Issue link: http://www.finelinesmagazine.com/i/1411019
Serum application. If you really want to make the most out of your serums (and all of us do because those tiny bottles can sure get pricey), apply them at night. There are a few reasons for this. One reason has to do with the natural, regenerative properties our skin undergoes during the overnight hours. Once we are asleep, our brains send a message to our body indicating now is the time to repair and regenerate skin cells. It is during this regenerative stage that any applied serums can be more effectively absorbed into the skin and are able to perform at their highest potential. Another reason is simply that some serums are better or safer to use at night. For example, retinol or vitamin A products are typically used to increase cellular turnover so our skin may appear smoother with minimal deep wrinkles. If our skin naturally undergoes regenerative processes at night anyway, it makes sense to use products that are aiming to do the same thing and help the process along a little more effectively. Retinol and vitamin C products also happen to cause photosensitivity. If you're not sure whether you'll be out in the sun, why take the risk of potential skin damage when you can simply apply it at night and not have to worry? A good rule of thumb to remember is that a daytime skin care routine is meant to protect your skin, while a nighttime skin care routine is meant to repair your skin. Because these routines each serve a uniquely different purpose, they should be treated as such and involve slightly different protocols, products, and/or treatments. While this may sound overwhelming at first, it absolutely does not have to be. There shouldn't be anything complicated or expensive about incorporating separate daytime and nighttime skin care routines. Consult with your esthetician, who can help you break down into bite- size pieces what you should or should not be using. Once you get the hang of it, you'll really see how far a little bit of "beauty sleep" can go. ▪ Emily Jones is a licensed esthetician in Massachusetts and Colorado. While we are asleep, and in our most inactive state, our skin care treatments perform at their highest efficiency. finelinesmagazine.com 9