Don’t skip your night-time skincare routine.

Do you have a night-time skincare routine?

As you know, a skincare routine is important. What’s even more important is your night-time skincare routine. We’ve spent all day exposed to the elements: the dirt, UVA/UVB rays, the wind, maybe the makeup, the sweat, the oils from our hair, and more. You don’t want to go to bed like that. While we sleep, our cells repair and regenerate themselves. We therefore should be prioritizing creating a healthy space for our cells to do what they need to do.

While a 20 step routine that lasts an hour isn’t a requirement,  our skin needs to be thoroughly cleansed and moisturized at the very minimum. Ask yourself this question: “how many times have I skipped my night-time skincare routine?” Maybe you were either too tired or too lazy or you procrastinated until you eventually fell asleep. What happens in the morning? If your skin is anything like mine, you’ll regret your omission when you wake up.

My experience with Japanese skincare.

For a few weeks now, I’ve been dibbling and dabbling in Japanese skincare products. After all, I am in Japan and for the most part, I’ve been seeing flawless glass skin everywhere! The women here tend to focus so much on skincare and I love it! Even the way they apply their products is intriguing. They don’t rub, they massage, pat, and do this kind of slapping thing with their fingers.

Just recently, I walked into a beautifully organized skincare store. I was perusing and admiring the shelves. I could spend hours and hours just looking at products and googling the information found on their labels. That day,  I was looking for an essence (we’ll talk a little about essences later). I stopped right beside a woman who was testing a product, an essence! Side note, I love how there’s pretty much a tester for everything! She applied the liquid to the back of her hand. I watched as she GENTLY massaged the product into her skin then she started slapping (again, gently but with some amount of pressure, rapidly) her hand to really get the product in there. “I have got to try that, I thought to myself”.

Here’s what my night-time skincare routine looks like.

1. Oil cleaner
2. Cream/ foamy cleanser (with konjac sponge)
3. Rose clay mask (once or twice per week)
4. Toner
5. Gel exfoliator or salicylic acid pads
6. Japanese moisturizing lotion (it’s really a liquid)
7. Vitamin C sheet mask
8. Simple moisturizer (optional addition of tea tree oil)

Setting the mood.

Now, I know the steps I listed above may seem daunting. Therefore, I like setting the mood to make it more enjoyable. The right mood will encourage you to do anything! For me, it involves a sensual music playlist or a youtube video playing in the background.

This is what I’ve learned from Japanese skincare.

1. Double cleansing is important.
2. Be gentle! Gentle cleaners are the best. Take away the harsh chemicals and granular scrubs.
3. Moisturizing is very, very important. Sheet masks are a really good way to add extra moisture and they act kinda like a serum. I like to pop them in the refrigerator for a little before use.
4. An essence is essential to Japanese skincare. I still haven’t bought one but that’s next on the list. It’s a very lightweight liquid. Apply it to your skin after cleansing and toning to prepare for the absorption of all the goodness your subsequent products (eg. moisturizer, serum) has to offer you skin.

BONUS TIP: Don’t skip SPF! A friend recently asked me if I use SPF every day. Of course, I do! Even when you can’t see the sun, the sun can see you! Up to 80% of UVA rays can penetrate through clouds! https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/uv-radiation/

I’ve been seeing major improvements in the texture of my skin since I’ve been extra careful and deliberate with my routine.

The takeaway.

It’s simple: Just don’t skip your night-time skincare routine! Your skin will thank you.