We all know the importance of adjusting our skin care routines during each challenging season. But do it twice a day? Our skin takes the brunt of daily environmental stressors and it’s up to a good nighttime routine to repair it.
It turns out that even when our bodies are at rest, our skin is busy recovering from a hard day’s work. This makes it essential to have a proper skincare routine at night! We’ll look at what happens to our skin during the day vs. at night, and how your nighttime routine can set you up for the ultimate “beauty sleep.”
What happens to our skin during the day?
Have you ever wondered why your morning and evening skincare routines aren’t identical? The explanation is simple: our skin has different needs for rest during the day than rest and recovery during the night. You encounter many different everyday pollutants that can easily overwhelm your skin’s natural repair functions.
Environmental stressors from outdoor pollution and UV radiation to free radical damage can (and will) affect your skin’s health over time. Fluctuations in temperature such as excessive humidity or dry air can also cause our skin to break out. While you may be in an office or at home, skin aggressors like the blue light emitted by electronic devices can also damage your dermis over time.
The big problem with these external skin aggressors is that they can affect what is near and dear to our hearts – our skin! Lack of radiance, hyperpigmentation, and even garden-variety dry or reactive skin can be caused by the elements. Free radicals contribute to premature aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, and can wreak havoc on our skin.
What happens to our skin while we sleep?
A good night’s sleep does more than prevent the dreaded “you look tired” comment from co-workers. Sleep makes you. While you sleep well, your skin works at the cellular level to recover and recover for a new day. Your body boosts blood flow to the skin, meaning you wake up glowing like a goddess (among other perks)!
This adequate blood flow not only helps you wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, but also the eyes of the pandas back at the zoo. While you are in your beauty sleep, the process of cell mitosis or cell division (which occurs to renew and repair the skin) is at its peak. This involves shedding dead skin cells and then replacing them with newer cells. Good morning glowing, renewed skin!
While some skin functions are in flux while we sleep, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) increases and sebum production slows. Since our immune system is in overdrive to renew itself (or fight infections or viruses), your skin’s ability to retain adequate moisture decreases. This is why your nighttime skin routine is so important.
Why your nighttime skincare routine matters
Ready for stunning skin to get more Zzz’s? Transitioning to dreamland goes hand in hand with an effective PM skin routine.
During sleep, your skin’s blood flow increases. Your body’s largest organ rebuilds its collagen and repairs damage from UV exposure, helping to fight wrinkles and age spots.
A nighttime facial balm could be the missing element in your nighttime skincare routine. It is essential to maintain deep moisture and encourage visible results. Our Retinol Restorative Overnight Balm is gentle enough to use most nights of the week and contains soothing jasmine essential oil to invigorate skin (and whisk you off to dreamland).
For dry skin, adding PM Multivitamin + Antioxidant Power Serum can provide great benefits before bed for aging skin. Contains moisturizing rose water, hyaluronic acid, rosehip oil and sea buckthorn oil. For extremely dry skin, be sure to seal it in with the rich and restorative Multi-Vitamins + Antioxidants Ultra Riche PM Treatment. And if you want to lock in the moisturizing and nourishing benefits, we encourage using a vitamin-packed facial oil, like PM Facial Oil with Multivitamins + Antioxidants.
But with that in mind, don’t forget the eyes! The delicate skin around the eye area benefits from nourishment, which is where the multivitamin + antioxidants PM Eye Treatment comes in.
It turns out there is some truth behind the concept of “beauty sleep”! By combining a healthy lifestyle with PM skincare and a good dollop of steady shut-eye, you can give your skin the repair and recovery it needs to be your best. This is a recipe – and recipe – we’ll get!
Frequently asked questions about night skin care
What processes does the skin undergo during the night?
At night, your skin goes into a state of recovery and repair. This is due to many physiological changes that occur while you sleep. Blood flow to your skin increases, meaning more nutrients and oxygen are delivered to repair damage from UV exposure and pollution. Cell regeneration is highest at night and the skin barrier has a chance to repair and regenerate. This regeneration process is vital in fighting the signs of aging and ensuring that the skin remains healthy and resilient.
What are the key differences between your daytime and nighttime skincare routine?
The main differences between day and night skin care routines lie in their goals and the types of products used:
Daily routines focus mainly on protection. They include products with SPF to protect skin from UV damage, as well as antioxidants to protect against pollution and environmental stressors. Daytime moisturizers are often lighter and designed to sit well under makeup.
Nighttime routines focus on restoration and hydration. They often include more intensive moisturizers and treatments that support skin regeneration, such as retinol, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. Since there is no concern about sun exposure at night, you can use products that may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, such as retinol.
Why is hydration so important in a nighttime skincare routine?
Hydration is crucial at night because while you sleep, your skin loses a significant amount of water through evaporation. This process is known as transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Using a good moisturizer can help hydrate and strengthen the skin’s barrier function, preventing excessive water loss. A stronger barrier also means your skin is better able to repair itself and fend off irritants. Night creams and moisturizers are usually richer in texture and contain active ingredients that support skin elasticity and repair.
How can retinol help skin repair at night?
Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is renowned for its antiaging and restorative properties. It works by promoting cell turnover and collagen production, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. Retinol also improves skin texture and tone. Because it accelerates cell renewal, it can make the skin more sensitive to UV radiation, which is why it is recommended to use it at night. Over time, retinol helps create a firmer, more youthful skin structure.
What role do peptides play in nighttime skin repair?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that serve as the building blocks of proteins such as collagen, elastin and keratin. These proteins are essential for firmness, elasticity and strength of the skin. Peptides in skin care products can signal your skin to produce more collagen, helping to repair skin damage and reduce the signs of aging. During the night, when your skin is in its recovery phase, the peptides can boost the skin’s natural regeneration process, leading to improved skin texture and a reduction in wrinkles and fine lines.
Understanding your skin’s unique needs at night and choosing products that support its natural repair processes can greatly improve the health and appearance of your skin. Evening is an opportunity to use powerful ingredients that work synergistically with your skin’s natural rhythms, leading to clearer, younger-looking skin.
