Simple Beauty Practices Before Bed that Make all the Difference
I'm a creature of habit and find comfort in certain routines, like my nightly one. These 5 steps are crucial for me before I hit the sack:
1. ACV Shot: Apple cider vinegar boasts a myriad of benefits such as aiding in weight loss, boosting good gut flora and balancing pH levels. All of which are certainly essential to health, but in terms of skin, balancing gut flora is what I find the most helpful.
For me, a happy gut results in great skin. When eating poorly, not taking probiotics or incorporating ACV in, I tend to see a lot more congestion in my skin. So, at night I mix a shot of it in with about 8oz of water nightly (to dilute the taste a bit and protect my enamel).
2. Wash My Face: This one's sort of a no brainer, but truth be told, even in my 30's I still find it difficult to stick to this common skincare rule. Which is why I prepare for all scenarios — if I'm feeling lazy, I opt for makeup wipes. Skyn Iceland's are a favorite — they foam on contact and get every last bit of makeup off. If I'm in the mood to go through a full cleanse, I reach for It Cosmetic's Bye Bye Makeup Balm.
3. Dry Brush/Moisturize: I typically shower at night, so beforehand I like to dry brush my entire body. It improves circulation, stimulates the lymphatic system and improves the appearance of cellulite (yes, please). If you're intrigued, you can learn more about dry brushing here.
After I exit the shower, I moisturize. Typically, while I'm still slightly damp, as that's the most ideal time to slather on any sort of hydrating product. This increases absorption and allows you to use less product, too (a win/win situation in my book). As for what I use, I tend to rotate all the time, but lately I've been getting into body moisturizers that have a little something extra to them. Enzymes for exfoliation and keratosis pilaris reduction, firming-focused ingredients, etc.
4. Use a silk pillowcase: There's something so luxe about sleeping on a silk pillowcase — I look forward to it every single night (life's little pleasures!). Since switching out my cotton pillowcase with Slip's, I've seen such a difference in the texture of my hair and appearance of my skin. After looking into it, I discovered a statistic that Slip had shared in their product description: Cotton is very absorbent. It can hold up to 27 times its own weight in water and it draws moisture away from your skin and hair. When you sleep on silk, delicate facial skin is more hydrated in the morning and hair becomes healthier over time. Cotton pillowcases also cause sleep creases, which go away later that day but can cause fine lines and wrinkles over time.
The price is a bit steep for Slip, so if you're looking for another option, head to your local fabric store and purchase some silk to wrap around your pillow (or sew into a pillowcase).
5. Layer on a Retinol: By far, one of my favorite skincare ingredients. I never let a night go by without layering some sort of retinol/retinoid on my face. The ingredient helps with pigmentation, acne, acne scarring and of course aging. This is another type of thing where I'm constantly rotating on brands, but at the moment, I'm loving Verso's Oil.