You don't have to choose between beautiful skin and getting the rest you need - we're firm believers that you can have both. That said, all great skincare regimens do have two things in common. They promise to:
Not only look after your skin and delay the signs of ageing
But also target and treat your most concerning skin conditions
Your night-time skin routine is vital to tackle any skin concerns you may have. During the night, your skin absorbs nutrients a lot more effectively than during the day. Combined with the fact that it's not coming into contact with environmental stressors such as the sun or pollution and your skin is makeup-free, this makes it the perfect time for your skincare formulas to do their best work.
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CLEANSE:
Throughout the day your skin is exposed to an array of harmful elements, including harsh weather conditions plus air-borne dirt, bacteria and pollution. Even the makeup you wear plays a part in drying out your complexion and, over time, these factors begin to accelerate the ageing process.
Cleansing at night is even more important than your morning cleanse. It’s vital to rid your skin of any grime, bacteria and toxins your skin has come into contact with during the day. Even if you’ve spent the whole day indoors and without makeup on, you still need to make sure your skin is clear before you call it a day. The build-up of excess sebum, sweat or dead skin will cause just as many issues as pollutants from the outside world! Having your face pressed to the pillow with makeup, SPF, and environmental pollution build-up, not to mention excess sebum and sweat, is a big no-no. Not only will it wreak havoc on your pillowcases, but this build-up can potentially clog pores leading to breakouts, while pollution on the skin can cause premature ageing.
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DOUBLE CLEANSE:
Sometimes your skin needs more than a simple to cleanse, particularly on those heavier makeup days. Double cleansing is necessary to purge the skin of toxins, stopping them from penetrating the epidermal layer whilst making your skin more durable throughout the day.
A second cleanse with a water-based cleanser to clean, refresh and hydrate helps refine the surface of the skin, tackling common concerns like dullness, uneven skin tone and blemishes. Double cleansing will ensure makeup is removed and your face is clean.
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EXFOLIATE:
Exfoliating your face is vital in refreshing and deeply cleansing the skin. Exfoliation offers a huge range of benefits, from cleaning and purifying clogged pores to removing dead skin cells and encouraging cell turnover, to help your other skincare products penetrate deeper. It will also even the skin tone, boost circulation and give your face an instant glow.
As much as these benefits are great, you don’t want to over-exfoliate as this can break down the skin’s barrier function, resulting in capillaries becoming damaged and skin becoming dehydrated.
There are 2 major categories of exfoliants, each with a different use:
- Abrasive (the ones you can feel the scrub, think of jojoba beads, rice bran, etc)
- Enzyme (the ones that tingle – AHA (glycolic acid), BHA (Salicylic acid), other fruit/ plant-based acids)
Exfoliation should take place around two or three times a week, depending on your skin's sensitivity. If you’re prone to redness or irritation, limit your exfoliation to once or twice per week. Use an exfoliator that is created specifically for your skin type to ensure that the formula is suited to your complexion and won’t cause any sensitivity or issues. It works by breaking up the outer layer of the skin; eliminating dead skin cells and encouraging new ones to grow. The appearance of fine lines and pigmentation are reduced whilst skin is deeply nourished and hydrated for a more youthful look.
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PRESERVE:
After cleansing is applying the right serum. This all depends on your age, skin type, time of day, what you plan to do that day, where you live, what time of year it is, etc. However, it’s important to target 2 key areas with your serums:
- Hydration (hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, caprylic/ capric triglycerides, natural oils)
- Protection (Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, green tea, retinol, resveratrol, ferulic acid)
Night-time is when your skin absorbs the most nutrients and can kick cell renewal into further action. In varying strengths and combinations, serums address everything from oily to dry, dull to uneven, ageing and wrinkles. This means that by using a serum in the evening, you can increase the impact of the ingredients. Anti-ageing serums, especially those containing Retinol are a great choice for night-time use as this ensures these powerful ingredients are present for when your body is focusing on skin repair and renewal. Retinol should be used as a night-time serum as it increases the skin's sensitivity to sun damage so is better placed as a night-time formula. Ensure you apply your SPF the following day to make sure your skin is protected.
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HYDRATE:
Skin loses water continuously throughout the day, and even more so while you sleep. This needs to be replenished and night-time is the ideal time to achieve this. Hydration is the key step in keeping your skin balanced. From locking in moisture at night and creating an extra barrier between your skin, makeup, and environmental pollutants during the day, restoring your skin’s hydration is a must.
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PROTECT:
If you want to experience the joys of masking every day, you go girl! Simply slot it in after your toner to allow the powerful formulas to hydrate, cleanse and boost your skin. We know however that with a fast pace of life, not everyone has time for a 15-minute mask every day. Try to fit a mask into your schedule at least once a week to make sure you're regularly replenishing and restoring the skin.
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EYE CREAMS:
The eyes can be one of the most telling areas of our faces when it comes to tiredness and ageing. The skin around the eye is much thinner than the rest of your face and can therefore be more likely to show fine lines, puffiness and dark circles. This is why it’s really important to look after this area. This delicate area is prone to premature ageing and dehydration, not to mention the tell-tale signs of fatigue. Eye Cream at night allows the product time to settle into the skin, without battling with your makeup. to repair tissues while you sleep, reducing puffiness and restoring elasticity in the process to actively lift, smooth and reduce dark circles to put the sparkle back into your eyes.
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FACIAL OILS:
A night-time skincare regime means your skin can do its job more efficiently. Contrary to what you might believe, facial oils won’t leave your pores clogged or your skin shiny they deliver intense hydration and nourishment to restore your skins natural health and vitality. Using facial oils at night allows them time to absorb into your skin while you sleep and provide essential protection during the day.
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PROTECT YOUR SKIN’S RECOVERY:
The skin starts to regenerate at night, but this delicate recovery phase can be interrupted by external factors like air conditioning and central heating that can potentially wick away the skin’s moisture.