Skincare Basics | 004 - Choosing Your Night - Time Product
Night- time is the best time to do any heavy lifting to address your main skincare concerns. So it’s important to select your products carefully for maximum effect. We know it can be tricky to know what’s right for you and how to choose it, that’s why we’re here to hold your hand.
WHAT IS A NIGHT-TIME PRODUCT
Your night-time routine should be centred around a product that can treat your main skin concerns. Night-time products often have an active ingredient which can address the areas of your skin you are looking to improve, such as hyperpigmentation, breakouts, dullness, sensitivity or texture and can also enhance your overall skin health.
WHEN SHOULD YOU USE A NIGHT-TIME PRODUCT
It is likely that your night-time product will be a serum. Serums should be used after you have cleansed your skin and before your moisturiser. If you are using a couple of serums (and we wouldn’t recommend using more than two in your routine!), use anything with a more watery texture first and then the thicker one.
If you haven’t used active ingredients before or you aren’t sure how your skin may react, you may need to build up to using a product every night. Start off by using it twice a week (say Wednesday and Sunday) for a couple of weeks before adding on additional nights. You will strengthen your skin and begin to address your concerns but will hopefully avoid any skin reactions.
Building up active ingredients is key on Black skin as reactions such as breakouts (purging) or dryness which are very normal, may leave dark marks or hyperpigmentation which we want to avoid.
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR NIGHT-TIME PRODUCT
You should choose your night-time product by thinking about the concerns you want to address. It’s also important to treat your concerns in the right order - for example, if you have hyperpigmentation or dark marks caused by breakouts, you need to treat the breakouts first in order to treat the hyperpigmentation effectively. Otherwise you’ll go round in circles.
Your skin type may also influence the skin concerns you experience. If you have oily skin, you are more likely to have breakouts and blocked pores, which can lead to hyperpigmentation. So look for ingredients such as Mandelic Acid, Salicylic Acid and Zinc to help tackle excess oil and breakouts. Drier skin types may be more likely to experience fine lines and rough texture so look out for Glycerin, Lactic Acid and Niacinamide to hydrate, smooth and strengthen the skin.
Any hyperpigmentation concerns should be addressed using pigment inhibiting ingredients such as Licorice Root Extract, Kojic Acid, Alpha Arbutin and Vitamin A (retinoids). These will break down existing dark marks and also prevent your melanocytes (melanin producing cells) from over producing melanin, which causes hyperpigmentation.
Retinoids are helpful for all skin types, even sensitive. They will stimulate collagen and elastin in the skin to ease the appearance of fine lines, boost hyaluronic acid for more moisture, regulate oil to calm down breakouts and help to fade discolouration.
OUR FAVOURITE NIGHT-TIME PRODUCTS
Night-Time Products for Oily and Combination Skin
Allies of Skin Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum
Why we love it: This powerhouse product uses Mandelic Acid to tackle hyperpigmentation whilst also reducing excess oil. This reduces breakouts and blocked pores which increase the risk of hyperpigmentation, helping to break the cycle of breakouts and scarring, so many people struggle with.
Ameliorate Transforming Clarity Facial Serum
Why we love it: Combining Lactic Acid, Vitamin A and Willow Bark Extract, this serum helps to tackle breakouts and excess oil by gently exfoliating the skin. Glycerin and Niacinamide maintain skin hydration to prevent excess dryness and tightness.
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Plus
Why we love it: This lightweight gel cream treats spots and excess oil without overly drying the skin. Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid and Zinc are all effective in managing oily skin and the concerns that are often associated with this skin type.
Night-Time Products for Dry & Dehydrated Skin
Medik8 Crystal Retinal - 1, 3 & 10
Why we love it: Retinals are a more gentle option from the Vitamin A family. Medik8’s Crystal Retinal offers a range of strengths so you can start gently and step up. Vitamin A helps to increase skin cell turnover to break down hyperpigmentation and improve your overall skin health with increased hydration, and improved texture. If you have never used Vitamin A before, start with Crystal Retinal 1 and step up to Crystal Retinal 3 and Crystal Retinal 10 later.
Sunday Riley Good Genes
Why we love it: This serum will help you to treat rough texture, hyperpigmentation and dehydration. Lactic Acid gently exfoliates and hydrates the skin while Liquorice Extract treats dark marks and hyperpigmentation.
La Roche Posay Retinol B3 Serum
Why we love it: Retinol, Niacinamide and Glycerin target texture, pigmentation and fine lines while strengthening the skin’s barrier and hydration levels to prevent sensitivity which is often associated with Vitamin A use.
Night-Time Products for Sensitive Skin
Dr Dennis Gross B3 Stress Rescue Super Serum
Why we love it: Sensitivity, dullness and dehydration are all signs of stress in your skin. This serum uses Niacinamide to strengthen your skin’s natural moisture barrier and hydrate the skin to leave it feeling comfortable and balanced.
Neostrata Restore Bionic Face Serum
Why we love it: This serum uses new-age Poly-Hydroxy Acids (PHAs) to drive water into the deeper layers of the skin improving hydration and reducing sensitivity. The texture is lightweight and non-sticky, sitting well under moisturisers and makeup.
Paula’s Choice Azelaic Acid 10% Booster
Why we love it: This cream uses Azelaic Acid to hydrate and strengthen skin as well as tackling hyperpigmentation and roughness. The texture is comforting on drier skin without feeling heavy and absorbs easily.
Skin Rocks Retinoid 1
Why we love it: This serum formulated by skincare expert Caroline Hirons is great even for the most sensitive skin and those new to retinoids. It minimises the look of fine lines and helps with a more even toned complexion.