COSRX is one of those quietly brilliant Korean skincare houses that has managed to win cult status without ever feeling flashy. If the name has skirted past your radar, think accessible prices clever formulations and a commitment to skin friendliness that borders on obsessive.
Enter the Propolis Honey Overnight Mask, a title so sugary it practically sticks to your tongue. According to COSRX, this 3-in-1 gel cream leans on more than 87 percent propolis and a touch of beeswax to soothe hydrate and brighten while you do little more than count sheep. They also highlight its versatility as an overnight sleeping pack, a quick wash-off treatment and a lightweight moisturiser for normal to oily and breakout-prone faces.
I put those promises to the test for a solid two weeks, cycling through each of the suggested methods in real-world conditions to see if the buzz matches the benefits and if it truly warrants a spot on your bathroom shelf.
Disclaimer: this review is neither paid nor sponsored. Results shared here are my own, drawn from personal use, and skincare is famously unpredictable so your mileage may vary.
What Is Propolis Honey Overnight Mask?
This is a leave-on gel cream designed to sit on skin while you sleep, slotting into the overnight treatment category. Overnight treatments differ from regular moisturisers because they are formulated to form a light occlusive layer that locks in actives and hydration for several hours. By remaining on skin during its natural repair cycle at night they aim to amplify results without extra daytime steps.
In this case COSRX leans on a hefty 87 percent propolis extract paired with honey, royal jelly and a hint of beeswax. These bee-derived ingredients are traditionally valued for calming inflammation, supplying antioxidants and drawing moisture into the epidermis. The formula is water-based yet cushioned with humectants like glycerin and butylene glycol plus a touch of sunflower seed oil for emollience, so it targets normal to oily and blemish-prone skin that needs hydration without heaviness.
Versatility is the other selling point. Used as an overnight mask it goes on as the final step after cleanser, toner and serum, then stays put until morning cleanse. As a wash-off mask you smooth on a thicker layer, wait about fifteen minutes, then rinse. It can also replace a nightly moisturiser with a thinner coat. Same jar, three use cases, which is helpful if shelf space or budget is tight.
Did It Work?
I heroically benched my usual overnight treatment for the first four nights to give the Propolis Honey Overnight Mask a solo stage… very scientific, I know. Over a full 14-day run I rotated through its three suggested roles so each got equal airtime.
Nights 1-4 were straight sleeping-pack duty. I patted on a blueberry-sized blob after serum and went to bed feeling faintly sticky yet not suffocated. By morning my combination skin looked hydrated and a bit calmer around an angry spot on my jaw. No pillowcase stains either which was a pleasant surprise.
For the next five days I used it as a wash-off mask every other evening. A thicker layer felt wonderfully cooling after a humid commute home but rinsed clean with lukewarm water. Immediate payoff was a soft bouncy texture similar to a sheet-mask glow. The effect faded by midday next day so think quick fix rather than long-term overhaul.
The final stretch involved swapping my regular lightweight gel cream for a thin swipe of the mask as a nightly moisturizer. Here the formula showed its limits. Hydration stayed solid yet I noticed two closed comedones nudging their way onto my chin likely coaxed by the beeswax. A tiny price yet a reminder that oily-leaning skin may want to tread lightly.
Across the fortnight the mask consistently delivered on soothing and hydration. Brightening was modest at best and I cannot claim any dramatic reduction in redness beyond what a decent humectant cream would achieve. Still I woke up looking fresher than if I had skipped moisturizer altogether which counts for something.
So did it work? Partially. It nails comfort and moisture and doubles as a pleasant emergency mask before events yet it stops short of the transformative glow implied in the marketing. I will finish the jar but probably will not repurchase. If you crave a gentle multipurpose hydrator it is worth sampling yet it will not dethrone the heavy hitters in my personal lineup.
Main Ingredients Explained
Propolis Extract sits at the top of the list with a hefty 87 percent concentration. This resinous blend of tree sap and bee enzymes is packed with flavonoids and phenolic acids that lend the formula its soothing antibacterial edge. In practice that means calmer angry breakouts and a subtle antioxidant bump that helps fend off dullness. Because propolis is an animal by-product the mask is not suitable for vegans though most vegetarians tend to accept bee derivatives.
