Did you know that your skin is largest immune guard against environmental aggressors? But if you do not keep it clean and nourished, then skin can fall prey to dryness, infections like eczema or dermatitis. So, keeping it clean, and hydrated is very important. You need to ensure that skin’s natural barrier is healthy.
So, what is this skin barrier? It is a thin, topmost layer of skin called stratum corneum. It is basically a layer of skin cells made up of keratin and natural moisturisers. This is protected by a layer of lipids which consists of ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids. This skin barrier is essential to keep you and your body healthy.
However, this skin barrier is threatened on a daily basis. Allergens, excessive sun exposure, dirt and pollutants can damage this barrier. So, you need to protect your skin barrier by practicing a good skincare regime.
Do you know that your skin has somewhat different skincare needs at different times of the day? These skincare needs alternate with rising and setting of the sun, i.e. your daytime skincare routine should be a bit different from the night-time skincare routine. Why is it so, and how do daytime and night-time skincare products vary? Let’s find out.
Your daytime skincare routine preps the skin for makeup, sunlight, pollutant onslaught and activity hours. In contrast, the night time skincare routine is meant to aid skin repair, nutrition replenishment and skin regeneration.
Some skincare needs are common to both day and night. For example, your skin needs 24×7 moisturizing and hydration – day time or night time. It also needs continuous free radical neutralization.
First, let’s look at day-time and night-time skincare steps and products:
Day-time care vs night-time care
It is a good idea to follow separate skin care routine for day and night to keep your skin healthy and protected. So, why is it important to have separate routines with different products for day and night? Your daytime skincare routine preps the skin for makeup, sunlight, pollutant onslaught and activity hours. In contrast, the nighttime skincare routine is meant to aid skin repair, nutrition replenishment and skin regeneration.
However, some skincare needs are common to both day and night. For example, your skin needs 24×7 moisturizing and hydration – daytime or nighttime. It also needs protection against free radicals and oxidative damage; so, your products should be able to offer that day and night.
While there is not much difference in the kind of products you need to use during the day and at night, it is advisable to use treatment products at night, since your skin repairs itself at night and when supported with repairing actives, your skin can really revive itself.
Another key thing to remember when picking up skin care products for the day is that lighter, fast-absorb, non-greasy is better than products that have thicker, creamier or oiler texture; these work better at night.
Morning/ Day Time skincare routine steps and products
- Cleanse Skin– Use a soap-free/sulphate-free skin cleanser.
- Apply toner– Use an alcohol-free toner.
- Apply day cream or face moisturizer– Use one without parabens and mineral oil.
- Apply sunscreen– Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with appropriate SPF value and natural anti-sun actives.
Evening/ Night Time skincare routine steps and products
- Remove makeup– Use a micellar makeup remover.
Twice a week, exfoliate skin with a face scrub. Use a scrub with natural exfoliants and cold pressed seed oils. - Cleanse skin– Use a soap-free/sulphate-free skin cleanser.
- Apply toner– Use an alcohol-free toner.
- Apply face serum– Use one with vitamins and hyaluronic acid.
- Apply night cream– Use one with anti-aging peptides and hyaluronic acid.
