What Is A Good Night Time Skin Care Routine? A List Of Do’s And Don’ts

Choosing a skincare routine can be tricky. There are many products out there, and each one claims to do something different. But the only way to find the right routine for your needs is if you know your skincare concerns.

If you have skin concerns such as dry skin, that is not a reason to avoid a nightly skin care routine; in fact, it is a top reason to adopt one! A nighttime skincare routine is beneficial for all skin types.

A solid night skincare routine can do wonders for your skin, from helping prevent breakouts to keeping your skin looking young and vibrant. What’s more, taking care of your skin at night will help you get the most out of your routine because it’s when you have fewer distractions and are less likely to spend time in the sun or put additional stress on your skin.

Healthy skin is hydrated skin, so be sure to take proper steps to ensure your skin is getting the moisture it needs! Here are some do’s and don’ts to remember as you develop your nighttime skincare routine.

See Related: Which Ingredients Can Be Used To Treat Dry Or Dehydrated Skin?

THE DO’S

1. EXFOLIATE.

While you don’t want to exfoliate too much during the day since it can leave your skin vulnerable to sun damage, at night is the perfect time to get rid of dead skin cells and let that new baby skin shine through. Go for a gentler formula like our glycolic acid exfoliator; you want something with alpha hydroxy or salicylic acid that will exfoliate but won’t be too harsh.

2. AVOID HEAVY MOISTURIZERS.

Suppose you’re already a fan of a richer water based moisturizer. In that case, I recommend leaving it be at night to preserve the integrity of your skin instead of stripping away your skin’s natural moisture.

You want to care for your skin by hydrating and nourishing it, not by chemically enhancing it. Plus, you’re going to bed, so any night creams you apply at night should have time to be absorbed by your skin.

3. USE EYE CREAM.

It’s so easy to forget about the sensitive skin around your eyes but not taking care of it can lead to all kinds of issues from puffiness and dark circles to fine lines and wrinkles in the future. It’s not hard to find a good eye cream that won’t break the bank, so there’s no excuse not to moisturize this delicate part of your face with some sort of serum or other well-suited concoction.

4. LAYER ON SERUMS.

Serums have a very different consistency than lotions and creams. Still, they’re a great way to get active ingredients like antioxidants and Retinol into your skin without having them rub off or evaporate.

Even more important: a hydrating serum! Re-hydrating your skin after a day in the sun, or an exfoliating treatment is key. Serums absorb quicker into your skin, so you want to layer them on at the end of your skincare routine.

If you’ve got separate products for eye cream, I recommend applying that first; otherwise, I like to apply my AHA serums directly onto my face when I’m ready to go to bed.

Added bonus: Serums that contain hyaluronic acid. This incredible ingredient will boost hydration, help your skin retain moisture, and reduce fine lines!

5. MAKE SURE YOUR MOISTURIZER CONTAINS SPF

Don’t forget to take care of your skin’s daily SPF needs everyday. It is important to wear SPF day and night.

Make sure any moisturizer you wear at night contains SPF because this is the time when your skin is most vulnerable. SPF helps reduce the chances of getting skin cancer.

It also will also help reduce the signs of aging and avoid skin damage caused by the sun’s UV rays.

6. PUT EVERYTHING AWAY RIGHT AWAY.

Whether you’re using a cleansing balm, a product with oils that aren’t so great for your skin, or something with a lot of preservatives, leave it all in its packaging when you get home. The last thing you want is to wake up and have your face screaming at you that it needs more product or to redo everything because there was too much product in your system.

7. WASH YOUR PILLOWCASE.

At night, you don’t want to be getting all of the oils off of your pillow and into your sheets, so make sure you wash that pillowcase as soon as you get home, whether it’s with your regular cleanser or a separate one that’s specifically designed for this purpose. Better safe than sorry with this one – even if you can’t wash it, at least throw it in the dryer on low heat.

8. USE A WATER-BASED CLEANSER.

When researching skincare products to add to your nighttime skincare routine, you’ll want to start with selecting the right cleanser. Also, depending on if you wear makeup regularly and your skin type, you may want to consider double cleansing to remove excess makeup and leftover dirt during your nighttime routine.

When you wash your face, you’ll want to use skin care products that contain hydrating ingredients. This will not only leave you with healthy skin, it will also soften skin.

9. USE A HYDRATING MASK.

The skin under your eyes doesn’t produce facial oils naturally the way other areas of your skin do. Therefore, applying eye creams are ideal.

Your eyelids are typically the first place where you see evidence of aging if you’re not careful; that’s why it’s a great idea to use an eye mask after putting on your nightly skincare routine.

You’ll be able to toss on some moisturizer or serum and have a pore-free, smooth canvas for your makeup without all that extra gunk and excess material in your way.

10. KEEP TRACK OF THE SKINCARE PRODUCTS YOU’RE USING SO YOU KNOW WHEN TO ROTATE PRODUCTS OUT.

If you use a cleanser, toner or other product that’s great for your skin but will leave it feeling dry and make you break out, just know that it’s probably time to switch things up. If you’ve been using the same cleanser or toner for months at a time and nothing seems to be working, consider a change.

11. HYDRATE YOUR FACE WHILE YOU SLEEP.

You need to keep those skin cells healthy in order to get the maximum benefit from all the products on your face each night, so try not to skimp on this at night any more than you would during the day. If you want to go the extra mile, consider some sort of overnight moisturizing mask to give your skin a boost while it’s at its most receptive.

Keep your skin moisturized, and it will thank you with a natural glow.

