The Facial Radiance Overnight Mask by First Aid Beauty ($38 for 1.7 oz.) is a clear, jellyish sleeping mask. In addition to the usual moisturizing ingredients, it boasts brightening ingredients such as niacinamide, ascorbyl glucoside (vitamin C), and licorice root extract.
I used this mask 4-5x/week for two weeks on my dry, flaky skin. The gel applies with a cooling sensation and dries down a bit after 30 minutes, but does leave your face looking shiny.
While it locked in the hydration from my skincare routine and I woke up with smooth and calm skin, I didn’t notice brightening of my skin tone or dark spots, but it’s possible that continued use over a longer period would produce noticeable results. First Aid Beauty does claim that this produces overnight results, and there are glowing reviews on that point on Sephora.
I should say that I’ve been using “brightening” products regularly for a while, so it’s entirely possible that my skin tone has maxed out on brightening; I still have spots of hyperpigmentation that I’m always trying to fade though. While it’s true that I woke up without a sallow look to my skin, sallowness isn’t a problem I really experience any more now that I’m consistent about doing my nighttime skincare routine.
If overapplied, it pills up by the next morning. I’ve woken up to find little bits of dried-up mask on my face and on my hair (what, I like to toss and turn). Easily washed/combed out, but all the same, it’s better to apply a small amount and spend several seconds massaging it in until just a thin layer remains.
It’s still in my regular rotation of sleeping masks (I have 5!), but I wouldn’t repurchase because there are masks that do the same or better job (e.g., Laneige Water Sleeping Mask doesn’t pill, Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask (review coming!) adds more moisture).
Ingredients:
Pros: Good basic sleeping mask for hydration. Comparable to Laneige.
Cons: No short-term brightening results. Can pill up.
BeautyandtheCat's Beauty Blog 