When I was taking classes on nutrition and holistic health, one of the first things they taught us was, “You can learn a lot about someone’s health by the state of their skin.” When you wake up with better skin than when you fell asleep, it can be your body's way of tell you everything's in synch. Many people might tend to think of skin as a barrier separating your insides from the outside world, but it’s a lot more vulnerable than you might think.
Not only can the stuff you put your skin before bed keep you from waking up with fresh, glowing skin, but it’s also affected by habits, hormones, diet, sleep patterns, and stress levels. There are tons of overnight skincare mistakes that people can and do make on a nightly basis, and they probably have a much bigger influence on your complexion than you realize.
All it takes is a few alterations to make sure you sleep comfortably through the night, so your skin has adequate time to heal, and few chemical-free creams and oils, so your skin gets the nourishment it needs. That way you can rest assured, knowing your face doesn’t come into contact with anything that’s going to harm it. Here are a few of the best overnight skincare hacks that make a huge difference when it comes to waking up with better skin tomorrow.
Moisturizing With Chemicals And Synthetic Ingredients
Bee Nourished Night Cream, $22, Amazon
Your nightly moisturizer is beyond important. If you’re choosing one that’s loaded up with chemicals and synthetic ingredients, those things have all night to sink into your vulnerable, freshly-washed face. Bee Nourished's night cream, though, contains only the best and most replenishing ingredients, like aloe, sweet almond oil, shea butter, black willow bark extract, avocado oil, and neem oil. It also contains a whole lot of natural honey, which is packed with vitamins and minerals, and it has antibacterial properties, as well as ultra-moisturizing properties. This moisturizer is made by a family-operated business of bee keepers, they donate one percent of proceeds to Save The Bees foundation, and reviewers (even those with super sensitive skin) are in love with how smooth, moisturized, and clear their face looks and feels with this non-greasy, easily-absorbed cream.
Damaging Skin With A Cotton Pillowcase
Mulberry Charmeuse Silk Pillowcase, $19, Amazon
According to Dennis Gross, MD., “Persistently pressing your face into a pillowcase causes trauma to the skin. Over time, this trauma aggravated by the friction of cotton can cause permanent creases as our collagen breaks down.” Silk is a much better option because it “minimizes permanent creases and complexion issues,” as well as helps to evenly distribute natural oils, prevent the growth of bacteria, and keeps pores from getting clogged. This Mulberry Charmeuse silk pillowcase is made from 100 percent grade-A mulberry silk on one side, and because it’s naturally dyed and contains no chemicals, it’s especially great for your skin. It comes in 19 different color options to match any bedroom, as well as a hidden zipper for easy removal and washing. Reviewers have called it “beautiful and heavenly to sleep on,” and since it’s hypoallergenic, those with sensitive skin won’t react.
Sleeping In A Dry And Arid Environment
Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier, $40, Amazon
Humidifiers increase the overall well-being of your skin because they add essential moisture back into the air, which keeps skin from drying out and cracking. Pure Enrichment's humidifier is the number one best-selling humidifier because it uses a cool-mist technology that can work continuously for up to 16 hours, has a 1.5-liter tank, an optional nightlight function, and an automatic shut-off feature. The nozzle can be rotated 360 degrees to direct the mist in any direction, and reviewers call it the best one they’ve ever owned because it works well, it’s quiet, it’s relatively small, and it looks really sleek. It’s also great for improving your sleep quality and breathing, but those are just added bonuses.
Falling Asleep Without Removing All Your Makeup
Bee Friendly Organic Makeup Remover, $30, Amazon
Any leftover makeup on your face will clog your pores and cause breakouts. “When makeup becomes impacted in pores,” Gross says, “it makes them appear larger. Once your collagen levels decline, the pore won’t snap back as easily once it has been enlarged.” Bee Friendly's organic makeup remover washes away everything with its potent solution, but it’s made with all-natural nourishing ingredients that contain tons of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. All of the ingredients are certified USDA organic, like extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, honey, and lemongrass oil. A little goes a long way, it’s got a clean, natural scent. It’s very effective in both removing makeup and improving the overall look and feel of your skin.
