Using skin care in the morning and at night is a mainstay of women to get healthy and glowing facial skin. What is the right night skin care sequence?
Women sometimes need more products and treatments to get the look they want. However, too many products often create confusion, such as the correct order for using skin care, especially at night. Night is an important time to use skin care so that the product works optimally.
Here is the right night skin care sequence for glowing facial skin:
1. Facial Cleanser
Night skin care sequence, facial cleansing. Photo: iStock
To keep your face free of skin problems, the first step of your night skin care routine is to cleanly remove face makeup and wash your face with facial cleanser before using other skin care products. According to dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, who is also an associate clinical professor at the Yale School of Medicine, facial cleansing must be done so that the skin care products used can properly absorb into the facial skin because it requires skin that is clean of oil and filth.
2. Toner
Toner used to be known as an alcohol-based liquid that can irritate and hurt your face. But the toners now used as part of skin care are liquids made from either gentle, hydrating ingredients to pamper dry skin, or chemical exfoliants to treat acne.
Toner is not meant to be a must-have product in your nighttime skincare routine. This is only an option and you can replace it with other products such as essence. Now do it according to the condition of your face.
3. Serum
Night skin care sequence, using serum. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto/Prostock-Studio
Just like toner, serum can be used as an option. Serums are basically highly concentrated injections of nutrients, hydrators and antioxidants to improve skin health so that it achieves the desired facial condition. While serums are again completely optional, they are a great first step in upgrading your skin care routine.
If you’re incorporating a serum into your nighttime skincare routine, choose one filled with hyaluronic acid, which draws water from the air deep into the skin to replenish and keep it hydrated while you sleep. According to NYC cosmetic dermatologist Shereene Idriss, MD., if you’re using acne treatments or anti aging products, which can be drying and irritating, you can use a serum to prep your skin so it’s moisturized.
4. Eye cream
The order of night skin care after serum is eye cream. Eye creams are lighter and thinner in texture and content than facial moisturizers, so be sure to apply them before applying your night cream. A rule of thumb when applying skincare is to apply the lightest first and the heaviest last, as thinner products cannot penetrate thicker products.
While eye cream may seem like the ultimate skin care treatment and the end of the line, it’s honestly not necessary for everyone. Most people think eye creams must contain some type of retinol to help with fine lines, but the truth is that the eye area is very sensitive and carries a risk of rashes and irritation. Use a simple eye cream that hydrates and protects under the eyes and repairs your outer skin overnight.
5. Treatment at Specific Locations
Ideally, you apply spot treatments if you have problems on your face such as pimples, acne scars or cuts and dark spots. Doing this at night really helps get rid of the problem because night is when the skin works its hardest to repair itself. But if you already use an acne-fighting toner and/or plan to apply retinol, try a morning treatment to avoid irritating your skin.
6. Moisturizer
The next night’s skin care sequence is to use a moisturizer or moisturizer. Moisturizer should be used at night because it is the only thing that will keep the front line of the skin. Besides that, according to Dr. Idriss moisturizer not only keeps the skin hydrated, but also helps to keep all the product under to make the ingredients more effective.
Night skin care sequence, use moisturizer. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto/dragana991
Meanwhile, Dr. Gohara, moisturizer is a nighttime repair mode that works extra hard to repair damage and increase skin regeneration. So your nighttime moisturizer should contain all the things that are beneficial for the skin, such as hyaluronic acid, lipids and proteins. You can also use a retinol or use an anti aging night cream, which has a ‘diluted’ dose of retinoids that tend to be gentler, especially on sensitive skin.
7. Retinol
Doctor Gohara explained that retinoids or a general term for all vitamin A derivatives, including retinol, can penetrate the skin to accelerate cell turnover, resulting in skin that is fresher, smoother and less wrinkled over time. Retinoids take four to six months of consistent use to produce maximum results on the face.
He further explained that retinoids induce collagen production and exfoliate cells, which means they will fade dark spots, fine scars, pores, prevent acne and brighten the skin.
Read also: 19 Ways Men and Women Can Beat Premature Aging Naturally
8. Face oil
Doctor Idriss explained that face oils are occlusive, meaning they seal in all the ingredients and moisture from the skin care products you just put on your face so they don’t evaporate quickly. Oil doesn’t actually moisturize your skin very well, but when layered on top of products, facial oil helps increase the effectiveness of the products you use and leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth.
Certain facial oils, such as rosehip and jojoba, can reduce excess oil on acne-prone skin. Meanwhile, marula and aloe facial oils can soothe sensitive and easily irritated skin.
9. Night cream or mask
Night cream is a final step that is completely optional but can be helpful. Meanwhile, sleeping masks or sleeping masks can lock in all your other skin care products and contain moisturizing ingredients that are quite light.
These were the nine night skin care ranges that can make your face glow. But keep in mind that everyone has different facial skin conditions, so this sequence is not a mandatory standard to be implemented. Consult a doctor if there are difficulties in performing these steps.
