What Should I Do With My Skin Before I Go to Sleep?

For both women and men, nighttime is an important opportunity to look after your skin. During the day, our skin accumulates sunscreen, makeup, sebum, sweat and environmental pollutants. Before bed, the aim is simple: clean, restore and treat.

For women, removing makeup thoroughly is particularly important. Sleeping with makeup on can contribute to clogged pores, irritation and breakouts.

Start With a Gentle Cleanser

The best cleanser isn’t necessarily the strongest one. Look for a gentle, non-irritating cleanser that removes makeup, sunscreen, excess sebum and surface impurities without stripping the natural skin barrier.

People with acne-prone or oily skin may benefit from additional antibacterial or sebum-controlling properties, but aggressive cleansing can sometimes make irritation and inflammation worse.

The ABC of Healthy Skin

A useful way to remember some of the important skincare ingredients is the ABC of skin:

A — Vitamin A and hyaluronic acid: Retinoids and other vitamin A derivatives can improve cell turnover, texture, pigmentation and signs of photoageing. Hyaluronic acid helps attract and retain moisture within the skin.

B — Vitamin B3 (niacinamide): Helps support the skin barrier and may improve redness, pigmentation, oil regulation and overall skin quality.

C — Vitamin C: An antioxidant that can help protect against oxidative damage and improve uneven pigmentation and skin brightness.

These ingredients are useful, but one size does not fit everyone. Not everybody needs every ingredient, and using too many active products can cause irritation rather than healthier skin.

What Else Might Your Skin Need?

Depending on your age, skin type and underlying concerns, your nighttime routine might include ingredients such as salicylic acid, lactic acid or azelaic acid, as well as appropriate exfoliating products.

Some skin conditions require prescription topical or oral medications. Others may benefit from treatments such as laser, light-based therapy or other medical and cosmetic modalities.

The important point is to treat your skin, rather than simply copying somebody else’s routine.

Moisturise Before Bed

After cleansing and applying any appropriate active treatment, use a soothing moisturiser containing ingredients suited to your skin.

Ideally, complete your routine around 30 minutes before going to bed, allowing the products time to settle.

A simple application technique is to place approximately a pea-sized amount onto a clean fingertip or the back of your hand. Gently dot or pat small amounts across different areas of the face, then distribute it evenly in a thin layer rather than vigorously rubbing the skin.

Remember that different areas may have different requirements. The skin around the eyes and lips, for example, may need different formulations from the rest of the face.

Personalise Your Nighttime Routine With VISIA

At SKEEN, VISIA Skin Analysis allows us to assess features such as pigmentation, redness, pores, texture and sun-related changes using detailed facial imaging.

This information can help us design a skincare routine based on what is actually happening in your skin, rather than relying on generic recommendations.

We can then develop a highly personalised treatment plan, including individually selected or compounded skincare formulations where appropriate.

Healthy skin doesn’t necessarily require ten different products every night. It requires the right products, in the right combination, for the right person.

Dr Colin McTari

SKEEN