Did you know you should have different skincare routines for the morning and evening? This is because your skin has different requirements, depending on the time of day.
Here, we explore the key differences between a morning and evening routine and which products are most effective to help you achieve healthy, radiant-looking skin.
Which products to use at night
At night, your skin repairs damage from the day, increases blood flow, and produces collagen, which can help to maintain elasticity (and therefore reduce lines and wrinkles).
The National Library of Medicine says skin permeability is “higher in the evening than in the morning”, which means “moisturizers and topical steroids might offer increased benefits when used in the evening hours.”
Opt for night creams and serums that hydrate and repair, with ingredients like peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients can help support the skin and improve moisture retention.
Products like retinol cream are also best used at night, as they can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. When applied as part of your evening routine, retinol can help reduce fine lines, boost collagen and elastin, and even out skin tone and texture.
Creating effective skincare routines doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Making simple product swaps and gradually introducing changes can help you create effective long-term skincare routines.
Remember, always patch-test new products on a small area and only introduce one new product at a time.
Which products to use in the morning
To get the best results from your skincare, you should apply different products in the morning than you do at night. This is because certain ingredients are more effective depending on the time of day you apply them.
During your morning routine, you should apply a hydrating moisturizer and SPF that protects your skin from UV rays.
Antioxidants like vitamin C are also highly effective in the morning, as they may help neutralize free radicals, prevent sun damage, and protect against environmental stressors.
How to cleanse: morning vs. night
In the morning, your cleanse should focus on removing sweat and excess oil from sleep. A single cleanse should be enough to provide a clean base for any products or makeup you use.
Cleansing at night should remove makeup, sunscreen, and any dirt or pollutants that have built up over the day. One option is to double cleanse for an ultra-deep clean.
Vogue explores the benefits of double cleansing, which they say is useful “for those who regularly wear heavy makeup or sunscreen” because it effectively removes “all the impurities from the skin.” It can also help “unclog pores and prevent future breakouts.”
Whether this is right for you will depend on your skin type. They advise that those “with dry or sensitive skin” or anyone “who doesn’t normally wear heavy makeup” can “stick to your normal cleansing routine.”