Wake up to better skin every day

Getting enough quality sleep is crucial if you want healthy, youthful looking skin. During the night your skin goes into recovery mode—blood flow increases, allowing it to repair damage, produce collagen and recover from environmental stressors.

Your skin is also more permeable at night, which means topical ingredients can penetrate more effectively. Studies show that poor sleep is linked to increased inflammation, dryness and accelerated ageing; it can also trigger certain skin conditions.

In a recent review it was shown that sleep disturbances may exacerbate conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), acne, psoriasis, urticaria and rosacea. An earlier study demonstrated that poor sleep was associated with increased signs of intrinsic ageing (fine, lines, wrinkles and sagging), weaker skin barrier function and lower satisfaction with appearance.  A further study showed a significant reduction in skin hydration and elasticity, after just one day of sleep deprivation.

“I often tell my patients that the skin at night is like a garden in its quiet hours,” says Julie Scott, EV Expert, Nurse Prescriber and Clinical Director, Facial Aesthetics. “While you sleep, seeds of renewal are planted, growth is stimulated, and the groundwork is laid for fresh, healthy skin to bloom. Supporting this natural repair phase with the right skincare and treatments will make a real difference.”

Targeted skincare ingredients  

Nighttime is the optimal period for applying targeted skincare products, says Dr Wong, as cell turnover is accelerated, and the skin barrier becomes more permeable, allowing active ingredients to penetrate more effectively.

“Your skin is free of sunscreen and make-up, and there’s also no interference from UV rays or environmental pollutants," says Dr Wong. "For conditions like acne or atopic eczema, night-time products have a longer, uninterrupted window to work on reducing inflammation and repairing damage—this ensures that treatments like retinoids, anti-inflammatories, or barrier-repairing moisturisers can deliver maximum benefits.”

Retinoids: increase collagen production, smooth lines

“These gold-standard anti-ageing ingredients help boost collagen, smooth texture by increasing cell turnover, and even out skin tone,” says Dr Emmaline Ashley, EV Expert, Cosmetic Physician and Founder, Ashley Aesthetics. “Some of the older formulations would increase sun sensitivity, but this is no longer true of most modern formulations. UV light, however, can degrade retinoids, so I always advise using them in the evening and at night.”
Try: Medik8 Intelligent Retinol Smoothing Night Cream includes 0.2% retinol plus antioxidants to smooth and renew.
 

Hyaluronic acid: the overnight hydration boost 

Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant that pulls moisture into the skin. “During sleep, your skin loses more water,” says Dr Vincent Wong, EV Expert and Aesthetics Doctor. “Applying hyaluronic acid helps to lock in hydration and plump the skin by the morning.”
Try: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 to hydrate, soothe and replenish the skin.

Ceramides: barrier repair while you sleep

Ceramides are essential lipids that maintain the skin’s protective barrier.  “At night, your skin is in repair mode and ceramides help to restore its strength, reducing dryness, irritation, and sensitivity,” says Dr Wong.
Try: CeraVe Moisturising Cream is rich in ceramides and hyaluronic acid, for barrier repair and deep hydration.

Niacinamide: calm and brighten skin

Niacinamide reduces inflammation, improves skin tone, and helps with redness. “At night, it works synergistically with other actives," says Dr Wong. “It also helps to fade dark spots and uneven texture, while your skin regenerates.”
Try: The Skin Diary Night Repair Therapy, a powerful night cream containing niacinamide and peptides to reduce inflammation and oxidative damage, and improve skin tone.

Melatonin: anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory

The sleep hormone melatonin in topical skincare has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. “It helps neutralise oxidative stress and supports the skin’s overnight repair cycle,” says Dr Wong. “Think of it as your skin’s ‘night watchman’, fighting off free radicals while you sleep.”
Try: Meder Beauty Science Circa-Night Cream, formulated with melatonin and probiotics to reduce oxidative stress and boost overnight recovery.

In clinic treatments to boost overnight repair

• Exosome microneedling

“This delivers powerful growth factors and signalling molecules that supercharge the skin’s regenerative processes,” says Dr Ashley. “This enhances the overnight recovery process.”

• Skin boosters (Profhilo, HarmonyCa, Restylane Skinboosters)

“Skin boosters infuse the skin with hyaluronic acid and nutrients to hydrate and improve elasticity,” says Dr Wong. “After initial redness fades, the skin continues to absorb these nutrients overnight for a healthy glow. Skin booster injectables also stimulate collagen and elastin production, and are deeply hydrating."

• Polynucleotides 

“Polynucleotides include powerful anti-inflammatory agents that trigger skin renewal,” says Dr Wong. “The skin does most of the healing while you sleep, so recovery is faster.”
 

Experts' night-time skincare tactics 

Dr Emmaline Ashley
“I always double-cleanse to remove any SPF, make-up and pollution from my skin. I use a retinoid product followed by a growth factor serum, and a moisturiser.”

Dr Julie Scott
“I use a nourishing treatment like HydroPeptide Firming Vitamin C Mask or Miracle Mask, once or twice a week, before I go to bed.  This helps my skin to recover overnight.”

Dr Vincent Wong
“I use a regenerative night serum with niacinamide, vitamins, and peptides to support cell renewal and improve skin tone while I sleep. I always finish with a ceramide-rich moisturiser to lock in hydration and strengthen the skin barrier.”