Marie Claire Australia - 01.06.2018

Retinol is especially good applied at

night – firstly because it degrades with

sunlight, and secondly because “it helps

accelerate the skin’s repair functions

and boosts cellular renewal” according

to Doherty. But also look at enlisting

additives such as AHAs, resveratrol,

antioxidants and enzymes to your night-

time skin routine.

The reason is, our skin behaves very

diferently while we sleep. Cell turnover

is at its peak, blood supply is boosted

and skin metabolism increases, all

making actives more easily absorbed.

“Skincare formulations that

consider the circadian clock’s influence

can increase the ecacy and delivery

of key active ingredients,” says Hilton,

who is also the founder of organic

skincare line Ocinium.

But it’s not all about actives – you

also need to mind your moisture levels

because sebum production is lower at

night, which can mean dryness. “Skin

becomes hotter and more acidic at night

and loses more water,” says Doherty.

Enter night creams and next-gen

sleeping masks (try Chanel’s new Hydra

Beauty Masque De Nuit Au Camélia,

$112, or Dermalogica Sound Sleep

Cocoon Transformative Night Gel-

Cream, $120), which help “prevent

dehydration and keep the skin plump”,

says Dr Topchian.

Your sleep environment plays a role,

too. Just as important as keeping your

bedroom a tranquil haven (that means

no screens, no noise and no light) is

keeping your bedding clean to create

a hygienic space where skin can reboot

free of pollutants, UV and even contact

from your own hands.

Perhaps the beauty of beauty sleep

is that it’s not so hard. Sure, you may

have to switch your phone to flight mode

a little earlier than you’d like. But if you

do make sleep a priority, your skin is

well equipped to regenerate all by itself.

138 marieclaire.com.au

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EDWARD URRUTIA.

CRYSTALS

Certain crystals, such as

amethyst and quartz, are

said to help us relax.

TRY The Goodnight Co.

Rose Quartz Crystal, $39.95

SILK PILLOWS

Less pillow friction equals

fewer sleep-induced

wrinkles in the morning.

TRY Slip pillowcase, queen, $85

SCENT

Spritzing lavender

on your pillow or PJs will

help you drift of.

TRY Salt by Hendrix Flowers In

Your Dreams Lavender Spray, $16.95^

DARKNESS

Shutting out all light

will help you get to

sleep more easily.

TRY Slip sleep mask, $49.95

BEAUTY

9PM Skin prepares for

sleep. Melatonin increases,

boosting skin’s ability to

repair itself, so have night-

time products on by now. 

10PM-11PM You’re

in the light sleep stage.

Your heart rate slows and

blood flow increases, which

oxygenates the skin to

deliver nutrients and rid it

of toxic build-up. 

11PM-MIDNIGHT

Your body is in deep sleep

phase, a key time for your

complexion because cell

division, called mitosis,

peaks about now. It’s when

the body suppresses the

release of cortisol and

encourages the release

of growth hormones to

repair and rebuild the skin.

Skin also needs optimal

hydration at this time.

MIDNIGHT-4AM Cell

turnover is at its peak and

skin is more permeable,

which allows active

ingredients to penetrate

more efectively. 

6AM-9AM Your skin is at

its driest early morning. It’s

also particularly susceptible

to UV light, so make sure

you apply an SPF before

heading out for the day.

ON THE CLOCK

See what your skin is doing while you’re sleeping

NIGHT WORKERS

Night is the perfect time to enlist formulations with

ingredients that love operating in the dark

HYALURONIC ACID

Able to hold more than a

thousand times its weight in

water, this ingredient adds

heavy doses of hydration.

TRY Sampar So Much to

Dew Midnight Mask ( 1 ), $65.

RETINOL

A derivative of vitamin A,

retinol will help boost

clarity and fade lines.

TRY Glo Skin Beauty

Renew Serum ( 2 ), $67; The

Ordinary Granactive Retinoid

2% Emulsion ( 3 ), $17.90.

AHA + BHA

AHAs (think glycolic and

lactic acids) and BHAs

(salicylic acid) help to get

skin smoother and clearer

by morning. TRY Alpha-H

Liquid Gold ( 4 ), $60.

RESVERATROL

Known as the “longevity

molecule”, this potent

polyphenol antioxidant

can ward of skin ageing.

TRY SkinCeuticals Resveratrol

B E Antioxidant Night

Concentrate ( 5 ), $182.

VITAMIN B3

Also known as niacinamide,

this buzz antioxidant

protects against redness

and photo damage.

TRY Ocinium Immortelle

Vitamin B3 Serum ( 6 ), $90.

ENZYMES

Able to boost the skin’s

natural cell renewal cycle,

enzymes are good for

eating up dead skin

cells during the night.

TRY First Aid Beauty

Coconut Water Cream ( 7 ), $54.

14 7

GET SOME REST

263 5