Looking after your skin is something you probably don’t give much thought to – clean the makeup off at night if you remember to, and apply some moisturiser when your skin feels dry. However, if you want to keep wrinkles at bay and keep your skin healthy it’s important to have a skincare routine for both daytime and nighttime.

This might sound like a lot of work but your skin has very different experiences during the day, compared to the night hours, so it needs to be treated very differently – if you think about it, it makes total sense.

During the evening the only thing your skin encounters is your pillow and its own production of oil, compared to a constant battle against makeup, dirt, bacteria and pollution during the day. That’s why you need to go back to basics and make sure your skin is being cared for in the right way.

During the day your skin needs help to defend itself against all of the airborne attacks, whereas night time is the rejuvenation period where your skin prepares itself for the next day.

Skincare Basics – Day Time

A basic daytime skincare routine will set your skin up ready to meet whatever it will face during the day. Your daytime skincare routine should include these three basic steps as an absolute minimum:

• Clean your skin using a gentle cleanser and cotton wool

Use a gentle cleanser to clear all of the night time oil and products, giving it a complete fresh start for the day. Make sure you choose a cleanser which is designed for your particular skin type and then rinse it off using warm water.

You should avoid using hot water on your face as it can dry out your skin and cause irritation, so make sure you only use lukewarm water at the most.

• Apply eye cream under both eyes

Eye creams are more nourishing than general moisturisers and are designed specifically for the delicate eye area. Dab the cream on carefully and don’t rub it in as the skin is incredibly delicate and unnecessary pressure can result in the formation of wrinkles.

• Use a lightweight moisturiser on the rest of your face

The final step for day time involves applying a light moisturiser to the rest of your face – make sure it has sun protection factor built in to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays during the day. Opt for a light cream so your face isn’t left feeling heavy or greasy.

Skincare Basics – Night Time

The skincare routine for the evening needs to focus on deeper cleansing of your skin and increased nourishment rather than the lightweight products of the day time. The aim is to help your skin to repair itself and to slow down the ageing process to help prevent wrinkles.

Here are the steps you should include in a basic night time skincare routine:

• Clean your face using a cleansing product – one designed to remove make-up if you wear it

Choose a specific night-focussed skin cleanser which is free of parabens and fragrances – make sure it is one that will be effective yet gentle on your skin. If you wear make-up make sure you remove it all before you go to bed as it can block pores and cause break-outs or irritation if left on overnight.

• Use an age-correcting serum to help reduce the impact of ageing

The serum helps to support your skin’s repair process – find one which has natural exfoliation properties as it will help brighten up your skin as well as preparing it for a night of repair and rejuvenation.

• Use an eye repair serum around both of your eyes

Eye serum is richer than the day eye cream you are using. This will help to protect and repair the sensitive skin around your eyes which will have been dealing with damage and irritation throughout the day. It will help your eyes recover, avoiding the dreaded crow’s feet and dark circles first thing in the morning.

• Finally, apply a strong night-time moisturizer

Conclude your basic evening skin care regime with a moisturiser designed specifically for night time use. It will be richer and more hydrating than the light version you use during the day, nourishing your skin and helping it to replenish.

It’s important to establish a strong skin care routine for both the day time and the night time, meeting all of your skin’s natural needs. By using the most appropriate products during the day you give your skin the best chance to fight off daily attacks from pollutants and other irritants.

The night time routine will give your skin the best chance to recover and recuperate, helping to keep wrinkles and blemishes at bay and giving you a natural glow.

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