The Body Shop has spent decades turning fair-trade ingredients and feel-good formulas into bathroom staples, so chances are the brand’s green-topped tubs already sit on your shelf. If they do not, its reputation for ethical sourcing and sensorial skincare is reason enough to take notice.
Its latest mouthful of a launch, the Vitamin C Overnight Glow Revealing Mask, promises to tuck you in and send you to dreamland while a cocktail of vitamin C, lactic acid and papaya enzymes tackles dullness. In the morning the brand says your complexion should look brighter, more even and almost ninety percent more radiant after a month of use. Big talk for a little orange pot.
I slathered the mask on every night for two weeks, letting it do its thing while I chased eight hours of sleep, to see if these claims translate to real-world skin and whether the forty-something price tag earns its keep.
Disclaimer: This is not a paid or sponsored review. All opinions are my own based on personal experience. As always, skincare is highly individual so your results may differ.
What Is Vitamin C Overnight Glow Revealing Mask?
Put simply, this mask is a leave-on treatment designed to replace your usual night cream a few evenings a week. The formula pairs an oil-in-water cream base with actives such as 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid (a stable form of vitamin C), lactic acid and fruit enzymes. You apply it as the last step of your evening routine, then wash it off in the morning. During those hours your skin should be in repair mode, naturally more permeable and therefore more receptive to ingredients that target dullness and uneven tone.
Overnight treatments differ from wash-off masks because they are meant to stay on the skin for six to eight hours rather than the usual ten minutes. That extended contact time allows lower concentrations of exfoliating acids to work gradually, which can feel gentler than a quick, stronger hit. For anyone who finds weekly peels too harsh, an overnight option like this can offer a slower path to brightness while you sleep.
The brand positions the mask for all skin types including sensitive, but because it contains exfoliating acids and fragrance it still belongs in the patch-test-first category. In short, think of it as a multi-tasking night cream that leans heavily on vitamin C for glow, lactic acid for texture smoothing and papaya enzymes for mild surface exfoliation.
Did It Work?
In the interest of hard hitting dermatological science I benched my usual overnight treatment for three full nights before starting the trial; a sacrifice my skin did not thank me for but one that felt necessary to give the orange pot a fair shake. Fourteen days of nightly use seems long enough to spot meaningful change while still short enough to remember where you started, so I stuck to that window and applied a small cherry sized scoop after cleanser and serum every evening.
Right away the mask’s buttery texture felt comforting, almost like a richer night cream that melted down as soon as it met body heat. The first few mornings I woke up to skin that felt velvety and looked a touch more rested though the effect was subtle. A faint citrus perfume lingered on my pillowcase which I could take or leave but it did add to the spa by way of bedroom vibe the brand is banking on.
By the one week mark I noticed the surface of my cheeks looked smoother when foundation went on; little dry patches that usually catch pigment had mostly vanished. There was also a soft-focus glow but not the blinding mirror like shine the 89 percent radiance stat had me picturing. My one early concern, increased sensitivity, never materialised beyond a mild tingle on night one.
The second week told a similar story. Texture continued to improve and overall tone looked marginally brighter yet stubborn sun spots along my jawline remained almost identical in size and depth. I suspect the lactic acid concentration is gentle enough for nightly use but not punchy enough to speed turnover dramatically in just two weeks. On the hydration front the formula excelled; I woke to plump skin even after running the central heating higher than I should have.
So did it live up to the claims? Partially. It delivered softness and a modest boost in luminosity; it did not make a dent in darker spots nor did it unlock the covetable glass skin glow marketing promised. At a mid range price I want clearer evidence of brightening before slotting another product into an already crowded shelf so while I will finish the jar I will not be rushing to repurchase.
Main Ingredients Explained
Front and centre sits 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, a stable vitamin C derivative that is less prone to oxidation than pure ascorbic acid yet still converts in skin to deliver antioxidant protection and melanogenesis inhibition for tone correction. The 5 percent concentration the brand hinted at is enough to give a gradual brightening effect without the sting some potent serums bring, which makes nightly wear realistic for most skin types.
