10 Skin Care Picks That Treat Skin While You Sleep

Sleep is a beautiful thing. And while it may seem like all you're doing is getting your Z's, it's actually the best time to repair skin. With a few before-bed skin creams and products, you can get better skin overnight. I reached out to Shamara Bondaroff, esthetician and founder of SB SKIN, home of some of the best facials in NYC, to discuss overnight skincare.

Bondaroff pointed out that, "At night, your skin only has to repair itself. You want your nighttime routine to help your skin do so as effectively as possible." So, make sure you're cleansing your skin before you apply any products before bed (aka: You want to add night creams and serums to clean skin.) You should also be looking for products that contain Retinol (vitamin A) to add to your skincare regiment. Make sure you're moisturizing before bed and applying non-irritating products.

Something as simple as changing your pillowcase can prevent acne from forming, too. Bondaroff told me that a big cause of overnight breakouts is a dirty pillowcase, "Dirt and oil from your hair will go right from your pillowcases to your face and cause breakouts." So, incorporate a good skin care routine before your bedtime, and you could start seeing way more noticeable results.

1. Cleanse Skin Before Anything Else

Detox Daily Cleanser by Kate Somerville, $34, Shop Spring

"It is so important to go to sleep with clean skin," said Bondaroff. "Make sure you are cleansing, with more than just a wipe, preferably, every single night." Use a cleanser that banishes impurities without drying out your skin. This one has Phytic acid that will help face post-acne scars and reduce inflammation, making it a great addition to your before-bed routine.

2. Clarify Skin With Natural Ingredients

Night Clarifying Treatment With Chamomile and Sea Buckthorn by Apoterra Skincare, $42, Shop Spring

Some people love using oil, and others think it makes skin greasy. That's why it's a great product to use overnight. This one soothes irritations, increases elasticity, prevents premature aging, heals blemishes and moisturizes skin. It is filled with natural ingredients like safflower oil, green tea, jojoba oil, chamomile, pomegranate oil, and so much more.

3. Restore Skin With A Night Cream

Restorative Night Cream by CONTEXT, $45, Shop Spring

"Vitamin A (Retinol) is the gold standard for night products," said Bondaroff. It reduces fine lines you might have acquired after too many unprotected afternoons in the sun. Find a night cream that is packed with helpful ingredients, such as this cream's soothing aloe, vitamin C, and vitamin E. It also contains hydrolyzed collage and elastin, which helps skin hold its shape, in addition to glycerin, which hydrates and stops skin from losing moisture.

4. Get Firmer, Healthier Skin With A Serum

Active Cell Renewal Night Serum by bareMinerals, $29 (was $50), Shop Spring

Shamara Bondaroff explained to me that at night, all skin has to do is repair itself. That means with the right products, you can wake up with better skin. A serum that helps renew cells and really moisturizes is a great option to aid in this. This intensive night serum supercharges cells to protect your skin during the day, which means healthier skin.

5. Give Dehydrated Skin Plenty Of Moisture While You Sleep

Night Replenisher- Normal to Dry Skin by AHAVA, $48, Shop Spring

During the day, your skin comes face-to-face with pollution and harmful environmental elements. So it's definitely important to make sure you're giving your skin a break overnight. Use a natural nighttime moisturizer that is packed with ingredients like sweet almond extract, avocado oil, jojoba oil and vitamin E. This way, your skin will retain moisture and maintain its elasticity while you sleep.

6. Late Night? Get A Product That Repairs Skin In Less Time

Midnight Secret Late Night Recovery Treatment by Guerlain, $30, Shop Spring

When I go out and come home late, sometimes I skip my skincare routine because I think, "What's the point?" This is an overnight skin care formula that works in less time — perfect for those times you don't get to sleep until the early hours of the morning. This cream has a hydronoctine complex that "promotes skin recovery in record time."

7. Don't Forget About Your Eyes

Retinol & Peptide Infused Lifting Eye Cream, Jr. by Palmetto Derma, $48, Shop Spring

It's important not to assume that a night cream will do the same thing for your whole face. Your skin is especially sensitive around your eyes, so be sure you're gently caring for the area. This one is made of peptides, plant oils, and organic vitamins and minerals. It has retinol and glycolic acid, too, so it repairs, soothes, and firms skin all at once.

8. Revitalize Skin On A Micro Level — All While Removing Makeup

Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Balm by Estee Lauder, $45, Shop Spring

You don't want to go to bed with makeup on! It clogs pores and leaves you with a better chance of breakouts and skin impurities forming. Use a balm that removes makeup from dry skin and provides you with a deep clean. It's gentle enough to use every night before bed, and its milky formula will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.

9. Optimize Nighttime Renewal With A Night Cream

Turnaround Overnight Revitalizing Moisturizer by Clinique, $40, Shop Spring

Say goodbye to dull skin and sun damage with this nourishing moisturizing cream. The cream pumps in moisture, and in doing so, it tones, re-texturizes, and leaves you with luminous and bright skin. Plus it's free of fragrances and oils, so you don't have to worry about irritation if you have sensitive skin.

10. Once Or Twice A Week Treat Skin To Extra Moisture

Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask by Origins, $26, Shop Spring

Bondaroff told me, "A deep cleansing mask is great once a week — twice in the summer when skin gets sweaty and you’re layering on the SPF." So find an overnight mask that is packed with all natural and organic ingredients. This powerful hydrating mask is made with avocado oil and apricot kernel oil, leaving your skin feeling super moisturized. It's also made with Japanese seaweed, which helps repair skin and prevent dehydration.

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Images: Fotolia (1); Shop Spring (10)