Introduction
Waunt might not have the global name recognition of some heritage houses, but beauty insiders know it as the quietly confident label that rarely puts a foot wrong. The brand’s playful spirit meets solid science, and that mix has won it a devoted following among skincare enthusiasts who prefer results over hype.
Enter Sleeping Beauty Nourishing Mask, a title that practically dares you to hit snooze. According to Waunt, this overnight treatment is designed to cocoon the skin in a creamy gel veil infused with Omega 9 Algae Oil and its own HydroSphere Technology, promising a complexion that looks well-rested and hydrated come morning. They highlight deep moisture, a relaxing scent and suitability for every skin type as the mask’s key selling points.
To see whether those dreamy claims translate to real-world payoff I swapped out my usual night cream for this mask every other evening over a full two-week stretch. The goal was simple: determine if Sleeping Beauty earns a permanent place on the nightstand or stays a fairy tale.
What is Sleeping Beauty Nourishing Mask?
Sleeping Beauty Nourishing Mask is an overnight treatment, which simply means you apply it before bed and let it work while you sleep. These products take advantage of the skin’s natural nighttime repair cycle when cell turnover is at its peak and external stressors are at a minimum. Instead of a traditional night cream that focuses mainly on surface level moisture, an overnight treatment is formulated to stay active for several hours so actives can penetrate more deeply.
Waunt’s version is a creamy gel that relies on two headline ingredients. Omega 9 Algae Oil supplies oleic acid, a fatty acid known for supporting the skin barrier and helping to reduce moisture loss. HydroSphere Technology refers to a blend of humectants that pull water into the skin layers, aiming to keep hydration levels steady for up to a full day. Together, the two address both nourishment and water retention, a combination often recommended for dull or dehydrated complexions.
The mask is scented in a way that aims to encourage pre-sleep relaxation, though the fragrance sits far enough down the ingredient list to suggest it is more of a sensorial touch than a focus of the formula. It is marketed as suitable for every skin type including sensitive skin and is free from parabens, mineral oil and SLS. The brand also notes the formula is vegan and contains some organic components.
In short, this product positions itself as a once or twice weekly step that replaces your normal nighttime moisturiser, promising to deliver a more rested hydrated look by morning without extra effort during the day.
Did it work?
In the name of rigorous science I benched my usual overnight treatment for a few days before starting the test run, which made me feel very laboratory chic despite doing everything in a bathrobe. Fourteen days seemed like a fair window to let the mask prove itself, so I slotted it in every other night right after cleansing and a hydrating serum.
First impression: the creamy gel smoothed on without tugging or pilling and the light spa-adjacent scent faded before I hit the pillow. It dried down to a satiny finish that never stuck to my sheets, a small but appreciated mercy. By morning my skin felt comfortably cushioned rather than greasy, and a quick look in the mirror confirmed a subtle bump in surface glow. Hydration levels held until early afternoon, at which point my drier cheek zones asked for a mist but they were no longer looking parched.
Midway through the trial I began to notice that the initial plumpness sometimes plateaued. On the nights I layered a mist underneath the mask my complexion looked fresher at sunrise, suggesting the formula leans on a water sandwich to perform at its best. I saw no irritation or clogged pores, which is a win for my combination skin, but the promised 24-hour moisture never quite materialised unless I followed with SPF and a day cream.
By day 14 my overall verdict was clear: Sleeping Beauty Nourishing Mask delivers a pleasant overnight hydration boost and leaves skin calm and soft yet the results sit closer to “nice” than “transformative”. I enjoyed the ritual and the gentle replenishment, just not enough to retire my current favourites. Would I repurchase? Probably not, although I would not hesitate to recommend it to someone seeking a fuss-free, sensorial night mask that plays well with most skin types.
Sleeping Beauty Nourishing Mask’s main ingredients explained
The star of the formula is Omega 9 Algae Oil, essentially a microalgae derived source of oleic acid. Oleic acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin’s sebum so it slots neatly into the lipid barrier, filling in the tiny cracks that allow water to escape. That barrier support is why the mask leaves skin feeling cushioned rather than simply coated. Waunt pairs the oil with its trademarked HydroSphere blend, a mix of classic humectants such as glycerin, propanediol and pentylene glycol that attract water and hold it in place. Think of them as the sponge and the algae oil as the plastic wrap that keeps the sponge from drying out overnight.
