Perfect skin begins with a good, consistent skincare regime. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the best out of your skin through your nightly regime.
Well-cared for skin looks smooth, feels soft, looks younger and provides a perfect canvas for make-up. Caring for it doesn't have to be complicated. Use the following tips and tricks to help you boost your nighttime skincare regime.
Cleansing
- One of the most harmful things you can do to your skin is to go to sleep without washing your face. Never, ever, ever go to bed with your make-up on, no matter how tired you are, or how many drinks you had after work! Your skin renews itself while you sleep and it cannot breathe through layers of make-up!
- Be thorough when you wash your face. Breakouts can happen when make-up gets into your hairline and down below your jaw, so make sure you wash there too!
- There is really little need for eye make-up remover unless you wear lots of heavy waterproof eye make-up! The skin around your eye is extremely delicate and prone to damage, so the wiping required in using eye make-up remover often does more harm than good. A good cleanser will take away eye make-up just as well as it removes the rest of your make-up.
- Be extremely gentle in washing the area around your eyes. You don't want to be tugging at the delicate skin there. This area ages more quickly than any other area of your face, so being extra-cautious will keep you looking younger longer.
- The skin on your throat and your upper chest is thinner than the skin on the face, so it ages more quickly and is often forgotten in a skin care regime. If you spend a little extra time at night caring for your throat and upper chest (which is often just as exposed as your face) it'll help keep it looking younger longer.
- Use a toner if it feels as if there's still cleanser on your skin. It's not a necessary step, but if you like the feel of clean skin, a toner will give you that feeling.
Exfoliating
- Exfoliating effectively gives your skin a fresh, younger appearance. How often you exfoliate and with what product will vary depending on your skin type. Roughly speaking, oily skin can benefit from daily exfoliating and those with dry skin should exfoliate once a week, but you should test your skin to figure out what's best for you.
- To see how your skin reacts to exfoliating, start with this simple, gentle procedure: Wet your face with lukewarm/warm water. Pour a quarter-sized amount of baking soda into the palm of your hand and add a small amount of water. Mix. Avoiding the eye area, apply to your face using just your fingertips to gently scrub your skin. Rinse off with warm water. Your skin shouldn't feel tight or irritated using this method, unless you've pressed too hard with your fingers. If you feel your skin needs more exfoliating, try a stronger product.
- Don't use a washcloth to exfoliate – it's too harsh and can pull at your skin.
- Only exfoliate as part of your nighttime regime - it boosts the skin's nightly renewal process. In addition, the process reveals new, pinker skin that you'll be tempted to use lots of extra make-up to even out in the morning! Let your skin breath by doing it at night, so your face will be fresh and new in the morning!
Moisturizing
- Your nighttime moisturizer should boost your skin's natural renewal process, so choose a nourishing one suited to your skin tone. After applying it, your skin should not feel tight or greasy.
- Try a moisturizer with natural ingredients such as Vitamin A (good for aging and oily, problem skin because it accelerates the skin's natural renewal process), Vitamin E (good for dry and aging skin because it nourishes and strengthens the skin).
- Using your fingertips only, apply moisturizer using a patting motion. You can gently sweep it into your skin, but be careful not to tug or rub at your skin. The more cautious you are, the longer your skin will retain its youthful appearance.
- Don't forget to smooth moisturizer down onto your jaw, throat and upper chest. Use an upward motion as much as possible!
Take care of your skin, and it will take care of you! Keep it clean and treat it well and it'll look younger and healthier longer!
Copyright Catherine Solmes. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Catherine Solmes - Currently residing in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and writes whenever she can. Contributes to www.northernstars.ca, www.thisnext.com and ...
