Overnight sleep masks - Do they really work?
Whilst night creams aim to lock in hydration, they often do so as function of their occlusivity rather than their inherent chemistry. What that means is a night cream creates a barrier-like second-skin of oil, wax and buttery ingredients that trap moisture underneath rather like a greenhouse. While night creams may contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, betaine and honey that hold large amounts of water, the cream base is designed to be generalists rather than specialists at moisture delivery.
The focus of our Sleep masks is entirely on pushing as much moisture into the epidermal layer as possible while using an osmosis-type action to pump other water-soluble actives deeper into the dermal tissue. Although this is possible to an extent in a well-formulated night creams but it is inherent that some moisture will be held back and therefore unavailable to the skin due to its emulsion structure.
Typically Sleep masks adopt a more serum-like chemistry, utilising oil-capturing or suspending thickener technology over an oil-in-water structured continuous phase (emulsion). Formulators carefully select high-tech three-dimensional thickening gels to achieve the right weight and texture for their target audience. These structure-forming gels are not just passive thickeners, many sleep masks include skin-active pre-biotic gellants such as crosslinked hyaluronic acids and bio saccharide gums which enhance skin rejuvenation in addition to the contribution they make to the products ultra-light, cooling and super hydrating aesthetics. This complex gel structure is typically designed with long-term hydration in mind and as such, a sleep mask should continue to hydrate your skin for the duration of your beauty sleep!
Sleep masks may capitalise on their emulsion-free status to build an active water phase. The water we secrete from our skin and that which bathes our skin cells is not just H2O, it's actually quite salty, often a little acidic and once we get to the dermal tissues, contains ceramides and free fatty acids. As such, sleep masks may deliver optimal levels of one more natural moisturising factor, thus creating either a biomimetic, or super-concentrated continuous phase that has the impact of making each drop of moisture more powerful and hydrating.
The last feature of a sleep mask is its detoxification powers and while the mechanism for this varies from brand to brand, the philosophy remains constant. Sleep time is the time when our minds and bodies undergo a deep cleanse, restore and rejuvenate. Typically, sleep masks come complete with antioxidant rich extracts, soothing agents, anti-inflammatories and vitamins, all designed to support the skins natural rejuvenation as you sleep.
Nourish Yourself Beauty and Wellness, Sleep Mask Solution.
Our OVER NIGHT REPLENISH SLEEP MASK has been designed with long-term moisture delivery and skin comfort in mind. This formulation has a liquid-crystal, ultra-light melting-gel base and infused it with bio-compatible ceramides, super-hydrating hyaluronic acid and sleep enhancing lavender oil. This intentionally designed formulation features both fresh and encapsulated lavender technology CelluOil™ so as to ensure that both the aromatherapy and physiological benefits of Lavender Oil are available to the skin whilst your body is resting throughout the night.
It is our recommendation that you apply our OVER NIGHT REPLENISH SLEEP MASK after you have cleansed your face and applying your specialised skin serums if desired our OVER NIGHT REPLENISH SLEEP MASK is designed to be used as your final step in your sunset evening facial ritual. In the morning the remaining product can be gently washed off to reveal a super-hydrated and rested complexion.