KNOW WHEN TO APPLY YOUR SKINCARE FOR BEST EFFECTIVENESS
TO EXFOLDER
IN THE EVENING, NEVER IN THE MORNING.
Exfoliating in the evening prepares the skin to better absorb treatment serums and thus increases its ability to renew itself overnight. Since exfoliation can increase skin sensitivity, it will then have all night to rebuild its skin barrier. This barrier is essential to protect the skin from external aggressors and prevent dehydration during the day. It will then be necessary to provide the necessary nutrients upon waking to strengthen it throughout the day.
TO CLEAN
EVENINGS ONLY.
Contrary to popular belief, it's not necessary to cleanse your skin in the morning. During the night, your skin isn't exposed to external aggressors like pollution, dust, or makeup. It naturally produces a protective hydrolipidic film, composed of sebum and sweat, which maintains the balance of your skin barrier. By cleansing your skin in the morning, you risk removing this natural protection and weakening your skin's ability to withstand the day's aggressions. A simple rinse with clear water or the application of floral water or a toner is more than enough to gently awaken your skin.
In the evening, however, double cleansing is essential. This two-step method effectively removes all the impurities accumulated during the day:
First cleansing step (oil-based cleanser): Apply a cleansing oil or balm to dry skin to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum. Gently massage for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the active ingredients to work effectively and remove all impurities.
Second cleanse (aqueous cleanser): The second cleanse will remove any remaining residue and deeply purify the skin. Massage again for 1 to 2 minutes and leave on to maximize the cleanser's effects.
This double cleansing ritual ideally prepares your skin to receive your nighttime treatments (serums, oils, creams) which can then penetrate effectively and act while your skin regenerates.
TO ADD OIL
IN THE EVENING FOR ITS OCCLUSIVOUS PROPERTIES
In theory, oils can be applied morning and evening. However, oils are occlusive, so they should be used as the last step in your beauty routine. During the day, they could dilute your sunscreen, which should also be applied last for optimal protection. Therefore, for greater comfort, it's best to apply your oils in the evening (preferably in a generous layer).
TO APPLY SUNSCREEN
IN THE MORNING, AS THE VERY LAST LAYER.
UVA and UVB rays are responsible for sun damage, which leads to early signs of aging such as fine lines and sagging skin, and can worsen pigmentation and acne scars. Therefore, applying sunscreen is essential. It should be applied as the final layer to prevent it from being diluted by other skincare products applied on top.
TO MAKE A MASK
RIGHT AFTER THE SHOWER.
The ideal time to apply a face mask is immediately after showering in the evening, and here's why:
Heat opens pores. The steam from your hot shower naturally opens your pores, allowing the active ingredients in your mask to penetrate much deeper into the epidermis. It's like opening doors to let in the benefits of your skincare treatment.
The skin is perfectly prepared. After showering, your skin is free of surface impurities, clean, and receptive. The mask's active ingredients can therefore work directly without any barrier.
Moisture optimizes absorption. Applying your mask to skin that is still slightly damp (and not completely dry) promotes the penetration of active ingredients. Water acts as a carrier, helping nutrients diffuse more effectively into the layers of the skin.
Application tip: Do not completely dry your face after showering. Gently pat dry with a towel to remove excess water, then immediately apply your mask to your slightly damp, still-warm skin. Leave on for the recommended time, usually 10 to 20 minutes depending on the type of mask.
TO MASSAGE YOUR FACE
In the morning and in the evening, but not in the same way.
Facial massage is beneficial at any time of day, but the technique must be adapted to the time and the desired objective.
IN THE MORNING: FOCUS ON LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
Upon waking, our face may be puffy, our features drawn, sometimes with bags under the eyes. This is the ideal time for a lymphatic drainage massage. This technique stimulates the circulation of lymph, the fluid that carries away toxins and waste accumulated overnight.
Lymphatic drainage helps to:
- Reduce puffiness and puffiness
- Activate microcirculation for a radiant complexion
- Lift the face naturally
- Gently awaken the skin
- Start the day with a fresh and rested face
How to do it: Perform gentle, slow, and repetitive movements, always from the center of the face outwards, then from the top to the bottom of the neck. The pressure should be light, almost stroking, so as not to block the lymphatic vessels. The goal is to guide the lymph towards the lymph nodes located in the neck. You can use a cryotherapy tool to further awaken your face.
IN THE EVENING: OPT FOR A MUSCLE MASSAGE
At the end of the day, our facial muscles are tense from stress, concentration, and repetitive expressions. This muscle tension contributes to the appearance of expression lines and wrinkles. Evening is therefore the perfect time for a deeper, more targeted facial massage.
Muscle massage helps to:
- To release the tensions accumulated during the day
- Relax the facial muscles (forehead, jaw, eye area)
- Prevent the formation of expression lines
- To promote the deep penetration of night creams
- To support the natural nighttime regeneration process
How to do it: Use firmer, slower movements than in lymphatic drainage. Work muscle by muscle with firm but controlled pressure, gentle kneading, and deep smoothing strokes. Focus on areas of tension such as the jawline, forehead, and temples.
- Gua Shas
TO APPLY VITAMIN C
IN THE MORNING FOR MAXIMUM PROTECTION
Vitamin C is one of the most powerful active ingredients in cosmetics, and the timing of its application is crucial to reap all its benefits.
