Skincare Tips: Why Do You Need Day and Night Creams?
“Do we really need separate sets of products?” is a typical question that gets thrown around a lot, especially when addressing the issue of day and night skincare routines.
There are certain benefits that only a day cream can provide that the night counterpart cannot, and vice versa. After all, you would find that applying a cream with an SPF before sleep would be totally counter-productive and unnecessary. The same goes for a night cream—most night creams aim to help the skin rejuvenate and boost cell renewal, which takes place during sleep.
Therefore, to answer the question of whether one really needs a separate routine, it is simple: just as there are day and night, your skin products should differ based on when you’re applying it, and for what purpose.
Here’s how they are different, yet very much needed:
Day care products are formulated to hydrate and protect the skin
The skin is exposed to the sun most of the day, which means that there are risks of harmful UV rays, environmental stress, pollution and makeup.
Skincare and makeup products that are meant to be worn during the day typically contain SPF that helps protect the skin from photoaging, as well as antioxidants and vitamins such as vitamins C and E to fight free radicals and keep the skin looking fresh and radiant. Day care products are also hydration-focused and are lighter in texture for easier application and absorption, so makeup can glide on smoothly.
For instance, products formulated for day use, such as the Multi-Active Day Cream, Hydra-Essentiel Cooling Gel, Extra-Firming Day Cream and Bright Plus Dark Spot-Targeting Moisturizing Emulsion all have more than one thing in common, such as their ability to fight oxidative stress, provide hydration and boost skin radiance and youthfulness. Most importantly, all of these products are equipped with Clarins’ Anti-Pollution Complex that negates the harsh effects of city pollution, preventing premature aging and loss of radiance from happening.
As a general tip, avoid using products that have retinol in them during the day and save it for nighttime.
Night products help to repair and replenish the skin
The first thing that to observe about night products is that the formula and texture are thicker and richer. This is because treatments are meant to be intensive, especially when it comes to anti-ageing. Certain ingredients in a night cream may lose its effectiveness after being exposed to the sun’s UV rays, so it is advisable to apply night creams before bedtime.
Sleep is important for the skin, but what is even more important and skin-saving is what you put on your skin before bed. Night care products focus on regeneration and recovery, hence, thicker formulas have better chances of seeping into the skin during the course of your shut-eye.
These products also contain ingredients that focus on anti-ageing such as tocopherol, hyaluronic acid, glycerin and butylene glycol, which work wonderfully without the sun or sunscreen sabotaging them.
Depending on what your skin concern is, there are plenty of night creams to choose from such as the Multi-Active Night Cream which targets fine lines to give you that well-rested effect, the Extra Firming Night Cream which is considered the best night cream for wrinkles, the mighty restorative and intensive healing Super Restorative Night Cream that works best as a night cream for mature skin, and even an overnight moisture mask such as the My Clarins RE-CHARGE Relaxing Night Mask which soothes, refreshes, plumps and recharges the skin so you could quite literally, wake up with perfect skin. This product also works best for those looking to start using night creams in their 20s.
Using the same products for both day and night
It isn’t wrong to use the same moisturiser for both day and night. However, using a product that specifically caters to your circadian system does contribute greatly in terms of benefits. For example, you might miss out on anti-ageing properties that a night cream can provide and conversely, using a night cream during the day might cause your skin to feel greasier than normal—not to mention more susceptible to sun damage.
If you’re looking to keep your routine to a minimum, be sure to choose a moisturiser that does it all at once, such as the Hydra-Essentiel Light Cream which hydrates and plumps the skin while also keeping it safe from environmental pollutants.
Whether you decide to go for a singular product that you can use for both day and night or one that caters to a specific time of the day, prepare your skin accordingly so that it is fully and properly protected.
