Why You Should Use A Night Cream?

Using and applying a night cream should be an integral part of your skin care routine once you reach 30s. Night creams are specially designed to nourish and improve your skin while you sleep as these creams contain lots of nourishing, moisturizing active ingredients. Night creams or serums are especially beneficial for those past 30 as their skin begins to show the first signs of aging fine lines appear, the skin becomes drier and less elastic, skin begins to look dull and patchy.

During the resting/repairing phase, our bodies experience the greatest water loss of the day through the skin. As a result, your skin is less capable of absorbing active ingredients. Using a night cream enriched with vitamins is ideal because it fights free radicals while you sleep and provides essential nutrients for your skin. For people with dry skin, night creams also help to prevent the loss of water during sleep, making it very helpful in hydrating extremely parched skin.

What are the benefits of using and applying night creams?
* nourish and revitalize the skin
* supply moisture and hydration
* sooth and calm the skin
* promote even complexion and finer texture
* boost collagen and elastin production
* improve blood circulation
* reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, discolorations
* prevent sagging of the skin
* make skin soft, smooth and supple
* improve the appearance of aging skin
* help skin recover faster and restore skin's elasticity
* stimulate cell renewal

The main difference between a day cream (moisturizer) and a night cream is the ingredients these creams contain. Day creams are lighter in texture and contain ingredients that moisturize and protect the skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays. Night creams contain more nourishing, anti-aging active ingredients that stimulate cell renewal, restore skin's elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Night creams are thicker in texture and usually don't offer sun protection.

How to choose the best night cream for your skin?
It's crucial to choose a night cream that suits your skin type. Never buy too thick formula as it may damage your skin instead of repairing it. If the cream is too thick or too oily it may clog your pores, leaving your skin unable to breathe naturally. No matter your skin type or age you should look for a lighter texture that is hypoallergenic (won't cause allergic reaction), non-comedogenic (won't clog pores), fragrance-free.

20s
Look for a moisturizing night cream that contains more natural ingredients: essential oils, honey, aloe vera, chamomile. If your skin is oily or combination look for a lighter formula that is oil-free and non-comedogenic with alpha or beta hydroxy acids.

30s
Once you reach 30s you should look for a richer night cream that contains anti-aging active ingredients - retinol, collagen, amino acids, ceremides, vitamins as well as AHAs. Consider applying anti-aging eye cream that treats fine lines around the eyes.

40s
At 40 you should begin using night anti-wrinkle cream that treats deeper lines and wrinkles, prevents puffiness and sagging of the skin. Look for a cream that contains collagen, retinol, Ceremides, peptides, lipids panthenol, copper, soy extract, essential oils and vitamins.

Common ingredients in night creams:
A good night cream should contain collagen, elastin and essential lipids to help refresh your face while you sleep. Ingredients that plump up the skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, skin discolorations. Common ingredients in night creams are: vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, Jojoba oil, Aloe Vera, honey, olive oil, apricot oil, Shea butter, rose oil, jasmine, anti-aging components, retinol, peptides, amino acids, AHAs, pathenol, copper, antioxidants.

How to apply a night cream properly?
No matter your age and skin type you should always remove your makeup and cleanse your skin twice a day. Use a mild facial cleanser and wash your face with circular motions. Apply facial toner depending on your skin type to remove any excess oil, dirt or makeup residue. Let your face dry for a few minutes before you apply the cream, otherwise it will just slide right off your face. Take appropriate amount of the cream with your fingertips (on the fourth finger) and apply it to the face, avoiding the eye area. Starting with the centre of your face applying the product up and out to give your face a bit of a lift. Make sure you apply the cream evenly and massage it very lightly. Never rub the cream. Use an eye cream to moisturize and nourish the skin around the eyes.