Why you really need beauty sleep

Beauty sleep is not a myth. Indeed, having a regular routine to ensure skin is clean and nourished nightly is key to its health.

“A skincare routine at night is important as it’s the time in the day we are make-up free, we’re not exposed to environmental pollutants or damaging UV rays, and not dashing around working up a sweat,” says Dr Sasha Dhoat, consultant dermatologist at Stratum Clinics.

“Night-time is a period of vital skin renewal, a unique window of opportunity to repair damage and regulate water loss through the skin.”

But where should you begin? With World Sleep Day tomorrow, there has never been a better time to start.

OVERNIGHT INGREDIENTS

Certain ingredients are best used at night.

This could be because they are powerful and could potentially cause irritation, or because they’re too heavy for day time. Antioxidants:

These are naturally occurring vitamins and minerals that protect skin against free radicals – damaging molecules such as air pollutants, chemicals, and cigarette smoke that cling to collagen and weaken skin.

Certain antioxidants also brighten skin, calm irritation and smooth fine lines.

Retinoids: These reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen.

They also reduce acne outbreaks by preventing dead cells from clogging pores. They are best used at night, especially as they can make skin sensitive to sunlight in the day. Humectants:

Water loss is accelerated at night, so it can be a good time to apply an ingredient that draws moisture back into the skin. Common humectants in skincare include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol and honey.

THE IDEAL ROUTINE

Dr Dhoat shares her step-by-step guide for optimum skin health:

Step one: cleanse

No matter how tired you are, always make time to gently but thoroughly cleanse.

This removes dirt and dead cells, which form a layer on skin, making it appear lacklustre, while also impairing skin-renewal processes.

Step two: exfoliate

Once or twice a week, use an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) to promote cell turnover and improve skin texture and clarity.

Step three: renew

Apply retinol – once a week for beginners, working up to three times a week (avoiding the nights you use an AHA).

Step four: hydrate

Finally, each night apply a night cream to support the skin barrier and hydrate, replenishing any moisture loss overnight.

SLUMBER STARS

Best for… BUDGET

Lacura ProNight Advanced Face Serum, £5.99, Aldi, is a total steal. Containing copper peptides, hyaluronic acid, and allantoin, shoppers say it softens fine lines.

Best for… RETINOL

Vichy Laboratories Liftactiv Retinol Specialist Serum, £42.50, Boots, contains 0.2 per cent retinol, plus balancing probiotics, making it a great choice for those new to vitamin A.

Best for… SOOTHING

Nordic Roots Truffle

Night Cream, £32, greenpeople.co.uk, is packed with ceramides to support the skin barrier, as well as

antioxidant-rich mushroom.

Best for… DARK SPOTS

PS…Tranexamic Acid Night Serum, £4.50, Primark, is an effective skin brightener, containing tranexamic acid to reduce pigmentation. It’s a bargain too.

Best for… MATURE SKIN

Llixirskin Menopause Night Switch, £32, lixirskin.co.uk, addresses elasticity and thickness, the most

common skin concerns faced by women going through menopause.

Best for… BRIGHTENING EYE CREAM

Ilia Bright Start Activated Eye Cream, £47, sephora.co.uk, contains a plant-based retinol alternative and features a cooling tip to depuff and soothe the eye area.

Best for… RETINOL EYE CREAM

StriVectin Advanced Retinol Multi-Correct Eye Cream, £69, strivectin.co.uk, is a potent wrinkle buster that improves texture and tone to visibly reduce lines around the eyes.