Night skin routine: Nighttime is when your body and your skin switch into repair mode. This is when your skin sheds dead cells and absorbs the goodness from your skincare products. But a few common bedtime missteps can quietly sabotage those gains. In this guide, we’ll walk through five nighttime skincare mistakes that may be causing you damage and how to fix them for healthier, fresher-looking skin by morning.
Not washing your face before bed:
Are you too tired to cleanse your skin at night? Even without makeup, your skin collects sweat, dirt, pollution, and bacteria. Skip washing, and that grime sits in your pores, leading to breakouts. Rinse with a mild cleanser before bed every night.
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Applying products on dry skin:
Always put skincare on slightly damp skin. When skin is bone dry, products don’t sink in, and your serum and moisturiser can just sit on top. After cleansing, pat; don’t rub. Then, apply toner, serum, and moisturiser while there is still some moisture.
Using too many products:
More is not always better. Sometimes using too many products at night can irritate your skin or even make your problems worse. Layering too many creams, serums, and treatments can overwhelm your skin and cause redness or breakouts. Add new products one at a time, so if something irritates you, you’ll know exactly what to cut.
Using harsh scrubs or exfoliants too often:
Exfoliation is excellent for sweeping away dull, dead skin, but overdoing it wrecks your skin barrier. Scrubbing every night can leave your skin red, tight, and sensitive. Give your skin recovery time. Aim for 1–2 exfoliations a week, and choose gentle options like enzymes or lactic acid instead of gritty scrubs.
Sleeping on a dirty pillowcase:
Your pillows can also damage your skincare routine. Each night, the pillows soak up face oils, sweat, and leftover hair products, and that buildup can transfer back to your skin and spark breakouts. Wash pillowcases at least once a week.
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And remember, night routines don’t have to be complicated. In fact, keeping it simple and consistent is the key to healthy, glowing skin. Think of it as a mini spa break for your skin before sleep.
