There are morning rituals and of course specific ones for nighttime as well. Do you have a routine? Or do you just fall asleep on the couch after a glass of wine and Grey’s Anatomy? Tsk. Tsk. I have had many people tell me this scenario and that they are just too tired at the end of the day to take care of their skin. A solution leads me right to my #1 Nighttime Skincare Tip:
#1: I’m just too tired to take my makeup off at night.
Removing your makeup at night is so important. If you don’t, it can cause extensive damage to your skin during the night. The skin renews itself while you sleep, and when you leave makeup on, you are preventing that from happening. The skin ceases to breathe and fatigue signs appear soon enough. Too tired you say? Want an easy solution? When you get home from work, what’s the first thing you do? Head straight to the bedroom and take your bra off, right? Well, that’s when you go into the bathroom right then and there and remove that makeup! Then carry on with whatever you need to do…. make dinner, help the kids with homework or baths, and yes, even have that glass of wine (or two) and watch your favorite program. Just knowing you’re going to bed with cleansed skin should make you (and your skin) happy.
#2: Do I really need to double cleanse?
That depends. If you wear makeup on a daily basis, the answer would be a resounding YES! Removing your makeup with the first cleanse, and preferably an oil cleanser, will dissolve and remove the makeup. The second cleanse will then clean your skin. Makes sense, doesn’t it?
#3: What can I do about these lip lines?
A cool trick I learned many years ago is when you apply your eye cream around your peepers, put a little bit of that eye cream around the lip area as well. It will help with those fine little lines.
#4: Why does retinol only need to be applied at night?
Let’s start by saying that mostly everyone over the age of 40 should be using a retinol at night. Retinol is the #1 anti-aging ingredient out there, and is a derivative of Vitamin A. It helps promote cell turnover and prevents clogging of pores. It smooths your skin making it feel softer with a healthy glow. It helps to decrease fine lines and wrinkles, can help even skin tone and improves collagen production. But retinol can only be used at night due to its photosensitivity in the skin, which means it makes your skin more sensitive to the sun. So, do not use retinol in the AM – ever!
#5: Never skip moisturizer at night
Some people think that your skin needs to “breathe” at night – but, hey, your skin does not have a respiratory system. When you go to bed with bare skin, your skin’s moisture evaporates more resulting in dry skin cell build up. This makes your skin look dull and tired. Your skin repairs itself at night, so pick the right moisturizer for your skin type, (generally a thicker cream than your day time moisturizer) and slather that good stuff on your face, neck and decollete.
#6: Sleep with your head elevated
According to the latest data, sleeping with your head elevated can boost your health and provide better sleep. By simply raising your head a bit, you can expect more open breathing passages to improve sleep problems. It can help with sleep apnea, congestion issues, acid reflux, and even heart disease. When lying flat, you can experience too much pressure on the head. This pressure can cause the brain to get congested. This way, the level of oxygen and sugar won’t have the right circulation. Some studies have reported that elevated sleeping can help relieve over 70 percent of migraines. Interesting stuff, right?
#7: Use a silk pillowcase
Can a silk pillowcase really be the path to smoother skin and better hair? In short, yes — silk pillowcases really do make a difference. A smooth surface with very little friction means less tugging on skin than with a traditional cotton pillowcase. We get ‘crush wrinkles’ from sleeping on our side/face, so we may get less of those when sleeping on silk. Studies show that friction from tossing and turning causes creases in the skin, but a silky smooth surface can reduce that effect in the long run. And sleeping on silk is a secret that women with textured and curly hair have been using for years since the hair glides over a silk pillowcase avoiding friction. So bottom line, yes: Silk pillowcases can improve skin and hair hydration, prevent fine lines and wrinkles, and result in smoother, frizz-free hair every morning. Just don’t expect magical results.
#8: Relax your muscles
Progressive muscle relaxation is a technique that often helps sleep. And it’s easy…. slowly tense one group of muscles, hold for 5 seconds and release on a deep exhale. Relax for 10 seconds, then move on to another group of muscles. PMR not only helps with sleep, but also with lower back and neck pain, less frequency of migraines and reduces anxiety and tension.
#9: Create a bedtime routine
Do you have trouble falling sleep? Creating a calming bedtime routine may help! Taking time to wind down at the end of a hectic day by switching to an activity which can help calm your mind is one of the most helpful sleep habits to adopt. It can calm your overactive mind for a more peaceful night’s rest. Turn off your electronic devices an hour before bed as they stimulate your brain. Meditate or read before bed; listen to relaxing music; have a cup of herbal tea or diffuse essential oils. My favorite essential oil blend right now is Chill Pill by Aura Cacia, a beautiful blend of sweet orange, lavender, basil, peppermint, Roman chamomile, and patchouli.
#10: Get Your Beauty Sleep!
A restful sleep helps with brain function improving concentration and productivity. It can maximize athletic performance and improves your immune function. On the flip side, not getting the recommended 7-8 hours per night is linked to depression, increased inflammation and affects glucose metabolism. If you think you’re doing yourself a favor by sleeping in on the weekends to catch up your amount of sleep, think again. Keeping the same schedule of when you go to bed and wake up is a good habit to strive for. Along with nutrition and exercise, good sleep is one of the pillars of health. Here’s to a restful peaceful slumber!
Hope these tips help your nighttime ritual be more relaxing and beneficial to your skin and health!
FABB Beauty Buzz 