Many people consider using a nighttime serum or moisturizer as either being too high maintenance, not necessary or one more annoying extra step to do before going to bed. Another common explanation is that they want their skin to “breathe” and use nothing after cleansing. But while we sleep every night, our skin cells are renewing themselves and recovering from a day’s worth of exposure to the sun, environmental factors and stress. It’s no surprise that lack of sleep first shows in our skin, so just as a tired body needs nourishment and recovery, so does skin every night. Some of the advantages of incorporating a nighttime skincare routine include:

·    Minimizing uneven skin tone or discoloration.

·    Reducing common skin concerns such as breakouts and redness.

·    Brighter, hydrated skin that takes on a “plump”, healthy glow.

The hours of 1am to 4am are crucial to skin cell renewal because cells are at their most active while the body is at full resting state. With the help of serums and moisturizers, dead skin cells are continuously exfoliated and new skin cells are brought to the surface, revealing a brighter, hydrated, more even-toned complexion.

So what is an ideal nighttime skincare routine? For most skin types, it occurs after using an appropriate cleanser:

·    Toner – choose an alcohol-free formula suitable for appropriate skin type. Helps restore the pH of the skin and remove any remaining oils or makeup that the cleanser did not remove.

·    Eye cream – since there are no oil glands in the eye area and the skin is three times thinner than on the face. Apply 2 drops on clean fingertips, rub together to warm and apply under the eye in a gentle, tapping motion.

·    Serum – thought by many to be an unnecessary step, but is now considered crucial for protecting collagen, firming, minimizing redness and discoloration and minimizing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. Some serums are more treatment specific, such as for acne or dark spots.   Apply 2-3 drops on fingertips, rub together and tap gently on face and neck.

·    Moisturizer – choose a regular formula for dry or normal skin or oil-free for combination, oily or breakout prone skin. Apply in the same manner as serum.

·    Acne spot treatments – if needed.

While this routine may sound complicated, it only takes about five minutes and will quickly become second nature.  However, since each person’s skin chemistry is unique, some may of the above steps will vary.  But the reward of clearer, hydrated and more even-toned skin is one’s incentive to continue using nighttime products.

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