If you want smooth and bright skin, there are a few easy steps to take regularly before bedtime to ensure better skin. Of course, you cannot expect overnight results but with consistent efforts, you will definitely see improvements or simply, maintenance of your skin’s health.
Cleanse your skin
Cleansing your skin is one of the most important steps to improve the health of your skin. In fact, you cannot afford to skip this step at all, especially if you wear makeup. Even if you haven’t worn make up for the day, you may have touched your face a number of times during the day and your hands may not be always clean. Thus, in order to protect your skin from various types of infections (including pimples and acne) and clogged pores, do wash your face with a gentle cleanser before you go to bed. If you’re really tired, then the least you could do is to wipe your face with cleansing wipes or micellar water.
Exfoliate
Removing dead skin cells will go a long way to better skin as it helps the skin absorb your skincare products more efficiently while also helping to unclog pores. If you choose to use a scrub, do exfoliate your skin about once a week. Over-exfoliating will produce negative results, causing your skin to be sensitive. Choose a scrub that has smooth beads instead of crushed shells or crushed fruit pits as the uneven shards may cause micro cuts on your skin, causing more harm than good.
For daily exfoliation, using a wash-cloth is a good idea! Alternatively, using a brush also helps remove the dead skin cells without harming your skin.
Moisturise
After cleansing and exfoliating, you therefore need to hydrate your skin appropriately as dehydration of the skin takes place very rapidly while you sleep. This is especially so if you sleep in an air-conditioned room or during the colder winter months. Use a night cream instead of a day cream as they are more moisturising and are meant to last you throughout the night.
If you have problems such as acne or dark eye circles, do also use the necessary products as your skin is busy repairing itself through the night. Thus, such products do tend to work very effectively.
It is also recommended that if you scrub once a week, you should follow that up with a deep moisturising mask. This ensures that your exfoliated pores are tightened and more product can be absorbed by your skin. This definitely will help brighten your skin.
Eat well
We’ve mentioned in our previous articles about the anti aging effects of Vitamin C and how Omega-3 fatty acids found in cold water fish is also great for your skin and overall health. Thus, what you put into your body is just as important for better skin as what beauty products you use. Reduce the amount of alcohol drunk, especially just before bedtime. Alcohol is known to dehydrate the body, so if you drink regularly, it will cause your skin to be dull simply due to dehydration.
The way you sleep
It is not recommended to sleep on your belly because with your face totally on the pillow or bed, it will cause creases on your skin. This position also puts stress on your neck and back. If you’re not getting enough beauty sleep…then you won’t be seeing better skin for sure. Try to sleep on your back or on the side. But if this is already a habit, you may want to use a thinner pillow to ensure better neck angle as well as adding a pillow under your pelvis. Remember to stretch in the mornings to ease any tension in your neck and back.
We hope that by following these tips before you retire to bed, you will succeed in getting better skin!
This post was adapted from “Tips to Have Bright Skin – Skin Care Tips”.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/is-it-bad-to-sleep-on-your-stomach#tips
Photo credits: Dr Brandt, Laneige and Pixabay
Melissa Fann
Rui Ting Goh
