No matter how tired you are at night, make it a point to remove makeup and follow some basic skin care routines for that flawless complexion, advises Jasmine Maa
Neglecting to take care of your skin before going to bed can often be the reason for feeling disappointed by the way your face looks in the morning. The quality of sleep is an
important factor when it comes to benefiting your skin; and another is your pre-bedtime skin care routine. What you do to your skin before sleeping plays an extremely important role in how your skin looks in the morning. Here go a few tips to keep in mind before you go to bed:
* Removal of toxins: Don’t leave makeup on overnight, no matter how exhausted you are. Women tend to carry a layer of makeup on their faces throughout the day and all the dirt as well as the deposited toxins must be washed off in the evening without fail. Your skin at bedtime must be fresh so that your pores can breathe. Falling asleep with so many toxins on your face will clog your pores and could lead to break-outs. If you’re too tired to wash and cleanse at night, at the very least you should splash some warm water on your face and use a cotton ball toner to wipe away the day’s debris. Then slather with serum or some night-time cream.
* Cleanse, tone, moisturise: Use a mild cleansing lotion to remove the day’s makeup, bacteria and grime. Pay special attention to your eyes. If you use eye makeup, follow by applying an alcohol-free toner to remove any residual dirt – this will enable better hydration. Next, moisturise your skin. If you are over 30, use a night-time specific anti-ageing cream/serum on your face, neck and décolletage that will aid in nourishing and repairing the skin. If you are under 30, use a good night-time moisturiser depending on your skin type.
* Eye care: If you wish to use an eye cream, there is no time better than bed time. It gives you a fresh dewy look and is a miracle worker if you are prone to waking up with puffy eyes. Apply a light eye cream to the skin under your eye and remember to be delicate, for the skin under your eyes is very sensitive and needs special care.
* Lip alert: Dry or chapped lips can by hydrated by applying a light lip balm before you go to bed. During the day lip balm is wiped off and doesn’t last very long (reapplication is tedious) – but at night your skin gets to soak up all the moisture.
* Be gentle: Don’t pull and rub your skin. Your skin undergoes enough stress during the day, so don’t further damage it by pulling and rubbing it with force; be gentle and use slow circular movements – this increases the blood flow.
* Don’t ignore: Your hands and neck often show the first signs of ageing. Look for anti-ageing ingredients like Vitamins A and C in your beauty products. Moisturising these areas during the nights will help them look softer the next day. Don’t ignore your neck, décolletage, hands and feet.
* Don’t over-dry your skin: Many women make this mistake, especially if confronted with pimples. When your skin is stripped of its essential oils, it increases sebum production to make up for the loss. This is what clogs your pores, causing pimples. A gentle cleanser, toner and moisturiser can help prevent this additional damage.
* Keep hair away: Yes, your hair carries dirt and gets oily, which means when it touches your facial skin during sleep, the dirt gets deposited on your clean face. Pinning or tying it up will help avoid this.
* Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase: These fibres will keep you from waking up with a bird’s nest on top of your head. Silk is easier on hair — it helps to avoid tangles and breakages. It is also better for the skin because there is less friction between the material and the skin - this helps prevent creasing and wrinkles.
* Change your pillowcases often: Your pillowcases are home to lots of dead skin cells so be sure to wash and change your pillowcases at least once a week and flip your pillows over on days you’re not changing them.
(The author is director, Shanaya Spa, Kempinski Ambience Hotel, Delhi)