most active from 10pm to 3am, so applying a more intensive product while your skin is putting the most effort into calming and reviving itself, makes perfect sense. Lee Etheridge says: “Anti-oxidant activity increases during sleep, which helps to combat and neutralise ageing free radicals. Cell renewal and hyaluronic acid production speed up during these hours too, which results in a fresher, plumper and healthier complexion.” An effective overnight skin treatment can help to tackle a number of problems, explains Bell: “An effective skincare routine helps with reducing the appearance of pigmentation, allows the skin to renew itself on a more regular basis, delays the signs of premature ageing, and helps to clear congestion.”
One of the most important stages in any night skincare application is the thorough cleansing of skin beforehand. A night treatment packed with concentrated ingredients will then complement a cleansed skin. Lee Etheridge says: “Night treatments have a higher concentration of ingredients because scientists understand the ‘gene clock’ of skin cells and realise that the cells are more susceptible to replenishing ingredients. They are richer in texture because they do not need to provide an ideal make up base, so a little bit of slip is acceptable for going to bed, and of course, an SPF is not needed because you are not exposed to the damaging effects of the sun.”
Some of the most popular nighttime skincare treatments include oils, serums and creams that load the skin with nourishing ingredients. But another wonder product that has received great reviews across the beauty world is bareMinerals Pure Transformation Night Treatment. Etheridge explains: “This product is specifically designed to increase cell renewal, giving the skin a brighter, softer and smoother appearance. The skin takes on a renewed luminosity with a reduction of pore size and skin imperfections. It was developed to work with the skin’s natural cell renewing processes while you sleep, but it also provides a sheer mineral tint of colour and coverage which is designed to give women confidence even after they have taken their make up off.” Other after dark hits include Neal’s Yard Remedies Beauty Sleep Concentrate and Estée Lauder’s coveted Advanced Night Repair Concentrate, which relieves and calms the look of any redness and helps rebuild a weakened moisture barrier.
HAIR RAISING
Although hair differs from skin in that it doesn’t go through any renewal process at night, it does benefit from being away
from numerous external aggressors, making it an ideal time for treatment. Stephanie Stevenson, founder of Salon Confidential (
www.salonconfidential.co.uk), says: “Overnight treatments incorporate vitamins, amino acids, botanical oils, silicones and other ingredients, leaving no residue on your pillow.” There are a number of treatments available, including the specially formulated John Frieda Frizz- Ease Crème Serum, which is infused with damage-mending technology and calming chamomile extract to deeply nourish hair. While specifically formulated night treatments are effective on hair, other hair masks will also benefit from having hours to soak into the scalp and hair shaft. Avoid using a regular hair conditioner overnight though, says Stevenson: “Deep conditioning requires an open cuticle; normal conditioner seals the cuticle closed, so it won’t work.” The ingredients in specially formulated treatments are designed to penetrate the cuticle and deposit protein otherwise known as keratin, into the hair shaft, says Stevenson, so giving products eight hours to do this will enhance the effect. She adds: “Now overnight hair treatments are so advanced they claim not to leave your hair and emboss themselves all over your pillow and favourite nighty. However, I would either wrap your hair in a light towelling turban or a towel to help heat the head, as this can really help your treatment to work.” Dull hair might benefit from an overnight treatment three times a week, advises Stevenson, whereas weak or oily hair might benefit from once-weekly use.
INTENSIVE TREATMENTS We, and your customers, all know that applying a hand and foot cream at night and popping on a pair of gloves and socks will ensure hands and feet are nourished and soft by the morning – but do they really know why? Jane Calderwood, Champneys spa training manager, explains that the warmth of the socks and gloves helps the activating ingredients in the formulations to absorb more deeply into the skin by opening the pores and giving them extra time to settle in and work efficiently. For feet, an overnight treatment will be complemented by some pre-sleep attention, says Calderwood: “At least twice a week – more if skin is hard or cracked – start by using a foot file to gently remove dead skin. Then use an exfoliating foot scrub, massaging it over your entire foot and around your ankles. This not only buffs away dead skin, but helps moisturising ingredients penetrate deeper into the skin. Next, soak your feet in a bowl of warm water and relax for a
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few minutes to soften the skin – you can also add a few drops of peppermint oil to really help refresh and rejuvenate tired toes. Finally, thoroughly dry the skin before applying a foot cream. Try Champneys Cracked Heel Balm or Champneys Foot Butter.” Hands will benefit from similar treatment. Calderwood says: “A good hand cream will include a range of hydrating vitamins to intensely moisturise and protect the skin. Exfoliate your hands every two to three days with Champneys Softening Hand Scrub, which will remove dead skin build-up, keeping hands smooth and soft. Then use Champneys Overnight Hand Therapy, £10 (which comes complete with a pair of cotton gloves) two to three times a week. Apply a generous layer before bed and pop on the gloves to help this miracle cream work wonders, ensuring hands are repaired and restored back to health in no time.”
GLOW GET ‘EM
One of the best ways to give skin a healthy glow overnight is – you guessed it – a dose of self tan. James Harknett explains why night time is an ideal time to commit to the mitt: “A self-tanning product needs a good eight hours to develop on the skin. The tanning agent DHA needs this time to bond with the proteins on the skin. The longer it is left on, the more the tan can darken, working with the user’s individual skin tone. Leaving a tan overnight is the most convenient way for a tan to develop. The skin will not come in contact with water, nor is it likely to rub against fabrics. If using a tanning lotion during the day, this can feel a little damp or sticky, therefore a tan before bedtime is much more comfortable.” For the best results, he recommends the following routine: “Remove any excess tan, body lotion or oils by exfoliating the skin. Also make sure any waxing or shaving is done at least 24 hours prior to application. Moisturise drier areas of the body first, concentrating on the hands, elbows, knees, feet and ankles. If you’re a fair head, blend a little moisturiser around the hairline and protect the eyebrows with a smear of Vaseline. Next, start applying your tanning product. A mousse or lotion can be applied with ease to the skin using a tanning mitt. Start with the face, working down the arms and body, followed by the back and legs. Always apply sparingly to the hands and feet and blend with moisturiser to gain a natural finish.” Then allow time to dry (a top tip is to gently blast skin with a hairdryer) then pop on some loose pajamas, nod off, and wake up looking like you’ve spent a week in the south of France – ideal!
March 2012 Pure Beauty 45
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