Nighttime Is Ideal For Active Skincare Ingredients. Here's Why
Everyone wants to have healthy, glowing skin. There are countless skincare products and ingredients that exist to help you achieve these goals. While many of these skincare products are helpful for achieving clear skin, active ingredients are an essential component of the equation. These ingredients are concentrated to penetrate deeply into the skin and target a wide range of concerns, including fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne, and dullness. By incorporating products with certain ingredients into your skincare routine, you can help prevent and reverse the signs of aging, boost hydration, and brighten your complexion.
With so many options available, there is an active ingredient to suit every skin type and concern. For example, active ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and niacinamide can help to control breakouts, reduce redness, and improve your skin tone. While these ingredients can be powerful tools for improving your skin, it's important to use them correctly and in moderation to avoid over-exfoliation or irritation. For this reason, many believe that the best time to apply them is at night. While you can also use them during the day, there are several factors that may convince you to switch up your timing.
Why nighttime is the best time for certain ingredients
Nighttime is often considered the best time to apply active skincare ingredients because the skin's natural repair and regeneration processes are most active during this time. When you sleep, your body goes through several changes that can help your skin better absorb and utilize active ingredients. Exponent Beauty explains that at night your skin is not exposed to environmental stressors, such as ultraviolet radiation, pollution, and other toxins, which can interfere with the effectiveness of active ingredients. During the day, your skin is also busy protecting itself from these stressors, which can make it more difficult for active ingredients to penetrate the skin.
At night, however, your skin's barrier function is relaxed, which allows active ingredients to penetrate more deeply and effectively. Rainbow Beauty adds that your skin's blood flow and cell turnover rate increase during sleep, which can help active ingredients be absorbed more efficiently. Many active ingredients work best when they are not exposed to sunlight, as this can cause them to break down and become less effective — using active ingredients at night can help you avoid this issue. While active ingredients can be effective at any time of day, using them at night can help to maximize their benefits and promote healthier, more radiant skin.
How to apply active skincare ingredients
Incorporating active skincare ingredients into your routine is simple, but it's best to start with one product at a time to avoid overwhelming your skin. Begin by introducing a product that targets your specific skin concern, such as a vitamin C serum for brightening. Use the product consistently for several weeks to see how your skin responds before adding additional products. If you are new to the active ingredients, you need to test how your skin responds to these powerful products. After finding your ideal active ingredient, you can establish the perfect order for skincare product application. While the order won't necessarily affect your result, it will help dilute any irritation or redness from the active ingredients.
Adding the ideal active ingredients into your skincare routine can be a great way to boost the effectiveness of your products and address specific skin concerns. With the right products and a little patience, you can achieve the healthy, glowing complexion you've always wanted. However, the key is to have patience as you wait for results. Active ingredients can sometimes take several weeks of continued use to start showing results. Use your products as directed and give them time to work their magic. If you experience any irritation or sensitivity, dial back the frequency of use or switch to a milder product.