Skin is at once a highly resilient organ and a highly fragile one. It’s easily one of the things we take the most for granted about our bodies, even when it’s the most visible thing about our bodies. It can scream for help in so many ways, from dryness to wrinkles and far beyond – and it’s only when we tune into its language that we really figure out why we shouldn’t be so nonchalant about skincare.
After all, even the tiniest bit of active attention paid to our skin can pay off hugely, whether reintroducing a healthful glow or returning some elasticity to our tired eyelids. There are many ways to approach skincare, but for the dynamic (read: busy) amongst us, there’s a certain appeal to letting products do the heavy lifting while we sleep. So, how best to approach nighttime skincare?
1. Why Nighttime Skincare Matters
First, let’s address the why. Even for those of us happy to put some time into a morning skincare routine, nighttime skincare can be the part that makes all the difference. This is because during sleep, our skin goes into repair mode, producing collagen and increasing cell turnover. If you’re approaching skincare with restorative skincare products in mind, night is the best time to capitalize.
Specifically, retinol skin care products are excellent for targeting skin restoration; retinol is a form of vitamin A, which can be used in support of cell turnover and collagen production while you sleep. Indeed, it’s one of the most effective ingredients for restorative nighttime skincare. Still, there’s more to skin than encouraging its regrowth.
2. Use a Gentle Cleanser Before Bed
Skincare isn’t an event; it’s a routine. Your routine should be multifaceted too, in order to recognize the various factors that impact skin health. Using retinol alone would be a little like treating the symptoms as opposed to their cause. One such cause might be physical, literal skin irritants – in the form of makeup, residual natural oils, or even environmental pollutants that have built up during the day. Start your nighttime routine with a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser to clear your skin without disrupting your skin barrier.
3. Overnight Moisturizers and Sleeping Masks
If realtors say ‘location, location, location’, then beauticians say ‘hydration, hydration, hydration.’ Drinking more water throughout the day is one thing, but locking water in overnight is another. A great way to do this would be a sleeping mask rich in ceramides.
4. Eye Creams That Target Fine Lines and Puffiness
The skin around your eyes is extremely delicate, hence much more prone to dryness and damage; it benefit from a more involved approach. Caffeine is a great ingredient to look out for in a product, reducing puffiness and bringing a little color back; also, consider eye creams with peptides to minimize puffiness and fine lines.
5. Oils for Deep Nourishment
Finally, facial oils are fantastic for sealing in moisture and supporting your skin barrier while you sleep. Argan oil is a mainstay here, but feel free to get groovy with it and try out jojoba – especially if your skin’s a little thinner.