There is a kernel of truth to this whole “sleeping beauty” thing. Taking good care of your skin at night is very important to keep it clean, healthy and glowing.
Since your skin care needs are different during the day, it’s of utmost importance to have a separate nighttime skin renewal and repair routine while your body is in regeneration mode. Read on to learn the best tips for creating a nighttime skincare routine that can help you wake up every morning with gorgeous skin.
Why a nighttime skincare routine is worth your time
Following a nightly skincare routine right before bed may be the last thing you want to do after a long day. But if you go to sleep at night without washing off your makeup or properly nourishing your skin, you’ll likely wake up with skin that looks dull, lackluster, or worse, broken out.
Since your skin is exposed daily to pollutants, UV rays, and any cosmetics you use, it’s important to have a nighttime skin routine that can do the job of repairing and renewing. At night, your skin has a chance to reverse damage, rejuvenate and generate new cells.
And while your skin is bare, a nighttime skincare routine is important because all the goodness in your nighttime products can penetrate your skin better than during the day. Then you can reap all the benefits of the skin.
How does a nighttime skincare routine differ from a daytime routine?
Your daily skin care routine is all about the right balance, hydration, maintenance and most importantly, protection from environmental pollutants. The burden of these influences throughout the day can create free radicals in your skin. This can lead to aging problems such as fine lines and wrinkles and pesky dark spots.
But before you hit the pillow, your nighttime skincare routine should be all about healing and giving your skin back what it needs. Your skin goes into repair mode and deals with skin problems before the regenerative process of sleep begins. It is important to use products that are active and penetrating so that they can repair the skin from deep within the skin layers.
10 best practices for your nighttime skin care routine
While there is no one-size-fits-all routine, there is a basic nighttime skincare routine that everyone should have in place. Additionally, applying products with concentrated, active ingredients and finishing with a moisture seal are keys to skin success.
#1: Wash your face and neck
Sleeping with your makeup on is a cardinal skin care sin. Although it may seem like common sense, it’s important to wash off daily skin products and impurities from your face. and neck before applying treatments. If you don’t start with a clean, bare canvas, your nighttime products won’t perform to their best potential.
#2: Use toner
A natural toner comes alongside clear debris left over (including loosened dirt, oils and dead skin cells) from cleansing (or exfoliation). Deeply hydrates and balances the skin’s pH levels, resulting in soft, rejuvenated skin.
#3: Apply a serum
The morning is a great time to use a serum with antioxidants and vitamin C, like a toning serum. This is because they protect your skin from the free radicals you will encounter throughout the day. But at night, you’ll want to use a multivitamin repair serum that can penetrate deep into your skin while you sleep.
#4: Use an eye cream
Apply a night eye cream intended for the area under your eyes. Facial moisturizers just don’t cut it for what our eyes really need. Using an anti-aging retinol eye cream is essential to help smooth fine lines and crow’s feet around the eyes so you wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
#5: Apply a spot treatment
It’s a good idea to use spot treatments at night when your body is in recovery mode. For the best blemish and dark spot removal results, you’ll need a dark spot remover with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory actives, as well as lightening powers to naturally lighten dark spots.
#6: Hydration
Using a moisturizer both hydrates the skin and locks in all the other layers of nighttime products you’ve applied. At night, you can use a thicker night cream than you would use during the day. Choose a free radical scavenging moisturizer with nourishing antioxidants.
#7: Use a retinol balm at night
By applying a retinol balm overnight that sets in for hours, you give the powerful nutrients a chance to penetrate deeply and be fully absorbed into the skin. Retinol can improve the appearance of firmness, tone and elasticity while you sleep.
#8: Apply a retinol neck cream
Our necks often get less TLC than our faces and can quickly show signs of aging without proper neck care and protection. Keep that “turkey neck” at bay with a retinol neck cream that can reduce the telltale signs of aging in one of the most sensitive and visible areas of skin.
#9: Tie up your hair
While you sleep, your face is vulnerable to many threats such as a dirty pillowcase and unwashed hair. Tie your hair into a loose bun on top of your head so you never sleep directly on top of your hair and expose your skin to pore-clogging culprits.
#10: Patch test before using retinol
Since you’re using stronger ingredients like retinol or exfoliating acids, it’s best to do a patch before applying these products to your face. The skin can be easily irritated by certain ingredients, making a patch test a necessity.
Just as washing your face and applying sunscreen before going outside is imperative for healthy skin, repairing the damage done to your skin during the day is absolutely essential. If you want to wake up with clear, glowing skin, create and maintain a nighttime skincare routine. That way, you’ll cleanse, refresh and repair your skin while getting your much-needed beauty sleep!
Frequently asked questions about your nighttime skin care routine
How does sleep benefit the health and appearance of your skin?
Sleep is vital to the health and appearance of your skin because it allows your body to repair and regenerate skin cells. During sleep, blood flow to the skin increases, collagen production is enhanced, and damage from UV exposure and other environmental factors is repaired. This results in a brighter, more even complexion, reduced inflammation and a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Why is it important to clean your face before bed?
Cleansing your face before bed is vital because it removes the dirt, oil, makeup and impurities that accumulate on your skin during the day. These impurities can clog pores, leading to breakouts and dullness. Plus, cleansing ensures that your skin care products, like serums and moisturizers, can penetrate more effectively and work their magic while you sleep.
How can retinol improve your skin while you sleep?
Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is known for its antiaging benefits. It works by stimulating cell cycle and collagen production, which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Using retinol at night allows it to work without interference from sunlight, which can degrade the product and cause sensitivity. Over time, consistent use of retinol can lead to smoother, firmer, and more radiant skin.
What’s the best way to moisturize your skin at night?
The best way to hydrate your skin at night is to use a rich, moisturizing cream that suits your skin type. Look for products that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and glycerin, which help lock in moisture and restore the skin barrier. After cleansing and applying any treatment serum, gently massage the moisturizer into your skin to enhance absorption. Evening is the perfect opportunity to use a thicker, more nourishing formula, as your skin can fully absorb it without the interference of makeup or sunscreen.
Why should you use a certain eye cream at night?
Using a specific eye cream at night is important because the skin around the eyes is sensitive and prone to showing signs of aging such as fine lines, puffiness and dark circles. Night eye creams are usually made with powerful ingredients like peptides, antioxidants and retinol that target these concerns while you sleep. Applying an eye cream before bed helps hydrate, firm and brighten the under-eye area, contributing to a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
