Let me take you back to a rough winter when my skin was screaming for help. I’m a busy mom with sensitive, combination skin that swings from oily to flaky, especially in cold weather. My cheeks were tight, my T-zone was a mess, and no moisturizer seemed to cut it.
A friend swore by Clinique’s Moisture Surge line, so I picked up the Overnight Mask at Sephora for $39, intrigued by its promise of a 98% moisture boost overnight.
I cleansed my face with Clinique’s Take The Day Off Balm, patted it dry, and smoothed a thin layer of the mask over my face and neck, avoiding my eyes as instructed.
The creamy texture felt luxurious, not heavy, and sank in fast—no sticky residue or pillow stains. I went to bed expecting maybe a slight improvement, but when I woke up, my skin was a revelation! It was soft, plump, and dewy, like I’d spent hours at a spa.
My cheeks glowed, and even my fine lines looked softer. I used it three times that week, and my skin stayed hydrated despite freezing winds and indoor heating. After a month, my redness calmed, and my eczema patches near my nose were less angry.
My only hiccup? Applying too much once made my skin feel slightly coated, but a thinner layer fixed that. This mask has become my nightly savior, especially when my skin needs a hydration hug, and I’m already planning to repurchase.
About Clinique And Moisture Surge Overnight Mask

Clinique, launched in 1968, is a dermatologist-developed brand under Estée Lauder, known for allergy-tested, fragrance-free skincare sold at places like Sephora and Macy’s.
The Moisture Surge Overnight Mask is a creamy, oil-free hydrating mask that nourishes skin while you sleep, delivering a 98% moisture boost, per clinical tests on 21 women.
Packed with humectants like glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, and algae extract, plus occlusives like shea butter and dimethicone, it strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier and soothes with antioxidants.
Designed for all skin types, the 3.4-ounce tube retails for $39 and is applied post-cleansing for dewy, glowing results.
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Pros Of Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask
This mask has transformed my skincare routine, and here’s why it’s a must-have for your nighttime regimen:
Intense Hydration
The 98% moisture boost is no joke. My skin drinks it up, waking up plump and dewy. Sephora reviewers with 32.2K+ loves agree, calling it a lifesaver for dry, flaky skin, especially in winter.
Creamy, Non-Greasy Texture
The lightweight, creamy formula feels luxe without being heavy. It absorbs quickly, leaving no greasy film, as MakeupAlley users note, making it perfect for combination skin like mine.
Soothes Sensitive Skin
With aloe vera and panthenol, it calms redness and irritation. My eczema and rosacea-prone skin loves it, and QVC shoppers say it tames flare-ups without stinging.
Fragrance-Free Formula
Being 100% fragrance-free, it’s gentle on my sensitive skin. Ulta reviews praise its lack of scent, ensuring no irritation for those with allergies or sensitivities.
Enhances Skin Barrier
Ingredients like shea butter and dimethicone lock in moisture, strengthening the skin’s barrier. Boots reviewers say it protects against dehydration, keeping skin soft for hours.
Quick Absorption
It sinks in fast, so you’re not left with a tacky face. Influenster users love how it dries quickly, letting you hit the pillow without mess.
Suitable for All Skin Types
From oily to dry, it works for everyone. MakeupAlley users with oily skin say it hydrates without clogging pores, while I found it perfect for my combo skin.
Long-Lasting Tube
A little goes a long way. My 3.4-ounce tube lasts months with thrice-weekly use, and Amazon reviewers call it a great value for the quantity.
Boosts Radiance
My skin looks brighter and more even-toned after use. Women’s Health notes the Moisture Surge line’s glow-enhancing effects, and I’ve seen my dullness fade.
Also read:My Final Thoughts Sheamoisture Coconut
Cons Of Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask
While I’m a fan, there are some quirks to consider before you buy:
Can Feel Coating
Applying too much left my skin feeling like it had a film, as an Influenster user mentioned. I stick to a thin layer to avoid this, but it’s easy to overdo.
Not Cruelty-Free
Clinique isn’t cruelty-free, which bugs me as an animal lover. A Melanie Kate review echoes this, noting better cruelty-free options exist for ethical shoppers.
Limited Calming Effect
It hydrates but doesn’t fully soothe my redness like I hoped. MakeupAlley users with oily skin say it lacks the calming punch for irritation.
Potential for Breakouts
Dimethicone and shea butter may clog pores for some. Uptown Oracle warns of this, and I’ve noticed a tiny pimple when I used it too often.
Pricey for Some
At $39, it’s not budget-friendly. Amazon reviewers gripe about the cost compared to Walmart’s $12 deals, and I wish it were cheaper.
Slow Results for Deep Dryness
It’s great for mild dryness but takes time for severe flaking, per a Reddit user. My eczema needed a week to improve significantly.
Possible Itchiness
My skin was fine, but an Influenster user reported mild itchiness. Sensitive folks should patch-test, as it may irritate despite being allergy-tested.
Not a Standalone Moisturizer
It’s a mask, not a daily cream, so you’ll need another moisturizer. The Daley Dose notes this, and I pair it with Clinique’s 100H Hydrator.
Maintenance Tips For Using The Mask

