Your nightly beauty routine is a thing of, well, beauty! Here are five effortless tips you may want to consider adding in to enjoy even better skincare health.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could wake up looking refreshed and gorgeous like they do in the movies?
Ahhh, movie magic at its finest!
In reality, though, we know that going to bed with makeup on will cause raccoon eyes in the morning. And sexy bedhead on TV looks more like the Bride of Frankenstein on most of us.
But you can use those hours of restful slumber as the beauty sleep of clichés. You don’t need to hire a full-time makeup artist. These nighttime tips will help you look effortlessly “fabulous, simply fabulous, dahling!”
1. Practice Clean Hygiene
Good skin starts with your hygiene practices. From the way you clean your makeup brushes to the type of sheets you use if it touches your skin — it matters.
Before you go to bed in the evening, clear the day away with a gentle makeup remover and facial cleanser. To apply the products, always use fresh towels. It’s tempting to use your hands, but that adds unnecessary bacteria to your clean skin.
Speaking of linens, when was the last time you washed your pillowcases and sheets?
Dust, mites, and other microorganisms pile up in linens. Your dead cells from your face and hair fall off while you sleep. As you roll around in your blissful slumber, these irritants are clogging up your skin.
Pro tip: Use satin or silk sheets when possible. These softer materials are gentler on your skin. They are hypoallergenic, too, since they don’t collect as much moisture to attract bacteria.
2. Exfoliate Dead Cells
The human body is absolutely amazing. It is always in action, from the systems and organs inside us to the layers of skin and hair we see.
We don’t have to do anything for these automatic processes to occur. But we can help them along in order to keep looking younger and healthier.
In biology, we learn that our cells are always dying and regenerating. This is a physiological process that heals wounds and sheds dead or damaged skin.
When you don’t exfoliate and slough these cells off, they stay on your face and clog your pores. You need to exfoliate cautiously, though. The skin in this area is thin and sensitive, and the exfoliation process can be rough.
To exfoliate gently, use these steps:
- Use a clean exfoliation brush or a scrub designed for your skin.
- Move the product in small circular motions with a very light touch.
- Rinse it off with lukewarm or cool water. Hot water is too harsh for freshly scrubbed skin.
- With a clean, soft towel, pat your face dry. Don’t rub the water off.
- Follow up with your moisturizer.
How often you exfoliate depends on the product you use and your skin type. It’s normal to notice some light breakouts after you first start exfoliating.
However, these should go away within a few days. If they don’t, reduce the frequency of your treatment.
3. Tone and Treat Problem Areas
Getting rid of the dead skin cells is one thing; spot-treating problem areas is another.
Many people swear by toner as a magic solution for their skin problems. Toners close pores and tighten the openings between your skin’s cells after you’ve washed your face.
Skin tends to be more acidic than basic, especially if we’re not hydrated enough or don’t eat totally healthy. Toner balances the pH level to a more normal level for your body.
Besides toning the oils and acids away, treating dark circles is an excellent addition to your beauty routine. Under-eye creams and masks reduce puffiness and bags from lack of sleep, stress, and genetics.
If you keep these products on while you sleep, you’ll wake up looking refreshed and ready for your close-up.
4. Be Smart With Your Beauty Products
A facial cleanser is preferable over the face bar soap you use everywhere. Soap messes with the pH balance of your sensitive skin.
But not all face washes are beneficial. Make sure you check the ingredients in anything you put on your skin. Some are highly toxic, yet they still put them in big-name brands.
You’ll see a lot of labels that boast about being cruelty-free, which is great!
However, before you jump right on buying that product, check to see that none of these are in the ingredient list:
- Parabens (you’ll see them in terms like methyl parabens, butyl parabens, etc.). These are in almost every beauty product because they lengthen the shelf-life. But they also can impact your hormone balance.
- Often found in deodorants and lotions, phthalates help the product stay on your skin.
They’re also on a list of ingredients banned by Congress as harmful in children’s products, so do you really want them in yours?
- This is a seemingly innocent word that describes an assortment of chemicals. Manufacturers don’t have to disclose what’s inside their unique “fragrance,” like restaurants don’t have to tell you what’s in their special sauce.
- If you weren’t aware of this, formaldehyde is also known as an embalming fluid. It’s used in dead bodies before their funeral to preserve the skin.
Yet, a lot of manufacturers of beauty products use this ingredient in their cosmetics. It’s considered to be a cancer-causing carcinogen. You don’t want to put it on your face or body.
You should be wary of other ingredients, but those are the most commonly seen on over-the-counter products.
5. End With a Moisturizer
Our bodies need hydration and moisture since we’re made mostly of water! Skin is the biggest organ in the body, and it’s 64% water.
If you’re active or outside, you must moisturize every day. Using a nighttime moisturizer is essential. It gives your body time to absorb the nutrients in the product while you’re sleeping.
Occasional dry skin isn’t anything to worry about.
Something you should watch out for, though?
Chronic dryness. This condition opens your body up to irritants and allergens that can cause illness and disease like dermatitis or eczema.
Moisture is also necessary to prevent fine lines and wrinkles. Dry skin will show the signs of aging much faster.
Pro tip: Use a humidifier when you sleep to prevent dry skin. Be sure to change the water every night, so bacteria doesn’t grow.
Conclusion
You may not be a movie star, but you can use these professional beauty tips to enhance your naturally dazzling looks.
Before you climb in bed for your beauty sleep, make these effortless steps a regular part of your nighttime routine.
Author Bio:
Dominique Daniels has five years of Property Management experience working primarily in high-end apartment community living. Her ability to consistently deliver white-glove service to her residents and prospects has propelled her in a successful career that now finds her leading the team at Tobin Estate Apartments.
