- By Prerna Targhotra
- Wed, 17 Jul 2024 09:46 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Skincare Routine From Morning To Night: Day after day, our skin is subjected to relentless ultraviolet radiation, irritating chemicals, and toxic gases. For an organ as thin as a pinhead, this constant onslaught is significant and, over time, can exacerbate visible skin problems. While many believed these issues to be unavoidable, recent studies suggest that this may not be the case after all.
According to Aditi Jain, Marketing Head of Oteria inspired by circadian rhythms, “skin, like many other parts of the body, follows a daily cycle that diminishes with age. However, scientists have demonstrated that it is possible to restore the skin's youthful rhythm, paving the way for the creation of an ideal skincare regimen.”
How Skin Demands Change From Day To Night
Since the 1970s, scientists have recognized that the characteristics of healthy, plump skin fluctuate throughout the day. In the morning, the skin acts as a barrier against various external threats, from radiation to irritants, leading to a taut and dry texture by afternoon. In the evening, the skin begins its repair process, addressing the damage sustained during the day.
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By night, this restorative work intensifies, and by morning, the skin becomes softer, more hydrated, and ready to function as a renewed barrier against the day's irritants. “For Oteria, understanding this biological rhythm is crucial,” says Dr. Mili Sinha, a leading aesthetic physician at La Clinique (Hyderabad). “Disrupting circadian rhythms increases susceptibility to environmental damage. Chronic sleep deprivation can worsen acne and inflammation, while persistently high cortisol levels can degrade collagen.”
Morning Skincare Routine
Getting at least seven hours of sleep can be transformative enhances mental resilience, coping mechanisms, metabolism, and immune function. For those motivated by beauty, there's a compelling benefit for your skin as well. A study published this year in the journal Nature Cell Biology confirms a direct connection between disruptions in circadian rhythms (the body's sleep, wake, and eating patterns) and the skin's ability to synthesise collagen.
Optimal Skincare Routine (Image Credits: Canva)
Aditi Jain emphasises that while the skin is particularly receptive during the early hours, the significance lies in four key rhythms that drive the skin's rebuilding process into high gear.
Rise
The essence of your morning skincare routine is all about protection. It's essential to defend your skin against daily threats like pollution, UV rays, and blue light from screens. Your morning products should be rich in antioxidants, designed to create a barrier that guards your skin from harmful free radicals and the stresses of modern life.
Starting your day with this protective step lays the groundwork for healthy, glowing skin all day long. Dr Mili Sinha strongly advocates for morning skincare products infused with a powerful blend of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and B vitamins, and Horse Chestnut Seed Extracts, providing the essential antioxidants needed to start the day.
Shine
As the afternoon sun beats down, it's crucial to hydrate your body and skin promptly. Throughout the day, skin hydration levels fluctuate, often leaving skin dehydrated by the afternoon due to water loss through the skin's surface.
The remedy lies in incorporating hydrating products that replenish moisture effectively, providing soothing relief and cooling hydration. Dr Mili Sinha recommends hydration and sun protection products that both nourish the skin and protect it from harmful UVA rays.
Nighttime Skincare Routine
Chill
As the evening sets in, the true process of skin rejuvenation begins—a pivotal phase for overnight repair. It's crucial to prepare your skin for optimal recovery during this nightly renewal cycle. This isn't just about day and night; it's about ensuring your skin is primed to heal itself at every stage.
Optimal Skincare Routine (Image Credits: Canva)
Using richer moisturisers in the evening helps to seal in hydration and support continuous restoration throughout the night. "For your evening regimen, I recommend using products infused with stem cells and tangerine peel, as they offer deep hydration and stimulate cellular renewal," advises Dr Mili Sinha.
Yawn
As we settle into bed, surrounded by our favourite pillows, it's crucial to unwind and relax, especially because this is when our skin begins its repair process. While we sleep, the skin's natural cell turnover and regeneration reach their peak, maximising the absorption and effectiveness of skincare products.
Applying nourishing night creams before bedtime delivers essential nutrients and hydration, supporting the skin's overnight recovery. This ensures you wake up with a refreshed and revitalised complexion. Dr. Mili Sinha concludes by recommending a robust regimen of products infused with encapsulated Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, and Vegetable Pear extract. These ingredients visibly improve skin in just two weeks, providing long-lasting wrinkle therapy and reducing fine lines.