What’s the first thing you do when you go to your bedroom at night? If it’s jumping straight into bed, you need to change your evening routine immediately. Having a nighttime skincare routine is a must for everyone who wants to look fantastic the next day and all the time.
According to one of the best dermatologists in Dubai, a good nighttime skincare routine is essential if you want to have healthy, glowing and more youthful skin. As the day winds down, your skin enters a regenerative phase, making the evening the ideal time for targeted care.
With the right skincare practices, you can avoid premature ageing caused by the intense sun and dry air. You can also prevent and repair blemishes and other skin problems.
A dedicated nighttime skincare routine ensures you have radiant and rejuvenated skin in the morning that you can easily protect throughout the day.
A Guide to Creating an Effective Evening Skincare Routine
If you’re creating a nighttime skincare routine for the first time or want to be sure you have a good one, make sure it has the following vital steps:
Remove your makeup and daytime cream.
Start your nighttime skincare routine by removing your makeup and the products beneath it, like daytime cream, moisturiser, or SPF.
If you’re shopping for makeup removers, consider the types and number of cosmetic products you use regularly. For instance, if you often wear light makeup, make sure you have micellar water on the ready.
If you usually apply foundation and waterproof makeup, use a gentle, oil-based cleanser to remove residues from your face completely. Follow up with a water-based cleanser to avoid drying your skin.
Cleanse your face.
After removing makeup and dirt from your face, follow it up by washing with a gentle cleanser suitable for your skin type.
If you have sensitive or dry skin, use a hydrating cleanser. Opt for a gentle, foaming cleanser if you have oily and acne-prone skin.
Spend at least a minute lathering the cleanser and working it onto your skin. Ensure you rinse thoroughly to remove remaining makeup, cream, oil and other impurities clinging to your skin. Once done, wipe your face gently with a clean, soft, dry towel.
Use a toner.
Nighttime toning hydrates dry skin and removes leftover particles from your face. It also helps rebalance your skin’s pH level.
Hyaluronic acid and rose water toners are recommended if you want to hydrate your dry skin while sleeping. If you have oily skin, products with oil-absorbing salicylic acid and witch hazel toners are excellent options since they help control nighttime oil production.
An exfoliating toner with glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and other alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) is your best option if you have normal skin. This product also works effectively if you have a combination skin type, meaning your skin can be normal or dry in specific areas and oily in others, such as your forehead, nose and chin.
If you want to use an exfoliating toner, do so only once or twice a week to get rid of dead skin cells and unblock pores while avoiding drying your skin.
Apply a treatment product.
After applying your toner, wait for a minute, then proceed with the next step, which is using a treatment product that targets your specific skin problems or skincare goals.
These products can include the following:
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Acne treatment
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Dark spot remedy
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Skin-lightening serum or cream
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Anti-ageing treatment
If you need to address different skin issues, avoid applying two or more products every night since they have active ingredients that can interact with each other and cause more problems. It is best to change the treatment every other evening based on your needs.
Use retinol.
Retinol is a type of vitamin A that can reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation or dark patches appearing on the skin. Experts recommend using this product in your 20s to prevent signs of ageing.
Retinol and other retinoid treatments, which you can use to treat acne, can make your skin sensitive to the sun. As such, you should apply them only at night. Also, cleanse your face thoroughly in the morning and wear sunscreen before going outdoors.
If it’s your first time using retinol, add this practice to your nighttime skincare routine slowly. Apply a pea-sized cream or gel every other night first and check for signs of irritation.
If you don’t develop rashes or feel any discomfort, apply your retinol or retinoid treatment every night.
Apply moisturiser.
Your nighttime skincare routine should end with applying a moisturiser. This essential product hydrates your skin and helps absorb the serum and treatments you use.
If you’re shopping for a moisturiser, choose one based on your skin type. If you have dry or combination skin, select a gentle, thick, emollient-type moisturising product with ingredients like shea butter and ceramides.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, use a water-based gel moisturiser.
See a dermatologist.
If you’re unsure which products to use or need help with creating a nighttime skincare routine that works for you, consult a dermatologist.
A dermatologist can recommend products that’ll work for your specific skin type. Whether you have dry, oily, or sensitive skin, you can find a product that addresses your particular problems.
They can also suggest ingredients that benefit your skin while helping you avoid anything that could cause irritation and help you create a routine that fits in with your lifestyle.
When you follow an effective, expert-recommended evening skincare routine, your skin will have a healthy, radiant, and lovely glow every day.
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