Vintage Jolie: Beauty Question: Day vs. Night Moisturizers
Monday, August 29th, 2005
V. writes,
Beauty Question: Day vs. Night Moisturizers
I can’t wait to try some of the lotions and washes you recommended recently. My skin seems to be similar to yours: seriously sensitive, but I still manage to break out–not to mention dry out! I’m always confused as to whether I should be using different products at night. If my day lotion has SPF in it, I don’t like to use it at night. Any recommendations? What should a nightly beauty routine consist of?
Hi V.!The whole SPF/night cream thing is so confusing! Even though there’s little, if any, difference between most moisturizers marketed for AM or for PM, I think it just doesn’t feel right putting on “night cream” during the day, or SPF-infused moisturizer at night. Regardless, unless you have extra-sensitive skin that gets irritated by sunscreen, it’s actually fine to use your day cream at night and vice versa. (So next time you go on a trip and forget a night moisturizer, don’t freak out!) Night moisturizers are often slightly heavier and day moisturizers usually have sunscreen, but other than that, they’re pretty much indistinguishable. That being said, there are so many excellent night products out there, why not pick one that’s going to do something good for your skin? Some of my favorites: ROC Age Diminishing Moisturizing Night Cream, Kinerase, IS Clinical Active Serum, Philosophy Save Me and Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture for Sensitive Skin. These products won’t inflame breakout-prone skin, and (except for the ROC and Neutrogena, which are just great, non-oily moisturizers) will even help reduce breakouts, so you won’t have to deal with that annoying “Okay, this cream has zapped my zits, but now I’m molting” experience common to so many acne-fighting moisturizers. As far as the general routine, keep it simple: a gentle cleanser followed by moisturizer—and that’s it. (Toners are generally a crock of BS, unless you simply enjoy the squeaky-clean feeling. Then, by all means, tone away!)
