Herbie Murray
Moisturising before bed is an important step in any skincare routine. While you sleep, your skin regenerates, replacing dead skin cells with new ones. This is when your skin recovers and repairs itself, so it's important to provide it with the moisture it needs to stay hydrated overnight. Using a moisturiser can support the skin's natural cellular repair and turnover processes, and prevent transepidermal water loss. It's best to use a moisturiser specifically formulated for nighttime use, as your skin's needs are different at night than during the day. For example, your skin doesn't need SPF at night, so using a daytime moisturiser with sunscreen is a waste of product.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Importance of moisturising before sleep | Moisturising before sleep is important as it helps the skin's regeneration process |
| Skin permeability | Skin permeability is highest in the evening, allowing a moisturiser to penetrate deeper into the skin at night than during the day |
| Sleep position | Sleeping on your back is recommended to prevent wrinkles and breakouts |
| Makeup removal | Removing makeup before sleep is essential to avoid clogged pores, worsening of acne or skin irritation |
| Moisturiser type | Moisturisers with sunscreen are not ideal for use at night as they do not contain the same active ingredients as other night moisturisers |
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What You'll Learn
Skin regenerates while you sleep
As you sleep, your body naturally loses moisture, so it is essential to lock in hydration before bed by applying an effective night moisturiser. A good nighttime moisturiser can provide much-needed moisture to support the skin barrier and prevent transepidermal water loss. Skin permeability is highest in the evening, so a moisturiser can penetrate deeper into the skin at night than it can during the day.
Additionally, getting enough sleep is essential for achieving that bright, healthy glow. Not getting enough sleep can give your skin a tired, dehydrated look and may require you to wear makeup for longer than is ideal, leading to clogged pores and acne.
To prepare your skin for the night ahead, establish an effective nighttime skincare routine. Start by cleansing your face to remove any makeup, grime, or pollutants that may interfere with your skin's natural regeneration process. Then, apply a moisturiser to provide your skin with the moisture it needs to stay hydrated overnight.
It is important to use the correct ingredients in your nighttime skincare routine. Typically, moisturisers that contain sunscreen do not contain the same active ingredients as other nighttime moisturisers, so they may not assist as effectively with your skin's natural reparative processes. Instead, look for moisturisers with active ingredients like retinol, exfoliating acids, and antioxidants, which can support your skin's cellular repair and turnover processes.
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Moisturiser supports the skin's natural repair process
While you sleep, your skin regenerates by rubbing off dead skin cells and building new ones. This is when your body goes into repair mode. A good moisturiser can support this process by providing much-needed moisture to support the skin barrier and prevent transepidermal water loss.
Moisturisers with active ingredients such as retinol, exfoliating acids, and antioxidants can support the skin’s natural cellular repair and turnover processes. The skin's permeability is highest in the evening, which means a moisturiser can penetrate deeper into the skin at night than it can during the day.
Dermatologist-recommended creams from brands like Drunk Elephant, Kiehl’s, La Roche Posay, CeraVe, Avène, and Tatcha can help repair your skin barrier. Ingredients like ceramides, panthenol, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, squalane, and natural moisturising factors can help support the skin, reinforce the barrier, and prevent water loss.
Some moisturisers, such as the Deinde Barrier-Building Moisture Cream, are formulated to minimise inflammation and provide moisture to stressed-out skin. The Moorbodycare Boosting Repair Moisturiser is another option that provides advanced skin barrier repair and fixing, enhancing the skin's natural hydration.
Therefore, using a moisturiser before sleep can support the skin's natural repair process by providing moisture, supporting the skin barrier, and allowing active ingredients to penetrate the skin effectively.
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Skin permeability is higher in the evening
The skin's temperature peaks in the afternoon and has a trough at night. This is relevant to skin permeability because psoriasis, for example, has been associated with problems related to thermoregulation, which can lead to a disruption of the circadian rhythm. Cortisol levels also fluctuate throughout the day, with a natural trough in the evening. This can be a contributing factor to inflammatory skin conditions, which cause increased itchiness at night.
