If your skin feels tight, looks shiny yet flaky, and stings when you apply moisturizer, you likely over-exfoliated. The right overnight mask can quietly undo that damage as you sleep. Here are the top options that comfort stressed skin without adding more irritation.
Over-exfoliation happens fast. One extra peel pad, a double cleanse with a foaming wash, and suddenly your face feels hot, looks red, and every product tingles. When your barrier is compromised, the goal is simple: stop the irritation cycle and feed skin what it needs to rebuild. Overnight masks are ideal here because they deliver cushiony hydration, soothing ingredients, and a protective seal for hours. This guide zeroes in on masks that calm, rehydrate, and support recovery without fragrances or harsh actives.
What we looked for: barrier-supporting lipids and humectants (ceramide helpers, squalane, glycerin, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, beta glucan), soothing extracts (centella asiatica, colloidal oatmeal, allantoin), and smart occlusives (petrolatum, shea butter) that lock in moisture. We avoided strong acids, retinoids, essential oils, and heavy fragrance. Every pick below has a specific use case so you can match it to your skin right now.
Quick picks
- Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask: Best fragrance-free barrier reset
- Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask: Best for redness and post-exfoliation sensitivity
- Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive Mask: Best for fast calming and a soft protective film
- CeraVe Healing Ointment: Best budget occlusive topper for extreme dryness and flaking
- Etude House SoonJung 5-Panthensoside Cica Sleeping Pack: Best lightweight gel option for combination or oilier skin
In-depth reviews
Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask review
Who it is for: If your skin feels tight, reactive, and rough at the same time, this is a gentle, fragrance-free cocoon that brings back comfort in a night or two. It suits dry, very dry, and combination skin in a recovery phase.
Key ingredients and how it works: This mask leans on a rich blend of humectants and emollients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and plant oils, plus soothing agents such as allantoin and antioxidants. The texture is a plush cream that spreads easily without tugging. It settles into a soft, non-greasy finish after 10 to 15 minutes, which makes it easy to sleep in without sticking to your pillowcase.
Results and feel: It immediately takes the edge off that prickly, overscrubbed feeling and helps your skin feel cushioned by morning. Expect reduced redness, fewer dry patches, and a comfortable, hydrated bounce. If moisturizer has been stinging lately, this tends to go on without drama.
Drawbacks: It is rich, so very oily skin may find it heavy on its own. If you are acne-prone, start with a pea-size amount to gauge how your skin reacts before applying generously.
How it compares: Compared with the Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask, Paula’s Choice feels creamier and more emollient, making it better for dryness plus flaking. Laneige leans soothing with a slightly lighter afterfeel. If your barrier is very compromised, you can layer a thin veil of CeraVe Healing Ointment on top of Paula’s Choice for extra occlusion.
Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask review
Who it is for: If you pushed your exfoliants too far and your face looks flushed, this is a calming, non-fragrant option that rebuilds comfort overnight. Works well for normal to dry and sensitive types, and for combination skin during a flare.
Key ingredients and how it works: Centered on centella asiatica derivatives (often called cica) along with squalane and panthenol, it targets visible redness while supporting the moisture barrier. The texture is a rich cream that melts down to a smooth layer. It is not greasy, but it does leave a protective, cushioned feel that lasts into the morning.
Results and feel: Redness tends to look diffused by morning, and skin feels less warm to the touch. The hydration level is high, yet it rarely pills under a simple serum or essence if you layer it properly.
Drawbacks: If you prefer a near-weightless gel, this may feel a touch heavy in hot weather. For very dry, flaky skin, you might still want a thicker cream underneath to prevent tightness under air conditioning.
How it compares: Versus Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive Mask, Laneige feels creamier and a bit more nourishing. Dr. Jart creates a slightly more noticeable protective film that some people love for a locked-in effect. If you are unsure, choose Laneige for everyday gentleness, and reach for Dr. Jart when you need a stronger seal.
Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive Mask review
Who it is for: If your skin is hot, blotchy, and overworked, this sleep mask is designed to calm quickly and seal in hydration. It suits most skin types during recovery, especially those who want a breathable but substantial protective layer.
