If you often go to bed without taking off your makeup or giving your skin proper nourishment? If yes, then you might notice your skin looks tired and dry when you wake up. A good night skincare routine can change that, giving you fresh and glowing clear skin every day.
During the day, your skincare products work towards keeping your skin hydrated and protected from the sun and pollution. But at night, it's a different story. Nighttime products help fix and heal your skin while you sleep. This is also when anti-aging products do their best work.
Having a skincare routine before bed has lots of benefits. It not only makes your skin stronger for the next day, but it also helps your skin repair itself faster.
Let's dive into why it's so important to take care of your skin at night, and then go through our expert recommended 5-step skincare routine to nourish skin overnight.
A nighttime skincare routine is vital for several reasons. Throughout the day, your skin faces a barrage of challenges – exposure to dirt, oil, pollution, sun, and wind. These elements can accumulate on your skin, leading to clogged pores.
If you wear makeup, it adds another layer of buildup that can further block pores.
At night, your skin shifts into a different mode. It's a time for your skin to breathe, recuperate, and repair the damage it endured during the day. This is also when your skin is most active in generating new cells, which improves its texture and overall health. (1)
However, if your pores are clogged, your skin can't effectively undergo its natural repair and renewal process. This is where a nightly skincare routine comes into play.
A good nighttime regimen should include deep cleansing to remove the day's buildup, hydrating to maintain skin moisture, treating any specific skin conditions you may have, and aiding the skin's natural cell renewal process and a good face cream & face oil for rejuvenation & repair as you sleep.
A simple yet effective nighttime skincare routine consists of 5 steps. Once you start practicing and noticing the results, you would want to follow it regularly. We recommend that you follow it for at least a month for visible changes.
The biggest struggle of wearing makeup might be getting rid of it at the end of an exhausting day. But sleeping with your makeup on is considered a big cardinal skincare sin.
Usually, a cleanser alone is not enough to remove the entire makeup. There will be days when your heavy matte lipstick or signature winged eyeliner won't come off even after rinsing five times and scrubbing vigorously. Therefore, you need a makeup-remover that not only removes all your makeup effortlessly but also will leave your skin smooth and hydrated.
Having said that, you will be surprised to know what a makeup remover can do. It can literally save you from various skin concerns, including breakouts, irritation, and premature aging.
To save your skin from the havoc your makeup can wreak overnight, it is ideal to have a solid makeup remover that will ensure removing all the impurities from your skin.
Kama Ayurveda's All Natural Makeup Remover effortlessly removes long-wear makeup without ripping off the natural oils from the skin. It is kind on sensitive skin and very effective on stubborn makeup. The delightful cream texture of the natural oils and butter in the makeup remover fights against dryness, stinging, redness, and post- inflammation breakouts.
After removing makeup, the next step in your nighttime skincare routine is cleansing. Cleansing is necessary to remove all the dirt, excess oil, and makeup residue sitting on your skin.
Numerous cleaners are available specially designed for different concerns and skin types. Choose the one suitable for your skin type and address your problems effectively.
Tip: Never use extreme temperatures of water to wash your face. This dries out your skin and makes it look dull and lifeless.
Enriched with the goodness of Kama Ayurveda's iconic Kumkumadi Oil, the Kama Ayurveda's Clarifying and Brightening Cleansing Oil brightens skin and removes all the impurities on the skin effectively. The oil-based cleanser clarifies, nourishes, and illuminates; it lathers into a creamy foam to gently remove all the dirt, makeup, and excess oils off the skin.
The cleanser helps maintain the natural barrier while imparting a natural glow to the skin. It also helps break down excessive sebum to keep skin elastic and moist. It results in a soft, supple, and glowing skin every time you cleanse your face.
Read - Cleansing Oil For Skin Care – All That You Need To Know
Toning is a very crucial step in both day and night skincare routines. Toner helps rehydrate your skin after all the oils have been washed off the skin during cleansing. It also helps shrink pores and remove any dirt that may sometimes be left behind.
Toners are easy to use, and the ones that don't contain alcohol are best suitable for any skin type. Allow your skin to absorb it thoroughly before going on to the next step for better results.
Kama Ayurveda's Pure Lavender water is a gentle floral distillation that hydrates, cools, tones, and calms skin leaving it scented with the pure meditative Lavender. Rich in soothing properties, this toner instantly boosts the skin and reduces stress with its herbaceous fragrance.
