Your Guide to Nighttime Skin Care

It is not unusual that after a very long day the last thing that you want to do is wash your face. It would be much easier to just come home, lie down in bed and fall asleep, right? In the end it will not matter if you leave your makeup on every now and then, right? Unfortunately, not taking five minutes or so minutes to wash your face at night can really prove detrimental in the long run. It can lead to premature aging, larger and dirtier pores, redness, irritated eyes, bacterial build-up and more. Considering these atrocities, Valley has come to the rescue with a few simple steps can help you avoid these things and keep you looking young and fresh every day.

Step 1

Remove all of your makeup with makeup remover wipes of your choice. Some of my favorites are Ponds Evening Soothe Wet Cleansing Towelettes ($4-5) and Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes ($6.99, in stores downtown). If your skin is more sensitive, a good alternative is some cold cream and baby wipes.

Step 2

Now take a facial wash such as Purity by Philosophy ($11-$44) or Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser ($11.99, in downtown stores) and massage it in circular motions all over your face for about a minute. Also, another good tool besides your hands for this step in order to thoroughly clean your face is the Clarisonic facial brush ($99-$265, at the Nittany Mall).

Step 3

Since many night creams and facial oils are an expensive investment, it is important to exfoliate your face two to three times per week. This gets rid of the dead skin cells and helps your face remain clean and smooth. You can look up DIY exfoliator recipes online or purchase one such as Murad’s Skin Smoothing Polish ($30, in stores downtown), which gently exfoliates without being too harsh on the skin.

Step 4

Take a cotton pad and a small amount of any toner or astringent to help clear your pores of dirt you may have missed and prevent acne. Try Clinique Clarifying Lotion ($13.50, in stores downtown) or CVS Refreshing Toner ($5.49, CVS).

 Step 5

Finally, now that your skin is nice and clean apply a SPF-free moisturizer like First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream ($12-$30, at Nittany Mall) in upward, circular motions all over your face. Also, it is important to use an under-eye cream in order to reduce puffiness, dark circles, redness, and premature aging. There are many different kinds of under-eye creams, but two good choices are Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream ($30, at Nittany Mall) and Clinique All About Eyes ($31, at Nittany Mall).

Tip: Do not forget about your neck when washing your face because it can be where the first signs of aging occur. Also, try changing your pillowcase every other night to prevent from sleeping on any dirt and oils that rub off onto it.

This may seem like a lot of steps at first, but it will help you uphold youthful, clear skin all year long. Although you may have the occasional night where you leave your makeup on, do try your best to consistently wash your face. You won’t be sorry.