I vividly remember when the first fine line appeared on my face – I frantically rushed to my dermatologist asking her for the right creams and serums, hoping to stop the clock! At the time, the dermat comforted me by saying that we, as living beings, are constantly ageing. Even a one-year-old is ageing every single day, she said, asking me not to worry too much about this natural process. However, there are certain things we can do, not just to slow down this process, but for healthy, radiant skin. And our skin does its part as well – it replenishes and revives itself during the night, as we sleep. All we have to do is, use the right night-time beauty products to pump up the regeneration of skin cells. Sounds a tad bit complicated, doesn’t it? Besides, there are so many night-time skincare products out there which only add to the confusion. This is exactly why I got an expert, Dr. Apratim Goel, Dermatologist & MD, Cutis Skin Solution in Mumbai, to weigh in and tell us things to keep in mind when planning our very own night-time skincare routine. I’ve also added to this some of my favourite products available nowadays. Have a look, and shine on, ladies.
1. Know Your Skin Type
First and foremost, you have to factor in your skin type. The best of creams might not suit you or do justice to all the skincare related effort you put it because your skin type won’t respond to them too well. Dr Goel says, “If you have an oily and acne prone skin, use water-based or gels as night creams. If this is not enough, apply more frequently but it is not advisable to use a thicker cream as it will cause breakouts.”
POPxo recommends: Plum Green Tea Renewed Clarity Night Gel (Rs 575)
2. Consider The Weather
“The choice of your night cream will depend a lot on the city you live in. For example, a dry place like Delhi will require a thicker night cream, and one with lots of moisturising ingredients like squalene, Vitamin C, Pycnogenol, aloe vera, Vitamin E, Caviar, and more,” she says. In humid cities, there is no need for heavily moisturising night care creams, since the skin’s moisture is not entirely stripped over the course of the day.
POPxo recommends: Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate (Rs 3,950)
3. Factor In Your Work Environment
Taking into account your work environment is also very important when planning your skincare routine for the night. Dr. Goel states an example and says, “Even if you are in Mumbai, which is a warm/humid place, but you are sitting in an airconditioned environment all day, you will need a thick night cream.” This is primarily because the AC will wreak havoc on the moisture level of your skin, and applying a hydrating night cream, that is thick in texture is a must!
POPxo recommends: Fabindia Vitamin E Night Cream (Rs 490)
4. Keep Your Skin Concerns In Mind
For those who have wrinkled skin, you need collagen boosting skincare products. Dr. Goel recommends serums and creams that contain ingredients like caviar, pycnogenol, caffeine and AHA. For those with pigmentation issues, using products that are Vitamin C-rich, she suggests, are just what’s needed. “For oily acne prone skin, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are good active ingredients,” she adds.
POPxo recommends: Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster With Pure Vitamin C (Rs 5,490)
Pro tip: “Vaseline is also a great product to rejuvenate extremely dry hands, feet, and elbows. Apply a generous amount on hands and feet, then wear socks and gloves. You can even sleep with the gloves and socks on,” advises Dr. Goel.