The skin's permeability is also impacted by the time of day, which can influence the effectiveness of topical medications and skincare products. For example, the skin's absorption of hydrophilic and lipophilic topical medications is at its maximum at around 4:00 am, with absorption slowing throughout the day. Similarly, the penetration of topical lidocaine is greater at night.
Therefore, it is beneficial to use moisturisers and other skincare products at night, as the active ingredients will have more time to penetrate the skin for maximum efficacy. However, it is important to keep your skincare routine simple and not to overuse products, as this can lead to dry and irritated skin.
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Moisturiser can help prevent wrinkles
Secondly, one of the main causes of wrinkles is a lack of moisture in the skin. As we age, our skin becomes drier, and moisturising helps to nourish and hydrate the skin. This is especially important as you get older, as skin loses elasticity when collagen production slows down, and the skin becomes thinner and retains less moisture. Wrinkles may stand out more when the skin does not have as much moisture or volume as it used to.
Thirdly, most moisturisers contain an ingredient called dimethicone, which acts as an occlusive that prevents water from evaporating from the skin. This increased hydration leads to more water in the stratum corneum, which eliminates wrinkles that are due to skin dehydration. Consistently applying moisturiser helps increase the skin's water content and can prevent those types of wrinkles from returning.
Finally, while moisturiser does not remove wrinkles, it improves skin dehydration, which can lead to fine wrinkles. Wrinkles that are deeper and present when the face is at rest tend to be caused by collagen degeneration in the skin, which is accelerated by exposure to sunlight. Moisturisers with SPF can help protect the skin from sun damage during the day.
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The pillowcase material matters
When using a moisturiser before sleep, the pillowcase material matters. While some people have expressed concerns about moisturising before sleep because they sleep face down, the pillowcase material can make a difference. Silk or satin is the best material for your skin. Harsher materials like cotton are rough on your skin and hair while you sleep, leading to wrinkles and irritation. If you can't give up cotton pillowcases, dermatologists suggest buying ones with a high thread count, which makes the material softer.
Silk pillowcases are said to be less absorbent than other materials, which means that they can help retain moisture in the skin. In addition, silk pillowcases are also said to be gentler on the skin, reducing the risk of wrinkles and skin irritation. Satin pillowcases offer similar benefits to silk pillowcases, as they are also smooth and gentle on the skin.
Cotton pillowcases, on the other hand, tend to be more absorbent, which can result in moisture being drawn away from the skin. This can lead to skin dryness and irritation. However, using a cotton pillowcase with a high thread count can help mitigate these effects, as the higher thread count results in softer fabric that is less likely to cause skin irritation.
The choice between silk, satin, or cotton pillowcases ultimately comes down to personal preference and comfort. However, it is important to consider the potential impact on the skin, especially when using a moisturiser before sleep. The pillowcase material can affect how well the moisturiser absorbs into the skin, as well as the potential for skin irritation or wrinkles.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you should use moisturizer before sleep. Your skin's natural regeneration process is heightened during sleep, and a moisturizer can support this process by providing much-needed moisture to your skin.
During sleep, your skin regenerates, replacing dead or damaged skin cells with fresh ones. Moisturizer helps to lock in hydration and prevent transepidermal water loss, keeping your skin smooth and supple.
The best time to apply moisturizer is straight after showering or bathing, as your skin will better absorb the moisturizing ingredients.
Your skin's needs are different at night than during the day, so it is best to use a moisturizer with active ingredients such as retinol, exfoliating acids, and antioxidants. Avoid moisturizers with sunscreen, as your skin does not need SPF at night.
Before applying moisturizer, it is essential to cleanse your skin to remove any makeup, pollutants, and grime from the day. You can then apply toner, serum, eye cream, and any other skincare products as part of your bedtime routine.
