They say removing makeup and washing our face before bed is something we should always do.
But do we have to?
After a long day, the last thing I want to do is to add another task. I just want to sit on the couch, eat dove chocolates and watch Yellowstone, am I right?
The truth is, a simple nighttime skincare routine is one of the most important habits you can start to keep your skin healthy and glowing.
It doesn't take a long time or require a plethora of products to be really effective. This post is going to explain why you need a nighttime skincare routine, what steps to take, and what products to include.
A simple nighttime skincare routine is one of the most important habits you can start to keep your skin healthy and glowing.
When I was a teenager, it was really easy to find a nighttime skincare routine because there was really only one option: Noxzema. I can almost smell the chemical menthol aroma now. Was it fast and easy? Yes. It freed my face of oil and dirt (and probably the top layer of skin) but it didn’t help my skin look or feel good.
Now that I’m an adult, there are TONS of options when it comes to skincare. I also have a longer list of wants and needs for my skin than I did 20+ years ago (hello dry skin and wrinkles!). That’s why I wanted to break this down to the basics so you can customize a skincare routine when you don’t have one or don't know where to start.
Let’s dive in!
WHY is a nighttime skincare routine so important?
A good nighttime skincare routine is important because it helps maintain beautiful, healthy skin in these 3 ways:
1. Keeps your skin clear by decreasing breakouts and skin irritations
Most people think removing makeup is the only goal of putting on skincare at night. It's so much more than that! That being said, removing what you put on your face is an important step because of one thing: bacteria. We constantly touch our faces with hands, makeup tools, and cell phones transferring bacteria from those surfaces to our skin. That bacteria can live on our skin causing blackheads, redness, and blemishes. By removing the gunk, you decrease your chances of having breakouts or redness.
2. Supercharges your serums and treatments
Nighttime is the PERFECT time to target the areas of your skin you’re trying to improve. While you’re sleeping your skin is free to soak up all those yummy serums and moisturizers you so lovingly applied, free from pore clogging products like makeup and sunscreen that we wear during the day. You are literally sleeping your way to better skin, how AWESOME is that?!?
3. Supports your overall health
We take care of our bodies because it’s good for our mental and physical health. Skincare is part of that! When you rub products onto your face you are massaging your skin which improves lymphatic drainage, reduces facial swelling, and stimulates blood circulation which aids cell regeneration. You’re also making a positive contribution to your own self-worth by placing value on self-care.
Skincare at night doesn't take a long time or require a plethora of products to be really effective.
What must-have products do I need for a simple, effective nighttime skincare routine?
Must-have: A gentle cleanser
The skin on our face is delicate and you should avoid harsh cleansers and stick with something gentle. While you do need something powerful enough to remove dirt and oil, you don’t want to use anything with alcohol or chemicals in it. Your facial skin will benefit more from using safe, natural, and nourishing ingredients that help your face stay healthy and hydrated. An oil-based cleanser will forever and always be my first choice, but a natural, moisturizing water-based cleanser will work just as well. Many bar soaps are gentle and contain minimal ingredients. Be sure to get a cleanser that's fragrance free and hypoallergenic.
Don’t waste your money on fancy face washes that boast about having things like hyaluronic acid or retinol. Cleaners are a wash-off product. The ingredients aren’t on your face long enough to make any kind of meaningful difference, so all those promises wash right down the drain. It’s better to choose a leave-on product like moisturizer or serum that contain the pricier ingredients to maximize the benefits.
Must-have: A really hydrating moisturizer
A good facial moisturizer is crucial, especially if you have acne, excessive oil, mature, or dry skin. You want to find something that’s hypoallergenic, with minimal ingredients that are mostly organic, and lots of skin-loving oils like Argan, Rosehip, and Jojoba.
Optional: An eye cream with extras
You do not need an eye cream to have a successful nighttime skincare routine. Shocker, I know. That being said, you might want a cream that does something your facial moisturizer doesn't do. Look for ingredients specific to treating eyes like coffee oil which works wonders on puffy skin and under eye bags.
Optional: Treatments, Serum, and/or Facial Oil
You do not need a treatment to have a successful nighttime skincare routine, although I highly recommend one. Like I said earlier, while you’re sleeping your skincare is working all night long, so that’s the time to up your skincare game with those pricier ingredients like stem cells or retinol. Other ingredients to look for are hyaloronic acid, vitamin E, pomegranate or avocado oil, stem cells, sunflower oil, retinol, and aloe.
Want to know more about each ingredient? Check out the Ingredipedia
Is a nighttime skincare routine worth the time and effort? I say absolutely!
Practicing self care with a nighttime skincare regimen is an integral part of maintaining skin that is healthy and glowing! By avoiding products with toxic chemicals and looking for more natural options, you can moisturize your skin and get a balanced completion while you're sleeping. It's an easy and healthy way to get better skin.
Do you have a nighttime product you can't live without? Tell us below!
