As our skin cells tend to regenerate during the night, and our skin often absorbs nutrients better, constructing a good nighttime skin care routine is incredibly important, both for the health and the beauty of your complexion. And while there is no “correct”, one-size-fits-all regimen we could all follow and benefit from, there are certainly some basic steps everyone should follow in the same order, for the most efficient results. To that end, here is a complete guide to the most effective nighttime skin care routine you should definitely try out:
Removing makeup efficiently
If you wear makeup on a regular basis, removing it should be an important first step to your nighttime routine. For lighter, more natural makeup, gentler micellar water might be enough for removal, as long as you remember to pat and press instead of pulling on your skin, in order to avoid new wrinkles and skin damage. For those who wear heavier makeup, an oil-based cleanser or a cleansing balm might be a better solution for effectively removing the product. Even if you don’t wear makeup, an oil cleanser could be quite beneficial when it comes to breaking down sunscreen, dirt, and other products.
Using an appropriate cleanser
The next step to any nighttime skin care routine should be a good cleanser suitable for your skin type, which will help to remove dirt, oil, and free radicals that have built up in your pores throughout the day. When it comes to dry and sensitive skin, gentler and more hydrating cleansers could be the best option for cleaning and clarifying the skin without overly stripping it. Combination and oily skin types, on the other hand, might benefit from gel and oil cleansers that dig deeper into the pores, helping to minimize the appearance of blackheads and excess oil.
Buying high-quality skin care
While drugstore cleansers and makeup removers might be more than enough, and even preferred in the skin care community, the following steps in your skin care routine are arguably a bit more important. The toners and serums you choose should be made by trusted, reputable brands and have high-quality ingredients, if you wish to have potent products that will actually deliver desired results. For that reason, it would be a good idea to invest in luxury skin care for this part of your routine, or even the entire routine if you’re willing to splurge, in order to equip yourself with only the best and most efficient products.
Choosing a beneficial toner
Once your face is clean and prepped for new products, a toner is a great next step to consider in your routine. Although some might argue it’s not exactly necessary, a good toner can help to treat any particular skin issues you might have, leading to a brighter, more youthful complexion. For instance, a gentle toner with nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and vitamin E can help with calming sensitive skin and hydrating dry complexions, while beneficial ingredients like AHAs and BHAs could effectively exfoliate the skin, minimize the appearance of wrinkles and large pores, and lead to a more even skin tone and texture overall.
Including a nice face serum
This step in your nighttime routine is incredibly important, as you’ll be able to deliver the most active ingredients to your toner-primed face, for the most efficient results. When selecting a face serum, pay attention to any specific skin concerns you might have, and choose potent ingredients that will allow you to effectively battle those issues. For example, niacinamide is great for reducing redness, vitamin C can help to even out the skin tone and brighten the complexion, dry skin can benefit from peptides and hyaluronic acid, while retinoids are known for being quite beneficial when it comes to boosting collagen and reducing wrinkles and fine lines.
Finishing with a good moisturizer
The final step in any good skin care routine should be a good moisturizer, formulated with humectants that will help to lock in the moisture and hydrate your skin, without being pore-clogging or irritating. While the thickness of the moisturizer you opt for will depend on your skin type, with oilier skin types opting for lighter fluids and gels and dryer or more mature skin choosing thicker creams, certain ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter could truly benefit everyone.
The nighttime skin care routine described above is generally considered to be the best and most effective regimen you should certainly try out. However, as skin care can often be quite a personal journey, you might find you need to add some tweaks to this basic yet efficient nighttime routine.
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Other Skin Care Articles of Interest:
6 Skin Care Tips For Changing Seasons
Our Skin Needs Sunscreen All Year Long
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