Sleeping Beauty

4 min read

The clocks go back this weekend, as British Summer Time officially comes to an end. The dark nights are coming, but the good news is we get an extra hour in bed this weekend – and that’s an extra hour of beauty sleep!

Make the most of it, and use specific night time products that will treat your skin whilst you sleep. ingredient-wise, Retinol and AHAs work wonders whilst we are asleep, but be careful how often you use them, and make sure you use SPF the next day.
Here are a few nighttime treatments to try.

Elemental Herbology Vital Glow (£57, feelunique.com) is a rich, overnight treatment which will repair skin from environmental damage and the early signs of ageing. Skin texture is improved and pigmentation is reduced for soft, smooth and plump skin. It contains Granactive Retinoid, and Plant C-Stem and natural alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) derived from apples, sugar and milk. It also has Kakadu Plym,  the richest fruit source of Vitamin C to promote radiance. Sacha Inchi oil will increase hydration and elasticity, and apricot oil soothes inflamed skin.

Alex Steinherr Sleeping Face Mask (£5, Primark). Cheap and cheerful, this mask from renowned beauty editor’s Primark collab won’t perform miracles, but it will relieve tired skin and hydrate whilst you sleep, thanks to Hyaluronic acid, natural anti-inflammatory Willowherb and Chamomile to revive, calm and soothe.

IT’S SKIN Power 10 Goodnight Formula Sleeping Capsule (£6.50, feelunique.com) is an intense overnight serum from the Korean skincare line which is packed with Vitamin C and will help you wake up with bright, glowy skin. Apply, then rinse off the next morning.

 

 

The Body Shop Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask (£25) is a refreshing overnight facemask that has been formulated to address the first signs of ageing, thanks to being enriched with edelweiss stem cells. It has an innovative bouncy gel-cream texture and also contains sea holly, organic babassu oil, it will give you intense hydration.

ESPA Overnight Hydration Therapy (£37, espaskincare.com) is an intensely hydrating overnight treatment mask to leave the complexion replenished and radiant. Chicory Root Extract helps to reinforce the skin’s natural barrier function, while Konjac Root and Hyaluronic Acid hydrate and smooth, and Vitamin C boosts radiance. It smells amazing, thanks to Cedarwood, Ylang Ylang and Lavandin essential oils. Encapsulated Lavender is in there too to help gently lull you to sleep!


I was a massive fan of Philosophy back in the day. The once-independent brand was bought and sold a few times, and since its inception in 1996, it has maintained its desire to provide quality, effective skincare. it was innovative in its use of ingredients that are widely used today.

The ultimate miracle worker retinol pads (£62, John Lewis) are just fantastic. I also love the fact you have to soak the pads with the liquid on first use, making it a fun product too. Pure retinol, and a retinol-like complex powered by alfalfa extract help strengthen skin’s natural renewal process. There are comforting superfood oils including pomegranate, olive, argan and amazonian sacha inchi oils, known to be rich in fatty acids, in there too. Oh, and vitamins c and e for the antioxidant properties.  To use, pour the entire bottle over the pads, then every night after cleansing, wipe one pad over face, neck – and hands! If irritation occurs, try to use just every other day.


Origins Drink-Up Intensive Overnight Mask is one of my all-time favourite beauty products. It is fantastic. But the brand has a lot of other brilliant products that will work when you are sleeping.

Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins (£30) was reformulated last year to contains naturally-derived AHAs.  They like to call it a ‘sleeping peel’. The AHAs work overnight to gently exfoliate, and the rich texture of the cream, thanks to a combination of Barley, Wheat Extract, Squalane and Jojoba butter help sustain moisture. It also has a soothing essential oil blend of neroli, valerian, orange, and vanilla, to help relax you and promote better sleep.

The Plantscription Retinol Night Moisturiser (£49) was released early this year, and, obviously contains retinol – the Vitamin A derivative, and the gold standard in anti-ageing skincare science. It works with Anogeissus, a powerful anti-ageing tree bark extract, as well as Alpine Flower to help boost skin’s natural collagen, and an essential oil blend of Mandarin, Star Anise, Pink Rose, Lavender and Geranium calm and refresh the senses.


Finally, Clarins launched My Clarins earlier this year – a new range aimed at 18-25 year olds. This skincare has specific ingredients for younger skin.

The RE-CHARGE Relaxing Sleep Mask (£24) quenches your skin’s thirst, and is lightweight and fresh. It contains huiang qi extract for a pure and clear complexion, fig extract for moisturising, and superfood acerola seed extract to encourage skin oxygenation. And how fab is the packaging?

Enjoy that extra hour!