Lactic acid, part of the alpha hydroxy acid family, acts as the mild exfoliator here. Because its molecule is larger than glycolic acid it does not penetrate quite as aggressively, so you get smoother texture and increased water retention with less risk of flaking. In this formula the lactic acid is buffered by fatty alcohols and triglycerides which is why the mask feels more like a night cream than a peel.
Papaya enzymes add another layer of gentle resurfacing. These proteolytic enzymes nibble away at dead surface cells to soften rough patches, helping foundation sit better the next morning. The double act of chemical acid plus enzymatic exfoliation explains the quick improvement in makeup glide I noticed after a week.
On the nourishing side you will find squalane from plant sources, shea butter and soybean oil. They top up the lipid barrier so any exfoliation is balanced by replenishment. Worth noting, shea butter and myristyl myristate both carry a moderate to high comedogenic rating which means they can clog pores in acne-prone skin. If you are susceptible to congestion patch test first and consider limiting use to twice a week.
The presence of salicylic acid is more symbolic than transformative because it sits low on the list, yet even a whisper can help keep pores clear while lactic acid does its polishing. Humectants such as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate pull in moisture, keeping skin plump and cushioning the mild tingle some may feel on application.
Fragrance sits mid-list along with synthetic dyes CI 19140, CI 15510 and CI 17200, additions that lend the sorbet hue and citrus scent but may irritate reactive skin. There are no animal-derived ingredients so vegans and vegetarians can use it with a clear conscience. The Body Shop also avoids parabens and mineral oil here, though the preservative system still relies on phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin for shelf stability.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding check with your healthcare provider before introducing any leave-on acids or vitamin C products. While the actives here are generally regarded as low risk cautious use is always the safer route during hormonal shifts.
All in all the ingredient deck marries brighteners with barrier-friendly lipids, making the mask a balanced option for dullness provided you are not extremely acne-prone or highly sensitive to fragrance.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
After two weeks here is the straightforward rundown.
What Works Well:
- Buttery texture glides on easily, absorbs fast and doubles as a comforting night cream
- Delivers noticeable overnight softness with steady improvement in skin smoothness by day seven
- Balances mild exfoliation with barrier friendly lipids so most skins can use it several nights a week without redness
- Plant squalane plus shea butter leave a cushioned feel that survives dry indoor heating
- Vegan formula from a brand with solid ethical sourcing gives extra peace of mind
What to Consider:
- Dark spots and deeper discoloration may see little change in a short window
- Rich emollients like myristyl myristate and shea butter can trigger congestion on acne prone skin
- Fragrance and added dyes lend a pleasant citrus vibe but may not suit very sensitive noses or reactive complexions
My Final Thoughts
Finding a night treatment that plays nicely with both your pillowcase and your complexion is a bit like dating in the dark: you commit eight hours before you know what you are waking up to. After two weeks of nightly rendezvous I can say The Body Shop’s Vitamin C Overnight Glow Revealing Mask is a courteous partner that smooths, hydrates and delivers a gentle next-morning brightness, just not the cinematic glow its marketing suggests. I have rotated through enough overnight formulas to recognise when the needle moves and here it budged, it simply never leaped. For anyone with texture gripes, mild dullness or winter-parched skin the mask earns its keep. If you are chasing meaningful pigment correction or are acne-prone the richer base and low acid strength may leave you wanting more. My final score: a respectable 7/10. I would recommend it to a friend who values comfort and subtle radiance, but I would also flag that patience is part of the deal.
Should you prefer a different midnight companion, a few reliable alternatives spring to mind. Deascal’s Nocturnal Revive Cream is the easy-going allrounder I reach for when my skin cannot decide what it needs; it glides on light, calms, hydrates and costs less than most dinner dates. LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask remains the gold standard for quenching thirsty skin without clogging pores, while Medik8 Advanced Night Restore pairs barrier-boosting ceramides with a surprisingly indulgent feel that rivals far pricier jars. If firming is higher on your wish list, ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Night Cream offers a silkier texture and a noticeable bounce by sunrise. I have spent quality time with each of these and happily keep them in rotation depending on the season.
Before you slather on anything new, including this cheery orange pot, patch test like the over-protective parent I am apparently becoming. Remember results demand consistency and will fade once you ghost the product. Skincare may be many things but it is rarely a one-night stand.