Getting your “beauty sleep” is no myth and is much more than just the avoiding that “you look tired” or washed out and with dark circles or bags under your eyes. The value of sleep when it comes to beauty is that it gives your skin time to rebuild itself. All day your skin is a barrier that protects you from light, pollution, germs, dryness, wetness and more. When you sleep, your skin has a chance to regenerate and get ready for tomorrow. But other than getting enough sleep, having the best night time skincare routine is vital for achieving that healthy- glowing skin!

The best night time skincare routine before going to bed

Step 1. Cleanse

Our skin sheds about 600,000 dead cell particles every hour! The outermost layer of our skin continually changes because the older cells that we see on the surface make way for the newer skin cells from the lower layers. This means that the healthy and vibrant skin you have today can suddenly look dull and tired tomorrow as your skin cells get ready to shed and fall off.

So, the first important step in the best night time skincare routine is to cleanse. By doing this you are washing away dirt, makeup, excess oil, dead skin cells, and environmental impurities that end up on your face naturally throughout the day from your skin.  Below are the steps for how to properly wash your face.

First. Make sure that you are using the right cleanser for your specific skin type!

• Dry Skin - Look for a cream cleanser, to help moisturize the skin while cleansing.
• Oily Skin - Use a gel or foam cleanser, to get rid of any dirt and oil on your skin without irritating the skin.
• Combination Skin - Means that some parts of your skin are oily (usually the T-Zone area) while other parts are normal or dry. So you will need a cleanser for each specific type of skin.
• Sensitive Skin – Use the gentlest cleanser that you can find because your skin can become easily irritated. These types of cleansers are usually made from plant oils and from natural skin care lines.
• Acne Prone Skin - Look for a gentle cleanser that contains salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, rosehip oil, or tea tree oil to help keep those pimples at bay.

Second. Open the skins pores and lift dirt and bacteria from the skin. Use lukewarm water to wet your face by splashing some water onto your face using your hands. But make sure to avoid water that is too hot because it can dry out the skin.

Third. Gently massage about a dime-sized amount of your chosen cleanser all over your skin. Remember that the skin on your face is thin and sensitive, so there is no need to scrub vigorously. Continue massaging for around 45 seconds to give the cleanser time to work.

Fourth. Once you have gently cleansed you should then rinse thoroughly using lukewarm water. There should not be any suds of cleanser left on the skin.

Finally. Pat dry with a clean towel. You don’t want to rub the skin dry as this may irritate the skin, leaving it red and flaky.

Step 2. Hydrate

Treating your skin is another important step in the best night time skincare routine. For this you step you will need to be specific about your skins needs, depending on type. There are five main skin types: oily, dry, combination, normal, and sensitive. If you are not sure how to tell, check out our full article, that will help you to learn about your skin type is, and the proper method for each specific type. Since the skin actually works harder while we sleep, giving it this hydration is critical in the best night time skincare routine and for achieving your dream complexion.

No matter what your skin type is, you MUST MOISTURIZE! It is so important to keep the skin hydrated and moisturized. A balanced moisturizer goes a long way at helping to improve the overall appearance of skin by providing the ingredients that will help maintain your skin’s healthy cells and protect them from irritation. When your skin is dehydrated, it can lead to flaking, irritation, or even oily skin due to overproduction of sebum which is what causes breakouts and acne.

Step 3. Protect & Restore

Third step in order of the best night time skincare routine is to use topical protectants such as a collagen mask, moisturizing night cream, or an anti-aging serum to boost your skins hydration. These types of product’s help to calm, repair, and boost your skin's elasticity.

When you diligently wash your face and remove your makeup every night, your skin will be better able to repair itself and any treatment serums or moisturizers will absorb more deeply with you get that beauty sleep!

Did you know: The night is an ideal time to use these replenishing products because our cell turnover is faster at night, and this allows your products to do their job better. Meaning that your skin actually works harder to regenerate while you sleep!

Can I use a collagen serum and retinol cream on the same night?

Always apply collagen and retinol to freshly washed skin! You also want avoid layering them either on top of each other or over any other face products. Why? Because both products are considered a "base product". Meaning that they can be layered with products on top of them once applied to the face, but not in reverse. When you layer them on top of or use over other products, they become blocked and are prevented from penetrating the skin, thus making them useless.

When you first begin using this product, start by applying it once a week for the first few weeks. Then you can begin to slowly increase the frequency. If you use it to quickly or too much of it you can irritate and damage your skin.

Keep in mind that your skin will go through an adjustment period when using a retinol product because of its strength. During the adjustment period, start with the weakest potency of retinol and slowly build your way up to a stronger strength. If you start to have an adverse reaction once you have began the retinol, it is a sign your body can’t handle that strength. Meaning that you should go back down to the previous retinoid level.

Meanwhile, begin or continue to use a topical collagen product on the evenings that you are not using the retinol. By doing this you are providing your skin the help it needs to repair and heal while you sleep.

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