Sure, we could all use more sleep. But, did you know getting enough sleep is also vital to maintaining healthy skin as we mature? That’s right! While you are getting your beauty rest your body is actually producing essential hormones that help repair damaged skin. Of course, sleep isn’t all your maturing skin needs. If you really want to reduce fine lines, dark spots and keep your skin more moisturized, using a night cream is a must.
With so many skincare products on the market, choosing the right one for you can be a little tricky. To help you narrow down the choices, here is list of some of the best ingredients you should look for when shopping for a new night cream:
Hydrators
Ingredients like glycerol, hyaluronic acid, honey, aloe and shea butter all hydrate and help skin retain moisture for more flexibility and plumpness. If you have oily skin naturally, you should try a hydrator that is water based, which will feel lighter on your skin and will help you avoid clogged pores.
Antioxidants
If you’re looking for a brighter complexion, you want to avoid too much sun and apply a cream that includes vitamins such as A, C and E. If you are going out for the day, try a day cream that protects your skin from the damaging UV rays with an SPF of 15 or higher.
Peptides
Peptides are small groups of amino acids that help stimulate elastin, keratin and collagen repair. These little proteins and molecules have the power to help your skin cells produce more collagen. Therefore, products containing peptides help decrease the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Our Recommended Nighttime Care Routine for Maturing Skin
As imperative as a night cream is, if you really want youthful looking skin, a moisturizer is simply not enough. Try this step by step nighttime routine for the best results:
Step One: Remove Your Makeup
Always start by cleansing your skin from the make-up and any grit that has collected on your face after a long day. Some night cleansers aren’t the best for removing makeup. If you’re wearing waterproof mascara, for example, just any old cleanser will not work. For stubborn eye make-up, we recommend starting with eye make-up remover pads.
Step Two: Exfoliate
Next, depending on your skin type, you may want to use an exfoliator to ensure you’re starting with a clean face. Exfoliators also help remove buildup from oily and dead skin. However, be careful when choosing the right consistency. Even gentle scrubs with soft grains aren’t for everyone. If you have sensitive skin, it’s a good idea to test a small part of your skin before committing to a full-face scrub with a new product.
Step Three: Cleanse
Using a cream-based cleanser after an exfoliant can be extremely satisfying. Many of the newer brands offer a foaming face wash. If you find one with amino-acids, try it! The complex helps ramp up your skins’ hydration and suppleness.
On the other hand, if the weather is cold or you tend to have really dry skin, try an oil-based cleanser instead. Some brands even offer a product that doubles as makeup remover and light moisturizer. This is a good option for those late nights when you’re too tired to go through your full nighttime beauty routine.
Step Four: Tone
Look for a toner that doesn’t focus on unnecessary additives. You want your toner to help clear off any leftover residue from your makeup remover and cleanser…. Not leave more! Water-based, alcohol free brands act as mild astringents, which are perfect for maturing skin.
Step Five: Add a Serum
Dark spots and skin discolorations that come with age can be treated with a good serum. Kojic acid is a great discoloration defense for those really stubborn discolorations.
Fun fact: kojic acid is a well-established botanical lightener that is derived from the same fungi used to make soy and sake. It also helps prevent future discolorations, but you must be persistent. Use it every morning and night consistently if you really want to see results.
Step Six: Moisturize
Once your make-up and day creams and oils are cleared from your skin, you should apply a restorative night cream before going to bed for the night. Even if you skip toner and serums, you should always take the time to moisturize mature skin. A good moisturizer not only gives your skin the hydration it so desperately needs, but it also helps trap in all of the products underneath it, which makes the ingredients even more effective.
Note, your eyes need moisture too! Eye creams tend to be lighter and thinner than face moisturizers, so make sure to apply them before you slather on your night cream. Just remember, your eyes are delicate, so be gentle. Keep it simple and tap on a nice hydrating cream that helps protect your skin and also acts like a barrier while you sleep.
BONUS! Step Seven: Add Retinal
If you’re new to retinoids, start slow. There can be an adjustment period that causes skin sensitivity and even flakes. However, don’t worry, this normally goes away once your skin becomes accustomed to the new products you are using. Retinoids is a term for all vitamin-A derivatives that include retinol. These vitamins help speed up cell rejuvenation, which causes your body to turn out smoother, fresher and less wrinkled skin – over time.
A new retinoid routine might take time to smooth your wrinkles out, but they also trigger collagen production and cellular exfoliation. This means they also help dark spots fade, smooth out scars, clear your pores, brighten skin and even prevent breakouts.
Conclusion
Maturing skin needs more than a simple facewash and moisturizer at the end of the night. Just remember, if you’re going to try a new skincare routine, we recommend adding one new product at a time and slowly adding others to ensure your skin doesn’t have an adverse reaction to any of the ingredients.
If your new nighttime routine still isn’t giving you the results you are looking for, we’re here to help. French Radiance offers a full range of Medical Spa treatments. Visit our Services page to learn more about Neromodulators (Botox, Dysport, etc.), Fillers (Revanesse Versa, Juvederm, etc.), Microneedling (with and without PRP), injectable and IV vitamins, as well as skin care products from our skincare partner, Environ.
Contact us to learn more or book your appointment. We offer a free consultation to all new patients.