ON WHY YOU SHOULD USE A NIGHT CREAM

We all know the basics of skin care: Cleanse, Tone, and Moisturize. Repeat the same step day in and day out. But how about Night creams? What exactly are they? Do we actually need them?

A lot of us are skipping Night Creams because 1. We prefer not putting anything before going to sleep to let our skin breathe 2. We are fine with our daily moisturizer as our night cream 3. We think it's a marketing ploy.

Night creams are equally important as Moisturizers and SPF. Let me tell you why.

Photo Credits: elle.com

Our skin functions differently during day and night. During daytime, it's geared towards protecting itself. This is where SPFs and Moisturizers come in. They help prevent the skin from cracking up by creating a protective film to keep the water in the skin from evaporating. SPF serves as the barrier against harmful UV rays. During night time, the skin is geared towards healing and regenerating itself, so this is where the night creams come in. As your skin repairs itself, it is more vulnerable to the healing ingredients in Night Creams such as AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid), Retinol (Vitamin A), Collagen, COQ10, etc. Night creams and moisturizers vary in composition. Moisturizers have more of hydrating and protecting ingredients, while Night Creams have more of healing and regenerating ingredients. You may opt for your good ol' moisturizer as your night cream. But truth be told, they'll just sit on your face and do nothing.

Photo Credits: clearessence.com

However, it is important to choose the right Night Cream for our skin, just like how important it is to choose the right shade of foundation for our skin tone. Find out how to get the right Night Cream for your skin type

1. OILY SKIN- People with oily skin may skip Night Creams because of the excessive oil excreted by their facial pores. However, it is also recommended to use a night cream. Oily skinned people may opt for Night Creams in lightweight formulations and with regenerating properties. Oily skinned people are prone to acne, so Night Serums are also recommended. Because most serums contain spot- minimizing ingredients that help speed up the healing of post- acne marks.

2. DRY SKIN- Dry, and flaky skin will benefit from hydrating and anti- wrinkle Night Creams. People with severe dry skin may develop wrinkles in their early stages, so it's best to repair nightly with Night Creams infused with Collagen and COQ10.

3. NORMAL SKIN- Just like people with Oily skin, Normal skinned people can skip Night Creams. But for a more glowing and healthy skin, a Night cream should be included in their facial routine. Regenerating night creams will work best for Normal skinned people. Be careful though, as choosing Night Creams with strong ingredients such as Retinol (Vitamin A) can lead to skin sensitivity.

4. PIGMENTED SKIN- People with uneven skin tone caused by pigmentation will benefit from brightening and lightening Night Creams.

5. SENSITIVE SKIN- People with these skin types should consult a doctor before using anything. Also, they should steer clear from Retinol (Vitamin A), unless recommended by a physician.

Photo Credits: how-to-get-sleep.com

It is rarely suggested to use SPF before going to bed because one does not need SPF at all when the sun goes down. Some studies have shown that when SPF is not used properly, say, used before bedtime, the ingredients will wear off, may break down, and enter the skin because it did not serve its purpose, thereby causing skin sensitivity.

Invest in a good night cream that's supercharged with beneficial ingredients apart from the basics (AHA, Vit. A, Collagen, COQ10). If you're willing or reluctant to splurge, there is always a Night Cream that will suit your budget. Here are lists of some great expensive and inexpensive Night Creams to check out:

LUXURIOUS

1. Bobbi Brown Hydrating Night Cream

2. Shiseido Benefiance Nutriperfect Night Cream (my mom swears by this :))

3. Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate/ Abyssine Night Cream

4. Dior Capture Totale Night Creme

5. La Prairie Anti- Aging Night Cream

FRUGAL

1. Nivea Q10 Anti- Wrinkle Night Care

2. Olay Regenerist Night Cream

3. Pond's White Beauty Re- Brightening Night Cream

4. L'oreal Advanced Revitalift Night Moisturiser

5. The Face Shop Eco- Vert Extreme Moisture Night Cream