Aaah sleep, that billowing duvet-land of rejeuvenation. Whether you simply grab a swift five hours, or sleep like a log until the alarm call rudely interrupts after a blissful nine, this is your undisputed down time. SO, when those clever beauty companies came up with the idea of cramming a little extra goodness into the night-time routine, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to test drive the claims about what can now literally be called your ‘beauty sleep’. Eye mask at the ready…
The Stylish Stuff asked the experts, first up –
Ingeborg van Lotringen – Beauty Director Cosmopolitan UK
“Sleeping facials or sleeping masques are different from plain old night creams as they hydrate skin in an alternative way. Instead of just locking in skin’s moisture, they actively plump skin with hydrating agents such as hyaluronic acid, which have the ability both to sink deeply into skin and to attract moisture from the atmosphere. The result is visibly juicier skin when you wake up. Most masques are also packed with regenerating active ingredients to help skin recover from damage sustained during the day. In this way they are no different from a good night cream, except that these masques probably deliver their ‘actives’ deeper into skin, plus they often come at really affordable price points! For me, the best overnight treatment is Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate oil, which also works deeply because of its affinity with the skin’s natural oils. It’s full of essential fatty acids to heal the all-important lipid layer, and vitamin A to boost collagen. It smells of Mediterranean dried herbs crushed underfoot, and it has really strengthened and soothed my skin over the years.”
PAI Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil, £22 and Pai BioRegenerate Rapid Radiance Mask, £30. The Pai Rosehip Oil is fast becoming a beauty insider favourite. Now with the BioRegenerate Mask on hand for emergency facial needs, this is quite the duo. They contain: ALL of the actual rosehip bud and strawberry leaf. The benefits: great for hypersensitive, dry, mature and combination skins, expect to see regenerated, firmer skin with more elasticity and a clear and even skin tone.
Samantha Silver – Beauty Director of Stylist Magazine and co-founder of ThisIsMothership.com
“As a time-starved (aren’t we all), obsessive multi-tasker balancing a demanding job, fast growing blog and an 18 month old toddler, I no longer have the time to dedicate to my beauty regime that I once did. Face masks are my saviour. I slather them on and let them do their skin-reviving, radiance boosting thing while I sleep off the day. My absolute favourite is Sisley Black Rose Mask. Pricey, yes but totally worth its weight in gold for those who dream of awaking to plump, glowy skin.”
Jo Glanville-Blackburn – Beauty Director Woman & Home / Author
“When we’re all so time-poor, I can’t think of a better way to lavish my skin with vitamins and skincare than while I’m also sleeping! Better still when we’re asleep the skin naturally repairs, so why wouldn’t we want to make the most of natures’s best anti-ageing gift of sleep!?”
THE STYLISH STUFF RECOMMENDS…
LIZ EARLE Superskin Overnight Mask, £42. This is a luxurious treat of a mask that overnight delivers a nourishing kick of goodness to tired, dehydrated skin. It contains: extracts of Persian silk tree, pomegranate flower, borage, rosehip and cranberry seed oils. The results: It firms, brightens and helps lock moisture into the skin.
VAPOUR Essence Restorative Night Treatment, £78. An ultra-calming wonder, 100% organic and botanic, this oil helps aid cell renewal, brightens skin tone and nourishes stressed-out skin. A couple of pumps of this will ensure you awake with a radiant glow in the morning.
KORRES Wild Rose Advanced Repair Sleeping Facial, £26. This literally melts into your skin instantly hydrating and brightening. It contains: wild rose oil, vitamin c and hyaluronic acid. The results: by morning you will notice a more radiant, softer and smoother skin tone. A Stylish Stuff favourite.
“And the troubles of the day gently slip away…” (Picture / Pinterest – Lachlan Bailey for Vogue China)
AROMATHERAPY ASSOCIATES Anti-Ageing Overnight Repair Mask, £59. A once a week treat that you literally head to bed in and awaken with plumped-up and radiant skin. It contains: multiple plant and flower essences, primarily rose, frankincense, strawberry seed and rice germ and millet seed oils. The results: It smooths, firms, nourishes and even protects against further enviromental damage.
REN Wake Wonderful Night-Time Facial, £32 – this little gem boasts three benefits: exfoliation, reinvigoration and essential hydration. It contains: AHAs, lactic and glycol acids, glycogen, magnesium and omega oils. The results: skin does look renewed, feels softer, hydrated and yes it does visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Not great for super sensitive skin types.
AND so to bed….(Picture/ FreePeople)
KIEHLS Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque, £28. It’s simple, a slathering of this beauty = hydrated, healthier-looking skin by morning. It contains: Glacial proteins and desert plant leaves. The benefits: it amplifies the hydration of your daily moisturiser and leaves the skin looking smoother, feeling softer, more supple and refreshed.
MOON JUICE Good Night Dust, £48. And now for the ingestible bit. Just one teaspoon of this little wonder in your favourite bed time beverage will help aid restful sleep. It contains herbs, plants and minerals and basically helps restore those natural, nocturnal rhythms sometimes stress steals away.
Style Director Shelly Vella
Main images / Pinterest