7 Skincare Ingredients for Your Night Routine

As you settle into your night routine and wind down, your skin is hard at work to undo the day’s wear and tear. It quickly enters its repair mode, which you can rev up with the right skincare regimen. One small problem: how do you know for sure what your skin needs? It’s simpler than you expect. To help you out, we’ve curated the top ingredients that can optimize your skin’s nocturnal rejuvenation.

Hailed as the GOAT of skincare ingredients, retinoids show a lot of promise when it comes to fighting signs of premature aging. These potent forms of vitamin A accelerate cell turnover to fade dark spots, prevents breakouts, minimize the look of large pores, and smoothen the overall texture of your complexion. Above all, it stimulates collagen production while you sleep, so you can wake up with refreshed skin.

Pushing the benefits aside, all types of retinoids – from the OTC retinol to the medical-strength retinoic acid – have a downside. If your skin is sensitive or it’s your first time using it, dryness and flaking can happen. It is also a reason why it’s best to have it in your nighttime skincare routine.

It’s nearly impossible to hate on hyaluronic acid. Not only because it’s a substance found in the foundation of your skin (the extracellular matrix, if you want to get scientific), but it also earns its keep by boosting the effectiveness of other skincare ingredients in your night routine lineup. How does it work? It attracts a large amount of water into the skin like a magnet, which helps subsequent products to get absorbed more easily.

Many mistake ceramides for hyaluronic acid because both are moisturizing agents, but their roles differ slightly. The former draws water molecules into the epidermis whereas the latter focuses on holding and sealing them inside. While it’s okay to use one without the other, you can combine these two heroes for that extra boost of hydration. Should you choose only one, ceramides carry more benefits if you’re dealing with skin irritation.

If you love to end your night routine with a facial massage, lubricating your skin with a lightweight oil is a must. One ingredient that deserves to be on your radar is marula oil– an emollient rich in fatty acids essential in maintaining the skin’s barrier function. Africans have used it for centuries as a natural remedy for dry elbows and knees as well as for treating wounds. However, applying it under makeup can result in piling, which is why you should reserve it for before bedtime.

Niacinamide is a gem for almost all skin types, even the acne-prone. What’s more, you can pair it with other actives like retinol. Its anti-inflammatory properties can calm any redness and help nourish the tissues in your skin.

Niacinamide’s soothing talents include tackling hyperpigmentation, cutting down on excess sebum, and improving the appearance of fine lines. All this good stuff is inside POND'S Bright Miracle Night Serum. It’s infused with Actience that doubles the brightening power of niasorcinol.

A new superstar in the skincare scene, resveratrol is present in wine and dark chocolate – two delish snacks to have in your night routine. This powerful antioxidant offers anti-aging benefits comparable to retinol. The big surprise? It’s considered well-tolerated by all skin types and deeply hydrating for mature skin prone to xerosis.

Consider peptides as your key to unveiling a more youthful and radiant complexion. They’re short chains of amino acids that play a crucial role in supporting your skin’s natural structure. Most importantly, they signal your body to ramp up collagen production and restore firmness and elasticity.

Peptides are not limited for the skin on your face. These babies can transform your skin from the neck down without much fuss. Apply Vaseline Gluta-Hya Serum Burst Lotion Overnight Radiance Repair all over your body to reap the benefits. It’s formulated with Amino Peptide Complex and Serum Burst technology that nourishes and plumps up tired skin overnight.

You don’t have to use all these ingredients together to get glowing skin. In the end, everyone’s night routine will look different. Some prefer a 10-step skincare routine while others believe less is more. Pick one (or several) that matches with your skin concerns, and you’re golden.