Introduction
Sun + Moon is one of those quietly confident indie darlings that manages to pop up in every insider’s cabinet yet still feels like a delightful discovery for the uninitiated. The brand’s reputation for gentle science and spa like sensorial touches made me curious when they unveiled their latest overnight treatment, cheekily named “What Dreams Are Made Of.”
The promise is lofty: a night mask that combines resurfacing glycolic acid with soothing lavender to calm irritation, refine texture and grant you that elusive morning glow. Sun + Moon frames it as the ideal send off to a long day, hinting at a ritual that lulls both skin and senses into repair mode. I gave it a dedicated two week run, using it nightly to see if this dream could translate into reality and, more importantly, if it deserves a spot in your skincare budget.
What is What Dreams Are Made Of?
What Dreams Are Made Of is an overnight treatment, meaning it is designed to be applied as the last step of an evening routine and left on while you sleep. Overnight formulas take advantage of the skin’s natural repair cycle, allowing active ingredients to work uninterrupted for several hours instead of the few minutes typical of a rinse-off mask.
This particular treatment positions itself as a “calm and correct” night mask. It uses glycolic acid, a well-known alpha hydroxy acid, to loosen dead surface cells and promote a smoother look. At the same time lavender oil is included to temper potential irritation and supply a mild aromatherapeutic element. The blend aims to balance gentle resurfacing with a soothing experience, so the skin feels refreshed rather than stripped when morning comes.
The formula is water based, free of added colors aside from a violet cosmetic tint, and preserved with phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin. The size is 5.1 fl oz or 150 mL, which is generous for a product intended for two to three uses per week although the brand suggests nightly application.
Did it work?
In the name of science I benched my usual overnight treatment for three full days before starting this trial, which felt very clinical for someone who still googles “best way to slice an avocado.” Fourteen nights struck me as a decent window to see what this purple-tinted dream could really do, so I slathered it on as the last step after a gentle cleanser and lightweight serum.
The first application delivered a faint tingle that settled in under a minute, followed by a whiff of lavender that was more spa diffuser than grandmother’s drawer sachet. I woke up to skin that felt soft but not dramatically different. By night three the tingle had mellowed and I noticed my forehead looked a touch smoother, as if my usual micro-bumps had been lightly buffed down.
The real test came around day seven. I had a tiny stress breakout along my jaw and hoped the glycolic would speed its exit. The mask kept the area calm with zero additional redness, yet the spots marched along their usual timeline. Texture, however, continued to improve: makeup glided on with less patchiness and my complexion reflected light in that healthy, subtle way you only notice when you skip highlighter.
Days ten through fourteen revealed the formula’s limits. My stubborn dark spot from an old sun mishap looked exactly the same and a bit of flakiness appeared around my nostrils, forcing me to layer a thicker, ceramide-rich cream beneath the mask. The lavender remained soothing but could not fully balance the cumulative exfoliation for my combination skin.
So did it deliver on its calm and correct promise? Partially. It definitely softened texture and left my face feeling refreshed each morning, yet the brightening and discoloration claims stayed more aspirational. I enjoyed the ritual and the gentle aroma, but once the jar is empty I will likely return to my tried-and-true acid toner and hydrating sleeping cream. Still, if you are looking for a beginner-friendly glycolic mask that errs on the side of comfort this could be a pleasant night-time companion.
Main ingredients explained
The star here is glycolic acid, a small alpha hydroxy acid that excels at loosening the bonds between old surface cells so newer, smoother ones can shine through. Because it is water soluble it does most of its work at the very top of the epidermis, giving gradual refinement rather than a dramatic peel. Sun + Moon has buffered it with sodium hydroxide, a pH adjuster that keeps the formula in the acidic sweet spot needed for exfoliation without veering into sting-city.
Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil pulls double duty. Aromatically it sets the spa-like mood while topically it brings mild anti-inflammatory benefit, which can take the edge off any post-acid redness. Essential oils can be polarizing for sensitive types though, so patch testing is still smart. Hexyl cinnamal and “parfum” round out the scent profile; both are classified fragrance allergens in the EU so ultra-reactive skin may raise an eyebrow.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice quietly supports barrier comfort with its mix of polysaccharides and amino acids, essentially giving the skin a light drink of water plus a soothing hug. Carbomer provides the bouncy gel texture while polysorbate 20 is the solubilizer that keeps the oil-based lavender evenly dispersed in the water base. Neither ingredient clogs pores, and the overall recipe is remarkably low in comedogenic triggers (those are substances that can block pores and potentially cause breakouts).
Phenoxyethanol paired with ethylhexylglycerin forms the preservative duo that stops microbes from throwing a party in your skincare. HC Violet No. 2 delivers the pale lilac tint purely for aesthetics and is used in minuscule amounts.
All listed ingredients are either plant derived or synthetic, with no animal by-products, so the formula is suitable for vegans and vegetarians assuming the brand’s animal testing policy aligns with your ethics. Ingredient safety during pregnancy is a murkier topic: glycolic acid under 10 percent is generally considered low risk yet essential oils like lavender remain controversial. As always, anyone who is pregnant or nursing should clear new topicals with a medical professional first.
One final note: the absence of heavy oils means the mask layers well over lighter serums but might not supply enough occlusion for very dry skin, so pairing it with a richer cream is perfectly acceptable if your moisture barrier asks for more.
What I liked/didn’t like
After two weeks of nightly wear these were the clear upsides and watchouts.
What works well:
- noticeably refines surface texture within a week giving foundation a smoother canvas
- balanced glycolic strength keeps tingling brief and avoids post use redness for most skin types
- lavender aroma provides a calming wind-down effect and offsets any acidic edge
- generous volume translates to solid value compared with similar overnight masks
What to consider:
- results on stubborn dark spots are modest so dedicated brightening products may still be needed
- lightweight gel may leave drier areas craving additional moisture or cause mild flaking with continuous use
- contains parfum and lavender oil which fragrance sensitive users may not love
My final thoughts
Choosing the right overnight treatment can feel like speed dating in the dark: all the promises are made while you sleep and you only know if it is a match come morning. After two weeks of steady use I am comfortable giving Sun + Moon’s What Dreams Are Made Of a respectable 7/10. It smoothed the minor textural gripes on my forehead and lent a fresher sheen to my complexion, yet it was less persuasive on pigmentation and required a supporting moisturizer on the drier planes of my face. Compared with the many masks, creams and nocturnal serums I have rotated through over the years, this one lands firmly in the “good but not game changing” category.
Who will enjoy it most? Anyone new to acids or wary of aggressive peels. The gentle glycolic concentration paired with lavender’s calming touch makes it beginner friendly and pleasant to use. If your primary concern is deep discoloration, pronounced dryness or you prefer fragrance free formulas, you might find its limits sooner than later. I would still recommend it to a friend who wants a low fuss entry point into chemical exfoliation, provided they are comfortable adding an extra dollop of moisture when needed.
For those curious about alternatives I have personally road tested, Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal remains my allrounder of choice. It is a one and done night cream that hydrates, smooths and subtly brightens without demanding a chemistry degree to layer. If you are after a plant forward glow the Orange Douce Sleeping Mask by Decléor wraps skin in comforting essential oils and leaves cheeks cushiony by sunrise. Those chasing a more intensive renewal might appreciate Superstar Retinol Night Oil from Pestle & Mortar which pairs encapsulated retinol with hydrating oils for visible next morning refinement. Finally, sensitive souls seeking a cica heavy hug should look at Banila Co’s Overnight Soothing Cica Sleeping Mask which reins in redness while delivering a lightweight moisture seal.
Before you drift off with any new formula, do the sensible thing and patch test behind an ear or along the jawline first – sorry for sounding like an over protective parent. Keep in mind that glowing results need consistent use to stick around, so nightly dedication and sunscreen by day will always be part of the deal.