How Many Hours In Between Skincare Shifts?
Editor
May Willis
Published
Saturday, 9 Nov 2024
5 min. read
Introduction
When it comes to building a skincare routine, the order in which you apply your products can be just as important as the products themselves. A question I often encounter from friends and readers alike is, "Do you put toner before putting on sunscreen?" Understanding the correct sequence not only maximizes the effectiveness of your skincare regimen but also protects and enhances your skin's health.
Everyone has two skincare routines, one in morning and one before bed. However the question of when they should happen aren't quite clear. Everyone assumes that the morning routine should, obviously, happen in the morning and the night one before bed. However, how many hours should you space them out?
I. Understanding Skin's Daily Rhythm
Daytime Function
During the day, your skin is in defense mode. It works tirelessly to shield you from harmful environmental aggressors like UV rays and pollution. As such, the focus of your morning skincare routine should be on protection. Applying toner before sunscreen can help prepare your skin to better absorb the protective benefits of sunscreen, while also providing an extra layer of defense against pollutants.
Nighttime Function
At night, your skin shifts its focus from protection to repair. This is when it heals from the day’s stress and rejuvenates. This is why heavier, reparative products like serums and moisturizers are perfect for your evening routine, giving your skin the nutrients it needs to repair effectively.
II. The Truth About Timing
Fixed Hours Myth
Many believe that there needs to be a strict 12-hour gap between your morning and evening skincare routines, but that's not necessarily true. The key isn't in the exact timing but in the consistency of your application and ensuring that you complete your skincare routine before bedtime to maximize the skin's natural repair process.
Natural Scheduling
Your skincare routine should ideally align with your daily schedule and your skin's specific needs. This might mean adjusting the timing of your routine on days when you wake up early or go to bed late. Listen to your skin and adapt accordingly.
III. Best Practices for Routine Timing
When considering the best times to engage in your morning and evening skincare routines, it's crucial to align these practices with both your lifestyle and your skin's natural functions.
Morning Routine Timing
Your morning skincare routine ideally should start shortly after you wake up. This timing capitalizes on your skin's natural daytime function of protecting itself against environmental stressors. Starting your routine early in the day prepares your skin to face factors like pollution and UV rays with reinforced defenses, ensuring that protective products like sunscreen are most effective when UV exposure is likely to begin.
Evening Routine Timing
Conversely, your evening routine should be timed to complement your skin’s natural nighttime function of repair and regeneration. It is best to begin your nighttime skincare routine about 2-3 hours before bedtime. This allows sufficient time for your skin to absorb the products fully and begin the recovery process undisturbed. Timing your evening routine well before sleep also minimizes the chances of product transfer to your pillow, which can reduce effectiveness and potentially cause skin irritation.
Aligning your skincare routine with your skin's natural rhythms and your personal schedule maximizes product effectiveness and ensures your skin is optimally protected during the day and thoroughly nourished at night. So stop thinking you need to stick to a fix schedule!
May Willis, Chief Writer
IV. Special Timing Considerations
Adjust your skincare routine based on your activities:
Post-workout
Consider a quick cleanse to remove sweat and bacteria. This cleanse should be light. Don't think you must wait X hours between cleansing routines. If you sweat a lot, then a cleanse might be needed.
Shift work
Adapt your routine to match your sleep cycle, not the time on the clock.
Travel
Keep hydration high and adjust your product application to the climate you're in. If you had a long flight, then try to do your skincare routine ASAP.
Don't over think about the timing of the routine! Instead, adjust your routine to how you and your skin is feeling and focus on achieving the greater goals of the routine!
Conclusion
In skincare, as in life, flexibility and understanding of one’s own needs lead to the best outcomes. Rather than sticking rigidly to timing, focus on the order and effectiveness of your skincare application. Protect your skin during the day and aid its night-time repair by adapting your routine to fit your lifestyle and environmental conditions, ensuring each product has time to work its magic.
Sources
Q&A
There isn't a strict requirement for how much hours in between skincare shift should be. The focus should be on the purpose of your routines: morning for protection and evening for recovery.
The hours in between skincare routines don't significantly impact the effectiveness of products. Consistency and the correct use of products are more important.
While some products can be used in both shifts, it's generally recommended to use lighter, protective products in the morning and more nourishing, reparative products in the evening. The timing between the routines is less critical.
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