6 Nighttime Beauty Treatments That Diminish Signs of Aging
Want an easy way to turn back the clock? It might sound impossible, but you can make the most out of a night in bed — whether you’re asleep or even just trying to sleep – with just a few nighttime beauty treatments.
Applying special beauty treatments before you turn in, explains medical aesthetician Cassandra Bankson, is very important. “When we’re at rest, our body is hard at work rejuvenating and repairing any damage caused to skin and hair throughout the day,” she tells Woman’s World. “And since sunlight and pollution can interfere with the efficacy of products, this makes it an ideal time to target beauty concerns and give ingredients a chance to penetrate without disruption.”
The result of using nighttime beauty treatments? A refreshed and radiant you come sunrise!
Age spots? Erase them with a kojic acid cream.
Derived from mushrooms, kojic acid acts like a mild bleach to lighten up areas with discoloration, says Bankson. Plus, the acid inhibits the enzyme responsible for producing pig-ment, so new spots won’t form.
ONE TO TRY: Reviva Labs Kojic Acid Brightening Créme (Buy at Walmart, $17.51).
Cracked heels? Mend them with a ‘butter’ mask.
Fatty acids in cocoa butter hydrate dry, rough heels. And mixing with antioxidant-rich tea tree oil speeds skin-repairing results.
TRY IT! Mix one tablespoon of cocoa butter – like the Cococare Cocoa Butter Cream (buy at Walgreens, $1.79) – with two drops of tea tree essential oil. Rub onto your heels, slip on socks, and rinse in the morning.
Thinning hair? Reverse it with a coconut-mint rinse.
Coconut water’s lauric acid plumps strands so tresses look thicker, stat. And the menthol in peppermint boosts circulation to promote new growth so hair has long-lasting fullness.
TRY IT! Mix a 1/4 cup of coconut water and six drops of peppermint essential oil. Pour over damp hair. Then, cover with a turban towel “cap,” like the Turbie Twist Microfiber Hair Towel (buy on Amazon, $2.99). Rinse out in the morning.
Forehead wrinkles? Diminish them with a silicone patch.
“Wearing a patch across the brow at nighttime holds skin taut to prevent it from creasing while you sleep,” says Bankson. Even better? One made of silicone thickens the outer layer of skin, which keeps moisture in and “fills in” furrows for a smoother-looking brow by morning.
ONE TO TRY: Silc Skin Facial Pads, Brow Set, (Buy at Walmart, $32.99).
Double chin? Slim it with a cucumber rub.
Minerals like magnesium and potassium in cucumber increase circulation, which helps push out excess fluids that build up under the chin. What’s more, cucumber’s potent anti-inflammatory compounds further alleviate swelling for a more chiseled-looking jawline. Combining cucumber with moisturizing aloe vera helps make skin beneath the chin appear tauter instantly.
TRY IT! Puree a quarter of a cucumber in a blender, then mix with 1⁄4 cup of aloe vera gel. Rub the mixture onto your skin along the jaw and down to the neck. Rinse in the morning.
Secrets to a Deeper Sleep
Looking for an excuse to pamper yourself? A better night’s sleep is one of the best beauty treatments out there. Check out these tips for a rejuvenating slumber.
Slip on satin pj’s. The cooling fabric regulates body temperature to thwart snooze-disrupting night sweats. Try: Stars Above Satin Sleep T-Shirt (Buy at Target, $14.99) and the matching Satin Cropped Pajama Pants (Buy at Target, 17.99).
Use an oil diffuser. Filling your bedroom with the aroma of calming essential oils helps you drift off faster. Try: Woolzies Sleep Collection Essential Oil Blend Set (Buy on Amazon, $15.99).
Wear a weighted eye mask. Gentle pressure applied to eyes enhances relaxation, helping you fall — and stay — asleep. Try: Therapedic Weighted Eye Mask (Buy at Bed Bath and Beyond, $14.99).
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.
