BONNE NUIT – YOUR NIGHTIME ROUTINE
Oh evenings. Those precious hours when work is done, and sofas, baths and beds beckon. But your brain is buzzing, thoughts whirring and you can’t switch off. Especially during lockdown, where anxiety levels are reportedly at an all time high, and everyday is the same as the last. Thankfully there's lots to help you unwind. First, may we suggest a bath, which is known to help support and strengthen your circadian rhythm (the process that regulates your sleep cycle). And for a more salubrious soak, try tipping in a few drops of the aromatherapy-infused elixir Susanne Kaufmann Essential Oil Bath for the Senses, £25. To delineate night from day, try putting WXY.'s Classic Diffuser in Bed, £24, with its delicious blend of florals, musc and vanilla, on your nightstand. L:A BRUKET Pillow Mist, £40, is great for helping to fix fatigue, when spray on – you guessed it – your pillows. With lavender and camomile, it really is a natural sedative. Then thirty minutes before sleep, pop a pill: Anatome Reset, Relax + Sleep, £28, has magnesium, amino acids and minerals to help optimise and enhance your eight hours.
But before you nod off, remember your skincare. Hopefully you've got a nighttime specific routine? Why, you might ask? Overnight your skin repairs and regenerates up to three times faster than it does during the day. Working to undo the damage from free radicals, caused by everything from pollution to UV rays, it’s vital to feed skin with nourishing and nutritious ingredients. When you’re sleeping skin is also at its most absorbent, which means it's more receptive to topical treatments such as creams, oils and serums. Below are the non-negotiable products and the expert approved order in which to apply them.
- CLEANSER
It sounds so obvious but cleaning your face properly, ensuring every speck of make-up, dirt and grime has gone is key. A cardinal skincare rule. If you have the patience, time and inclination, double cleansing with a muslin cloth is the way forward. It means everything you put on top will get to where it needs to. No obstacles. Dig your fingers into Evolve Organic Beauty Gentle Cleansing Melt, £22, which when combined with water, melts make-up and purifies skin.
- SERUM
These are potent formulas that contain high concentrations of actives and other results driven ingredients. Serums can be used interchangeably depending on your skin’s needs. Suffering from dryness? With three different types of hyaluronic acid, Doers of London Hydration Serum, £18 is great for replenishing moisture stocks. Or if it’s radiance you’re after try Odacite Pf+O Dull Skin Booster (Passion fruit + Orange), £38.
- RETINOL
Encouraging cell turnover and renewal, retinol is the ultimate night time ingredient. It also works on skin texture, clarity and can even help to clear up breakouts - a real overachiever. Evolve Organic Beauty Bio-Retinol + C Booster, £28 contains trans-retinoic acid which helps to build collagen and accelerate the production of elastin. You should be wearing SPF everyday anyway, but after retinol, it’s especially important as it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
- MOISTURISER
Our natural moisture stocks deplete at night so moisturiser is a must. Something to replenish moisture stocks and repair our skin barrier. With manuka honey and avocado oil Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream, £35, is specifically formulated to hydrate and repair overnight. Alternatively try Grown Alchemist Regenerating Night Cream, £78, which is jam packed full of peptides, antioxidants and omega fatty acids.