Our day has 24 hours and our bodies have a natural cycle. Can you imagine sleeping all morning and working the night? I’m sure all the night owls reading this might think, “Working the night – Bring it on!” However, our skin follows a very set routine! Time has a great influence on the efficiency of a product. Simply applying products and wishing for a miracle is not the best approach. You must understand how ingredients react differently throughout the day and the right time to use it for better results. To understand the hows and whys, ifs and buts, read on!

Why is it important to use different ingredients in the day and night? 

Different ingredients react differently during the day and night. Our skin acts as a protective barrier during the day and shifts to repair mode during the night. The right ingredients will complement the different roles it plays throughout the day to give you better results. Here are a few reasons to consider:

1.  Our skin is more receptive to ingredients during the night, which helps in the absorption of ingredients.
2.  Due to low exposure to pollution, heavier ingredients can be used during the night, as the risk of clogging the pores reduces drastically.
3.  We shed dead skin throughout the day, but this accelerates sharply during the night. Using chemical exfoliants will help to aid this process and prevent burns from sun exposure.
4. Cell regeneration is higher during the night when we are asleep. Our skin is working hard to repair and regenerate, it requires the right nourishment to help it perform its job properly.
5. During the day our skin releases an excess amount of sebum that acts as a natural moisturiser. Moreover, we consciously keep our body hydrated by drinking water. However, we lose moisture during the night when the rate of oil produced naturally significantly reduces. The right ingredients are needed to compensate for this.
6. Excess oil, sweat and dirt during the day can lead to acne, breakouts and eczema. It is important to use light weight, non - comedogenic ingredients to avoid such situations during the day.
7. Our morning routine is all about protection from pollution, sun damage and other elements. Ingredients that promise protection from UV rays and antioxidants that fight harmful environmental pollutants are required during the day. 

Which Ingredients should you use during the day and which are the one to use at night? 

While some products come with clear instructions on the label for when to use, you might come across others that don’t. What do you do in such a situation? When in doubt, just shout and we’ll be there to help you out! Check out this comprehensive list of ingredients to find out the right time to use them:

1. Vitamin A

Best used in: Night

Reason: Vitamin A such Retinol is known to accelerate cell turnover and stimulate collagen production Retinol can make the skin highly sensitive to sunlight therefore, should be applied at night. Apply SPF the following morning to protect your skin from any harsh reactions. Neemli Naturals Retinol & Peptide Serum is a lightweight cell renewal solution that increases enzymatic activity in the night recovery process from smoother and younger looking skin. Check out our article on Why you should be using Retinol: Everything you need to know about this skincare superhero. 

2. Vitamin C

Best used in: Day

Reason: During the day our skin is constantly exposed to various environmental aggressors. If you are looking for a magic potion to save the day we recommend our all - time favourite, Vitamin C. This is a powerful antioxidant that contributes strongly towards protecting the skin from sun damage, free radicals and pollution throughout the day. It encourages Collagen and elastin production, which builds healthy skin with its protein contents. This can repair acne wounds, scars, sun spots, blemishes or even uneven skin tone. When paired with SPF, the two work in perfect sync to protect your cells from cellular damage caused by UV rays and strengthen your skin’s barriers. This in turn delays the ageing process reducing fine lines and wrinkles. We recommend using Dear, Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Drop Serum during the day to brighten dull skin and tone sun damage. You can surely use this Vitamin in the evening but to reap its maximum benefits it is best to use during the day. With so much information out there it is easy to get confused with what's true and what's not! Check out the list of Myths v/s Facts on Vitamin C for your skin curated especially for you!

3. Vitamin E

Best used in: Night

Reason: Vitamin E helps to nourish and moisturise the skin by strengthening its natural defence. Due to its thick consistency, it is best to use Vitamin E before bed to allow it to completely absorb and prevent dirt from sticking to the surface of our skin. Applying it during the morning can cause difficulty in layering your skin with other products or makeup. Try Dear. Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask Mini that works as a multi - functional product that can be used as a mask, sleeping pack or daily moisturiser.

4. Glycolic Acid

Best used in: Night

Reason: This acid works on the upper layers of the skin to strip away dead skin cells. It also encourages skin to retain moisture, delivering hydration benefits. It helps to treat hyperpigmentation and reverse sun damage. Glycolic acid should be applied during the night as it makes the skin sensitive to sunlight. We recommend Neemli Naturals Glycolic Acid & Apple Cider Vinegar Exfoliating Toner that provides the perfect hydration and preps the skin to absorb the products to come.

5. Salicylic Acid

Best used in: Day

Reason: It helps to cleanse the skin by unclogging the pores. It is so gentle that it can be used during the day and  suitable for oily, acne prone skin. It is a great addition to your morning skincare routine to get rid of the dead cells and oil secretion clogging the pores through the night. It will gently exfoliate your skin and clear out blemishes. Try Swisse Vitamin B3 Anti Blemish Moisturiser with Green Tea & Willow Bark Extract that helps to refine the appearance of enlarged pores and reveals smooth, clear skin. 

6. Hyaluronic Acid

Best used in: Day or Night

Reason: Hyaluronic Acid works as a humectant with the ability to retain and draw moisture to the skin. It increases the skin's moisture levels and reduces signs of ageing by making the skin look firm. It forms a protective layer on the skin and therefore can be used either in the day or night. Improve your skin texture with the House of Beauty Hyaluronic Serum that hydrates, soothes and restores dehydrated skin. Do not forget to read our Ingredient Deep Dive: All about Hyaluronic Acid to know more! 

7. Niacinamide

Best used in: Day or Night

Reason: This Vitamin B derivative helps to reduce appearance of pores, tighten skin and protect the skin's natural moisture barrier. To see best results, you must use it twice daily, that means it is absolutely safe to use both times of the day. We recommend Nacific Fresh Herb Origin Cream, a fast absorbing formula that helps with skin brightening and reversing signs of ageing too! Read our Ingredient Deep Dive: Niacinamide article to know everything about this wonder ingredient.

8. SPF

Best used in: Day

Reason: Sun damage is a serious threat to our skin. Unprotected rays not only make our skin vulnerable to ageing, sun damage and other free radicals that come with direct exposure to harsh sunlight but it also increases the risk of more serious concerns such as skin cancer. The best way to protect yourself is to apply sunscreen when you are indoors as well before you go out and reapply the product depending on the SPF level (for instant thoses using SPF 15 must reapply every 2 hours). This is because UV rays can penetrate to the thickest clouds, curtains and clothes.  While it is imperative to use SPF during the day to protect the skin against the harmful UVA and UVB rays, applying sunscreen during the night is not only a waste of product but also increases risk of clogging pores due to its large molecules and thick consistency. Use the Ozone Signature Natural Sun Protector to seal in moisture for all day hydration and even out the skin tone for a flawless complexion.

Conclusion

The world of skincare is an ocean of opportunities, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the vast range of products and ingredients found. Each ingredient performs a different function and reacts differently to external factors. It is all about timing. So, time will tell if you timed it well! 

- Drishti Khurana