12. USE A TONER.

If you use a toner, I recommend using it right before you get into bed; not necessarily right after. Toners can feel really great on your skin and make it feel really clean, but they can also dry out the skin if you leave them on too long.

If you’ve got one that’s not working for you anymore, consider making the switch to a new one or switching up your routine so that there’s less of a chance for your skin to be left dry.

THE DON’TS

1. SKIP YOUR NIGHT TIME SKINCARE ROUTINE.

No matter how tired you are or how late it is, there is no excuse for skipping out on something that works so hard for you each day and especially at night. Whether you’re putting on a toner, cotton pad and vaseline to cleanse or doing a heavy-duty sheet mask and a facial, your skin will always thank you.

2. USE HARSH PRODUCTS THAT HAVE COMEDOGENICITY.

While the goal is always to keep the skin as soft as possible, some products can actually be too harsh for you at night if they tend to clog your pores and cause breakouts. Look for something with less than 5% benzoyl peroxide or 1% salicylic acid if you want to keep your skin happy at night while it’s at its most receptive.

3. USE HARSH PRODUCTS AT ALL – EVER.

In general, avoid any alcohol based product. There’s no need to use something that’s going to take the place of the other products in your regimen if it doesn’t improve the way you look or feel. While there are a lot of “miracle” solutions out there, chances are that you can improve your skin by adding a new product or removing one you don’t really need instead.

4. EXFOLIATE TOO MUCH AT NIGHT.

Even if your skin is feeling rough, using a scrub that isn’t specially made for the face is going to do more harm than good at night while you’re sleeping. Oils can get trapped in your pores while they’re at their largest size, so keep things calm and cool at this time of day.

5. THINK YOU DON’T NEED SOMETHING IF IT’S JUST FOR DAYTIME.

Even if you plan to go bare-faced at night, it’s a good idea to use something simple like a moisturizer or serum before assuming that your skin will be fine in the morning. If your skin is that clear, you can probably get away with skipping it – but at least use a little bit.

6. SLEEP WITH MAKEUP ON.

If you don’t wear makeup, this isn’t something you need to worry about. However, if you wear makeup – even if it light or limited to lip gloss and mascara, it can still clog pores.

This one should go without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway. You should never sleep with makeup on because you never know how your face will react to the products that are left behind.

Even if you’re using an eye cream, foundation or powder that is made specifically to be used before bedtime, this needs to come off before you go to sleep every night – no exceptions.

7. OVERUSE YOUR FACIAL MASK.

You should never sleep with more than 3 masks on at once because you always have to worry about them getting in the way at night, meaning that there is a bigger chance of them clogging your pores and causing an allergic reaction.

8. APPLY DEODORANT BEFORE BED.

It’s not a good idea to put on any products that are going to clog your pores while you sleep simply because it’s easier to do so when there are the least amount of things in your way. Deodorant is something that should be left out of your regimen at night.

Bonus: What Is The Best Under Eye Concealer For Mature Skin?

THE FAQ’s ABOUT NIGHT TIME SKINCARE ROUTINES

1. DO I NEED TO USE DIFFERENT SKIN CARE PRODUCTS IN THE MORNING AND AT NIGHT?

Yes, although you can save money by purchasing skin care products geared toward one time of the day or another. Many people use their favorite sleeping mask at night but use a daily moisturizer in the morning, but depending on your skin’s needs, you may want to do both.

2. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR ME TO MOISTURIZE IN THE MORNING?

You can use a lightweight formula like oil or cream if you don’t have any issues with breakouts when using moisturizers and still have time before work or school. You can also have it right on top of your makeup as a final step before applying it to your face; however, it may take a little longer than when applied during the day.

3. HOW CAN I CARE FOR MY FACE OVERNIGHT IF I HAVE SLEEP APNEA?

If you have problems sleeping, try to make your bedroom as quiet as possible with a white noise machine. You can also try to use an eye mask to make sure your eyes are getting enough rest. Also, avoiding caffeinated beverages before you go to bed is always a good idea.

4. WHY SHOULD I WASH MY FACE AT NIGHT?

Acne occurs when the pores in your skin become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Washing your face or using a cleansing product helps to eliminate these impurities, remove excess oil, and prevent breakouts.

Using a gentle cleanser or sponge with warm water is sufficient to clean pores at night. The gentler you are with your face during the day and especially at night, the better it will look when you see it in the mirror each morning.

5. WHAT WOULD CAUSE MY FACE TO GET RED AFTER I GO TO BED?

Some of the ingredients in the products you have been using during the day are going to remain on your skin overnight. Some of these ingredients include alcohol, fragrances and other irritants that can cause minor problems like redness or irritation in some people.

If you notice your face is becoming red and bumpy, don’t panic. Assuming it is not something serious – unrelated to your skincare – most redness and bumps disappear in a couple days.

Every skin type and skin condition is different. If the redness does not go away, stop using the products immediately, and consult a dermatologist. You may be allergic to an ingredient without knowing it! Keep up with your skincare routine.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It is important to remember that everyone’s skin responds differently. Also, everyone’s skin changes as they get older, so what works for someone else may not work for you.

Always use common sense and research products that you plan to use on your skin before purchasing or applying whether it is a facial cleanser, toner or moisturizer. Remember to read the directions before putting it on your face so that you know how long to leave it on before washing it off.

Keep up your skincare routines (morning and night). Consistency is the only way to see real results.

Keep Reading: What Skincare Products Contain Alpha Hydroxy Acid?

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For over 60 years, Viviane Woodard has represented “The Purity of Skincare”. We are the leading beauty brand for skin care products and promote the importance of good skin hydration. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for skin care tips, product discounts, and more.