Using a night cream before bed every night is something that most women over 20 know is beneficial for their facial skin. We have been preached to, harped on, advertised to, and pounded on about using them. They’ve become a standard in any good skin care regimen.
You may not know, but your body heals better over night. That’s because you are resting which gives your body time to regenerate and heal more efficiently. Your skin, or course, is part of that process. It regenerates the most between the hours of 10pm and 2am, so using a moisturizer at night can really help! After all, keeping your skin hydrated overnight is key to anti aging! Or is it?
Nothing can replace a good night cream, or can it? Night creams are very useful but should we rely on them till death do us part?
Did you know that your body makes oils naturally? Sebaceous glands produce oils called sebum, which helps keep your skin hydrated from the outside in and leaves a protective barrier against germs, bacteria, and other unwanted debris. Sebum also protects and waterproofs hair and skin, and keeps it from becoming dry, brittle, and cracked. It can also inhibit the growth of microorganisms on your skin. Sebum helps keep your skin youthful and resilient.
The problem is that women can become so accustomed to adding creams, lotions, and other moisturizers on their skin so much, that it signals their body to stop producing as much sebum. Lower amounts of sebum can cause your skin to become dry over time without using ‘something’ on it.
Keeping your skin hydrated by other means, 24/7 can interfere with your skin's regeneration and its essential functions of balancing oil production and expelling impurities, which is not a good thing!
Of course, like everything else, as you grow older sebum production does decrease. If for example, you already have dry skin, you may need more moisturizers than a person with oily skin. I’ve always been told that people who have oily skin show the signs of aging much slower than people with dry skin. That’s because the extra oils that may cause skin nightmares when we’re younger, actually protect us as we grow older.
Many women spend big bucks on skin cleansers and toners that strip your skin of natural oils, then spend lots more money on expensive facial moisturizers to replace the oils that they just stripped off! If you think about it, it doesn’t make too much sense, does it?
Here’s the thing. There is no better moisturizer for your face than its own natural oils. Your skin goes to great trouble to produce highly modified fats, (like ceramides and cholesterols), to keep your skin’s surface smooth and well protected. Why not keep them there? The best natural cure for dry, dull skin, are your skin’s own natural oils.
Best advice? If you feel compelled to use a night cream, try using one every other night. You'll give your skin a break and retrain it to start producing more oils on it's own. My favorite is by Neutrogena and called Neutrogena Night Cream. It works great and is inexpensive compared to other brands so you'll also save a boat load of money! Another new anti aging cream on the market is Avon Reversalist. Its inexpensive too!
In the morning, wash with just plain water. Skip the soap.
Normal to Oily Skin
Wash your face at night with a good cleanser. My favorite that costs less and last longer is Neutrogena Transparent Facial Bars, Acne-Prone Skin Formula but there are many other cleansers for oily skin. Keep in mind that over-scrubbing your skin will not make it less oily. Rubbing your skin too much can actually irritate your skin and cause it to secrete more oils. Rinse well and pat dry.
If your skin is still oily, consider using a stronger toner in the morning that contains salicylic acid.
Using a night cream naturally makes us feel better. We even seem to sleep more soundly when our faces have a gentle rub down before bed. However, when you allow the natural oils in your skin to stay on your skin and forgo a night cream occasionally, you'll still have a truly natural glow!