It’s Not Just a Phrase; ‘Beauty Sleep’ Is Definitely a Thing
With the busy holiday season, it may feel impossible to carve out any time for yourself. You’re already occupied with school, work, or other responsibilities, but you also find time to cook 5-star holiday meals and make it just in time to shop for door-buster deals. Bottom line, there is always something that has to be done.
Then, when it’s time for bed, your mind is still racing and you can’t fall asleep, or you’re asleep seconds after your head hits the pillow—there’s no in between. Either way, before you know it, your alarm goes off and it’s time to do it all again.
Although times are hectic, especially during the last few weeks of the year, it’s important to make sure you take your skin’s health seriously. How? First, prioritize an excellent nighttime skincare routine. Secondly, give your body the rest it needs by aiming for eight hours of sleep every night. Take it from your friends at The Only Facial: a thorough PM skincare routine and eight whole hours of sleep every night, not only helps you feel unstoppable, but also keeps your skin as gorgeous as ever.
What Do Our Professionals Recommend for a Nighttime Skincare Routine?
An adequate nighttime skincare routine is more important than you may think. When it’s consistent and completed in the correct sequence, it sets your skin up for success the next morning. Clear and clean skin doesn’t necessarily need to be a lengthy process that takes another hour or more of your time. Try this quick and to-the-point regimen that we’re sure will do the trick:
Cleanser
If you prefer to start off with a makeup remover oil or cloth to get rid of surface-level buildup, that’s perfectly fine. But be sure to cleanse the skin with facewash and lukewarm water immediately after. Using a gentle face cleaner on your entire face, including under your chin, around your jawline, and your neck, removes the day’s dirt and impurities, and creates a clean slate for the remainder of your skincare products. And just like that, the most laborious, yet vital step is complete!
Toner
It may not seem like it, but, believe it or not, your beautiful face has plenty of hard-to-reach crevices, so it’s common to miss a few spots during the cleansing step. This is where toner comes in. As it removes leftover dirt, oil, and makeup, it also helps balance the skin’s pH, hydrates, and preps your pores for optimal product absorption. This step clarifies and balances the skin, leaving it feeling refreshed and smooth.
Serum
There are several key functions serums perform, as they deliver tons of potent, active ingredients that work fast and penetrate deep into the layers of the skin. Since they’re lightweight, they’re quickly absorbed by the skin, as they hydrate, brighten, firm, and protect. Applying your nighttime serum is a step you don’t want to miss because it’s like treatment in a bottle, offering multiple benefits in just one silky, easy-to-apply product.
Moisturizer
Last but not least is moisturizer. Since this nourishing product contains emollients and occlusives, it’s designed to seal in hydration and ensure the lighter products applied previously don’t evaporate too easily before they perform each of their functions. Not to mention, it also protects the skin's barrier while you’re asleep. For these reasons, it’s important to make sure that moisturizer is the last thing that is applied to your skin.
What Other Sleeping Habits Contribute to Healthy, Happy Skin?
In addition to staying on top of your nighttime skincare routine, how you prep for bed matters as well. After your skin is all clean and moisturized, make sure you also:
Keep a Consistent Sleep Schedule
A ‘hard stop’ isn’t just a boundary for meetings; it’s a gentle reminder to give yourself permission to rest when bedtime comes. It does wonders for your skin to get more than enough sleep every night. Responding to emails, scrolling on social media, and binge watching your favorite show has to come to a hard stop in time to settle down and get your full eight hours of sleep with little-to-no distractions or interruptions.
Sleep on a Silk Pillowcase
The skin is not a fan of friction. Traditional cotton pillowcases can increase stress on the skin, causing wrinkles, sleep lines, and breakouts. Plus, they further irritate sensitive or acne-prone skin, which can create frustrating issues in the morning. Silk, on the other hand, is softer and gentler on your face. Further, silk is a 100% natural product that boasts low moisture absorption among other highlights that are extremely beneficial to skin.
Use a Humidifier
What small, portable gadget could be the missing piece to your skincare routine? A humidifier. This device releases soothing moisture into the air via a light cloud of water vapor or steam. Using a humidifier can alleviate tight, dry skin, and clear your pores of excess oil, which can cause irritation and breakouts.
Book Your Facial Before the Holidays
As you may know, monthly professional facials are imperative to skin you love and that loves you back. Your friends at The Only Facial can analyze its current condition and provide information on the exact at-home care it needs. Book your appointment today with your experts in skin health.