Being a great anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, Lavender helps calm and refresh the skin, especially in cool and humid weather. Its calming property makes it perfect for irritated and sensitive skin prone to allergies and rashes. We also recommend Pure Vetiver Water for oily skin types.
Read - The Best Skin Care Routine For Oily Skin As Per Experts
Kama Ayurveda's Pure Mogra Water helps balance skin's pH, settle rashes, and provide relief from irritation and tone sagging skin.
The toner can also be used for DIY face and body masks, particularly for drier skin types. Mogra is best known as Sattvic (Life-giving, Transcendental, Pure) and Tridoshic. It is beneficial for regulating Vata, Pitta, and Kapha Doshas. The mysterious fragrance of Mogra is a Psychic Key that can increase mental receptivity to energy vibrations.
Kama Ayurveda's Pure Rose Water is a decadent floral distillation that hydrates, tones, and refreshes skin, leaving it with the luxuriant scent of pure roses. Being a natural astringent, rose water helps balance and restore the skin's pH level and tighten pores. The antimicrobial and antiseptic properties of Rose help fight acne and pimples.
Read - How To Use Toner – The complete Guide To Skin Toners
Spot treatments and serums are concentrated formulas specially designed to treat specific concerns like acne, wrinkles, and dark spots. Since they target to treat a particular concern, it is ideal for applying it right after toning.
Depending on your skin needs and concerns, you can choose between brightening, hydrating, or other types. Make sure you give time for the product to sink into the skin before going to the next step.
Kama Ayurveda's Kumkumadi Miraculous Ayurvedic Night Serum illuminates and brightens skin while delaying the signs of aging. It is prescribed as an essential treatment in the ancient Ayurvedic text of Ashtanga Hrudaya for glowing complexion and even skin tone.
The Pure Saffron in the serum helps brighten dark skin and gives it a natural glow.
For Wrinkles And Sagging Skin - Amarrupa Wrinkle Repair & Firming Face Oil
This anti-ageing face firming oil reduces dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging to help you regain youthful, firm skin.
It’s rich in Oleic Acid, an Omega-9 fatty acid that replenishes lost moisture without clogging pores. Anti-ageing ingredients such as Carrot Seed Oil plump skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles & fine lines and give you an even skin tone. It also has the anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing herb Centella Asiatica to stimulate skin's collagen production and repair skin damage.
CLINICALLY PROVEN EFFICACY
Skin smoothness +31%*
Skin firmness +20%*
100% noticed smoother skin**
100% noticed healthy-looking skin**
* INSTRUMENTAL MEASURES ON 18 VOLUNTEERS AFTER 4 WEEKS.
** USE TEST ON 18 VOLUNTEERS AFTER 4 WEEKS.
Read - 10 Best Face Oils For Every Skin Type – Natural & Safe
For Acne Spot Treatment - Kama Ayurveda Anti-Acne Spot Corrector
Kama Ayurveda Anti Acne Spot Corrector is an Ayurveda-derived formula designed to target blemishes and combat acne-causing bacteria. It not only addresses current acne but also helps prevent future breakouts, promoting clearer, healthier skin.
For Dark Circles - Eye Contour Renewal
Kama Ayurveda Eye Contour Renewal is an Ayurveda-inspired eye serum designed to rejuvenate and hydrate the eye area. You can use it at night to effectively reduce puffiness and dark circles.
The final and the most impost step in your nighttime skincare routine is moisturizing. No matter your skin type, a moisturizer is a must if you want to wake up with supple and healthy skin every morning.
It’s also important to choose the right moisturizer depending on your skin type. For instance, if you have oily skin, opt for gel-based moisturizer as it will not clog your pores and doesn't feel heavy on the skin. (7) You may skip this step if you have used nourishing face oil in the previous step.
Kama Ayurveda's Kumkumadi Night Cream is the perfect leave-in night treatment for healthy, glowing, and youthful skin. It is rich, non-greasy, and reduces the signs of aging while brightening skin tone.
The unique formula is blended with the finest saffron from Kashmir to brighten your skin and reduce dark circles and pigmentation.
Our new Amarrupa Contour Defining & Firming Cream is an ayurvedic formulation powered by Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola), and plant-based Hyaluronic Acid that plumps skin & reduces wrinkles.
