Using a washcloth to clean your face is a great, simple tool. It provides deeper cleansing and even slight exfoliation.
Yes. Using fingers alone tends to only smear around your leftover makeup rather than actually remove it. A facecloth helps lather your cleanser better and pick up more particles of dirt and makeup with its fibres.
Yes. After using it on your face, you should give it a good rinse, squeeze out the water, and hang to dry. Once a week you can toss it in the wash and hang dry (don't use dryer with fabric softener since that leaves a coating that you don't want to run into your face).
:::The Facecloth | Skincare Must-Haves for Bedtime Beauty | Steven and Chris::: /stevenandchris/content/images/__common/_slideshow/_fullslide/bedtime-beauty-02-clairsonic.jpg:::This little cordless electronic gadget not only provides a deep cleanse and exfoliation, but using the products that come with it evens out skin tone and brightens complexion, helping to reduce appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
Chrstine recommends using it every night. "I usually give my face a first cleanse to remove most makeup, then the Radiance machine to buff my face in small circular upward motions on my whole face and neck."
:::Clarisonic Sonic Radiance Brightening Solution | Skincare Must-Haves for Bedtime Beauty | Steven and Chris::: /stevenandchris/content/images/__common/_slideshow/_fullslide/bedtime-beauty-03-camomile-remover.jpg:::Firstly, hygiene and safety. You don't want to sleep with particles of eye makeup getting into your eyes and increasing risk of infections, not to mention waking up looking like a raccoon! Also, it's important to start fresh each morning so you look and feel well rested. Going to bed with makeup on also ages your face.
Camomile is known for its calming topical benefits of reducing inflammation and treating skin irritations. It also has active ingredients and antioxidants that help protect skin from free radical damage. So even though this eye makeup remover is incredibly effective at taking off even the most stubborn waterproof makeup, it's still gentle and non-irritating.
:::The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover | Skincare Must-Haves for Bedtime Beauty | Steven and Chris::: /stevenandchris/content/images/__common/_slideshow/_fullslide/bedtime-beauty-04-grape-water.jpg:::A toner is applied after cleanser, before moisturizers. It balances the pH level of the skin so it's better prepared to receive moisturizer.
The pure water sourced from grapes is super hydrating. Organic grape water increases skin's hydration by 127 per cent and decreases sensitivity by 62 per cent. It can be used as a toner and any time your skin needs a boost of moisture.
:::Caudalie Grape Water | Skincare Must-Haves for Bedtime Beauty | Steven and Chris::: /stevenandchris/content/images/__common/_slideshow/_fullslide/bedtime-beauty-05-lancome-mask.jpg:::This mask is concentrated and you can feel a difference right away. If you're going to spend the time to do a mask, you want to feel a clear difference that is worth the time and money! It's aptly named a Second Skin mask because you push it on your face to for your unique contours.
The mask is infused with Lancôme's bestselling anti-aging serum, Génifique, made of natural cellulose material. It fits snugly to the shape of your face, allowing moisture and ingredients to sink in.
Twice a week, on clean skin, after cleansing and before your other skincare products.
:::Lancome Genefique Youth Activating Second Skin Mask | Skincare Must-Haves for Bedtime Beauty | Steven and Chris::: /stevenandchris/content/images/__common/_slideshow/_fullslide/bedtime-beauty-06-dr-roebuck-face.jpg:::Yes. If you want to give your skin the ideal opportunity to boost moisture, choose a night cream that is slightly richer and can release moisture throughout the night. This is the time the skin heals, and its cells regenerate. While your body temperature is warmer, and your pores open up, your skin is more receptive to soaking in products.
The Dr Roebuck's FACE contains natural hydrating oils of rose hip, macadamia and vitamin E that soak your skin the moment you put it on — immediate moisture without greasiness or artificial strong perfumes, dyes and chemicals. You wake up with your face feeling smooth and moist.
:::Dr Roebuck's FACE | Skincare Must-Haves for Bedtime Beauty | Steven and Chris::: /stevenandchris/content/images/__common/_slideshow/_fullslide/bedtime-beauty-07-avene-lip-balm.jpg:::Emollient lip care provides immediate relief and protection against chapped, flaky, cracked lips. It's formulated with Avène Thermal spring water and it's recommended by dermatologists worldwide.
Yes. A major cause of fine lines is dehydration. We all know that drinking water is beneficial for good skin, and this particular lip balm contains actual Avène thermal spring water as well as vitamin E for soothing topical moisture.
Our lips go through so much during the day. After brushing, flossing, and mouthwashing, applying this lip balm will heal any damage like chapped, dry flakiness. It creates a barrier and seals in hydration for up to eight hours — probably longer than most of us get to sleep!
