From The Straits Times    |
Review: This updated overnight mask gave my tired complexion a dewy supple glow in the morning

Credit: 123rf

I love sleeping masks. If a brand has a sleeping mask in its lineup, I’ve either already tried it or want to try it, pronto. 

Alright, I have to admit that part of the reason I love sleeping masks is because I believe that they work really hard to repair and restore my skin when I’m in lala-land. I may be clocking in less than the recommended 8 hours of sleep every night, yet I still want to wake up to a fresh, dewy and glowy skin in the morning. I’m sure many of you are with me on this. 

It’s not called beauty sleep for nothing, right? 

I’m a night owl and it takes me forever to unwind and get ready for bed. While I may be physically in bed, mentally, my mind is still whirling at full speed. Realistically, I only drift off closer to 1:30am. 

When I found out that Laneige had revamped its iconic Water Sleeping Mask – it’s since been reformulated five times in the past, with the most recent update being in 2015 – I was intrigued. The sleeping mask has been a global bestseller for the brand since its launch in 2002 and has sold more than 16 million jars worldwide. 

I remember using its earlier version, though I never quite leaned in to it. After all, I have tried many sleeping masks over the years, so I am quite picky about what I keep on my dresser.

But I was told that Laneige has really upped the ante with this improved formulation. So I decided to get reacquainted with this sleeping mask and give it another chance. 

And here’s what happened.

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask_Ex, $45

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask_Ex

What It Is 

An overnight mask that protects, repairs and intensely hydrates your skin as you sleep so you’ll wake up with a soft and smooth complexion

Key Ingredients 

Squalene to keep skin well-hydrated, a unique Sleeping Microbiome technology that works to rebuild skin’s balance, and a probiotics complex that contains a patented green tea lactobacillus to strengthen skin’s defence and boost clarity at the same time. 

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask_Ex

The Texture

First impression – the mask doesn’t look any different from the previous version. It’s the same light blue-green gel in the same blue jar. 

However, when I scooped out the gel, I realised that the updated version is a tad thicker and stickier than before. But not so much that it makes it uncomfortable on the skin. In fact, there’s a slightly cool sensation upon application that makes using the mask really soothing, especially after a long day – and more so with the humid weather we’ve been having of late. 

The Laneige Water Sleeping Mask_Ex absorbs relatively smoothly, though there is a slight tacky feeling after application. But after a couple of minutes, I don’t feel it anymore. Thank goodness, because I was a little worried about the mask staining or migrating onto my pillowcase while I slept.  

The Results 

This update is definitely a much-welcomed upgrade because it delivered better results for me. I have friends who swore by the earlier version, but to be honest, I never got on board as I found the sleeping mask a little lacking in the hydration department. Previously, while my skin wasn’t parched when I woke up, I could still see faint dry lines. 

But this time, I faced no such worries. In the morning, my skin felt soft and comfortable. And it’s all thanks to the new addition of squalene. For the uninitiated, squalene (this one is derived from sugar cane) has excellent hydrating properties and leaves the skin soft and smooth. This alone received a big tick of approval from me.  

In addition, the Water Sleeping Mask_Ex’s improved formula is also enhanced with a Sleeping Microbiome technology and a probiotics complex, joining the current trend of skincare that works on the skin’s microbiome to focus on skin health. Very timely I might add, because with mask-wear, I’ve found that my skin has become easily irritated. 

This is because my skin’s microbiome is out of whack. The moist environment under the mask makes my skin feel drier yet my sebum production has increased because my skin thinks it’s losing moisture. And with the constant friction from the mask, it’s no wonder that I’m getting patchy flare-ups that are red and itchy. 

The Sleeping Microbiome technology and probiotics complex work hand-in-hand to strengthen the skin barrier, which in turn boosts its defence against external aggressors so skin gets healthier and stronger. So while I’m all about looking youthful, getting my skin healthy and strong is the way to go; when skin is healthy, it is firmer and smoother too. 

Just like its 2015 predecessor, this iteration of the Water Sleeping Mask_Ex also has a very faint scent, which is supposed to help relax the skin when you’re off in dreamland. It’s familiar and I like that it’s not too overwhelming because I’m not a fan of heavily scented skincare. And while it’s not a typical lavender-type scent, it’s definitely soothing and instantly makes me feel more at ease after I slather the gel all over my face. 

I know that a sleeping mask should be used as the last step of your skincare routine to seal everything in, so there are women who use it after a night cream. But I’m usually quite tired by bedtime, so I want my skincare routine to be short and efficient. This means my sleeping mask doubles as my night moisturiser as well. 

Fortunately, the new update works well in this department. My favourite way is to apply a slightly thicker layer after my retinol serum and then massage it all in. And come morning, viola… my complexion is smooth and dewy. 

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask_Ex

The Verdict 

I like that the new Water Sleeping Mask_Ex is more hydrating than its 2015 predecessor and leaves my skin soft and smooth in the morning. Plus, it also contains new actives that work on making my skin stronger and healthier.  

However, I do wish that the packaging got an upgrade too. I’m not a fan of skincare that comes in jars, unless it has an airless pump system. With jars, I’m often trying to scoop out what I need then closing the lid in a hurried manner because I don’t like exposing my product to the microscopic bacteria and whatnot in the air, which defeats the fact that skincare time should be a nice relaxing ritual. Sometimes, I also end up losing the applicator/spatula that comes with the product and have to resort to scooping out the product with my fingers (eew). 

But that said, I can see myself reaching for this, maybe not as often as the recommended twice to thrice a week, but definitely when my skin is looking particularly tired and dull. That extra boost of hydration from the mask is great at helping to erase the tell-tale signs of fatigue on my face when I wake up, like a beauty cheat sheet of sorts. 

The Laneige Water Sleeping Mask_EX is available at all Laneige boutiques and counters, Sephora stores, Sephora.sg and via its official malls on Shopee.sgZalora.sg and Lazada.sg

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