AN ANTIOXIDANT SHIELD AGAINST AGGRESSIONS
Vitamin C is a major antioxidant that helps protect skin cells from environmental damage caused by free radicals. These unstable molecules are produced in reaction to:
- Exposure to UV rays
- Air pollution
- Cigarette smoke
- Daily oxidative stress
- Fine particles and environmental toxins
By applying your vitamin C serum in the morning, you create a true protective shield that you wear throughout the day. It acts as a first line of defense to neutralize free radicals before they damage skin cells.
A PERFECT SYNERGY WITH SUNSCREEN
Vitamin C enhances the effectiveness of your sunscreen. Together, these two active ingredients offer optimal protection against photoaging and UV damage.
That's why the ideal morning routine consists of applying:
- Your vitamin C serum
- Your moisturizer (if you have dry skin)
- Your sunscreen as the last step
MULTIPLE BENEFITS
Beyond its antioxidant protection, vitamin C applied in the morning:
- Brightens the complexion and reduces dark spots
- Stimulates collagen production
- Evens out skin tone
- Provides immediate radiance
- Prepares the skin to face the aggressions of the day
TO APPLY RETINOL
EVENINGS ONLY
Retinol is one of the most powerful and studied anti-aging ingredients in dermatology. However, it must absolutely be used in the evening for two fundamental reasons.
A VALUABLE ALLY FOR NIGHTTIME REGENERATION
Nighttime is when your skin works most actively to repair and renew itself. The peak of cell regeneration occurs between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. Retinol fits perfectly into this natural process by:
- Stimulating the production of collagen, this essential protein that maintains the firmness and elasticity of the skin
- Accelerating cell renewal, allowing the removal of dead cells and revealing fresher, more radiant skin
- Smoothing wrinkles and fine lines by restructuring the deep layers of the skin
- Improving skin texture and evening out skin tone
- Reducing imperfections and hyperpigmentation marks
By applying your retinol in the evening, you support and amplify the natural skin repair process that takes place during your sleep, thus maximizing its effectiveness.
PHOTOSENSITIVITY NOT TO BE IGNORED
Retinoids (vitamin A and its derivatives such as retinol) make the skin significantly more sensitive to UV rays. By increasing cell turnover, retinol temporarily thins the stratum corneum (the skin's outermost protective layer), making it more vulnerable to sun damage.
That is why:
Retinol should never be applied in the morning
- It is essential to apply a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 the following morning
- Unprotected sun exposure after using retinol can cause redness, irritation, or even burns.
USAGE INSTRUCTIONS
Apply your retinol to perfectly clean and dry skin
Start with gradual use (2 to 3 times a week) to allow your skin to adjust.
Wait a few minutes for the retinol to be absorbed before applying your night cream.
Avoid the eye and lip area unless your product is specifically formulated for those areas.
Do not mix retinol with exfoliating acids (AHA/BHA) on the same night
Be patient: visible results usually appear after 8 to 12 weeks of regular use
TO APPLY EYE CONTOUR
MORNING AND EVENING, FOR CONTINUOUS PROTECTION AND REPAIR.
The eye contour is the most fragile and delicate area of the face. With skin up to 10 times thinner than on the rest of the face, this delicate area is particularly vulnerable and requires special attention.
WHY IS THIS AREA SO SENSITIVE?
The skin around the eye has unique characteristics that explain its fragility:
- Extremely thin skin with very few sebaceous glands, which makes it prone to dehydration
- Little adipose tissue to support the skin structure
- Constant stimulation: we blink approximately 10,000 times a day
- Repeated expressions (smiling, squinting) that create creases
- Poor microcirculation, which promotes the appearance of dark circles and puffiness
This is the area where the first signs of aging appear: crow's feet, fine lines, puffiness, dark circles, and sagging skin. Hence the importance of taking care of it from a young age, ideally from 25 years old.
AN ESSENTIAL MORNING AND EVENING ROUTINE
The morning :
- Decongests and reduces swelling caused by fluid buildup overnight
- Hydrates and prepares this delicate area before makeup
- Protects against external aggressions during the day (UV, pollution, blue light)
- Brightens the eyes and reduces dark circles
- Creates a smooth base for makeup
The evening :
- Deeply nourishes this area which is naturally lacking in lipids
- Promotes cell regeneration during sleep
- Repairs the damage of the day
- Prevents the appearance of new wrinkles
- Improves firmness and elasticity
HOW TO APPLY IT CORRECTLY?
Timing: Apply your eye contour treatment after cleansing your face and applying your toner, but before your serum and moisturizer. This area being the thinnest, it should receive the active ingredients first for optimal absorption.
Quantity: A small amount is sufficient, the equivalent of a grain of rice or a pea for both eyes. Excess product could migrate into the eye and cause swelling.
The technique:
Take the product with your ring finger (the softest finger, which exerts the least pressure).
Gently pat the product in small dots around the eye socket.
Start at the inner corner under the eye and move upwards towards the temple.
Never pull the skin, simply pat it in.
Avoid applying too close to the edge of the eye (stay on the orbital bone)
Don't forget the eyelid if your product allows it.