For extra nourishment the brand leans on shea butter and triolein, two rich emollients that smooth rough patches. A slip agents combo of dimethicone derivatives and coco-caprylate/caprate gives the mask that silky gel texture that glides on without drag. A quick note for breakout-prone readers: isopropyl myristate, shea butter and the coco esters earn moderate scores on the comedogenic scale, meaning they have the potential to clog pores, especially if you are already congestion-prone. Comedogenic simply means an ingredient can block follicles leading to whiteheads or blackheads, so patch testing is smart.
The formula also sprinkles in two ferment extracts, lactococcus ferment and lactobacillus/black mustard seed ferment, chosen for their purported ability to calm reactivity and support the skin’s microbiome. While research on topical ferments is still developing, they are generally well tolerated and can enhance the skin’s resilience. Antioxidant backup comes from vitamin E (tocopherol) which helps mop up free radicals generated by daily environmental stress.
What you will not find are parabens, mineral oil or SLS, making the INCI list pleasingly short on common irritants. The fragrance sits low in the lineup yet is present, so ultra sensitive noses may want to take note. Added colourants CI 15510 and CI 14700 give the mask its tint but do not contribute any skincare benefit.
Good news for ethical shoppers: every raw material is plant or mineral derived so the mask is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. On the pregnancy front, the formula does not flag any obvious red-zone actives like retinoids or strong exfoliating acids, but because it contains fragrance and essential oil components anyone expecting or nursing should still check with a healthcare professional before adding it to a routine.
Overall the ingredient list balances barrier support, humectant hydration and sensory appeal. It is unlikely to irritate most skin types yet those with very oily or acne-prone complexions may want to keep an eye on the richer emollients. Everyone else can enjoy the soothing gel texture and gentle overnight replenishment knowing the actives are doing the quiet work while they sleep.
What I liked/didn’t like
A quick rundown of the highs and lows from two weeks of nightly use.
What works well:
- The creamy gel texture glides on smoothly and sets to a comfortable, non sticky finish so it never feels heavy at bedtime
- Noticeable overnight hydration and morning softness that lasts through most of the day when paired with a basic daytime moisturiser
- No irritation or congestion on combination skin despite the richer emollients, making it surprisingly forgiving for a wide user range
What to consider:
- Hydration payoff tends to plateau without an extra water based mist or serum underneath which may limit its wow factor for very dry skin
- The promise of 24 hour moisture feels optimistic and requires daytime skincare backup to come close
- Price sits in the mid tier yet performance lands more in the pleasant but not essential category
My final thoughts
After two weeks of alternating use I can confidently slot Sleeping Beauty Nourishing Mask in the “good but not life changing” category. It nails the basics of an overnight treatment: cushiony comfort, reliable hydration and a calm complexion by sunrise. If your top priority is waking up to skin that feels less parched without courting irritation this is a sensible pick. Those chasing dramatic texture refinement or all day bounce may find the payoff too subtle, especially once the novelty of the spa-like scent wears off.
On the sliding scale of overnight formulas I would award it a solid 7/10. I would happily point a friend with normal or slightly dry skin toward it, particularly if they appreciate a gentle, uncomplicated ritual. I would steer oilier or very dehydrated skin types to something either lighter in emollients or heavier on water-binding actives. Personally I enjoyed the experience yet will return to my heavy hitters that deliver a little extra oomph.
If you are browsing for alternatives I have tried plenty and a few rise to the top. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal earns its cult status by providing a one-step, covers-all-bases routine that somehow suits every complexion and comes in at an approachable price. For a calming option with a lighter gel feel the Cica Calming Overnight Face Mask by Q+A keeps redness at bay without sacrificing hydration. If you prefer a retinoid kick Superstar Retinol Night Oil by Pestle & Mortar offers a silky dry-oil finish and visible next-day brightness. Finally, when dullness is the enemy Pixi’s Overnight Glow Serum blends gentle exfoliants with humectants for a smoother morning canvas.
Before you slather anything on, a quick PSA: patch test new products behind the ear or along the jaw for a couple of nights first (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent). And remember, any glow-up gained overnight is a rental, not a permanent purchase, so sustained use and a solid daytime routine are still non-negotiable.