You might be doing several healthy things to achieve a radiant complexion- eating a balanced diet, exercise, plenty of water, and plenty of sleep. However, to take it to the next level, you need to develop and stick to a nighttime beauty routine.
Nighttime skincare routine basics
If you'd like to wake up with glowing skin, you need to upgrade your night routine. Here's how.
1. Cleanse
Cleansing is the most crucial step before going to bed. Even if you don't wear any makeup, your skin comes into contact with dirt, sweat, and pollution during the day. Outdoor impurities often lead to premature aging, skin sensitivity, dullness, roughness, dryness, and uneven skin tone.
EFFECTIVE CLEANSING
For effective cleansing, choose a cleanser suitable for your skin type. Use a gel-based cleanser for oily skin, and a cream or oil-based formula for dry or sensitive skin. Also, ensure the product has natural ingredients- no artificial colors, chemicals, or fillers.
2. Exfoliate
Exfoliation isn't a daily step, but it's essential to remove dead skin cells so that your products effectively penetrate your skin. Skincare experts recommend doing it one to three times a week. Overly dry or sensitive skin needs fewer exfoliation sessions than someone with normal to oily skin.
NOTE: Over-exfoliation can cause inflammation and irritation, which can accelerate aging. Use a gentle formula to prevent developing micro-tears in the skin.
3. Mask
Most people don't like using a mask because "it takes too long," but it's not as much as it seems. To make it easier, choose the most relaxed day in your week. Combine masking with other activities like reading, watching a movie, taking a power nap, etc.
CHOOSING YOUR MASK
If you want a traditional wet mask, keep in mind your skin type. Oilier skin responds well to clay-based masks, while those with dry or sensitive skin do well with cream or gel-based formulas.
OVERNIGHT MASKS
If masking feels like a difficult step to add into your regimen, trade your nighttime moisturizer for a sleeping mask.
Sleep masks are typically less creamy than night creams, thus absorb quickly into the skin. So you need not worry about getting the product on your pillowcase.
4. Tone
These days, we have natural toners that balance the skin after cleansing, unlike harsh toners of the past.
Choose a formula with essential oils since these minimize the appearance of large pores, balance the skin, create a calming sensation, replenish moisture, and give you radiance.
5. Treat
Before you moisturize, apply a serum and an eye gel/cream/serum to combat puffiness and fine lines and rejuvenate your eyes.
6. Moisturize
Did you know that your skin absorbs topical treatments better at night, starting from when you start feeling sleepy and throughout the sleep phase? That's why it's essential to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
When we sleep, our skin repairs itself. Give it a boost by applying a nourishing night cream with concentrated ingredients. Such creams enrich the skin with a moisturizing barrier, give you a glow, defy your age, and rejuvenate your skin.
Indulge in a home spa treatment
You don't have to wait for your salon appointment to enjoy a spa treatment. Here are some of the relaxing treatments you can try at home:
GUA SHA
Use a gua sha tool to massage your face in specific movements. Benefits of this procedure include: firming your look, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, lightening your look, temporarily relieving puffiness, and reducing the appearance of dark under-eye circles.
JADE ROLLER
Jade rolling gives the same benefits as gua sha. Tho only difference is the tool- a mini-paint roller made from jade.
HERBAL STEAM BATH
Boil 8 cups of water and add a handful of dried herbs and a few drops of essential oils.
Place the pot on a steady surface. Then hover your face over it while covering your head with a large towel. As you do this, take deep breaths to enjoy the benefits of the herbs and oils internally.
The mental health/skin connection
Research shows that there's a link between skin disorders and stress. It's, therefore, crucial to take care of your mental health as well.
Studies show that many skin problems clear up without the use of medical treatment once our emotional state improves.
KEEPING YOUR NIGHT SKINCARE ROUTINE
Remember, the key to the success of any nighttime beauty regimen is planning. Keep your bedroom in order, make sure your staple products are within reach, set nighttime items in a visible place as a reminder, and schedule in time for things that take more time, like applying a mask.
Once you get used to it, you'll be going through your routine like a pro.
With love,
The Sole Toscana Beauty Team
