5 Steps To Prepare Your Skin Before Sleeping

There is nothing like 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep to reset your skin. If you don’t know – the skin has a circadian rhythm that prioritizes protection in the morning and slips into repair mode in the PM. It sheds old-dead cells, regenerates healthy ones, and supports maximum Collagen production when you’re busy counting sheep. But that’s not all. Skin’s outermost layer a.k.a. the lipid barrier, is the most absorbent at night, making treatments like Retinol, AHAs, BHAs, and Peptides more effective around this time. 

To reap the maximum benefits of these nighttime processes, here are 5 steps to prep your skin. So, keep reading  

5 Steps To Prepare Your Skin Before Sleeping  

Step 1: Remove Makeup And Cleanse Thoroughly   

Your skin bears the brunt of pollutants, dirt, and other environmental aggressors daily. This creates an unwarranted buildup which hampers the cellular renewal process. To circumvent the problem, use a pH-balancing, gentle cleanser on your face. If you’re donning a full face of glam, use micellar water to remove makeup from the pores first.   

A meticulously cleaned base ensures better absorption of your serum and treatments – leading to better results. 

Step 2: Apply A Hydrating Toner  

Makeup removal and cleansing can disrupt your microbiome, therefore we recommend introducing a toner into your PM routine. This lightweight formula dissolves any remaining dirt and makeup residue while restoring your skin’s pH. Moreover, a toning essence preps the base for better absorption of serums and treatments.  

Step 3: Use A Targeted Serum For Your Skin Concern 

As touched upon in the intro, the lipid barrier is most absorbent at night. So, if you want to target and address specific concerns like dullness, aging, or a weakened barrier – summon the fix into your PM routine. Here’s how popular active ingredients benefit the skin overnight - 

Vitamin C: Topical application of Vitamin C supports Collagen production in the skin cells at night – softening fine lines and wrinkles. Moreover, the active inhibits melanin production to enhance your skin’s overall glow. 

Retinol: The Vitamin A derivative supports the skin’s turnover process. Its application sheds dead cells and boosts Collagen production, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, Retinol improves skin texture by preventing clogged pores and acne outbreaks. 

Step 4: Moisturize To Lock In Hydration  

The downside to having an extremely absorbent barrier at night? Your skin loses moisture molecules rapidly and becomes dehydrated. This is worrisome, as ample hydration is indispensable to all the nighttime processes like repair and regeneration. Enter moisturizer. This formula contains humectants like Hyaluronic Acid or Glycerine that bind moisture to the skin for prolonged hours. On top of that, emollients like Ceramides, PCA, or NMF put a robust lock on this hydration. 

Step 5: Care For Lips And Under Eye Area  

Your lips and under-eye area also deserve some TLC! Here’s how you can do so- 

For eyes: If you have dark, deep hollows underneath your eyes, we recommend seeking Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid in your eye treatment. The brightening agent, Vitamin C, fades pigmentation whereas Hyaluronic Acid instantly plumps up the area. For puffy eyes, use Caffeine as it boosts the blood circulation to this area. 

For lips: Do flaky, chapped lips have you down in the dumps? If yes, add a hydrating and nourishing lip treatment to your PM routine. 

Additional Nighttime Skincare Tips  

These tips will help you make the most of your PM skincare.

1. Your pillowcase traps dirt, excess sebum, and bacteria over a period of time. If not addressed, this menacing buildup can cause acne, inflammation, and other infections on the skin. To prevent this problem, we recommend changing your pillowcases regularly. 

2. Sleep on your back to avoid facial lines and creases.

3. Drink a glass of water for overnight skin hydration. This little step promotes the healthy turnover process, prevents dryness, and makes your skin look plump in the morning. 

FAQs 

1. Is it necessary to wash your face before sleeping? 

Yes. Cleansing your face removes dead cells, dirt, and impurities from the skin, ensuring a healthy regeneration process overnight. It also ensures better absorption of your treatments and serums – leading to faster and long-lasting results. 

2. Can I skip toner in my nighttime skincare routine?

Yes. Skip toner in your nighttime routine your skin doesn’t need 

• Extra hydration
• PH-balancing 

 3. How many hours of sleep are best for skin repair?  

Experts suggest that 7 to 9 hours of sleep is indispensable to skin repair. 

Conclusion 

Your skin has a circadian rhythm that prioritizes protection during the day and repair in the PM. So, your skin sheds buildup, repairs itself, and sees an impressive increase in Collagen production. To reap the maximum benefits of these processes, we recommend adhering to a proper nighttime routine.