Throughout the night is when your skin naturally repairs itself, so according to Dr. Rogers, it’s best to focus on treating and taking care of it. “If it’s dull, exfoliate; If it’s irritated, hydrate and protect.” Here is the best order to make sure you get the most from your skin care products:
STEP 1: (DOUBLE) CLEANSER
To remove day’s grime, dirt, oil and makeup, some experts recommend removing your makeup first with a makeup remover. Then, cleansing your face gently with your regular cleanser; better still, try double cleansing, in which you first use a cleansing oil to disperse your makeup and then wash your face again with your normal cleanser.
STEP 2: TONERS, ESSENCES AND BOOSTERS
When using a toner, apply it as you would in the morning. Some people also like to layer different types of skin care boosters at night, which you can find as mists, essences, beauty waters, and hydration serums (vitamin c serum). These products have various active ingredients, but for the most part, the goal is mainly to hydrate and nourish skin.
Dr. Rogers suggests using these light, almost water-like formulas after washing your face. Apply them as you would a toner after washing your face; “If using both, apply both essence and toner before applying essence,” he advises. In terms of toner and essence, toner is more cleansing but essence is more treatment-delivering;” When using multiple boosters, follow the same rules: apply from thinnest to thickest.
STEP 3: TREATMENTS, SERUMS AND PEELS
The skin does most of its repairing, restoring and regenerating at night, which is why most targeted treatments for skin – such as prescription meds (tretinoin, acne and rosacea creams), retinol creams, exfoliating treatments (masks and pads) and anti- aging serums (infused with peptides, growth factors and other biologically active ingredients) – are ideally used at night. To achieve best results, Dr. Rogers suggests choosing an evening treatment based on your skin’s of-the-moment needs as opposed to layering all your serums and creams.
STEP 4: EYE CREAM
The benefit of eye creams goes beyond diminishing crow’s feet and dark circles. They can also serve to protect the delicate eye area from other skin care products.
“On the whole, you’ll want to apply your eye cream before your treatments to protect your eyes against powerful ingredients, which could potentially cause irritation,” Dr. Rogers says.
STEP 5: MOISTURIZER OR NIGHT CREAM
Even though night creams and moisturizers are typically thicker and heavier and designed to absorb over the course of several hours, some people use the same moisturizer for both day and night use.
Dr. Rogers says moisturizers, particularly the heavier ones used at night, protect the skin by creating a protective layer that keeps water from evaporating; “a high water content in the skin is essential for healing and maintaining healthy skin.” You should apply a moisturizing cream as your last step rather than applying it after your night cream because nothing will penetrate through it;” if your skin is on the dry side, add a face oil before applying your night cream.