5 Skin-Care Mistakes You May Be Making at Night

All that to say, beauty sleep is a real phenomenon, and you can help make the most of it by practicing good skin-care habits at night. “Your skin is in repair mode every night. Unlike during the day, you’re not sweating off what’s on your skin, so products can be nicely absorbed,” says Deirdre Hooper, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Audubon Dermatology in New Orleans and an associate clinical professor in the department of dermatology at Louisiana State University and Tulane University.

But don’t get in your own way by skipping smart skin-care ingredients, slathering on products meant for the daytime, or increasing your risk of irritation. Here are the nighttime mistakes experts say could be contributing to skin problems.

1. You’re Not Washing Your Face Before You Hit the Sheets

It’s been a long day, you’re dog-tired, and all you want to do is face-plant into your pillow. But don’t forget to wash your face first. “I don’t think you need to wash your face in the morning, especially if your skin is sensitive or dry, but it’s an absolute must at night,” Dr. Hooper says.

2. You Ditched Your Retinoid Regimen

That said, retinoids also boost skin cell turnover, and they can leave you with irritation. While it’s usually safe and well tolerated, it can cause side effects such as dryness, burning, redness, and peeling. That irritation may convince you that your complexion can’t tolerate it, causing you to stop completely.

Not so fast!

If you’re seeing minor peeling or redness, or if your face stings when you wash it, simply back off for a night or two, advises Charisse Dolitsky, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Long Island, New York. Once your complexion calms, resume use. Always apply a small, pea-sized amount.

While prescription retinoids are more potent than over-the-counter ones, Dr. Dolitsky usually steers patients toward over-the-counter formulas, which are less likely to cause irritation. Follow up with a moisturizer on top to improve hydration.

3. You’re Skipping a Moisturizer at Night

As the day winds down, you may notice that your skin feels more parched. “It has been shown that skin hydration levels tend to decline in the afternoon and into the evening, making a moisturizer before bed an important part of your skin-care routine,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Plus, it’s always a good idea to moisturize after you wash your face, which you should do at night, too.

A moisturizer won’t just help rehydrate the skin — it can also ease potential dryness and irritation that comes with using a retinoid, making it easier to stick to regular use. Dr. Zeichner recommends moisturizers that contain skin-protecting ingredients, such as ceramides, dimethicone, glycerin, or hyaluronic acid, all of which work in different ways to keep skin soft and supple throughout the night.

4. You’re Relying on the Wrong Antioxidant at Night

A good vitamin C serum can be pricey, so don’t waste your money by using it at night, when your skin won’t get the most out of it.

If you have the time and budget, she suggests applying multiple antioxidants (like vitamin E at night and vitamin C in the morning), as a variety offers more well-rounded protection. “It’s like eating a variety of vegetables for a diverse array of nutrients,” she says.

5. You’re Scrubbing Your Skin Too Hard and Too Often

You don’t want to be too hands-off with your nighttime habits, but you don’t want to get too enthusiastic either.

Resist the urge to scrub or exfoliate routinely, especially if you’re already using a retinoid, Dolitsky says. For one thing, it’s redundant — a retinoid is already doing the work of stimulating cell turnover. Combining a retinoid and scrub also increases the risk of an irritation flare-up. Exfoliating once a week is likely safe for your skin, she says; any more often is overdoing it.