Night skincare routine – What, why and how?

Woman applying moisturizer on face

Having a strong morning and night skincare routine does wonders for your skin. Taking care of your skin is just as important to your night time routine as any other step. Whether you’re someone who likes to use lots of products or just a few, the order of skincare products in your routine matters. Using them in the right order will ensure proper penetration into the skin. But let’s backtrack a second—why is skin care important in the first place? 

Taking care of your skin isn’t just about looking good. Your skin is the largest organ in the body, acting as a barrier to internal systems that keep you healthy and strong. When skin is dry or irritated, it may crack, leaving you prone to infection. Skin also protects you from the sun’s rays—keeping your skin moisturized and using products like sunscreen everyday helps prevent conditions like skin cancer. 

You might already apply skin care products when you wake up, but what about a pm skincare routine? Not to worry–we’ll cover everything you need to know.  Now that we’ve established the importance of skincare, let’s go over the most important aspects of a basic skincare routine. 

Night Skincare Routine Steps, Tips, and Tricks 

Night skincare routine

Step 1: Make-up Removal and Cleansing 

Even the most basic skin care routine should include removing makeup before bed. Be sure to wipe away all makeup and dirt before you snooze. Micellar water or gentle makeup wipes will do the trick. Use a gentle hand, dabbing and padding instead of tugging at your skin. 

Next, it’s time to cleanse. Select a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type. For dry or sensitive skin, opt for a hydrating, creamy cleanser. For oily or acne-prone skin, use a foaming or gel-based cleanser. Apply the cleanser to damp skin, gently massaging in circular motions to remove makeup, dirt, and impurities. Rinse with lukewarm water to avoid stripping your skin of its natural oils.

Step 2: Skin Treatments 

serum

Next comes the fun part. After you’ve prepped the skin, use your serums, creams, spot treatments or other products to target skin problems like pigmentation, acne breakouts, oily skin, or flakiness. Everyone’s skin is different, so you may find you have to individualize your own to find the best night face routine for you. But if you haven’t explored the world of skin treatments, here are some types to consider: 

  • Exfoliation: Key for removing dead skin cells and smoothing pores, exfoliation aids in a fresher, softer face. Chemical exfoliants with ingredients like AHAs and BHAs can help a lot with this, but be careful when using them to avoid irritation. We recommend doing a spot treatment on your hand to test your skin’s reaction first. 

  • Toner: Toner rebalances your skin’s pH levels and prepares it for better absorption of subsequent products. Choose an alcohol-free toner with hydrating and soothing ingredients like rose water or witch hazel for normal to dry skin. For oily or acne-prone skin, opt for a toner with salicylic acid to control excess oil and minimize pores

  • Wrinkle cream: To fight against wrinkles and fine lines, use wrinkle creams with ingredients like retinol and vitamin C. These ingredients work to smooth the face by helping to produce more collagen, eliminating fine lines. 

Step 3: Apply Eye Cream

Woman applying night cream to face

Your nighttime face routine should 100% include an eye cream, and here’s why: the skin under your eyes is extremely delicate. The undereye area is thin  and has trouble absorbing moisture, which leads to issues like puffiness, dark circles, or sagging. Using an eye cream both treats these issues and prevents future problem areas. Use an eye cream that has peptides in their formula–this provides extra hydration. 

To apply, dot a pea-sized amount of eye cream to your under-eye area to target concerns. Gently pat the product with your ring finger, as this finger applies the least pressure. Be careful not to tug or pull on the delicate skin around your eyes.

Step 4: Moisturizer

Night Skincare routine

Regardless of your skin type, capping your night face routine off with moisturizer is essential. Moisturizer acts as an additional barrier for your skin, helping to keep it rejuvenated and healthy overnight. Choose a hydrating moisturizer with ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid. If you have especially oily skin, there are also moisturizers available that are oil-free made to cater to acne-prone skin types.  

Once you’ve applied your moisturizer, you’re all set. Your night skincare routine is complete! Repeat these steps every night for refreshed, glowing skin. 

Looking for the best brands in night time skin care? Ninth Avenue has everything you need to upgrade your night skin routine. Check out our online store today to shop all your favorite brands and products! 

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