Ashwin Lewis
Moisturizing before bed is an important step in any skincare routine. During sleep, your skin cells regenerate, replacing dead skin cells with new ones, and your skin recovers and repairs itself. An effective nighttime skincare routine will ensure your skin is prepared for this process. Using a moisturizer can provide your skin with much-needed moisture to support the barrier and prevent transepidermal water loss. It is best to use a moisturizer specifically formulated for nighttime use, as your skin's needs are different at night than during the day. For example, your skin does not need SPF at night, so using a daytime moisturizer with sunscreen will not provide the same benefits as a nighttime moisturizer with active ingredients such as retinol, exfoliating acids, and antioxidants.
Can I use moisturizer before sleep?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Importance of moisturizer | Moisturizer is important to use before sleep as it helps to combat oily skin and acne |
| It also helps to prevent dry skin and repairs the skin's barrier function, ultimately leading to a healthier complexion | |
| Moisturizer helps to support skin regeneration while sleeping | |
| It is also important to use moisturizer if you have oily skin, to protect against transepidermal water loss | |
| Best time to use moisturizer | Nighttime is the best time to use moisturizer as the body does a lot of healing at night |
| Skin's natural repair and regeneration process is ramped up during sleep | |
| Moisturizer helps to provide the essential hydration and nutrients skin needs to fight dry skin and early signs of aging | |
| Moisturizer should be the final step in your nighttime routine after washing your face and applying treatment serums | |
| Moisturizer can also be used during the day, but skin's job during the day is to protect itself from the environment | |
| Type of moisturizer | Lightweight, gel-based moisturizers with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide are ideal for nighttime use |
| Stay away from heavy, oil-based moisturizers and lotions, which can clog pores | |
| For acne-prone skin, use non-comedogenic formulas that won't clog pores or cause breakouts | |
| For dry skin, try a petroleum-based moisturizer or petroleum jelly | |
| Other tips | If you shower or bathe before bed, pat your skin with a towel instead of scrubbing it completely dry |
| Wear socks and gloves overnight to lock in moisture |
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What You'll Learn
Moisturising before bed helps repair skin
Moisturising before bed is an essential step in any skincare routine. During sleep, the body goes into recovery mode, and the skin starts its natural repair and regeneration process. Moisturising before bed helps support this process.
When we sleep, our epidermal blood flow increases, rebuilding collagen and repairing damage from the day before. This is why we call it "beauty sleep". By moisturising before bed, we give our skin the essential hydration and nutrients it needs to fight dry skin and early signs of ageing, such as dark circles and fine lines.
The ideal moisturiser to use at night is a lightweight, gel-based moisturiser with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide. This formula will help the skin heal and maintain optimal moisture levels without making the skin greasy. Hyaluronic acid prevents water loss while sleeping, ensuring the skin stays hydrated throughout the night and looks plump and youthful in the morning. Ceramides reinforce the skin's natural barrier, preventing moisture loss and improving the skin's ability to repair itself overnight. Niacinamide reduces inflammation and regulates oil production to balance out the complexion.
For those with acne-prone skin, it is important to opt for non-comedogenic formulas that won't clog pores or cause breakouts. Additionally, for those with oily skin, it is crucial to ensure the face is properly cleansed before applying any leave-on products. Moisturising before bed helps prevent dry skin and repairs the skin's barrier function, resulting in healthier-looking skin.
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It's especially important for those with oily skin
Moisturizing before sleep is important for everyone, as your skin renews itself while you sleep. This is especially true for those with oily skin, as moisturizing can help restore the balance of sebum levels, keeping oiliness at bay.
Oily skin is caused by the overproduction of sebum by the skin's oil glands, also known as sebaceous glands. Sebum is important for keeping the skin barrier hydrated and protected, but when it is overproduced, the skin can appear oily, shiny, and greasy. This excess sebum can be caused by various factors, including stress, poor diet, hormonal shifts, pollution, and improper skin care. By using a moisturizer, you can help regulate your sebum levels and reduce the oiliness of your skin.
When moisturizing oily skin, it is important to choose a moisturizer that is suitable for this skin type. Look for moisturizers that are water-based, as they are less rich and less likely to aggravate oily skin. Heavy creams and lotions can be too rich for oily skin, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. Instead, opt for lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizers that won't clog pores or cause pimples. Ingredients like coconut butter, avocado oil, and olive oil may be comedogenic, so it's best to choose products with a high percentage of natural ingredients, as they tend to have smaller molecules that can penetrate the skin better.
Additionally, pairing your moisturizer with a retinoid can help unclog pores and keep your skin balanced. It is also recommended to wash your face twice daily to remove excess sebum, skincare products, and debris before applying moisturizer.
