Paula’s Choice is the kind of skincare brand that long time ingredient enthusiasts champion and newcomers quickly grow curious about. Its fuss free formulas and science first philosophy have earned an almost cult status, so when their Super Hydrate Overnight Mask landed on my vanity I approached it with equal parts excitement and scrutiny.
The name itself sounds like it should come with its own cape, promising to swoop in while you sleep and deliver a plump dewy complexion by morning. According to Paula’s Choice, this gel cream cocktail of shea butter glycerin reishi mushroom and cloudberry is designed to replenish stressed skin calm redness and build resilience against dryness.
I gave the mask a solid two week run, slotting it in as the final step of my nightly routine to see if it lives up to those lofty bedtime stories and whether it deserves a spot in your skin care rotation.
Disclaimer: this review is neither paid nor sponsored. All observations are my own and results can always vary depending on individual skin needs and sensitivities.
What Is Super Hydrate Overnight Mask?
Super Hydrate Overnight Mask sits in the overnight treatment category, which simply means you apply it as the last step before bed then let it work while you sleep. These treatments are generally richer or more targeted than a regular moisturizer because skin enters repair mode at night and has hours free from sunscreen or makeup to absorb active ingredients.
Paula’s Choice positions this mask as a cream gel designed to replenish moisture, calm visible redness and bolster the skin barrier. The formula leans on classic hydrators like glycerin and shea butter, then layers in plant extracts such as reishi mushroom and cloudberry that have a reputation for soothing stressed skin. A peptide rounds out the roster, claimed to help reduce signals that trigger sensitivity. In short it is a leave-on mask meant to address dryness and irritation in one step without requiring any rinsing or extra fuss in the morning.
Did It Work?
In the name of rigorous research I parked my usual overnight treatment on the shelf for three nights before starting this test, a very scientific approach if I do say so myself. Fourteen consecutive evenings felt like a fair window to watch for any changes so I applied a generous blueberry sized dollop as the final step after my serum and prescription tretinoin.
First impression was all about texture. The cream gel glided on easily, leaving a slightly balmy film that never veered into greasy territory. It absorbed within a few minutes and did not migrate onto my pillowcase, which I consider an unsung victory. By morning my skin looked comfortably hydrated yet not overly dewy, more “I drank enough water” than “I slept in a sheet mask.”
Days four through seven delivered similar results. The dry flakes that usually appear around my nose stayed away and my cheeks felt calmer after evening cleansing. I did notice a faint softening of post workout redness though it was subtle, the kind of difference I could see in a well lit mirror but friends would never clock over coffee.
In the second week the mask’s strengths and limits became clearer. Hydration remained steady however the initial bump in plumpness plateaued. I hoped for a little extra bounce or luminosity by day ten yet my skin seemed to coast at “nicely moisturized.” No irritation, no breakouts, but also no dramatic barrier renaissance. On two colder nights I layered a thin occlusive oil over top and woke up feeling almost identical which tells me the formula plays well with others but does not transform solo.
So did it cash in on its promises? Partly. It definitely kept my complexion comfortable and quieted transient redness but it stopped short of the resilient glow the marketing implies. I will finish the tube because it works fine as a winter stand-in when my regular cream feels too light yet I would not rush to repurchase or upgrade it to permanent status on my bathroom shelf.
Super Hydrate Overnight Mask’s Main Ingredients Explained
This formula leans on three core workhorses: glycerin, shea butter and dimethicone. Glycerin is a classic humectant that pulls water into the skin so you wake up less parched. Shea butter steps in as an emollient, smoothing rough patches while creating a breathable seal that slows moisture loss. Dimethicone, a silky silicone, gives that glide you feel on application and helps trap hydration without suffocating pores.
The botanicals add the soothing angle. Reishi mushroom extract is rich in beta glucans that help calm visible redness while cloudberry fruit extract supplies vitamin C and protective antioxidants. Licorice root and ginkgo biloba leaf extracts bring extra anti-inflammatory benefits that sensitive skin tends to appreciate. A lab-made pentapeptide rounds out the lineup, included to dial down the skin’s irritation response over time.
For those scanning for potential pore cloggers the only flag here is shea butter which carries a moderate comedogenic rating of about 2 on the standard 0-5 scale. That means most skin types tolerate it well yet very congestion-prone users might see small bumps if they already struggle with heavy creams. Dimethicone is considered non-comedogenic. (Comedogenic simply means an ingredient is more likely to block pores and encourage breakouts.)
The ingredient list is free of animal derived components so vegans and vegetarians can use it without worry. No added fragrance or drying alcohols appear either which is often a relief for reactive skin.
Pregnancy safety is always tricky territory. While the mask does not contain retinoids or salicylic acid the formula still mixes dozens of bioactive plant extracts. Out of an abundance of caution I would advise any expecting or nursing reader to bring the INCI list to a medical professional before slathering it on nightly.
One last note: the preservative system relies on phenoxyethanol and potassium sorbate rather than parabens, a detail some shoppers look for. Overall the ingredient deck reads thoughtful and balanced, focused on hydration and barrier support rather than high-octane actives that demand downtime.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Here is the quick rundown after two weeks of nightly use.
What Works Well:
- Cushiony gel cream texture spreads easily absorbs fast and leaves no residue on pillowcases
- Delivers steady overnight hydration that smooths dry patches and keeps redness in check
- Fragrance free formula feels kind to reactive or retinoid treated skin
- Layers nicely with face oils or spot treatments without pilling
What to Consider:
- Benefits plateau after the first week so long term payoff may feel subtle for seasoned skincare users
- Shea butter content may not suit very congestion prone skin
- Hydration centric formula offers minimal brightening or firming so you may still need targeted serums
My Final Thoughts
Overnight treatments are the unsung workhorses of a routine, clocking in while we binge sleep so our daytime mirror moment feels a little less brutal. After two weeks with Paula’s Choice Super Hydrate Overnight Mask I can say it is a competent, cordial teammate rather than a jaw-dropping MVP. On my combination skin it delivered consistent moisture, dialed down the odd flush and never picked a fight with my prescription actives. What it did not do was spark that “whoa, what have you been using” curiosity from anyone other than my own inner monologue. In numbers I land at a respectable 7/10.
Who will like it? Anyone whose barrier is whispering for backup, especially if fragrance sets off alarm bells. It is also a safe pick for minimalists who want one step instead of an intricate nightly sandwich of serums. Who may shrug? Oil-slick complexions that see shea butter and instantly picture clogged pores, plus thrill seekers chasing transformative bounce or next-level brightening.
Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, albeit with caveats. I would tell my redness-prone buddy to grab a tube for winter hibernation nights. I would also tell my product-curious cousin, the one who wants fireworks on day three, to maybe keep scrolling.
If you love the idea of an overnight multitasker but crave a slightly different spin, these have all passed through my bathroom cabinet and earned repeat squeezes:
Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal manages the neat trick of feeling rich yet breathable, covering hydration, barrier support and a subtle morning glow at a price that feels almost polite. Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue by BIOSSANCE leans into skin-identical lipids for those nights when your face feels like parchment and you need hardcore nourishment without heaviness. For a lighter, bouncy finish Water Sleeping Mask by LANEIGE is still the gold standard gel that quenches without any residue, perfect for warm weather or oily skin that fears creams.
Before you slather anything new, spare your future self a meltdown and patch test behind the ear or along the jawline first—sorry to sound like an over-protective parent but irritation is a mood killer. Remember too that results stick around only as long as the product does, so consistency is key.