Having a nighttime skincare routine is super important. The truth is there’s nothing better than giving your skin a goodnight rest – your skin naturally repairs itself at night because it’s the best time to restoring it and giving your skin what it needs. And while there’s no one-time routine, you should have a fundamental regimen in place.
Step 1: Remove Your Makeup
Sleeping in your makeup is the highest skincare sin (fyi). Get rid of the days makeup, dirt, oil etc. by using a dedicated makeup remover. The eye area houses the most sensitive skin on your face and also the first area to show aging – gently clean this area by using a dissolving eye makeup remover and cotton pad. Avoid scrubbing and tugging, a few dabs of makeup removing wipes are enough.
For a water-based cleanser, micellar water is every girls secret for glowing skin. Micellar water is known for its many pros including removing the most stubborn waterproof mascara.
Step 2: Use a Gentle Cleanser
One thing to remember is that your cleanser, shouldn’t irritate your eyes and leave your skin feeling tight and dry. It should also rinse off easily and effectively remove dirt and grime from your skin.
Cleansing using an oil cleanser is one of the easiest and gentlest way to melt off base makeup.
Step 3: Use a Toner
People have mixed feelings about using a toner. On a positive side of the toner debate – a toner is essential for balancing skin pH and prepping your skin for all the ingredients and formulas that follow. Apply a pea-sized amount directly on your skin – do not swab it on with a cotton pad.
Key Ingredients:
Vitamin E: An antioxidant vitamin can be used on your face as an overnight anti-aging treatments.
Green Tea: Green tea contains of vitamin B2 and E which are both essential for skin health maintenance.
For a sensitive skin, use an alcohol free toner.
Step 4: Eye Creams
Eye creams when used as a form of preventive care serve to protect your delicate eye region from othe r potent skincare products.
A good thumb rule is to apply your cream before your skin treatments. Also when looking for eye creams check for formulas that have peptides for hydration boost and firmness of your skin.
Step 5: Treatments
This part of your nighttime regimen is tailored to address your skin concerns. targeted skincare treatments whether serums or prescription producer are better used at night. However, instead of dabbing all treatments and creams, your evening treatment depends on your skins of-the-moment needs.
Here are some serum ingredients for skin concerns:
- Anti-aging: peptide, retinol
- Acne: AHA (lactic acid, glycolic acid, mandelic acid), BHA (salicylic acid).
- Hyperpigmentation: licorice extract, alpha arbutin, vitamin C, niacinamide.
A general guideline is to focus more onhydration and regeneration with your nighttime formulas. For example, Vitamin C or antioxidant rich serums are best used during the day.
Here are other considerations;
- Do not use retinol creams (whether over the counter or prescription) o the same night as exfoilative treatments
- Use exfoliative treatment one to three times a week.
- Do not use prescription meds (rosacea or acne) or exfoliative treatments (like AHA/BHA pads, detoxifying masks) on the same night.
Step 6: Moisturizer/Night Cream
Your night moisturizers or night creams should be thicker and heavier – designed to absorbed for several hours. If you’re using the right moisturizer this should be your last step because heavier moisturizers create a protective coating on the skin to prevent water evaporation while you sleep thus sealing treatments and rejuvenating your skin.
Go for products that contain hyaluronic acid because it helps retain skin moisture.