To make this mask shine (and your skin too), here’s how I get the best results:
Cleanse Thoroughly First
I use Clinique’s 3-Step cleanser before applying to ensure no dirt blocks absorption. Boots says a clean face maximizes hydration, and it’s made a difference for me.
Apply a Thin Layer
Less is more! I use a pea-sized amount for my face and neck. MakeupAlley suggests a thin layer to avoid a coated feel, and it’s kept my skin happy.
Use 2-3 Times Weekly
I apply it thrice weekly to avoid pore-clogging. Ulta recommends this for balance, and it’s prevented breakouts while keeping my skin hydrated.
Avoid Eye Area
I steer clear of my eyes to prevent irritation, as Clinique advises. Influenster users stress this, and it’s saved me from stinging or puffiness.
Pair with a Light Moisturizer
On non-mask nights, I use a lightweight gel like Clinique’s 100H. The Daley Dose suggests this to maintain hydration, and it’s kept my skin consistent.
Patch-Test for Sensitivity
I tested a dab on my wrist first, as my skin’s picky. Bonds of Beauty advises this for sensitive types, and it’s ensured no reactions.
Store in a Cool Place
I keep the tube in my bathroom cabinet away from heat. Clinique’s site says this preserves the formula, and my mask stays fresh.
Use Post-Exfoliation
I apply it after gentle exfoliation for better absorption. Women’s Health notes the Moisture Surge line works well post-scrub, and my skin drinks it up.
Tissue Off Excess
If I apply too much, I tissue off excess before bed. Amazon reviews suggest this to avoid stickiness, and it’s kept my pillow clean.
Comparison With Other Brands
I’ve tried other overnight masks, and here’s how Clinique’s Moisture Surge Overnight Mask measures up against two popular competitors, each with unique strengths.
Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Hydrating Mask
Origins’ mask, at $28 for 2.5 ounces, is a thick, buttery option I’ve used, per Bellatory. Its omega-3s and vitamins hydrate deeply, ideal for very dry skin, but the strong fragrance lingers, unlike Clinique’s scent-free formula. Origins feels heavier and caused a breakout once, while Clinique’s lighter texture suits my combo skin better, though Origins may edge out for severe flaking.
Laneige Water Sleeping Mask EX
Laneige’s mask, priced at $32 for 2.4 ounces, is a gel-based favorite I’ve tested, loved on Sephora for its cooling feel and probiotics. It absorbs faster than Clinique and plumps skin overnight, but it’s less nourishing for my eczema. Clinique’s creamy formula offers richer hydration, though Laneige’s lightweight vibe is great for oily skin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
It’s a creamy, oil-free mask that hydrates skin overnight, delivering a 98% moisture boost. With glycerin, shea butter, and aloe, it soothes, strengthens the moisture barrier, and leaves skin soft, dewy, and glowing by morning.
Cleanse your face, apply a thin layer over face and neck, avoiding eyes, and leave it on overnight. Use 2-3 times weekly after your skincare routine for optimal hydration, per Clinique’s instructions.
Yes, it’s designed for all skin types, including sensitive, and is non-acnegenic. However, dimethicone may clog pores for some, so patch-test if you’re prone to breakouts, as Uptown Oracle suggests.
Final Thoughts

Clinique’s Moisture Surge Overnight Mask has revived my skin for $39, delivering dewy, hydrated results overnight.
Despite its non-cruelty-free status and minor coating risk, its fragrance-free, soothing formula outshines Origins and Laneige for my sensitive skin.
Get this mask today and wake up to a radiant, plump complexion!