my under-eye circles, but I wouldn’t feel particularly comfortable sleeping with them on. This No. 1 best-selling Radha Beauty eye gel uses only safe and natural ingredients like aloe, plant stem cells, jojoba oil, vitamin E, and organic licorice to soothe and neutralize tired under-eyes. Because it’s got no no parabens, sulfates, or alcohol, it’s safe for any skin type — even the most sensitive — and reviewers say it’s really effective at diminishing puff, easing lines, and evening skin-tone. One even said they saw a significant difference in one day, so why not apply this before bed and wake up to bright, glowing eyes?
Images: Fotolia (1); Amazon (9)
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