If your nightly skincare routine doesn’t involve much more than washing your face, it’s time to give your skin more attention. Discover the 15 night skin care routine steps that you can take to go beyond beauty to deeper skin health.
Night Skin Care Routine Steps to Start Taking
A nightly skincare routine with several steps can seem like a lot of effort, but scientific research can make you think twice. One study from the Indian Journal of Dermatology showed that skin is more permeable at night. This means your skin is able to absorb nutrients from your skincare products while you sleep.
Your skin is also more active while you sleep. It repairs damage done during the day. And while you sleep, your skin doesn’t battle environmental stressors such as exposure to sunlight. It’s clear that nighttime is the time for skin care! Let’s look at taking your nightly routine to the next level!
1. Know your skin type.
When you know what type of skin you have, you can choose the best products for it. Your dermatologist can tell you whether you have dry, oily, combination or normal skin.
2. Pour yourself a glass of water.
Pour yourself a glass of water, flavored with fresh fruit if preferred, and sip it before bed. Research shows a link between a healthy daily intake of water and skin health. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which are diuretics that can dehydrate.
3. Manage your stress.
One Harvard Health Blog post explained that stress can negatively impact your skin wellness. Start your routine with a little stress management. Try breathing exercises and use lavender or other calming essential oils in a diffuser.
4. Remove your makeup.
Start your nightly skincare routine by removing makeup. Turn this step into a two-part process by double-cleansing. Use towelettes such as Alba Botanica® Hawaiian 3-in-1 Clean Towelettes Pineapple Enzyme, and use a makeup remover such as Beauty Without Cruelty Eye and Face MakeUp Remover Extra Gentle.
5. Exfoliate your skin.
Use a gentle exfoliator once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells and any build-up of natural oils. Try a product such as a 98% nature-derived Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses™ Pearl Exfoliator Sensitive.
6. Apply toner.
Toner’s not absolutely necessary, but it can be beneficial if you have oily skin. If you decide to include toner in your nightly skincare routine, use one that hydrates your skin and tightens your pores. We recommend Thayers Facial Toner Witch Hazel Aloe Vera Formula Rose Petal for a fresh, clean feeling.
7. Use vitamin C serum.
According to an article in Indian Dermatology Online Journal, dermatologists recommend applying vitamin C to your skin. Use a vitamin C serum or cream after cleansing and toning your face. Try Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum.
8. Customize with treatment.
This is where you can customize your nightly skincare routine to your needs. Treat acne or fight aging skin. In one study, retinoids were found to improve fine wrinkles. Ask your dermatologist if a prescribed retinol product is right for you.
9. Use a dermaroller.
A dermaroller is a tool with hundreds of tiny needles that puncture the skin. One medical article reviewing the applications of microneedling found that the tiny injuries stimulate cells in your skin to produce more collagen and elastin, leaving skin looking plumper and tighter. If you add this to your routine, do not use serum that contains vitamin C or retinol in conjunction with dermarolling since it can irritate your skin. Instead, choose a serum that’s rich in water-loving hyaluronic acid.
10. Apply a mask.
Another optional extra, a mask can be a great weekly or twice-weekly addition to your nighttime skincare routine. If you have oily skin, try the White Egret Charcoal Mask. If you have dry skin, try the Sukin Hydrating Facial Mask. If you use a mask after dermarolling, choose one that will soothe your skin, such as Acure Seriously Soothing Blue Tansy Jelly Mask.
11. Apply eye cream.
Eye creams that are rich in peptides are an excellent addition to your skincare routine at night. In one study from The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, peptides were found to smooth the appearance of wrinkles. Use a product such as Derma E Advanced Peptides & Collagen Eye Cream.
12. Moisturize
Moisturizing is an important step in your nightly skincare routine. All moisturizers have the same basic effect—they add moisture to your skin and then lock it in. You’ll find a range of excellent moisturizers at Vitacost.
13. Use a silk pillowcase.
Although wrinkles and creases in your skin caused by sleeping on a traditional cotton or cotton-blend pillowcase aren’t permanent, not everyone wants them. Replace your cotton pillowcase with a silk one that offers a softer, smoother surface. It may decrease your chances of waking up with sleep wrinkles.
14. Get enough sleep.
Sleep plays an important role in the health of your skin, so invest in a supportive mattress, luxurious linen and those silk pillowcases. Tired skin looks dull and pale, so ensure you schedule a good night’s sleep as part of your skincare routine.
15. Be consistent.
Consistency is one of the keys to a good nightly skincare routine. You’ll experience greater benefits if you do your routine, or a variation of it, every night than if you do it a couple of times a week. Don’t go to bed with skin that’s begging for attention. Use these tips to create a routine that makes you look and feel good. You’ve only got one skin—look after it.