At the end of a long day, you’re probably exhausted and can’t wait to catch some zzzs. But your night-time skincare routine is serious business, so don’t skimp on it — or even worse, skip it altogether. How you treat your skin at night has a major impact on how it looks and feels. Get better-looking skin and save yourself some time in the morning with these simple night-time steps.
1. Organize
Sounds simple, but it’s truly a lost art form — preparing at night for the day ahead. We did it at night as kids when we set out our shoes and clothes for the next day. So, how do you save precious time in the morning?
The night before, line up your morning skincare and makeup products on your bathroom counter. They’ll be ready to go, (even if you’re dead tired and dragging). You’ll have everything you need to look your best before heading out to work, so you can avoid the stressful early morning scramble.
2. Cleanse
- Face. Every day, skin is bombarded with dirt, germs and pollution. Makeup and oil also accumulate as the day goes on. All this gunk feels unpleasant and can clog pores, causing breakouts. So, suds up and wash your face to banish impurities before bed.
- Body. Showering or bathing at night washes away the day’s dirt, saving time in the morning and actually letting you eat breakfast now! It’s also relaxing, helping you unwind after a long day.
But don’t wait too long. “Some people find that a hot bath is actually stimulating or that it makes them too uncomfortably warm when they slip into bed,” writes Virgil D. Wooten, M.D., for HowStuffWorks. Shower or bathe a bit earlier so your body can cool off afterwards. This cooling effect can “help trigger drowsiness,” adds Dr. Wooten.
For the ultimate in relaxation, add a foaming lavender bath gel or soap and light a candle. Enjoy an entire kit of bath goodies — foaming bath, soap and candle — with L’Occitane Lavender Harvest Gift Box.
3. Moisturize
You slather on moisturizer and sunscreen in the morning to protect your skin, so do you need a separate night cream, too?
Absolutely! Applying a specialized moisturizer to dry skin before bed provides many benefits. That’s because the product has all night to work into your skin.
In particular, try a retinol or retinoid cream, which increases cell turnover and boosts collagen production. Retinoid creams are perfect for night-time use, because they make skin especially sensitive to the sun. So, wearing them during the day means greater risk of photoaging or sunburn. Retinol, like BENEV Retinol Cream, is terrific for women with lines, wrinkles, sun damage and acne.
Got dry or mature skin? Smooth on Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Moisture Network Night Cream for long-lasting hydration. This cream repairs skin’s barrier — so skin holds onto moisture longer — and leaves you with a soft, smooth complexion.