Written by OSEA Staff | Published on: July 25, 2024
We get it: at the end of a long day, you want to collapse into bed and not deal with a complex multi-step skincare routine that leaves you more exhausted. Even if you don’t go to bed with a full face of makeup, a quick wash might not be doing as much for your complexion as you think.
An overnight skincare routine doesn’t have to be complicated to give you glowing, youthful skin. Choosing the right products with the most beneficial ingredients and consistently applying them before bedtime can immensely improve your skin’s appearance.
Why You Need a Bedtime Skincare Routine
Do you struggle to fall asleep? Do you wake up tired and groggy, feeling like you didn’t get enough rest? It’s common for adults to have difficulty sleeping, especially during hectic times of the year, such as the holiday season. However, establishing a consistent bedtime routine can help you unwind and get your body ready for a good night’s rest.
According to the Sleep Foundation, you should begin your bedtime routine about 30 to 60 minutes before bed and focus on habits that help you unwind and signal to your brain that it’s time to rest. A skincare routine that includes cleansing, treating, and moisturizing is a great example of these habits, and it only takes a few minutes.
Other habits to try as part of a nighttime routine include stretching and breathing exercises, taking a warm bath, reading, meditating, and preparing your room for sleep. Developing a nighttime routine focused on the mind-body connection is a comforting way to improve your mental state. The more often you perform your nighttime routine, the more your brain associates these activities with winding down.
What Are the Best Ingredients for Overnight Skincare?
It’s not just your sleep and mood that get a boost from a before-bed skincare routine. When you choose the right products, you’ll see even more benefits for your complexion as well.
While you snooze, your skin is in regeneration and repair mode. Your body is working hard to regenerate cells while you sleep, and that includes skin cells. Applying rich, nourishing products that contain antioxidants, bio-retinol, peptides, and hyaluronic acid can help accelerate this process. Taking care of your skin with overnight moisturizers can help reduce signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles, and repair damaged skin.
Another benefit of night creams is the extra moisture they deliver to your skin. While you sleep, your skin loses more water than it does during the day. Because night creams are usually thicker than day creams, they deliver even more moisture and protect the skin barrier better, so you don’t wake up with parched, rough skin in the morning.
Overnight moisturizers often contain ingredients to target specific concerns. For example, a cream formulated with plant-based bio-retinol, like our Dream Night Cream, delivers intense hydration and smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while you sleep.
How to Get the Most From Nighttime Skincare Products
To get the most benefits of overnight moisturizers and your skincare routine, apply products in the correct sequence.
Start with a cleanser like our Ocean Cleanser or our Ocean Cleansing Milk, then follow with a toner, like our Sea Minerals Mist. Apply treatments, including serums, next. Our Hyaluronic Sea Serum is fast-absorbing and visibly smooths fine lines and wrinkles and our Anti-Aging Sea Serum focuses on improving skin elasticity. Add a layer of a nourishing night cream and finish your routine with a face oil to seal all the moisture in, like our Dayglow Face Oil®. A good rule of thumb is to apply products in order of thickness, with the richest creams or oils as the last thing you put on.
A good nighttime skincare routine supports your mind and body, helping you look and feel your best. Start taking time for yourself each day, and see how good it can make you feel.
