Dry skin has no qualms about announcing itself, arriving in the form of everything from flaky areas to red, dry patches. And while you may do all that you can in your waking hours to score a soft, moisturized complexion, the real magic occurs while you’re asleep: A large body of research indicates that skin repairs hit their peak at night.
As much as it may seem like healing dry skin is more than a month-long endeavor—if that—rest assured that the right products and techniques can usher in plumper, firmer skin between the time you say goodnight and hello, world.
Here’s how to hydrate skin overnight and why it’s key to a healthy, luminous complexion.
Why Hydration Overnight Matters
Dry skin can happen for any number of reasons. A windy, wintry climate, harsh soaps, growing older, and forgetting to keep that Hydroflask by your side can all trigger what’s technically known as xeroderma. This may result in tightness, flakiness, itchiness, and, in more acute cases, cracks, scaling, peeling, and even bleeding.
You might pile on moisturizers and serums the second you notice your skin has started losing its luster. And yet, even the most luxuriant, moisture-rich products on the market aren’t a match for one of the things your skin needs most: Good, old-fashioned sleep.
What Happens to Your Skin During Sleep?
While you’re in dreamland, the following unfolds:
Hydrated skin organically supports these renewal processes, as well as skin cell rejuvenation. What’s more, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) increases at night. In other words? Locking in moisture before you lay your head down to rest is an absolute must.
How Do You Fix Dry Skin Overnight?
But what if you already have dry skin? Can you repair it overnight so you wake up with healthy skin in the morning?
In a word: Yes, or at least you can start working toward a more emollient complexion that will nurture nighttime renewal and dial up your radiance. Here’s how to hydrate overnight:
#1. Use a Non-Stripping Cleanser
Whether you have acne-prone skin or you’re drenched in sweat after a killer workout, you might be tempted to reach for a cleanser that promises to leave you with a squeaky-clean complexion. Such cleansers, however, often brim with harmful ingredients that can strip your skin of its natural oils and exacerbate dryness.
Instead, opt for a gentle cleanser that’s filled with hydrating, nourishing ingredients like:
And by all means, steer clear of products that even hint at abrasiveness, including crushed walnuts and high alcohol contents.
#2. Use Hydrating Face Masks
Face masks “occlude” your skin, meaning there’s no air between your epidermal barrier and the mask’s ingredients. This delivers hydrating ingredients directly to your skin. Moisturizing masks also penetrate deeper than products that are vulnerable to evaporation.
#3. Exfoliate 1 to 2 Times Per Week
True: Over-exfoliating can worsen a case of xeroderma, just as it may lead to redness, irritation, and inflammation. But using a gentle exfoliator, like our VITAMINSCRUB™, can do wonders for dry skin. Search for a product that features glycolic acid, which promotes skin cell turnover. The alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) also helps slough off dead skin cells—a huge culprit behind those frustration-inducing flaky patches.
#4. Layer Serums and Facial Oils
The benefits of serums and facial oils are legion. Depending on the products you use, they may:
- Provide a big burst of hydration
- Curb transepidermal water loss by operating as a barrier that prevents evaporation
- Aid in removing pollutants and makeup from your complexion
Worried that a face oil or serum may plug your pores and trigger a breakout? Select a non-comedogenic product like our CELLRENEW® collagen stem cell serum that features moisturizing ingredients like argan oil, aloe vera, and peptides.
#5. Use a Moisturizer with Hydrating Ingredients
A rich moisturizer is crucial to restoring dry skin, but not all moisturizers are created equal. Be sure to pick a product that boasts hydrating ingredients, such as:
#6. Sleep with a Humidifier
Humidifiers can be a boon for dull, lifeless skin: they balance out the air your skin “breathes in” while you sleep. This may allow your skin to retain moisture while also helping to restore skin barrier function. Sleeping with a humidifier may be especially beneficial if you live in an arid climate and throughout winter.
#7. Don’t Shower or Wash Your Face in Hot Water
There are few things more energizing than a long, hot shower. Yet, experts suggest that hot water aggravates dry skin and may also result in irritation.
How? By causing harm to the keratin cells on your epidermis and weakening their capacity to hold onto moisture.
Your best bet is to shower and wash your face with warm water, which helps remove dirt, oil, and bacteria from your skin without drying it out. Better yet? Wash your face before or after you shower—and let your body’s muscles enjoy the higher (but not too high) temps.
Benefits of Hydrated Skin
Hydrated skin is healthy skin. In particular, prioritizing a well-moisturized complexion may lead to more than a few benefits—from clearing away acne to a revitalized skin barrier.
#1. Improved Skin Barrier and Prevention Against Future Breakouts
Hydration doesn’t just result in a gorgeous glow: It’s pivotal in keeping your skin barrier performing at its peak. This, too, is fundamental, as your skin’s outer layer acts as a form of armor against pathogens, toxins, and environmental pollutants, all of which can leave your skin susceptible to:
- Acne
- Skin infections
- Scaly, dry skin
- Itchiness
- Discoloration
#2. Reduced Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Maintaining the plumpness of your skin cells is vital to a dazzling, youthful complexion. When your skin becomes dehydrated, however, it shrivels these very cells and may cause, or compound, the appearance of fine lines and other textural inconsistencies.
#3. Enhanced Overall Complexion
Replenishing your skin’s water loss may also prompt a more brilliant complexion by:
- Fortifying skin elasticity
- Facilitating a smoother, softer texture by preventing rough, flaky skin
- Revitalizing a dull complexion
- Controlling oil production and keeping acne breakouts at bay
The best part yet? A satisfyingly smooth complexion can be yours with the 7 tips listed above—and with quality products specifically designed to amplify skin hydration.
Why Choose CLEARSTEM for Overnight Hydration?
The number of skincare products on the shelves can be dizzying.
CLEARSTEM stands out from the crowd and simplifies your options. Founded by a licensed clinical esthetician and a certified holistic nutritionist, CLEARSTEM’s suite of award-winning products is free of toxins but full of ultra-hydrating, scientifically-backed ingredients.
From our vitamin-infused calming wash to our Skin Barrier Duo, our line of skincare products for dry skin can help you wake up looking and feeling wonderfully refreshed.
Experience the difference carefully selected skincare ingredients can make with CLEARSTEM.
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