The Best Nighttime Skincare Routine for Glowing, Healthy Skin Southern Essence Beauty

The Best Nighttime Skincare Routine for Glowing, Healthy Skin



A few minutes before you go to bed, give your skin the care it deserves with this nighttime skincare routine for glowing, healthy skin. Each of these steps will contribute to keeping your skin looking youthful and healthy, so you can wake up each morning feeling confident about the way you look. The products you’ll need are all available at your local pharmacy or health food store, and all of them can be found in this amazing nighttime skincare routine! This should be done as part of an overall skincare plan that includes lots of water and exposure to natural sunlight every day.

Wake up refreshed!
Just as you should use your morning routine to prepare your skin for what’s ahead (sun exposure, pollution, makeup and so on), you need a night-time routine that helps repair any damage from the day. Start by washing off all your makeup with a gentle cleanser like Dove Advanced Care Antioxidant Facial Cleansing Oil. Try not to scrub too hard—it can actually cause micro-tears in your skin—just massage gently while rinsing. Then pat dry and follow up with your favorite moisturizer or serum. If you have oily skin, try CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion; if dry, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is a great option.

Moisturize your face
The first step in a healthy nighttime skincare routine is moisturizing. Moisturizing keeps your skin supple and prevents dry patches and redness. A good moisturizer will prevent wrinkles and fine lines from forming and help with anti-aging efforts. It’s also an important part of treating acne—it keeps pores clear by sealing them off—and can help with mild to moderate cases of rosacea. If you have oily or combination skin, look for lightweight moisturizers that won’t clog your pores; if you have dry or sensitive skin, look for heavier creams that will hydrate without irritating your face.

Add toner
Toners are great at helping to hydrate your skin and remove any last bits of makeup that may have been left behind. In addition to removing excess oil and dirt, toners also help even out your skin’s PH balance and help it absorb other products more effectively. If you want to reap all these benefits, make sure you choose a toner with added anti-aging ingredients like antioxidants or hyaluronic acid. And remember: Don’t forget to shake your bottle before using!

Serums are your skin’s best friend
We often think of lotions as our best skincare friends. Lotions keep your skin moisturized and fight off dryness caused by chemicals in soaps and cleansers. However, your nighttime routine should be focused on products that will fight signs of aging while you sleep—and serums are one of the best ways to do that. Instead of a lotion or cream, apply a serum before you go to bed—these products can penetrate deeper into your skin than lotions and creams.

Oil is a girl’s best friend
Whether you slather it on after your shower or just before bed (or both), essential oils are a key component to keeping skin healthy and beautiful. Oils have been used since time immemorial, but they’ve really taken off in recent years as cosmetic companies have discovered their versatility in moisturizing and nourishing skin. The ingredients can be used interchangeably—just make sure that if you choose one, you stick with it. While certain ingredients like lavender and tea tree oil have antibacterial properties that help control acne, others like rosemary may increase sun sensitivity. The idea is to choose one ingredient (or combination) and stick with it so that your skin can get accustomed to it—and if there’s anything we learned from puberty, it’s that change is never easy!

Sleep with it on!
Although it might seem counterintuitive to put on moisturizer before you go to bed at night, your skin actually needs moisturizer while you sleep. Since your body is inactive during sleep and doesn’t produce as much oil, your skin will dry out if you don’t use a moisturizer overnight. If you think about it in terms of food, eating breakfast in the morning is like drinking water all day. You get thirsty!

Mask away dullness
An overnight mask can do so much more than simply hydrate your skin—it’s a great way to give your skin a little extra TLC while you sleep. Try moisturizing masks before bed and wake up with baby-soft skin. They’re perfect for normal and combination skin types, but if you have oily or acne-prone skin, steer clear; these are too rich to leave on all night long. If that’s your concern, try a lightweight hydrating serum instead (we love Drunk Elephant's).

Skincare when you wake up
Cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser and rinse it off with cool water. Splash your face with cool water to help tighten your pores after washing, and then pat it dry. Apply an anti-aging serum. If you have oily skin or need some hydration in winter months, you can use a gel moisturizer instead. Apply sunscreen every morning before you go outside, even if it’s cloudy out. Even on overcast days, UV rays can damage your skin and cause wrinkles. Try a tinted sunscreen if you don’t like feeling like wearing makeup every day.
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