Fine Lines

8 ASCP Fine Lines All these factors contribute to a layer of dirt and debris that sits on top of your skin until you remove it at the end of the day. You wouldn't want to go to bed without brushing your teeth after a full day, would you? Same idea applies to your skin. REPAIRS AND REJUVENATES YOUR SKIN After a busy or stressful day, it feels wonderful to lie down in a comfy bed, close our eyes, and drift off to sleep. In fact, it's essential to give our mind and body adequate time to rest, and our skin is no different. While we are asleep, and in our most inactive state, our skin care treatments perform at their highest efficiency for several hours straight. Serums and ingredient-rich moisturizers that are typically too heavy for daytime use are given hours of uninterrupted time to deeply penetrate and repair the skin without having to compete with other factors like the sun or excessive sweat. The evening is also a great time for exfoliation treatments. Depending on the type and strength of your exfoliant, it may not be the best idea to use it in the morning, mostly due to the higher risk of skin damage from sun exposure. But whether you use a gentle daily exfoliant or a more intensive chemical exfoliant, doing so overnight when it's dark and the risk of overstimulation is minimized will give your skin ample time to recover and rejuvenate. IMPROVES SKIN CONDITIONS Regardless of your unique skin concern or struggle, whether it be acne or aging, a proper nighttime routine will improve the overall condition of your skin at a more accelerated rate compared to no nighttime routine at all. While you may be tempted to just grab a makeup wipe, smear it around your face, and call it a day, not taking advantage of this window is a missed opportunity that doesn't do your present or future self any favors. It is far easier (and in many cases, far cheaper) to prevent skin care issues before they happen than it is to reverse the damage once it's already there. I get it, we're all busy people—the more steps you have to take while you're in the bathroom, the more time you spend on a routine, and the more it cuts into your workday, your weekend, and the sweet call of slumber. But if you are able to set aside an extra 5–10 minutes dedicated to nourishing your skin before you lay your head down at the end of the day, you'll wake up looking as great as you feel. A NIGHTTIME SKIN CARE PROTOCOL So now we understand why a nighttime skin care routine is so important and why we should be taking advantage of it. But what exactly does that entail? What are you supposed to do and how long does it take? This all depends on the individual. A consultation with a professional, licensed esthetician is a fantastic place to start, as they will be able to review your intake form, analyze your skin under a magnifying lamp, and make personalized recommendations based on your specific concerns and unique skin type. However, there are a few basic things you could start implementing right now into your nighttime skin care routine. Double cleanse. You may have heard of this before and thought, "Is this just a marketing ploy to make me use up my product faster so that I have to go back to buy more sooner?" There is an important purpose that double cleansing serves, specifically at night. Many of us wear some type of product during the day, either a tinted moisturizer, sunscreen, or full makeup. Any layer placed on top of our skin during the day is a layer that acts as a soft barricade between your cleanser and your pores (a.k.a., what you actually want to clean in order to prevent clogging or aging). The first cleanse will remove that first layer of product, exposing your true skin and pores. The second cleanse will then be able to penetrate your pores without having to simultaneously break through that layer of built-up debris, cleaning your skin much more effectively. Masking. Face masks are an excellent treatment you can apply yourself once a week or so. While they are known to be packed with active ingredients that can be really beneficial, the drawback is that they typically do take some time to sink in, generally anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. This is not always ideal in the morning since most of us don't have this kind of time and are eager to get our day started. But at night, it's a fantastic way to start your wind-down routine before bed while also giving your skin a burst of nutrients and nourishment!

• Cover