Key ingredients and how it works: The formula features centella asiatica extracts, humectants like glycerin, and film-forming agents that create a micro-thin barrier on top of the skin. That barrier helps reduce transepidermal water loss overnight so your skin can focus on repair rather than fighting dehydration.
Results and feel: The gel-cream texture spreads easily and dries down to a soft, flexible veil. By morning, skin feels noticeably calmer, and fine dehydration lines soften. Makeup also tends to sit better the next day because surface flaking is reduced.
Drawbacks: The protective film can feel a bit present if you prefer a bare-skin finish at night. If you are extremely dry, pair it with a simple cream underneath for best comfort.
How it compares: Compared with Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask, Dr. Jart is lighter in immediate feel but more sealing once it sets. If Laneige is a soft blanket, Dr. Jart is a windbreaker. Oily or combination users who still need serious soothing often prefer Dr. Jart. Very dry or flaky users may lean Paula’s Choice or Laneige for extra emollience.
CeraVe Healing Ointment review
Who it is for: If flaking, raw-feeling patches, or windburn-like sensitization have taken over, this is the classic occlusive topper that helps stop water loss fast. It is for nights when you need a heavy-duty seal and are not worried about a dewy finish.
Key ingredients and how it works: Petrolatum provides strong occlusion to trap moisture, while ceramides, cholesterol, and hyaluronic acid support the barrier. It is fragrance-free and designed for sensitive skin. Used as a thin final layer, it keeps humectants and emollients from evaporating.
Results and feel: Expect a glossy, balmy finish that softens flakes overnight. Stinging is often reduced dramatically because environmental triggers are blocked. By morning, tightness eases and rough texture starts smoothing out.
Drawbacks: It is heavy and can feel greasy. If you are acne-prone, apply sparingly and spot-treat only the driest or most compromised areas. Some people find petrolatum too occlusive in hot weather.
How it compares: Think of this as a customizable seal rather than a traditional mask. You can layer it over Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask or Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask on the driest zones, then skip it on the T-zone. If you want a lighter allover finish, consider Etude House SoonJung 5-Panthensoside Cica Sleeping Pack instead.
Etude House SoonJung 5-Panthensoside Cica Sleeping Pack review
Who it is for: Oilier or combination skin that still needs barrier repair but hates heavy creams. Also a great spring and summer option when you want overnight calming without a dense feel.
Key ingredients and how it works: The star duo is panthenol and madecassoside, both excellent at soothing and supporting recovery, with a short ingredient list that avoids fragrance and essential oils. The gel-cream texture feels bouncy and hydrating, absorbing quickly while leaving a soft cushion.
Results and feel: Dehydration lines relax and morning redness looks less obvious. It layers well over a basic hyaluronic acid serum and under a thin occlusive on trouble spots if needed. Because the finish is light, it is comfortable even for those who dislike any night-time stickiness.
Drawbacks: On very dry skin, this may not be enough by itself. Pair it with a richer cream underneath or a tiny amount of ointment on the driest patches.
How it compares: Compared to Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive Mask, SoonJung is lighter in both texture and occlusion. It also has a more minimalist ingredient list, which sensitive users often appreciate. If your skin is fragile but you dislike weight, start here, then bring in CeraVe Healing Ointment only where you need extra sealing.
How to choose
Match your current skin state, not your usual preferences. Over-exfoliated skin needs comfort first. Here is how to make a clear choice.
- Hot, red, and stinging: Pick Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask or Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive Mask for soothing centella and a protective overnight layer. If you prefer more cushion, choose Laneige. If you want a lighter feel with a film-like seal, choose Dr. Jart.
- Flaking and tightness everywhere: Reach for Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask. If air is very dry or your skin cracks easily, spot-top with a whisper of CeraVe Healing Ointment.
- Combination or oilier skin that still hurts: Choose Etude House SoonJung 5-Panthensoside Cica Sleeping Pack. Add a drop of squalane underneath if you need more slip, or tap a tiny amount of CeraVe Healing Ointment on flaky areas only.
- Budget-first barrier repair: Use your existing gentle moisturizer and add CeraVe Healing Ointment as a thin final layer. It gives you outsized results for the price.
- Fragrance sensitivity: Prioritize Paula’s Choice, Dr. Jart+, and SoonJung, all known for low-irritant formulas.
