Skincare Sunday: Pre-bedtime beauty ritual

This is when all the good work happens. The skin goes into overdrive, deep-cleaning all the damage accumulated from the day – a vital stage that not only keeps the skin healthy but the whole body, too, as the daily build-up of toxins and damaged (and potentially dangerous) cells are removed. Plus, this is the time when the cells renew – essential for normal, healthy skin. Hence why we look so rosy and refreshed after a good night’s sleep, compared to the wan and washed-out complexion from a night spent partying. In the short-term, lack of rest makes us look tired; in the long-term, it fast-forwards skin aging.

Our skin is synced with our body clock, but it’s also affected by daylight and darkness, and when the sun sets, the skin starts its natural cleaning process. So whenever possible, and especially in winter, clean your skin as soon as you get home, as removing makeup, dirt and pollution lets the skin perform its natural job better.

While some processes happen after dark, most occur while we are asleep, so ensuring we actually drop off is key. Instilling a routine that gets your mind, body and senses calmed and ready for bed makes a real difference to better sleep – it really worked for me. Either take, spray or bathe in magnesium salts to relax muscle tension, add a capful of Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil to your run bath or, if showering, massage over your chest pre-shower. Finally, spritz pillows and bedding with This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, then slip on your silk eye mask to keep out any light.

Focus mainly on protection for day and keep active-ingredient products for use at night; this is the time to layer up your hardworking serums. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatories help support the skin’s own repair mechanism, and Estée Lauder’s cult Advanced Night Repair is one of the best serums to use. For reactive skin, I like Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Calming Serum, and pretty much any skin can benefit from a shot of Sisley’s excellent Hydra-Global Serum – it’s amazing on dry skin and can be layered with other products. For a more intensive treatment, Sarah Chapman’s Icon Night Smartsome A³ X50³ Night Cream and Allies of Skin Bright Future Overnight Facial use retinol to smooth and renew skin – or try Lixirskin Night Switch PHA/AHA 10% skin-peeling treatment. For a good all-rounder, I love Dr Sebagh’s Supreme Night Secret, because every time I use it, I see a difference the morning after.