We’ve all heard of this: you have to sleep before 11pm and get eight full hours of sleep – aka the golden hours of “beauty rest”, if you want your skin to be able to repair itself optimally.
While most of us are well aware of how important getting to bed during the golden hours are, we are also guilty of not being able to turning in by then – there are just too much things we want to catch up with at night!
Thankfully, studies by Dermalogica may present good news to night owls.
According to expert, Jodie Ayre, corporate trainer from The International Dermal Institute and Dermalogica Australia, there, in fact, is a few golden hours that you should apply your skincare:
“Skin follows a similarly regenerative process, known as the Circadian Rhythm. Sleep-inducing melatonin is produced at night and is known for its antioxidant properties – and levels of the stress hormone cortisol fall during sleep, allowing skin to repair and protect itself from outside damage. The rise in melatonin begins around 9pm which is why we recommend maximising the penetration and skin benefits of our active ingredients within the first two hours.”
She adds: “Sleep also allows the body to make more collagen, which minimises fine lines, and releases more human growth hormone, which increases muscle mass and strengthens skin.”
So, according to Jodie, that makes 9pm-11pm the ideal time for skincare application. Putting on your skincare during this period can lead to a host of improvements to your skin: restoring it, and allowing it to appear more radiant than before.
When we chatted with Jodie in person at a recent launch event, she also confirmed that this means you can still reap the benefits of your skin’s golden hours of rejuvenation when you apply skincare products between 9pm and 11pm, even if you need to sleep later than that.
Responding to email queries from Daily Vanity later, she points out: “Skin is nocturnal: Because the skin is in repair mode and blood flow increases at night, it’s best able to absorb active ingredients while we sleep. The skin also experiences more Trans-Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) at night – so a gel-cream formula also replenishes crucial hydration, complementing the body’s natural fluctuations.”
This brings forth another question: what about the products used during our skincare routines, then? Is there any specific order that products should be applied that ensures the most effective application? Well, Jodie tells us that there is a definitely an optimum line-up:
“At Dermalogica we know that in order to maximise the benefits of our high performance products we have to get the foundations of a skincare routine right.
Dermalogica’s mantra has always been to start with the essentials, get your skin into shape, and then take your skincare to the next level. Think cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising.
Much like the foundations of a building, these are the solid staples for any worthy skincare routine.Together, they’ll ensure your skin is smooth, free from build-up, nourished and protected so it can truly harness cutting edge ingredient technology.”
Sticking to these top tips are sure to benefit your skin in the long run. You can even maximise your skincare experience during this prime period by opting for a moisturiser or night cream dedicated to boosting your skin’s overnight recovery process.
A great one to try is the Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cocoon. Its specially formulated to deliver active ingredients that hydrate, brighten, and revitalize at night, giving you brighter and more radiant skin in the day.
Studies conducted by Dermalogica have shown that there are outstanding benefits when it comes to utilising the Sound Sleep Cocoon.
The expert we spoke to:
Jodi’s professional journey started with attaining a Bachelor of Science degree and subsequently a Masters of Heritage Conservation. She eventually realised that her true passion laid in the health and wellness industry, in particular, the skin therapy industry.
Jodi’s professional goal was to work for the number one skin care and education provider in the industry, which led her to join The International Dermal Institute and Dermalogica in 2012, and where she is working at up to present day.
