“Tell me what you use at night, and I’ll tell you what you’ll look like in ten years,” French women say. And they aren’t suggesting time-consuming treatments or a mountain of cosmetics. Your evening skincare routine doesn’t have to be complicated. The important thing is to do it regularly and with the right products. And then, even if we happen to slip up—go to bed in the early morning without removing our makeup, overdo it with wine, or wake up with a pillow imprint on our cheek—our well-cared-for skin will generously forgive us.
Nighttime is a period of heightened bodily activity, including that of the skin. When it’s dark, our bodies release melatonin, a powerful antioxidant that slows down the aging process (which is why getting a good night’s sleep is so important). Skin cells work faster, and cell division occurs in the epidermis—at night, this process is up to 10 times more intense than during the day! The process of removing toxins and other impurities that reach the skin from the outside, but also from the inside through food, intensifies.
During sleep, levels of anti-inflammatory substances rise, helping to soothe irritation. Body temperature and microcirculation increase, blood flow improves, and tissue hydration is balanced. Vitamins and minerals are absorbed—including, note this, those from skincare products. This suggests that we should apply substances to the skin at night that will accelerate its renewal and slow down tissue aging.
The most effective cleansing routine is a two-step process: removing makeup and washing your face. Only then can we be sure that we’ve rid the skin of cosmetics and all the impurities that have accumulated on it throughout the day,” explains Aldona Luterek, owner of the Phenomé brand. What exactly do we need for our evening routine? Micellar water and a cleansing gel (e.g., MICELLAR Makeup Remover Micellar Water), with green tea, papaya, and pineapple extracts, and a cleansing gel that pleasantly cools the skin thanks to its mint extract, are the fastest and most effective ways to rid the skin of impurities. It’s important to choose products that not only have good cleansing properties but are also gentle on the skin.
“I always spray my face with toner after washing it,” Aldona reveals. “It’s worth making this a permanent part of your daily skincare routine because, depending on your skin type, it refreshes, moisturizes, and soothes, and it also helps maintain the skin’s proper pH balance.” “My year-round must-have is the ENLIVENING Moisturizing Facial Toner,” suggests Aldona Luterek. “It restores vitality to the skin almost immediately, and thanks to rose and green tea extracts, it softens and moisturizes the skin.”
Twice a week, depending on your needs and skin type, it’s a good idea to exfoliate (e.g., [this product] works great), and then apply a mask to the prepared skin (e.g., the WRINKLE RESIST Rejuvenating and Nourishing Mask for All Skin Types, as it’s a product with a stronger effect than a cream). There are masks that can even be left on overnight, the expert suggests. However, these should be products specifically designed for that purpose—WRINKLE RESIST is one of them. Not every mask, however, should be left on for that long; many masks contain ingredients that, if left on for too long, can cause irritation. It’s worth reading the labels carefully, but also observing your skin.
Apply the serum (e.g., ) to cleansed, toned skin (including after removing a face mask). The serum is designed to enhance or complement the effects of the moisturizer. For nighttime use, choose a product with strong moisturizing properties. Despite its light texture, the QUENCHING serum delivers moisture instantly and deep into the skin, as evidenced by its smoothing and soothing effects.
After waiting a moment (about 2 minutes) for the serum to absorb, apply a cream suited to your skin’s needs; for mature skin, it’s worth choosing a nourishing and moisturizing product, such as the LUSCIOUS Intensive Moisturizing Face Cream. It greatly improves skin elasticity and softens the skin. It has a very rich formula—it contains aloe vera juice, Damask rose oil, and natural hyaluronic acid. It’s a good idea to gently massage the cream into your skin with your fingertips while applying it to stimulate circulation.
After this morning routine, your skin will be moisturized and smooth, and thanks to the abundance of nourishing ingredients, your morning skincare routine will be much simpler (especially if you start with a gentle massage to stimulate circulation).
Until recently, the biggest mistake in evening skincare was not cleansing the skin thoroughly. Today, more and more of us understand the importance of properly cleansing the skin. However, there is a growing number of women and girls whose evening routine isn’t insufficient—on the contrary, it’s… excessive. The most common mistake is using too many products and, for example, combining mechanical exfoliation with acids or exfoliating too frequently. Such intensive skincare can—and increasingly does—result in skin irritation, dryness, or breakouts. This often prompts many of us to try even harder and reach for more, often stronger, products. The “more is better” rule doesn’t apply to beauty. The best results come from gentle skincare, but used regularly—night after night.
