I had a little phase of being really into overnight face masks – I tried loads and loads of them and made notes in my diary and then totally forgot that I’d done any of it and left this post in drafts, to languish along with old restaurant reviews and posts on coathangers (don’t ask) that are never to see the light of day. But it would be a shame not to report back on the top three, at least, which were the products above: the Hydra Tri-Action from Bio-essence, the Overnight Repair Mask from NUDE and the Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque from Kiehl’s. (I’ve recommended that one before, it’s excellent – the post is here.)

The Bio-essence Hydra Tri-Action was probably the least rich of the three, with a gel rather than cream texture, but it was the most instantly cooling and had the most pleasing texture. In comparison to the Kiehl’s (half-half face testing over a twelve hour period) it soaked in very quickly and there was nothing to see in terms of residue after around forty-five minutes, but a further test (half face Bio-essence, half face nothing) showed that it did do some very effective plumping. This is a great hot weather mask and would be superb as an aftersun face treat. Also great for those with more oily skin who would still like something hydrating to bung on overnight. You can find it at Cult Beauty – it’s a not-too-pricey £18.

I loved NUDE’s Overnight Repair Mask: a buttery, thick texture that felt almost like a traditional cold cream or old-fashioned night cream. A better choice for those with dry skin, I think – oilier people could get into a pickle with this one! – and it really does give a moisture boost that makes the skin visibly plumper and dewier. I’ll be digging this out when the weather turns cold and I need something to see me through the seasonal central heating/bitter winds battle. It’s £42 at Space NK.

Still my favourite, though, is the Kiehl’s Overnight Hydrating Masque. Out of the three favourites (I tested eleven to get to the three you see here, including masks from Clinique, By Terry and The Body Shop) – this one is the most hydrating, plumping and comfortable to wear, and I think it’s also probably the most universally suitable. Not too rich in formula but packs a powerful punch when it comes to moisture. You can read my full review here and find the mask online here – it’s £28.