Thanks to a renaissance in the skincare industry in recent years, we know just how important it is to have a nighttime skincare routine. Whether it’s as simple as washing your face or going the full 10 steps, your skin needs some extra love before you sleep.
But what exactly should you be doing to take care of your skin? Here are four tips for your nighttime skincare routine.
#1 Double Cleanse, Baby
Double cleansing is a technique taken from the famed Korean 10-step skincare process. It involves washing your face twice: once to get rid of makeup and surface-based grime, then again to really get down deep into your pores.
For the first cleanse, use a micellar water or oil-based cleanser that breaks down makeup rather than simply wiping it away.
Then, for the second cleanse, use a conventional water-based lathery cleanser to scrub out your pores. Even if you don’t wear makeup, you should double cleanse to ensure that your skin is clean, inside and out!
#2 Try Facial Oils
It may seem counterintuitive to put oil on your skin at night—won’t it just make your face greasy? Well, skin experts say no.
Facial oils actually have regenerative and moisturizing properties. And even if your skin is oily, the right facial oil will actually help decrease the amount of oil in your skin.
Here are some facial oils that will leave your skin feeling glowy and refreshed:
- Rosehip oil – Chock-full of vitamin C and vitamin A, rosehip oil can fade acne scars, reduce redness, and act as a natural moisturizer. Plus, it smells fantastic.
- CBD oil – CBD oil can have anti-inflammatory effects on puffy skin. Additionally, more and more people are incorporating CBD into all aspects of their lives, whether it’s a CBD tincture for sleep, or taking a few drops of CBD oil under the tongue to relax. Get on that wave!
- Tea tree oil — Like CBD oil, tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory properties. It also has antimicrobial properties, so adding it to your skincare routine may ward off harmful bacteria that causes acne.
#3 Layer on the Moisture
Moisture is the most important element of a good skincare routine. Nighttime is the prime time for your skin to rest, heal, and soak up any vital nutrients you layer on it.
Here are some products that your skin will soak right up:
- Moisturizer – It probably goes without saying but invest in a good moisturizer that’s right for your skin. The right moisturizer should leave your skin feeling plump and full, but not oily.
- Serum – Serums are treatments you can layer on top of your moisturizer to target specific skincare issues like hyperpigmentation and dullness. They’re usually jam-packed with active ingredients that give your skin an extra oomph.
- Essence – Think of essences as yet another layer of hydration on top of your moisturizer and your serum to lock all those active ingredients in. These are also full of powerful active ingredients, so use sparingly.
#4 Mask Up
While face masks are completely optional, they are by far the most fun and relaxing part of any nighttime routine.
Face masks come in a variety of different ways:
- Sheet mask – Treat your skin to vital moisture and nutrients while looking like a zoo animal or a scary ghost. Sheet masks usually come in packs with serum; you remove them from the pack, put them on your face for 10-15 minutes, then take them off.
- Peel-off – Peel-off masks of the copper or charcoal variety to draw up sebum and debris from your pores. After layering on the liquid mask and waiting for 10-15 minutes, you simply peel off the solidified layer. Bonus, it is so satisfying.
- Wash-off – These masks usually have a mud- or clay-like consistency. You put on a thick layer, wait for it to draw the gunk up out of your pores, and then wash it off like you would a cleanser. They should leave your face feeling clean and refreshed, but not tight.
Treat Your Skin Right at Night
Taking care of your skin shouldn’t have to feel like a chore. With the right nighttime skincare routine, you should look forward to getting ready for bed every night. Your hard work will yield results in no time.
Your skin is your most prized investment. And with any luck, these four tips will help you achieve the glowy, youthful results of your dreams.