Skincare Products Lose Much of Their Effectiveness After 11 PM

SadaNews - New studies indicate that the timing of applying skincare products in the evening affects their effectiveness. This field discusses an emerging philosophy known as “temporal skin care,” which asserts that the timing of applying serums and night creams is as important as their ingredient list.

To understand the role of timing in this field, we must refer back to the chronobiology of the skin. Our skin operates on a circadian rhythm that varies between night and day, and it can be likened to a system functioning according to two different rhythms: from 6 AM to 6 PM, it acts defensively, thickening slightly and peaking in oil production to form a protective layer, while fully focusing its cells on combating UV rays, pollution, and bacteria.

During this phase, the skin is more concerned with facing the pressures of daily life than absorbing skincare products. However, once the sun sets, specifically from 6 PM onwards, the skin enters a self-repair phase, becoming more absorbent as protective mechanisms cease to function to contribute to deep cleansing.

The Golden Hour

The rule of 11 PM is not just a random marketing gimmick; it is based on the peak period for cellular regeneration in the body. Research indicates that skin cell division and regeneration can occur up to 30 times faster at night compared to during the day. Nevertheless, this highly active phase has a specific time frame, usually peaking between 10 PM and 2 AM.

This is the golden hour for DNA repair; using skincare products between 9:30 and 10:30 PM ensures that active ingredients are fully absorbed at the time when repair mechanisms are working at full capacity.

The Effectiveness of Proper Timing

Cosmetic laboratories rely on the skin’s rhythm to design products that align with the biological clock, hence it is advised to apply these products before 11 PM, during the period when skin renewal mechanisms begin in the absence of light and the secretion of melatonin. After this period, the benefits of the products diminish, implying that skin freshness the following day is linked to the timing of applying nighttime skincare products.

Essential Tips

• Double cleansing is highly beneficial when incorporated into the nighttime skincare routine. It is recommended to start with an oil cleanser to remove makeup and sebum, followed by a water-based cleanser for deep pore cleaning.

• Using products in the correct order helps achieve the desired results, starting with cleansing the skin, then applying toner, followed by serum, and finally night cream.

• It is crucial to use an eye cream containing peptides or retinol to combat fine lines and prevent them from turning into deep wrinkles.

• It is advised to wash the face with lukewarm water, as hot water strips the skin of its natural oils, and to avoid rubbing the face vigorously with a towel, instead using a patting motion to dry it.

• Avoid heavy oils and adopt lightweight serums in the case of oily skin.