Our skin heals itself at night, says Clarins
Whoever said nothing good happens after 2 a.m. probably doesn’t watch a lot of “night routine” videos on YouTube. My favorite has to be Margot Robbie’s Vogue.com parody of American
Psycho — an oldie but goodie, which we can be, too. Products that are specifically for nighttime use optimize the body’s renewal process, which according to Clarins, takes place between 11 a.m. and 4 a.m., or starts within an hour after the sleep cycle begins. This means three things: first, we have to start sleeping more and earlier; second, never sleep with makeup on because it will disrupt the process; and third, invest in night products that aid in skin renewal.
Clarins discovered that nighttime is a time for intense regeneration but only if cells shift into “night mode.” According to Clarins Laboratories, mature fibroblasts (cells that synthesize collagen) experience a drop in production of certain proteins that aid in nighttime regeneration activities.
I’ve watched enough celebrity skincare routines to know that it’s important to have dedicated products for day and night. Personal experience also taught me that no matter how much I love my night cream, using it during the day will only make me oilier, while using my day products at night won’t deliver that morning glow. During the day, skin fights UV rays and free radicals. At night, it heals itself from within. Clarins recently launched new formulas of its bestselling 40-year-old Extra-Firming Cream Jour and Extra-Firming Cream Nuit. With three ExtraFirming creams being sold across the world every minute, Clarins’ discovery was groundbreaking enough to merit a reformulation of a tried and tested product.
Extra-Firming Cream Jour and Nuit focuses on firming the skin, because firm skin means wrinkles do not leave their mark, the facial oval remains defined, and cheekbones are plump. With the new formulas, Clarins preserves skin’s “youthful spring,” characterized by resistance, consistency and elasticity, by protecting the number of fibroblasts and protecting their environment while increasing the regeneration capacity of young cell clusters.
Ideal for skin 30 years old and over, the Extra-Firming Cream duo works day and night to address skin-aging signs, including fine lines, wrinkles, lack of radiance, dark circles, fatigue, pores, firmness, slackening, under-eye puffiness and dullness. Extra-Firming Cream Nuit contains hydrated silica of moonstone to optimize skin’s nighttime regeneration process. In traditional medicine, moonstone is used to treat migraines, reduce stress and encourage sleep. ExtraFirming Cream Jour delivers immediate smoothing of skin and enhances radiance with organic oat sugars and Acerola seed extract. Both have a new, silky finish and a “bounce-back” effect on skin, as well as a fresh, floral fragrance. They also now come in a trendy nude-and-rose gold jar.
Ninety-one percent of women say features appear well rested after seven days of use, and skin radiance is revived after 28 days. Still, I have to keep reminding myself to not start bingewatching a new season at night, and to be extra-mindful when cleansing my skin. Switching to “night mode” is tough, but it’s the kind of work that won’t show on your face.