Ingredient cues that help right now: glycerin and hyaluronic acid for water-binding, squalane and shea butter for comfort, panthenol and beta glucan for soothing, and centella or colloidal oatmeal for redness. Pause acids, scrubs, and retinoids until skin feels normal for at least a week.
Barrier reset: a simple 7-night plan
Over-exfoliated skin recovers fastest with consistency and restraint. Use this one-week framework and adapt as needed.
- Night 1: Wash with a gentle, non-foaming cleanser and lukewarm water. While skin is damp, apply a hydrating serum or essence, then your chosen mask. If you are very dry, add a pea-size amount of CeraVe Healing Ointment on cheeks and around the mouth.
- Night 2: Repeat. If you still feel stinging, simplify further by using only a hydrating toner followed by your mask.
- Night 3: Keep the same routine. Consider adding a mid-day mist of plain thermal water or a light moisturizer to stay comfortable.
- Night 4: Check your skin. If redness has reduced and stinging is gone, continue with your mask. If you are still flaky, increase the amount slightly or add a drop of squalane underneath.
- Night 5: Maintain. Avoid exfoliants. Focus on sleep, hydration, and a humid bedroom if possible.
- Night 6: If skin feels stable, you can skip the mask for one night and use a plain barrier cream to test tolerance.
- Night 7: Resume the mask or continue with your barrier cream. Do not reintroduce acids or retinoids until your skin has stayed calm for at least another 3 to 4 days.
Daytime tips: Use a mineral or hybrid sunscreen with a gentle finish. Avoid makeup removers that require heavy rubbing. Stick to lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel.
Final thoughts
When you have over-exfoliated, the best overnight mask is the one you will use generously and often. Start with Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask if you are dry and sore, choose Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask or Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive Mask for fast calming, keep CeraVe Healing Ointment on hand for spot-sealing the driest patches, and go with Etude House SoonJung 5-Panthensoside Cica Sleeping Pack if you want a lighter gel. Keep your routine simple, be consistent for a week, and your skin will feel like itself again.
See also
To rebuild your moisture barrier from head to toe, pair your overnight mask with a nourishing body lotion for dry skin and a gentle body wash for dry skin in the shower.
- If breakouts are part of your sensitivity, choose a calming base with one of the best primers for acne-prone skin.
- For makeup that respects fragile, dehydrated complexions, opt for a soft-focus finish using the best setting powders for mature skin.
- Support barrier repair from within by adding some of the best supplements for beautiful skin to your routine.
FAQ
How often should I use an overnight mask after I over-exfoliate?
Use it nightly for at least 5 to 7 days or until stinging and tightness are gone. Once your skin is stable, drop to 2 to 3 times per week as maintenance. If your skin ever feels slick but tight, that is a sign you still need the mask more frequently.
Can petrolatum-based products like CeraVe Healing Ointment cause breakouts?
Petrolatum itself is non-comedogenic, but very occlusive textures can trap heat and sweat, which may aggravate breakout-prone areas. Use a thin layer and apply it only where you are flaky or raw, not all over. If you tend to clog easily, try a lighter mask such as Etude House SoonJung and reserve ointment for small spots.
Is it safe to combine retinoids or acids with an overnight recovery mask?
During recovery, skip retinoids and acids entirely. The mask is there to restore the barrier, and actives can delay that process. Once skin feels normal for several days, reintroduce a single active at a lower frequency and keep the mask on off nights to maintain comfort.
What ingredients should I avoid until my barrier feels normal again?
Avoid high percentages of AHAs or BHAs, retinoids, strong vitamin C, mentholated or minty additives, drying alcohols, and fragranced essential oils. Focus on humectants like glycerin, soothing agents like panthenol and centella, and occlusives like squalane or petrolatum in modest amounts.
How do I tell dehydrated from dry skin, and which mask fits each?
Dehydrated skin lacks water and often feels tight with fine lines that disappear after moisturizing. Dry skin lacks oil and tends to flake or feel rough. For primarily dehydrated skin, a lighter gel-cream like Etude House SoonJung or Dr. Jart+ works well. For truly dry, flaky skin, a richer option like Paula’s Choice or a layer of CeraVe Healing Ointment on top provides more comfort.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on our site.