The best nighttime skin care tips
On the hunt for the perfect nighttime skin care routine? Our estheticians weigh in with their top five tips. Plus, keep reading to learn the correct nighttime skin care routine order.
Estheticians' top 5 nighttime skin care routine tips:
"Don't underestimate the power of a nightly skin care routine. In addition to the obvious skin benefits, making time to 'wash the day away' and treat your skin to quality products is simply good sleep hygiene. Performing the steps of your evening regimen can be a pleasant self-care ritual that prepares both skin and mind for rest and renewal." – Laura Kania, Licensed Esthetician, Snips SpaSalon
1) Remove your makeup the right way
"It is crucial to remove your makeup and wash your face. Skin goes into repair and regeneration mode as we sleep. You need to support this natural process by clearing away the day's makeup, sunscreen, environmental pollutants, perspiration, and excess oils." – Laura Kania
Double cleansing is the ideal way to cleanse your skin if you wear makeup throughout the day. Popularized by Korean beauty bloggers, this simple process helps completely remove every last trace of dirt, grime, and impurities from your skin.
To double cleanse away every impurity before you hit the hay, simply use a formula designed to remove makeup (like Makeup Dissolver Perfected) all over your face, lip and eye area and then follow with your normal daily cleanser.
PRO TIP: "Some people with ultra-sensitive skin like to use Sensitive Skin Cleansing Oil on their face instead of Makeup Dissolver Perfected – don't use this on your eye area though!" –Teresa Stenzel, Bioelements Director of Education
2) Use the right products
"Once you have a clean slate, maximize your beauty sleep with products that replenish moisture and feed your skin. Sleep is the optimal time for your skin to absorb topical antioxidants and peptides. Plus, the lack of UV exposure also makes nighttime ideal for reaping the benefits of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and retinol.
"Most importantly use super reparative product like Sleepwear, Sleepwear for Eyes, Collagen Rehab and more. You can even leave Collagen Rehab on overnight for maximum repair. That way, you will wake up in the morning looking refreshed, hydrated & youthful!" –Nina Holt, Esthetician, Westwood Studio and Spa
3) Change your pillow case often
If you keep up to date with our SkinReading blog, you know the importance of cleaning your makeup brushes at least once a month. Your brush may seem clean to the naked eye, but it can contain bacteria, dirt, oils, old makeup, dead skin cells, and other debris that cause acne, breakouts, and irritation.
The same holds true for your pillowcases. They come in contact with your face every single evening and can contain even more debris than your makeup brushes. Wash them frequently to keep skin happy and healthy.
"This is actually one of our huge tips for people who are acne prone – it's surprising how big of a difference this little tip can make!" –Teresa Stenzel
4) Actually get some sleep!
"Our skin uses the night to repair, so it is VERY important that you get enough sleep. You can use all the right products, but if you aren't getting enough sleep it's going to be tough to achieve the complexion you want." –Nina Holt
The time your body spends sleeping is used for regenerating and repairing the day's damage from free-radicals, pollution, sun damage, and more. The occasional late night won't completely upset the process, but the effects on your skin can be immediate, and only get worse if you continue to skip sleep.
Learn what happens to your skin after a day, a week, and months of not getting enough sleep.