Shop Amarrupa Contour Defining & Firming Face Cream, made with 98% natural origin ingredients. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
82% noticed firmer skin*
80% noticed plumper skin*
Skin replenishment +31%**
* Use Test On 50 Volunteers After 4 Weeks.
** Instrumental Measures On 18 Volunteers After 4 Weeks
Read - Which Is The Best Night Cream For Oily Skin?
If you have extra time and want to indulge in skin care, apply a mask and wash it off between the second and third steps, at least once a week. Again, you can choose these masks depending on your skin needs and concerns.
If your skin feels dry, consider using a hydrating mask and if your skin is on the oily side, use a clay mask. You know there is a mask out there for every skin concern there is.
According to the directions given on each product, simply apply it for about 10 to 30 minutes and rinse clean with lukewarm water. Applying face masks not only makes your skin clearer and brighter but is also incredibly relaxing.
To Fight Back Acne - Kama Ayurveda's Nimrah Anti Acne Face Pack
Kama Ayurveda's Nimrah Anti Acne Face Pack is an anti-acne treatment that helps heal pimples and blackheads, repair inflammation, reduce scars, and improve skin tone. It is a completely natural blend of pure ingredients like Ashwagandha, Vetiver, Red Sandalwood, Lodhra, Coriander, and Liquorice.
Kama Ayurveda's Suvarna Haldi Chandan Face Pack is a complexion-enhancing Ayurvedic face mask for smoothness, luminosity, and youthful vibrance. It is easy to use, delicate on the skin, and ideal for bi-weekly use.
Blended with pure ingredients like antibacterial Haldi (turmeric) and soothing, anti-aging Chandan (Sandalwood), the skin-illuminating face pack helps clarify and smoothen skin texture while reducing the intensity and frequency of acne and blemishes.
The natural astringent qualities of Rose help tone and tighten enlarged, open pores. Rich in antioxidants, the Orange Peel protects against premature skin aging due to environmental aggressors. It maintains a toned, supple, and younger-looking appearance.
Kama Ayurveda's Lavanya Natural Plant Mask is a detoxifying and deep cleansing face mask that leaves skin toned, smooth, refined, and refreshed. The unique formulation of Sweet Flag and Liquorice extracts help deep cleanse, tone, smoothen, and even skin texture.
Apart from the makeup remover, cleanser, toner, serum, and moisturizer, you can also include eye creams and lip balms to get better results.
At What Time Should I Do A Night Skincare Routine?
Some experts suggest doing the nighttime skincare routine just before we go to bed. However, in this case, we may end up having more moisturizer on the pillow than on our faces. Our skin needs at least 20 minutes to properly absorb the products into it.
Also, we should remove makeup and cleanse our skin immediately after getting back home. Later, you can space out applying your toner, serum, and moisturizer in intervals between your dinner and chores.
This way, you will be able to do the complete night skincare routine and provide it with all the nourishment it deserves during the night.
What Is The Difference Between Day And Night Skincare Routine?
While daytime skincare helps protect your skin from environmental aggressors, your nighttime skincare should focus on letting your skin unwind, relax, and repair. As your skin is known to absorb nutrients better while you rest, nighttime is ideal for using rich and nourishing skincare products that might feel too heavy and greasy for the daytime routine.
Some active ingredients in the products are known to react with the UV rays coming from the sun during the day and increase the skin's photosensitivity. So it is always advisable to use active products only at night. This is another notable difference between the day and night skincare routines.
Does Extra Sleep Make Us Look Younger?
Sleep relaxes your body. When the body is at rest, the cell and tissue repairing process gets activated, and collagen is produced. Therefore, getting enough sleep can make your skin look younger.
How Much Sleep Is Considered As Beauty Sleep?
Sleep helps your body, mind, and skin remain healthy. As it is called these days, beauty sleep must be at least 7 to 8 hours long.
Just like how cleansing and applying sunscreen before stepping out are crucial for healthy skin, repairing the damage caused to your skin during the daytime at night is absolutely necessary.
If you want to wake up with skin that is glowing and beautiful, it is imperative to build and practice a regular nighttime skincare routine that cleanses, nourishes and replenishes your skin so that it will stay healthy all the time.
Shreya Dalela is a certified Yoga instructor and a professional dancer trained at The Danceworx. She’s passionate about Ayurveda and holistic living with over 6 years of experience in doing extensive research and content creation in the domain.
Certified Ayurvedic Doctor (Central Council of Indian Medicine) working in Kama Ayurveda as an Assistant Training Manager.