For every skincare enthusiast, it's a dream to wake up to a flawless complexion. But, achieving such perfection can only be a result of genetics or strict adherence to a nighttime skincare routine. 

According to dermatologists, the skin undergoes a process of repair when you sleep and requires nourishment to execute a successful rejuvenation. If you are unable to supply the essential nutrients through diet, only a night skincare routine can help this process. 

This article answers the following questions: “Should I do skincare in the morning or night?” “Why does my face get so oily when I sleep?” And also includes nighttime tips to ensure you wake up refreshed and nourished every night. 

Why is it important to have a night skincare routine? 

A night care routine consists of steps that supply nourishment to the skin and help in repair and rejuvenation. These steps, when combined, lighten blemish and hyperpigmentation and reverse the effects of free radicals. 

It also helps in promoting suppleness and elasticity, minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and the crow's feet. During the day, your skin is exposed to pollutants in the air and contaminants from your hands and other objects. These external aggressors reside deep within your pores and cause acne and other skin issues.

A night skin routine removes these pollutants on your face and provides a clean environment for nighttime cellular regeneration. Simple night skin care routine steps that can benefit your skin are cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and using eye cream and facial oil (optional)

Remove Your Makeup 

The first step of every night's face routine is to remove your makeup with micellar water or a makeup remover. Sleeping with makeup on is a bad idea, and when you do so, your skin struggles throughout the night during the repair process. This is why you wake up to dull, dry skin the following morning. We recommend using micellar water to gently clean your face as it removes makeup effectively without stripping your skin's natural oils.

Get micellar water from any approved skincare store and soak the cotton pad with the product. Use the soaked pad to cover your eyes (closed) for some seconds to soften the makeup and gently swipe it across the face. Use more cotton pads if the initial gets clogged up with makeup residue and continue until your face is makeup-free or until the last pad becomes clean. 

Cleanse Your Face 

Now that you've successfully removed your makeup, there’s still a bit more work to do, as you need to cleanse your face. Cleansing your face is a night skin care routine for glowing skin, and you should strive to do it consistently as it removes makeup remnants you skipped while using the micellar water. 

For people with dry, sensitive skin, use a hydrating nighttime face wash to cleanse your face. We recommend Dermaclara Claraprep Hydrating Face Cleansers, perfect day and night cleansers for clean and hydrated skin. All you need to do is wet your face, then pour a coin-sized amount of cleanser in your clean hands and wash your face gently for 1 minute or more. Rinse with lukewarm water and use a clean towel to dry your face.

Use Toner 

Skin toners are essential in any nighttime routine checklist. They prepare the skin for the next step and help remove stubborn debris that was not washed properly. Although they are important, they cannot substitute for a face wash but rather complement it. Today's toners come in different types and formulations as they target general or specific skin concerns.

Pick a toner suitable for your skin type or skin concern. Pour a few drops of the solution on the cotton pad and gently sweep it all over your skin. Focus on areas like your neck, criteria of your eyes, around your nose, lips, and near your ears. Repeat the same process until you are satisfied. 

Apply Eye Cream

The eye cream is an overnight skincare product that caters to the fragile skin beneath and around your eyes. This product should be used in the morning and at night to repeat the full benefits. But if you choose to use it once a day, we advise you to use it at night to enjoy as the skin undergoes a regenerative process, boosting the anti-aging effects of the cream. Get any hydrating eye cream and use your finger to stamp dots all around your eyes. Smoothen these dots by massaging the cream underneath and around the eyes. 

Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Hyaluronic acids are the best serums for night time and are preferred for their hydrating effect. This serum is a humectant that draws in moisture from the environment towards the skin's surface. Hyaluronic acid is perfect for everyday use as it can stimulate new skin cell growth and heal scarring. Get a hyaluronic acid serum and use the applicator to apply enough serum to your skin. Use your clean fingers to massage your face and spread the serum throughout your face and towards your neck. These serums can also be used alone, so the answer to the question, “Can I use only serum on my face at night?” is yes, you can; however, it's advisable to use a moisturizer. 

Apply Moisturizer 

To finish up this easy night skin care routine, apply a face moisturizer to seal in the other skin products. Moisturizers help hydrate the skin by preventing skin moisture loss and supplying hydration to dry skin layers. Choose a hydrating face moisturizer like Dermaclara Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer that provides 24-hour moisture to the skin's surface. To use your moisturizer, scoop a dime-sized amount and apply it to your face. Use your fingers to tap the product into your skin and avoid rubbing aggressively. 

Optional: Face Oil or Occlusive

Face oils are optional skin products that can be incorporated into your skin routine. They are oil-based occlusives that help provide hydration to dry skin. Its thick consistency prevents moisture loss and other environmental aggressors. Many facial oils are of botanical origin and help balance skin concerns in different skin types. While they contain anti-inflammatory properties, they are not suitable for people with oily, acne-prone skin.