Honey and Royal Jelly Extract follow, both natural humectants that pull water into the skin for that bouncy morning feel. They also contain trace vitamins and amino acids which support the skin barrier though their concentrations here are far lower than the propolis headline act.
Glycerin and Butylene Glycol make up the backbone of hydration. These budget friendly yet effective humectants mimic the skin’s natural moisturizing factors so you get immediate plumping without greasiness. Panthenol and Allantoin tag team to add extra calming benefits which I noticed when a hormonal zit quietened overnight.
Beeswax is the occlusive glue that holds everything together giving the gel cream its slightly balmy afterfeel. It helps seal in moisture but lands at a medium level on the comedogenic scale meaning it can trap oil and lead to clogged pores in skins already prone to congestion. Comedogenic simply means an ingredient has the potential to block pores and trigger bumps if conditions are right. If you are highly acne prone patch testing is your safest bet.
Sunflower Seed Oil appears in a modest amount to add slip and a touch of vitamin E. It scores low on the comedogenic chart for most people though anyone with very reactive skin to rich emollients should still watch for milia or closed comedones.
The rest of the formula rounds out with texture agents like Xanthan Gum mild preservatives such as Ethylhexylglycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate for lightweight water binding. There is no added fragrance or essential oil so sensitive noses can breathe easy.
Pregnancy wise none of the ingredients raise immediate red flags however propolis and honey derivatives have limited safety data for expectant mothers. Best practise is always to clear any new topical with your obstetrician before slathering it on nightly.
Final ingredient tidbit: the mask clocks in at a skin friendly pH around 6 which means it plays nicely with most active serums you might layer underneath without causing irritation or neutralising their potency.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
After two weeks on my vanity here is how the mask stacked up:
What Works Well:
- Versatile 3-in-1 format saves shelf space and streamlines night routines
- Gel texture feels light yet seals in moisture without staining pillowcases
- No added fragrance makes it friendlier for sensitive skin
- Soothes minor redness and leaves a comfortable morning glow
- Accessible price point compared with many other overnight formulas
What to Consider:
- Beeswax occlusion may not suit skin that clogs easily
- Hydration boost is short term so results fade by midday if used as wash-off mask
- Brightening effect is subtle so those seeking dramatic radiance may be underwhelmed
My Final Thoughts
After two weeks of bee-kissed slumber parties my verdict is polite applause rather than a standing ovation. Propolis Honey Overnight Mask is a pleasant lightweight hydrator that earns its keep when skin feels cranky or tight and you just want something soothing that will not suffocate pores. It met most of its own claims but in a muted way: hydration yes, subtle calming yes, radiant transformation not quite. If you are normal to combo, prefer gels over butters and get nervous around added fragrance this fits the bill. If you are battling Sahara-level dryness or crave retina-searing glow you will find it underwhelming. I scored it a respectable 7/10 and would suggest it to a friend who prioritises gentle moisture and versatility over high-octane actives.
Of course one jar rarely rules them all. For nights when I need a little more oomph I often reach for Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal. It is the dependable all-rounder of my shelf, covers all bases for every skin mood and does so at a wallet-happy price. If you fancy something with a hit of retinol, Medik8’s Intelligent Retinol Smoothing Night Cream offers a silky finish and noticeable refinement with minimal irritation. For pure water-cushioned bounce LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask is still tough to beat and when my face feels parched after long haul flights I slather on Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Hydrating Mask which delivers a big gulp of moisture and smells faintly of tropical holidays. I have road-tested each of these more than once so the endorsements come from bleary-eyed late-night familiarity not press release prose.
Before you dive face first into any new overnight treatment remember a few basics. Cleanse well, layer lightest to heaviest and resist the urge to combine every trendy active in the same evening. Please patch test on a discreet patch of skin first (sorry for sounding like your over-protective parent) and note that results only stick around with consistent use. Your epidermis has the memory of a goldfish so keep the routine steady if you want the morning glow to last.