Ignoring The Importance Of A Great Night’s Sleep on Skin
Sleep Smarter, $16, Amazon
Sleep is essential for removing old cells, regenerating new ones, and soothing inflamed blood vessels, which is why, when you don’t get enough, your pores and under-eye skin really suffers. For those of you who have an issue getting to sleep and staying there for a full night, educate yourself with Sleep Smarter . It’s a book by Shawn Stevenson, the founder of Advanced Integrative Health Alliance, and it’s all about how sleep can help you obtain the best health of your life. It’s filled with easy and practical tips to help you create an ideal sleeping environment, hack your circadian rhythm, and prep your body for the best rest ever. Reviewers say that while it’s definitely informative, it’s never preachy — rather, it provides a structured how-to that can help anyone get the kind of healing, rejuvenating sleep that they need.
Neglecting Your Under-Eye Circles
Pure Organic Argan Oil, $30, Amazon
Argan oil comes from a fruit that’s so nutritious, goats in Morocco will climb trees in order to get to them. The oil is absolutely packed with vitamins, antioxidants, omega-6 fatty acids, and linoleic acid, which is why it’s great for moisturizing, healing, and soothing inflammation. Unlike other brands, Pure Organic's argan oil contains absolutely nothing except the highest quality argan oil — no chemical fillers, alcohol, or synthetic fragrances. It comes with a dropper for easy application, and when applied to skin (or hair, for that matter) it leaves it feeling healthy, soft, and moisturized. Furthermore, it’s especially good for easing under-eye circles overnight, as it helps to plump skin with fatty acids and reduce inflammation, which makes it an incredible sleep serum. It absorbs easily into the skin, has a fresh, nutty smell, and reviewers say it’s a fix-all for beauty needs across the board.
Skipping Essential Antioxidants And Vitamins
Retseliney Revitalizing Vitamin C Night Cream, $18, Amazon
“It’s a common misconception that those with an oily skin should avoid moisturizers. In fact, it’s vital that even oily skin gets moisture because without it, skin will overcompensate for the loss of hydration,” says dermatologist Howard Murad. If your skin is looking particularly tired as of lately, Retseliney's vitamin C night cream makes an awesome nightly moisturizer because it rejuvenates, revitalizes, and fights aging with natural ingredients. It contains things like aloe, cocoa butter, rose hip oil, coconut oil, and chamomile, and even though it’s rich and nourishing, it absorbs easily into skin without leaving a greasy or sticky residue. Furthermore, because vitamin C is being applied topically to your face, skin looks smoother, healthier, and younger by morning. Reviewers love it because it lasts up to twelve hours and “works like magic,” so it’s a total win/win.
Using Irritating Laundry Detergent On Your Sheets
Eco Nuts Organic Laundry Detergent, $11, Amazon
Most people are allergic to their laundry detergents and don’t even know it. Countless brands contain toxic chemicals that wreak havoc on your lungs and skin. Eco Nuts has an organic laundry detergent that's an awesome alternative, as it uses entirely natural and USDA-certified soap-producing berries that grow in the Himalayas. When put into water, they produce something called saponin, which gently and effectively cleans your fabrics. They can be used up to ten times over, and reviewers say that their clothes genuinely smell and look as clean as any store-bought detergent, but without the chemicals and the plastic waste. Especially when it comes to your sheets, which are pressed up against your skin for several hours every night, these are a complete must.
Letting Oily Hair Rub Across Face During The Night
Blom Multi Style Headband, $15, Amazon
Esthetician Andrea DeSimone suggests that people keep their hair pulled back while sleeping, because “many people have perimeter and forehead breakouts due to the oil and hair care products that they use — especially those with long hair or bangs.” This sweat-wicking headband is made from a stretchy, loose-fitting fabric that’s lightweight, super comfortable, and won’t damage, break, or grind against your hair. Because it’s made with an elastic band that fits most sizes, it won’t slide off during the night, but it also won’t constrict or irritate you while you sleep. It can be adjusted into more than 12 different styles for even the longest hair, and one reviewer said, "They stay put on your head, no matter what you do, and are extremely soft and comfortable. They are stretchy but keep their shape." With 17 color ways to choose from, you're bound to find your favorite.
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Images: Fotolia (1); Amazon (9)
