Easy Nighttime Skincare Routine!
Having beautiful skin can boost your self-confidence and overall happiness. In order to achieve your best skin, follow a few basic tips: understand your skin type; buy affordable products with proven ingredients; and be consistent with your skin care routine.
Having smooth, clear skin depends mostly on what you do in your off time. Your sleep schedule, what you eat, and how you treat your skin are the biggest factors in preventing breakouts and keeping your skin healthy.
Determining your skin type is also an important factor and will help you decide which products are best for your particular concerns.
This article will discuss some easy steps you can take to have a simple nighttime skincare routine.
The Double Cleanse
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A popular and effective way to cleanse your face is the double cleanse. This involves first using an oil or makeup remover to remove makeup and sunscreen, then washing the face with a gentle soap or cleansing liquid.
Many people choose to use two different products to do this, one for removing the makeup and then a cleanser to wash the face. Products like Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm or Farmacy Green Clean Meltaway Cleansing Balm are great for the first step. CeraVe has many different cleansers for step two; pick one that is right for your skin type.
Use a Toner or Essence
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After cleansing your face, use a toner or essence to hydrate your skin further. Toners can be used as a final cleansing step to remove any remaining dirt or makeup. Use a cotton pad and gently swipe all over the face and neck. Look for toners without drying ingredients like alcohol. An Essence helps hydrate the skin and prepare it for our next step in the process. They are usually patted into the skin with the hands. If you have sensitive skin, look for an unscented essence to avoid irritation.
Apply Serum(s) addressing your skin concerns
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After you wash your face, it is time to add in serums to your skincare routine. Serums are a concentrated form of ingredients that target specific skin concerns.
Serums can be targeted for things like brightening, hydrating, protecting against free radicals or oxidative damage, regulating sebum or oil production, and even targeting acne or breakouts.
Which serum(s) you use depends on your personal skin concerns and what products work best for you. Many people use a hyaluronic acid serum which adds another layer of hydration.
General tips: Drop the serum into the palm, then gently press into the skin of the face and neck. Allow this to absorb before going to the next step.
Apply Retin A (tretinoin), if used
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Retin A, generic name Tretinoin, has been the best thing to happen to our skin since water and dermatologists love it. This ingredient can help those looking for anti-aging properties, and also helps those that suffer with acne. It is a powerful ingredient, and is only available in the US by prescription. It takes some time to adapt to this ingredient, as it can be very drying and irritating for the first 4-6 weeks of use.
If you are just starting to use Retin A, follow your doctor's advice - which will be to start slowly. Using every other day, or even just twice a week, can help the skin adapt to this product. If irritation persists, try applying Retin A AFTER moisturizer to give the skin a "buffer."
If you use Retin-A, apply after your serums. Be sure to apply to the entire face, neck and back of the hands. Use a pea-sized amount for the entire face and neck. More is not better with Retin A.
Apply Moisturizer
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Now that your face is clean, your serum(s) and/or Retin A are applied, it is time for our final step: Moisturizing. We want to seal in all those great active ingredients so they work while we sleep. A good moisturizer for your skin type is best, but also consider the season. In the dry winter season, our skin is parched from furnaces and cold, dry air. A thicker moisturizer may be required to combat these issues. In the summer months, or in a humid climate, a thick moisturizer may be too much, and a lighter version will do a better job.
The two main categories of moisturizer are water-based and oil-based. Water-based moisturizers work best for normal to oily skin types, while oil-based moisturizers work best for dry skin types.
Do I need eye cream?
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Most people feel that you need to use an eye cream to combat aging around the eyes. In particular, if you have extremely dry undereyes, a thick eye cream applied at night allows you to wake up to a soft and supple under eye area. If this area is normally oily, then your regular moisturizer can do the job.
There are many products on the market for the eye area. If you decide to use eye cream, decide what issues you are looking to address, and look for products with ingredients that may help. Fine lines and wrinkles need moisture, dark circles and discolorations may need a retinol based product. Do your research before investing in expensive eye creams.
General tips: when applying any product to the eye area, use the ring finger to gently pat the product into the skin, then allow to absorb.
Brush your teeth!
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While this is not technically skincare, brushing your teeth is an important part of a nighttime routine and for overall health. Once the teeth are cleaned, the lips are ready for a night mask or balm to replenish moisture in the lips. A thick mask, like the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, is perfect for dry lips.
And finally...
As the largest organ in the human body, the skin is an ever-changing thing. What works on your skin today may not work next week or next month. When starting any skincare routine, do your research, patch test new products, and give a new product a chance to work before discarding and moving on to the next popular product. With some patience and time, you will be on your way to beautiful and healthy skin.
Thanks for stopping by,
Kelly 😎
