Daytime & Nighttime Skincare, Defined

Skincare can be simple: some women cleanse and moisturize, and that’s that.

And while this is certainly better than no skincare, it’s not going to be the most effective regimen for those looking to fade acne, diminish the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles, or prevent further aging.

If you want results for your skin, incorporating certain products into your routine can go a long way.

However, the world of skincare is ever-growing, with new products entering the market every day. On top of that, brands are constantly telling us we need this serum or that we need this sheet mask, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed.

And then of course, there’s nighttime skincare and daytime skincare. And this is where those new to treating their skin can get especially confused.

So, what type of skincare do we apply in the morning? What do we use before bed?

Here, we’ll break down these two routines, step by step.

Daytime Skincare

Typically, your daytime skincare routine is meant to be more simple than at night. We’ll go more into nightly skincare later, but when it comes to daytime, skincare is all about protection.

Namely, protection from sun damage.

Above all, sun damage is probably the biggest cause of aging, and excess sun exposure can even lead to premature wrinkles, not to mention a higher risk for developing skin cancer. This is why out of all your daily skincare steps, SPF is going to be the most important.

As for cleansing, some women actually benefit from skipping this step.

This might sound crazy to some, but for those with extra dry skin, a morning cleanse may over-strip the skin, leading to exacerbated oil production and breakouts. In these cases, a thorough rinse with cool or lukewarm water does the job just fine.

That being said, everyone should cleanse their faces in the evening!

If you do cleanse in the morning, follow up with a toner to restore pH balance, which can be thrown off balance from cleansing. When looking for a toner, make sure to avoid alcohol, since this can dry out the skin!

Serums are optional in the daytime, but a good vitamin C serum can make a great option, since its antioxidant properties can help protect the skin from free radicals. Niacinamide is also a popular choice, thanks to its oil-balancing properties.

But whether you use serum or not, always moisturize before applying sunscreen.

Daytime Skincare Breakdown:

Cleanser, or rinse with water
Toner
Serum (optional)
Moisturizer
SPF

Nighttime Skincare

While daytime skincare is all about protecting your skin, nighttime skincare is for recovery.

This is where the term “beauty sleep” truly comes into play: when we go to sleep, our bodies use the time to perform a wide variety of repairs, and this includes the skin.

When you give your skin the right nutrients before bed, you can help strengthen and improve these repairs and wake up with a healthier glow.

For evening skincare, start with cleansing. Cleansing is necessary to remove any dirt, sweat, makeup and sunscreen from the day. For a more effective, thorough cleanse, consider a double-cleansing method, which consists of an oil-based cleanser, cleansing balm, or micellar water, followed by a foaming or water-based cleanser.

As with daytime skincare, follow up with a toner and continue with nightly treatments. This is a great time to apply products containing actives like retinol, AHAs, BHAs, or niacinamide.