Retinol is a superstar skincare ingredient that benefits skin in multiple ways – it exfoliates, increases cell turnover, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, evens out skin tone, and even decreases acne breakouts. There’s no reason why retinol should not be in your skincare routine. However, did you know, to get the most out of retinol and to avoid unwanted side effects, you should only use retinol during night-time, avoiding exposure to sun after application. Some skincare ingredients can be applied on the skin anytime during the day, for example, alpha arbutin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin E, etc., but certain other powerful ones are best reserved for night time, because they are photosensitizing in nature and might cause inflammation, redness, rashes, red and irritated skin upon exposure to sunlight. In either cases, one should never skip sunscreen during daytime because the harsh and harmful rays of the sun are strong enough to reverse all the good things that these ingredients bring about on the skin. The improved texture and new skin that follows application of such ingredients is extra sensitive to sunlight, increasing the chances of sun damage and hyperpigmentation without adequate sun protection. Applying such ingredients at night also provides them ample time for them to work on certain skin issues. In this post, we would draw attention towards some extremely powerful skincare ingredients that you should be only during night-time routine, after properly cleansing the skin, so that you can maximum benefits out of them.

1. Retinol: Retinol can be labelled as an anti-acne, anti-pigmentation, anti-blemish and anti-ageing ingredient – so it covers all skincare woes in general. One should always consult a dermatologist before using any kind of retinol-based product to get the right concentration of retinol for your skin type, otherwise it may lead to inflammation and rashes.
2. Lactic Acid: It’s a very popular alpha hydroxy acid that can reduce hyperpigmentation, improve skin tone, and even out complexion. What it also does is to shrink the appearance of large facial pores. Though lactic acid can be used both during daytime and nighttime, it’s best to apply it on the skin when the sun has gone down because it increases sun sensitivity and reacts badly to harsh sunrays.
3. Glycolic Acid: Just like other alpha hydroxy acids, glycolic acid which improves skin cell turnover and sloughs off dry and rough skin, but makes skin sensitive to sun. Apply it in the evening and avoid clubbing it with other alpha hydroxy acids.
4. Facial Oils: You can get the maximum out of facial oils, in terms of nourishment and hydration, if you keep it for a longer time, and night-time is the best time for such oils to work their magic on the skin.
5. Salicylic Acid: Topical application of salicylic acid, which is a beta hydroxy acid, helps with reducing acne breakouts, clears clogged pores, and improves the texture of skin. Since this is an ingredient that needs time to work on and also makes skin photosensitive, use it in night-time skincare regime.
6. Overnight Masks: Using overnight masks for a longer number of hours would help you wake up with well-hydrated, plump, and refreshed skin in the morning, and that’s why you should use it while you are getting your beauty sleep!

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