To make the most of it, try a product designed to be applied before you hit the hay, or just save time on beauty admin by multi-tasking while you sleep.
Face
Classic night creams are thick and loaded with potent nutrients that aid skin repair. They absorb slowly, meaning they need to be applied when you’re not thinking about adding sunscreen or makeup over top. In addition, moisturisers and serums containing retinol, a Vitamin A derivative that has impressive anti-aging properties, needs to be applied at night unless combined with a broad spectrum SPF, as it can sensitise your skin to the sun.
L-R: Avène Hydrance Hydrating Sleeping Mask; Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cocoon Transformative Night Gel-Cream; Sunday Riley LUNA Sleeping Night Oil; KORA Organics Noni Glow Sleeping Mask; Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Face Mask with 10.5% Squalane
Overnight or ‘sleeping’ masks are swiftly growing in popularity for they way they make short work of a nighttime routine. Instead of being removed within minutes the way a traditional skincare face mask is, the concentrated but thin gel or balm texture masks should be applied before bed allowing the hydrating and/or anti-aging ingredients to be fully absorbed. With no need to rinse away, you simply cleanse skin as usual in the morning.
The evening is the perfect time to tackle any red, angry pimples emerging, by applying a spot cream or clear hydrocolloid pimple patch before bed. Keeping a lip balm handy to nourish dry, flaky lips before lights out is also an easy step that will pay dividends in the morning.
Body
When you don’t need to worry about getting oils or creams on clothes, apply a thick body lotion before bed to tackle any dry patches, particularly around elbows and knees. A clear gradual tanning lotion will develop into a subtle tan overnight without staining sheets.
L-R: Living Proof Perfect hair Day Night Cap Overnight Perfector; Slip Silk Pillowcase, This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray; Fenty Skin Hydra’Reset Intensive Recovery Glycerin Hand Mask; Cotton Moisturising Gloves
Hands
When you’re sure you’ve finished scrolling your phone, slather on a thick hand cream, concentrating on massaging around nails and cuticles, for soft, hydrated hands in the morning. To intensify the treatment, wear a pair of soft cotton gloves while you sleep. Alternatively try a drop or two of cuticle oil to strengthen nails and stimulate growth.
Feet
Dry cracked heels need a hard working cream to soften thick skin. Unfortunately many can be greasy, so to protect sheets and accelerate the process, pop a pair of cotton socks over top.
Hair
Add moisture to dry curly hair or damaged split ends by applying a hair treatment or serum to damp hair in the shower. Instead of rinsing, leave overnight, wrapping hair in a small toweling hair wrap that can be secured. Rinse your hair in the morning.
At night, moving your head around your pillow can cause friction that rumples strands and can roughen the cuticle of each hair. This can lead to frizz come the morning and weaken strands over time. Using a silk pillowcase can lessen that friction given its exceptionally smooth surface, which makes it particularly useful for those with fragile strands as well as those with naturally curly hair.
Scent
A number of single-blind randomised studies have investigated the effectiveness of lavender odor on quality of sleep and found it to improve patients sleep and reduce sleep disturbance to varying degrees. Seek out a pillow spray and spritz your linen for a restful and soothing scent that will hopefully help you get a great night’s sleep.
