The One Thing You Can Do to Get Super-Glowy Skin While You Sleep

The best beauty hacks are those that require the absolute least amount of effort. Running from the gym to a date? Throw your sweat-drenched hair into a bouffant, à la Taryn Toomey. Trying to save time in the a.m.? Opt for the super-buzzy no-makeup look. And if you're an expert multitasker, there's a new trend that you're going to love: overnight beauty.

More brands are coming out with masks and creams that work their radiance-boosting magic while you're catching zzz's, with products you apply before getting into bed and reap serious benefits by the time your alarm goes off. (Talk about active recovery.)

"Your cells—especially your skin cells—get a chance to 'catch up' and repair damage that has occurred during your day."

"Nighttime treatments are great for detoxifying and hydrating the skin after a long day of exposure to sun, wind, and chemical stressors," notes Christopher O'Connell, MD, a Miami-based dermatologist. "It gives more time for your skin to achieve hydration from absorption and for the treatment to draw out toxins."

Of course, the dermis is already doing its rejuvenating thing on its own while you're sleeping—so overnight treatments just give your complexion an extra oomph.

"Your cells are constantly undergoing cellular repair and renewal, but during the day there's constant UV and toxin exposure," explains Dr. O'Connell. "At night, your body's able to rest in a protected environment and your cells—especially your skin cells—get a chance to 'catch up' and repair damage that has occurred during your day." Brilliant.

Here are 8 superstar products for your best beauty sleep ever.

Beuti Skincare Beauty Sleep Elixir, $65

Kate Middleton swears by this serum, so you know it's good. With 14 all-natural, plant-based oils—plus an anti-inflammatory Caribbean coral extract—working their magic, don't be surprised if you wake up with a royal glow.

Goldfaden MD Wake Up Call Overnight Treatment, $85

This creamy moisturizer has firming alpha-lipoic acid and retinol combined with hydrating avocado and grapeseed oils—all designed to give you ultra-supple skin.

Aurelia Cell Revitalize Night Moisturizer, $85

Aurelia's products are laced with probiotics—important because, just like its gut counterpart, skin thrives on good bacteria. This moisturizer combines them with rich fatty acids and antioxidants from ultra-exotic hibiscus, making it a recipe for an I -woke-up-like-this dewy glow.

Pure Botanicals Overnight Watermelon Mask, $64

This mask contains the hard-to-find watermelon extract—it's cooling and refreshing for your skin, and smells divine as well. Working with the juicy fruit are stimulating silk peptides, which are said to brighten your complexion and enhance its texture.

Allies of Skin 1A Overnight Mask, $109

Allies of Skin—which calls itself an adaptogenic skin-care brand—combines Indian ginseng and a stabilized form of retinol to reputedly blur imperfections, accelerate renewal, and boost your skin's immunity.

Night Delight Replenishing Overnight Face Oil, $130

Night Delight's name comes from its focus on your end-of-day "me time," so it's no surprise that its p.m. facial treatment is chock-full of nutrients like jojoba and rosehip oils—which can deeply nourish your skin while you're fast asleep.

Neal's Yard Remedies Beauty Sleep Concentrate, $53

It's called beauty sleep for a reason: the concoction of rich cocoa butter, grapeseed oil, and aloe vera allow this lightweight serum to recharge your complexion and work with your skin's regenerating process as you're peacefully catching REMs.

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Overnight Cream, $68

With fruit stem cells and flower extracts that are actually the most active at night (I'm talking evening primrose and sacred lily), this cream is designed to work wonders as you're getting shut-eye. Sweet dreams, indeed.

It's not beauty sleep if you're not actually getting enough of it—these are the 5 signs that you're having restful zzz's. And make sure you and your partner are compatible snoozers.