It is a fact universally acknowledged; not washing your face before going to bed is detrimental to your skin’s health and appearance. For makeup wearers, taking the time to do this is even more essential.
Makeup is a wonderful invention that brings joy, confidence and creativity to literally billions of people around the world. That being said, all our makeup artists agree that it is vital for the sake of your skin that it is removed at the end of the day. Leaving makeup on while you sleep can lead to side effects such as clogged pores, spots and an increase in wrinkles.
Properly cleansing your face before going to bed should be a part of everyone’s nightly ritual, especially for makeup wearers. This will rid your face of dead skin cells and dirt which has built up throughout the day, as well as prevent your pores from becoming blocked and making your skin appear dull.
We have compiled our makeup school tips for what makes a healthy bedtime ritual, which will ensure you keep your skin happy and hydrated into the wee small hours, refreshed and ready for the next day of makeup artistry:
Cleanse
Begin your night time ritual by washing your face with a chemical-free cleanser to remove all the makeup from your face. A charcoal-based face wash is a great choice for gently unclogging your pores and helping to remove dead skin cells. We also recommend using an exfoliator two or three times a week to give your skin a real clear out – just be sure not to overdo it with the exfoliator. If your skin becomes sensitive, cut down the number of times you exfoliate each week.
You shouldn’t neglect your neck, either. Sweat and dead skin cells can build up there every bit as much as on your face, so be sure to apply your cleanser to this area, too.
Rinse Thoroughly
Leaving soap products on your skin can actually make your skin drier than before you started cleansing. For this reason, properly rinsing your cleanser from your face is just as important as washing away your makeup. It is best to wash your face and rinse with lukewarm water, finishing with a splash of cold water to close your pores.
Moisturise thoroughly immediately after cleansing
Your skin is most absorbent when wet, so be sure to apply a moisturiser within five minutes of cleansing to make sure it absorbs as much as possible.
As for the moisturiser itself, try to find one that contains Retinoids, a highly-effective form of Vitamin A, and one of the most beneficial ingredients in the fight against ageing. It works to stimulate cell regeneration and helps also to increase collagen production.
Another natural ingredient that works wonders as a moisturiser is aloe vera gel. Known as ‘the miracle plant’, aloe vera has been used throughout the ages for both medicinal and cosmetic treatments. It can be used to treat the likes of scars, acne, stretch marks and sunburn. It is also one of nature’s premier moisturisers and can be applied as often as required. You can either invest in a plant and take the gel directly from its leaves, or purchase an aloe-based moisturiser from your local pharmacy/beauty shop. Many aloe products also include other miracle moisturising ingredients such as witch hazel to give your skin elasticity, and cucumber to help hydrate your skin.
Whatever your choice of moisturiser, it is best to apply about 15 minutes before going to bed, giving your face time to absorb the goodness.
As a side note, it’s not just the products you wash off or apply before going to bed that are good for your skin – getting a decent night’s sleep is also an imperative part of your skin’s health.