Some recommended moisturizers for oily skin include Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream, which is a water-based gel formula that provides 24-hour hydration without adding extra oil. Another option is Skincare Junkie's Megadose Super Antioxidant Face Moisturizer, which is oil-free, hypoallergenic, and vegan. It contains a blend of coenzyme Q10, resveratrol, green tea, and vitamin C, providing antioxidant, anti-pollution, and anti-aging benefits without causing breakouts.
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Use a lightweight, gel-based moisturiser
Moisturising before bed is important as your skin enters repair mode at night. A lightweight, gel-based moisturiser is a great option for those with oily skin. This skin type may be prone to acne and breakouts, as well as clogged pores and blackheads, so a lightweight formula can help to avoid aggravating the skin.
Gel-based moisturisers are often designed to be quickly absorbed and non-greasy, making them ideal for oily skin. They can also be used by those with other skin types, as they are hydrating without being too heavy. Gel moisturisers are also a good option for those who dislike the feel of thick creams on their skin.
When choosing a gel moisturiser, look for natural agents such as aloe and chamomile, which are hydrating and can help to calm redness and reduce inflammation. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are also great hydrating ingredients to look out for, as they lock in moisture and maintain youthful skin.
If you have oily skin, it's important to properly cleanse your face before applying moisturiser to ensure excess sebum, skincare products, microbes and debris are removed. A gel-based moisturiser can then be gently massaged into the skin to provide hydration without causing breakouts.
Some popular gel-based moisturisers include L'Occitane's Immortelle Overnight Reset, which has a light consistency and nourishing formula, and the Daily Mattifying Solution, which is recommended for those with oily skin.
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Moisturise your hands and feet too
Moisturising your hands and feet is an important step in your skincare routine. The skin on your hands and feet can easily dry out, especially during the winter months. To prevent this, you should moisturise your hands and feet before you go to sleep.
Firstly, pay attention to your hands. When you wash your hands, try to use warm water instead of hot water, as hot water can dry out your skin. If you can, moisturise your hands while they are still damp, as this is the optimal way to treat dry skin. If your hands are already dry, look out for signs of white-dry skin, especially if the skin is beginning to crack. When this happens, apply a generous amount of lotion or moisturiser.
Now, onto your feet. The soles of your feet are just as important to keep healthy. You can pay a professional to give your feet a pedicure, or you can try an at-home remedy. For an at-home remedy, you can use a pumice stone to buff away dry and dead skin, followed by a deep-moisturising foot cream. Before bed, cover your feet in petroleum jelly, wrap them in plastic wrap, and put on some cotton socks. You should see a difference in your dry and cracked feet within three days.
For both your hands and feet, choose a good moisturiser. Look for fragrance-free creams or thick lotions. For very dry skin, try a petroleum-based moisturiser. Apply the moisturiser right before bed, and wear socks and gloves overnight to lock in the moisture.
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Moisturise after washing your face
Moisturising after washing your face is an important step in your skincare routine, especially at night. When you wash your face, you may strip your skin of its natural oils and hydration, and moisturising helps to restore this balance.
It is recommended to moisturise after cleansing your face, as it prevents skin from drying out post-wash. Moisturisers are also most effective when applied to slightly damp skin, as they seal in moisture. This is beneficial as it helps to reduce and prevent dryness, creating a barrier between your skin and the climate, protecting against external factors such as cold, dry air.
Moisturising is particularly important before sleep, as your skin renews and regenerates itself while you sleep. This provides an optimal environment for your skin to heal, and the moisturiser can work its magic without being worn off during the day.
For those with oily skin, it is still important to moisturise after washing your face. It may seem counterintuitive, but oily skin needs moisture too. In fact, drying out oily skin can lead to further oil production, so it is beneficial to use a moisturiser that is designed to provide hydration without causing excess shine or clogging pores.
The general rule is to make moisturiser the final step in your skincare routine, after cleansing and applying any treatment serums. A nickel-sized amount is plenty, and you can gently massage it into your face and neck in circular motions.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, moisturizing before sleep is a great way to help your skin recover and renew itself. During sleep, your skin's natural repair and regeneration processes are ramped up, and by moisturizing beforehand, you can provide your skin with the essential hydration and nutrients it needs to fight dryness and early signs of aging.
The ideal moisturizer to use before sleep is a lightweight, gel-based moisturizer with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide. These ingredients help to prevent water loss, reinforce the skin's natural barrier, and regulate oil production. Avoid heavy, oil-based moisturizers that can clog your pores while you sleep.
Make sure to wash your face before applying moisturizer, as this will help remove any excess sebum, skincare products, microbes, and debris. A nickel-sized amount of moisturizer should be enough, gently massage it into your skin and wait for it to absorb. If you have oily skin, consider pairing your moisturizer with a retinoid to help unclog pores and balance your complexion.