:::Eau Thermale Avene Cold Cream Lip Balm | Skincare Must-Haves for Bedtime Beauty | Steven and Chris::: /stevenandchris/content/images/__common/_slideshow/_fullslide/bedtime-beauty-08-vitamin-e-oil.jpg:::Pure vitamin E oil can be used safely on your face — especially stubborn, dry, flaky areas, like around the nose or corners of lips. It can also be used on your cuticles around fingers and toes to prevent hangnails.
For specific purposes, yes. If you have stubborn targeted areas of flaky, rough, chapped skin that need extra attention where moisturizers just aren't cutting it, pure vitamin E oil, which is quite heavy, will immediately flatten the flakes and then begin to heal and treat the area for ongoing smoothness.
:::Jamieson Vitamin E Oil | Skincare Must-Haves for Bedtime Beauty | Steven and Chris::: /stevenandchris/content/images/__common/_slideshow/_fullslide/bedtime-beauty-09-grace-coconut-oil.jpg:::Grace Virgin Coconut Oil is extracted from fresh coconut kernel through an old fashioned technique known as cold pressing. For centuries virgin coconut oil has been the primary source of healthy fat for people in the tropics. Virgin Coconut Oil can be used for cooking, natural skin lotion, and even as a hair conditioner.
It's a multi-purpose oil that can be used on your whole body as a natural, affordable moisturizer.
High in saturated fats, it helps skin retain moisture longer. Coconut oil naturally clears away dirt, grime, and dead skin cells. It even has some antibacterial properties, killing off harmful bacteria. It's especially great to apply after a warm shower at night when it's more easily spreadable and absorbed. And of course, it has a lovely tropical scent, and it's edible!
Is it safe for all skin types?
Coconut oil is great for all skin types. Whether your skin is dry or oily in type, it loses moisture throughout the day and needs replenishment at night. The texture of this oil is very interesting — jelly-like — and absorbs into the skin like a gel.
:::Grace Virgin Coconut Oil | Skincare Must-Haves for Bedtime Beauty | Steven and Chris::: /stevenandchris/content/images/__common/_slideshow/_fullslide/bedtime-beauty-10-benefit-puffoff.jpg:::There are a variety of reasons. Usually puffiness is an indication of liquid pooling in the area under the eyes. Also, eating high levels of sodium can increase swelling.
The actual physical applicator is a little metal iron — the coolness of the metal immediately helps relieve puffiness. The combination of the refreshing gel that squeezes out of the tube and the cool ironing tip calms and smooths skin under the eyes, day and night.
After a good eye-makeup removal and face washing, the delicate under eye area can often become very dry and inflamed. Puff Off! will moisturize while calm under eyes so you can wake up looking rested.
:::Benefit Puff Off | Skincare Must-Haves for Bedtime Beauty | Steven and Chris::: /stevenandchris/content/images/__common/_slideshow/_fullslide/bedtime-beauty-11-moroccanoil-hand-cream.jpg:::Argan and avocado oils are rich in antioxidants. Shea, cocoa and mango butters are rich in vitamins and fatty acids that coat and protect skin on hardworking hands.
It's very important to moisturize hands before bed — we use our hands for so much throughout each day, and as we are frequently washing them and exposing them to all kinds of surfaces and substances. Since we aren't using our hands while we are asleep, it's a good time to make sure they are deeply moisturized and have a chance to heal.
The nourishing oils and vitamins are definitely beneficial to strengthening nails and protecting the cuticle area.
:::Moroccanoil Fragrance Originale Hand Cream | Skincare Must-Haves for Bedtime Beauty | Steven and Chris::: /stevenandchris/content/images/__common/_slideshow/_fullslide/bedtime-beauty-12-trinitae-massage-oil.jpg:::Natural lavender infused oil is perfect way to wind down and get sleepy after a long day. Share a stress-relieving massage with a partner or rub a few drops into temples and wrists for instant relaxation. Available online or at their Toronto store.
Scientific research has found that lavender increases slow-wave sleep, during which time the heartbeat slows and muscles relax. It has been shown to help relieve headaches and anxiety as well. This is why it's a commonly used scent for massages.
Sprinkle a few drops on a piece of tissue and tuck it under your pillow, or use an aromatherapy diffuser. When you feel a headache coming on, rub a few drops into your temples and wrists, or add a few drops to a soothing bath before bed.
:::Trinitae Aromatherapy Massage Oil - Lavender | Skincare Must-Haves for Bedtime Beauty | Steven and Chris::: /stevenandchris/content/images/__common/_slideshow/_fullslide/bedtime-beauty-13-mytagalongs-sleep-mask.jpg:::Blocking out even the slightest light can help achieve the deepest sleep for better rest. We have so many digital devices now that prevent total darkness while we sleep. This mask helps block distractions to your beauty sleep!
It's super fun for nap time and travel as well. The interchangeable labels say "Do Not Disturb" "Wake Me Up For Food" and "Single", which can make for great conversation starters; you can look cute while resting!
:::My Tagalongs Sleep Mask - Lavender | Skincare Must-Haves for Bedtime Beauty | Steven and Chris:::