Day Into Night Skincare Routine
Day Into Night Skincare Routine
As your skin naturally repairs itself at night, your nighttime routine should be all about giving your skin what it needs. During the night, your skin actually absorbs the nutrients in your products better than during the daytime. This is because there aren't as many environmental stressors (like pollution, UV rays and environmental toxins) and you're not wearing any makeup.
Becoming aware of the purpose of each product and the correct order in which the products should be layered onto the skin is important in understanding your personal skincare needs. And while there isn't a one-size-fits-all routine, there is a foundational regimen that everyone should have in place.
Here is a 'complete' skincare routine for you to take reference from.
Suggestions
Sequence Matters
Applying your skincare products in the proper order ensures that your skin receives the full benefits of each product. Apply your products from thinnest to thickest consistency, or from liquid to cream.
Timing Matters, Too
Aside from the order of application, it’s also important to consider the time it takes for your skin to absorb each product. Space out time between each product application in order to ensure proper absorption.
Listen to Your Skin
Remember that you are unique and that nobody else has your skin. It’s important to find what works for you and to always be kind to your skin. If your skin is looking dull, exfoliate. If it is irritated, hydrate and protect, etc.
A Complete Nighttime Skincare Routine
Cleanser
Milk Cleanse — Moon Juice
The purpose of a cleanser is to remove make-up, dead skin cells, oil, dirt, and other types of pollutants from the skin of the face. This helps to unclog pores and clean out any toxins and impurities that can cause breakouts. It also prepares your skin for the next few steps in your skincare regime by opening up pores to better absorb moisturizer and serum.
Purpose — To get rid of the day's grime, dirt, oil, dead skin cells, makeup and other types of pollutants. Cleansers leave your skin fresh and perfectly prepped to absorb the rest of your skincare regimen.
How to — Gently rub cleanser all over your face and lightly rinse your face with water until you’ve removed any dirt and product.
*If you don't wear make-up, cleansing once is more than enough. But, if you wear makeup during the day, it is recommended to remove your makeup first with a dedicated makeup remover/cleansing oil before washing your face with a gentle cleanser.
Exfoliate
*1—2 per week
Exfoliating Instant Facial — Goop by Juice Beauty
Our skin is constantly turning over—shedding skin cells in order for fresher, younger cells to push their way to the skin’s surface. But as we age, this turnover process slows, forcing us to find new solutions for sloughing away dead skin that can build up and dull the complexion. Enter exfoliation: the best way to resurface fatigued and dull skin.
Purpose — Whether physical or chemical, the right exfoliator will help unclog pores, smooth skin’s texture and reveal a brighter, more refined complexion. The key to finding your winning formula depends on your skin concerns, skin type and sensitivity level.
How To — Apply on the face and neck area. Leave on skin for up to three minutes, then massage using a circular motion. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Mask
*1—2 per week
In-Depth Hydrating Face Mask — Circumference
If you have the time and like to indulge, consider applying a face mask a couple of times a week. For best results apply the face mask after cleansing and exfoliating the skin and before applying other nighttime routine products.
Purpose — A mask can serve various purposes depending on the mask you choose to use. If your skin is on the dry side, consider using a hydrating mask, or if your skin is oily, use a clay mask. There's a mask out there for about every skin concern!
How to — Apply the face mask and leave on for 5-20 minutes. Rinse and proceed to the next step.
Toner
Coconut Facial Mist — Lavett and Chin
Toners are probably the most divisive of all skincare steps; people either swear by them or think they're totally useless.
Purpose — A toner is a fast-penetrating liquid that delivers skin a quick hit of hydration, it helps remove some dead cells off the surface of the skin and it calibrates the skin by balancing pH & moisture levels. The result: plump and glowy skin!
How to — Lightly mist your face with toner, keeping your eyes closed. Use as often as needed and as much as you lik.
*Today, toners are used to target a varying array of skin concerns—from acne to dryness to ageing. Therefore it is important to use the right kind for your skin concern.
Serum
Deep Serum — Noto Botanics
Serums have a high concentration of active ingredients, including, antioxidants, peptides and skin brighteners. Therefore, it is best to keep them as close to the skin as possible.
Purpose — Serums are super-concentrated, nutrient-dense treatments that address specific skin concerns, such as discolouration, dullness, fine lines, or acne. It is important to choose a serum specific to your skin concern.
How to — Add a few drops onto clean hands, then gently massage into skin.
*Because serums are super potent, more is not always better. Always patch test accordingly, as these powerful ingredients could potentially irritate sensitive skin.
Eye Cream
Brightening & Firming Eye Care Floral Water Creme — Amly
The skin around the eyes is more fragile, more prone to dryness, and quicker to show age and fatigue than any other skin area. Eye creams are a form of preventative care and they are extremely beneficial because they provide the thin skin around the eyes with a targeted treatment.
Purpose — Eye creams are formulated specifically for the thin, sensitive skin around the eyes. They help moisturize and smooth the thin layered and delicate textured skin under the eye area. They help you get rid of eye bags, dark rings and saggy skin.
How to — Smooth a few drops between fingertips then tap gently, working from the outer to inner eye area. Avoid direct contact with eyes.
Spot Treatment
Clarifying Spot Treatment — Dr Barbara Sturm
Like the rest of the body, skin does the bulk of its repairing, restoring and regenerating as we sleep. This is why most targeted skincare treatments—like prescription meds, retinol creams, exfoliating treatments and anti-ageing serums—are better used at night.
This step is where you customize your routine to your skin concerns, whether that's a serum, a prescription product, exfoliative treatments or spot treatments.
Purpose — The purpose of your spot treatment depends on the product you have chosen. It might be to fight acne, remove dark spots, reduce acne scars, mitigate redness or even to minimize wrinkles.
How to — Using your fingertips, apply topically to the area of concern and pat gently into the skin.
Moisturiser
Imperialis Face Moisturiser — LUSH
All skin types benefit from hydration- naturally dry or not! Night creams differ from day-time moisturisers as they are generally thicker and heavier, as they are designed to be absorbed over the course of several hours.
Purpose — Moisturisers hydrate, prevent irritation, reduce redness, promote elasticity and add surface level shine to the skin! They also create a protective coating on the skin to prevent water evaporation while you sleep. Maintaining a high water content in the skin is key for healing and maintaining healthy skin.
How to — Smooth over clean, dry skin and let it sink in.
*Make sure to hydrate your lips as well! Lip masks are formulated to promote softer, smoother and plumper lips.
Face Oil
Geranium & Orange Blossom Face Oil — Rodin
If your skin is on the dry side, you may want to add a face oil to your night cream.
Purpose — Face oils can have many potential benefits, but their main purpose is to nourish, lubricate and form a protective lipid barrier on the surface of the skin to help keep water in and to lock in all of the other skincare products. They're typically formulated with non-comedogenic botanical and essential oils, which won't clog pores or cause breakouts. Face oils often also include plant extracts, antioxidants and vitamins, which provide the skin with added benefits.
How to — Apply a few drops of the oil into your palms and massage in an upward, circular motion onto a clean face and neck.
Products to Accompany your Night Time Skincare Routine
Organic Towel in Black Stripes — Tekla Fabrics
Tekla towels have been designed for maximum absorbency and softness so you can dry yourself with minimal effort. Made with double-stiched hems and close corners for long last.
Stainless Steel Gua Sha — Sacheu
Used in Chinese medicine for tissue healing, Gua Sha is a powerhouse of a beauty tool that promotes overall skin health. It drains lymph fluids from the face, relieves tension and lifts & firms skin over time.