Description
What it is
The Water Sleeping Mask is one of Laneige’s longest-running face products and the item that made the Korean sleeping pack popular outside Korea. It is a light, bouncy gel-cream that you smooth over the face as the final step at night. Instead of rinsing it off after 15 minutes like a regular mask, you sleep in it, and the brand says it helps seal in the layers underneath so skin looks plumper and more rested in the morning.
The current version has been reformulated compared with older jars. It now lists squalane, ceramide AP, niacinamide and a Lactobacillus ferment lysate, which Laneige presents as part of its overnight hydration blend. The texture stays cool and non-greasy, which is why many people with combination skin find it easier to wear than a heavy night cream.
Key ingredients
- Squalane: a lightweight emollient that softens skin and helps reduce moisture loss.
- Ceramide AP: a skin-identical lipid that supports the moisture barrier.
- Niacinamide: vitamin B3, included for a more even, brighter-looking complexion.
- Lactobacillus ferment lysate: a postbiotic ferment (not live bacteria) the brand uses for skin comfort.
- Glycerin and butylene glycol: humectants that draw water into the upper layers of skin.
- Beta-glucan: a soothing, hydrating polysaccharide.
Product details
| Brand | Laneige (Amorepacific), South Korea |
|---|---|
| Size | 70 ml (2.3 fl oz) |
| Format | Gel-cream sleeping mask in a jar |
| Main concerns | Dehydration, dull-looking skin, tired complexion |
| Skin types | Normal, dry, combination and dehydrated oily skin |
| When to use | Evening, last step of the routine |
| Fragrance | Yes (parfum, with limonene and linalool) |
How to use
- Cleanse, then apply your toner, serum and moisturizer as usual.
- Take a small scoop and spread an even layer over the face, avoiding the eye area.
- Leave it on overnight.
- Rinse your face in the morning before your daytime routine and sunscreen.
Tip: you do not need a thick coat. A thin, even layer is enough, and on humid summer nights some people use it instead of their moisturizer rather than on top of it.
Who it suits
It works well for people whose skin feels tight or looks flat in the morning, especially during dry Canadian winters when indoor heating pulls moisture from the skin. Combination skin types often like it because it hydrates without the weight of a rich cream. If you are building a routine around dryness, see our guide to Korean skincare for dry skin.
Who should be careful
The mask contains fragrance along with limonene and linalool, which are common fragrance allergens. People with very reactive skin, rosacea or eczema may prefer a fragrance-free sleeping pack. It also contains several silicones, which most people tolerate well but some acne-prone users prefer to limit.
Patch test first. Apply a small amount to the inner forearm or behind the ear and wait 24 to 48 hours before using it on the face.
Full ingredient list
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methyl Trimethicone, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Squalane, Phenyl Trimethicone, PCA Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Carbomer, Propanediol, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Raffinose, Stearyl Behenate, Malachite Extract, Parfum, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Niacinamide, Tryptophan, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide MEA, Beta-Glucan, Limonene, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Acorus Gramineus Extract, Linalool, Tocopherol.
Notes: contains fragrance plus the allergens limonene and linalool. No drying alcohol (ethanol) is listed. No nut oils are listed. Older jars sold under the same name had a different formula, so compare the box if you buy from a reseller.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to wash off the Water Sleeping Mask?
Yes, Laneige’s directions are to leave it on overnight and rinse it off in the morning.
Can I use it every night?
Many people do, but you can also keep it for two or three nights a week, or for nights when your skin feels especially dry.
Does it replace my moisturizer?
The brand places it after your cream. If your skin is oily or the weather is humid, some people use it as their only night moisturizer instead.
Is it the same as the Lip Sleeping Mask?
No. They share the overnight idea, but this is a face gel. The Lip Sleeping Mask Berry is a thick balm made for lips.
Learn more
Find where an overnight mask fits in our beginner’s Korean skincare routine.
Ingredient lists can change between batches and markets. Always check the box you receive. This page is an independent guide; melaxin.ca does not sell products directly.
