If you want your skin to look healthy and flawless, it is important to take care of it during the day and at night, before going to bed. While the products in your daytime skincare routine are formulated to hydrate and protect your skin from UV rays and other environmental aggressors, those in your nighttime skincare routine repair skin cells to ensure quicker healing. Anti-ageing products in particular, work best at night when your body is at rest. This is one of the reasons why the term "beauty sleep" has become so popular. Following a night skin care routinecan have many benefits, one of the most important being it accelerates skin cell regeneration. But that's not the only reason why you should start a nighttime skincare routine, here's more.
While you sleep, each part of your body is very much active in doing its job. Most of the regeneration and renewal processes occur at night, therefore, you should use this opportunity to get the best results by following a good nighttime skincare routine. The ingredients in your products will accelerate the renewal and healing process, giving you healthy and flawless skin in no time.
01Nighttime skincare routine steps
A simple yet effective nighttime skincare routine consists of six easy steps, and once you start following it and noticing results, it won't feel like an extra task added to your day! Here's a quick breakdown of the night skincare routine steps you should follow:
02Step 1: Remove makeup
Going to bed with makeup on is one of the biggest skincare sins. Simply washing your face with cleanser and water is not enough. Most of our makeup products are designed to last longer and are waterproof, this is why most formulas don't come off easily. Double cleansing is considered to be one of the most effective ways to get rid of makeup and dirt accumulated on the face. To remove stubborn makeup, massage your face with virgin coconut oil or olive oil and then use a cotton pad to lift off the product. You can also use micellar water which easily breaks down makeup particles so they can be lifted easily. Starting your nighttime skincare routine with this step is vital.
Pro tip: Use the oil cleansing technique if you have dry skin and micellar water if your skin is oily or sensitive.
03Step 2: Cleanse
The next step in your nighttime skincare routine is cleansing. Choose a cleanser suitable for your skin type. After removing makeup, it is necessary to get rid of all the dirt, excess oil and makeup residue sitting on your skin using a cleanser and some water. There are many cleansers available in the market for different skin types and concerns. Choose one that addresses your concern effectively. Simply take a pea-sized amount of cleanser on your palm and massage your face with it, concentrating on the T-zone. Wash with lukewarm water.
Pro tip: Avoid extreme water temperatures to wash your face, as it can dry your skin out and make it appear dull and lifeless.
04Step 3: Use toner
If you're wondering what to apply on face at night ? Then the answer is a toner. Those who use toner absolutely swear by this product, while those who haven't used it think it's a waste of time and money. The truth is, toning is an important step in both day and nighttime skincare routines. Apart from re-hydrating your skin after all the oils have been washed off your face during cleansing, it also shrinks pores and removes any dirt that may have been left behind. Toners are easy to use, and ones that do not contain alcohol are suitable for all skin types. Pour a little bit on a cotton round and gently apply all over the face and neck area for fresh and dewy looking skin.
Pro tip: Allow the skin to absorb the toner before moving on to the next step in your skincare routine.
05Step 4: Apply a serum or spot treatment
This is an important step in your night time skin care . Serums and spot treatments are concentrated formulas designed to address one specific concern such as acne or wrinkles. Since this targets a specific issue and is easily absorbed, applying it right after toning is a good idea. Depending on the needs of your skin, you can choose between hydrating, brightening or other types of serums . If you are following a dermatologist-recommended skincare routine, use the prescribed serum or spot treatment at this stage. Make sure you wait at least for a minute or two before moving on to the next step in your nighttime skincare routine.
Pro tip: The best way to apply serum to the face is in gentle tapping motions, as it ensures better absorption.
06Step 5: Eye cream
Any nighttime skincare routine is incomplete without a good eye cream. The area around your eyes is quite delicate and one of the first places to show signs of aging. The reasons behind this are plenty - we do not moisturize the area well, skip applying sunscreen here and stare at our screens for too long. All of this results in dark circles, puffy and tired-looking eyes. Adding a good eye cream in your routine, will relax and moisturize the eye area, prevent puffiness and leave you with smooth, wrinkle-free skin around the eyes.
Pro tip: Look for an eye cream that contains peptides, as it offers a boost of hydration and even smooths out fine lines and wrinkles.
07Step 6: Moisturise
Last but not the least, a moisturiser is important in every skincare routine, no matter what your skin type. Moisturisers or night creams should be the last step in yournight skin care routine for glowing skin if you want to wake up with healthy and supple skin each morning. Depending on your skin type, choose a product that is ideal for you. For example, if you have oily skin, avoid using a formula that will clog your pores and anything heavy and opt for a gel-based moisturiser instead.
Pro tip: While applying moisturiser to your face, don't ignore your neck area, consider it a part of your face!
08FAQs about nighttime skincare routine
Q. What should I include in my nighttime skincare routine?
A. Apart from your regular cleansing, toning and moisturising, include serums, eye creams and makeup removers to get the best results.
Q. Does extra sleep make you look younger?
A. Sleep relaxes your body and when your body is at rest, the tissue and cell repairing process gets activated. Collagen is also produced when you are asleep, so getting enough sleep may be the key to younger-looking skin.
Q. How many hours are considered beauty sleep?
A. Sleep is one of the best ways to keep your body, mind and skin healthy. Beauty sleep, as it is popularly called these days, should be at least 7-8 hours long.
Q. Why is a nighttime skincare routine important?
Because your skin repairs itself at night, using the right products helps boost recovery and hydration.
Q. Can I use the same products for day and night?
Some products can be used both times, but nighttime is best for richer creams and treatments like retinol, which can make skin sensitive to sunlight.
