The Daily Skin Cycle
We can have the tendency to see normal skin changes as problems that need to be solved. But, if this were the case, it would be a full-time job because the skin follows a natural cycle that results in constant change in appearance. We can do a lot to keep our skin healthy, but some things are beyond our control.The skin follows a daily rhythm and a monthly cycle, where it passes through different phases that change its appearance. When you know the phases, you can plan your skin care routines, so that they work in harmony with the skin’s natural cycle and thereby achieve better results.
The quality and health of the skin is affected by two fundamental processes of the body, which are controlled by hormones. Both processes are equally important for the health of the skin.
These two processes are:
1. The anabolic process;
- is the renewing building process of the skin
- uses the estrogen hormone
- Work during the night through rest and renewal
- is the process of breaking down tissues
- uses the cortisol hormone
- Works through the daylight through activation and breakdown
The Daily Rhythm of the Skin
A normal healthy skin can change, almost instantly, from one hour to the next. In the following text, you can follow the skin’s natural daily cycle. This will give you a better idea of which products you should add to your skin, and at what times.
MORNING
In the morning your body has just been through the building process during the night, so you might have a higher risk of getting an allergic reaction in the morning than in the afternoon.8:00 A.M.
The skin is not nearly as receptive in the morning as it is in the afternoon, so it´s not a good idea to use nourishing masks and heavy creams / sera around this time. Instead, support the skin by drinking a large glass of water with fresh squeezed lemon and possibly a cup of nettle tea. Consume a blood sugar stabilizing breakfast to make sure that your nervous system is calm.
12:00 P.M.
The production of new skin cells is at its lowest around lunch time and here skin imbalances such as psoriasis tend to be worse.
At the same time, the skin’s sebum production is at its highest, which makes the skin more oily, particularly in the T-zone.
The best way of managing an overactive sebum production is through managing your stress levels and insulin levels, as these increase the cortisol production which is responsible for sebum production. Take time for a few extra deep breaths and make sure to get enough water and veggies for your lunch to keep you full and satisfied until the afternoon.
AFTERSOON
The afternoon is the time of day where your skin is at its most optimal balance,4:00 P.M.
The skin is extra receptive to active ingredients around 4:00 p.m., so this is a good time for nourishing masks, sera and facial treatments.
EVENING
The skin is most balanced in the afternoon and evening. There is a greater risk of losing moisture at night, so use nourishing creams and sera before bedtime. Take 1 teaspoon of honey or collagen peptides before bedtime to support the production of your sleep hormone (melatonin), which gives you a deep rejuvenating beauty sleep.4:00 – 9:00 P.M.
The skin’s temperature peaks in the evening and the pores are more open, allowing the skin to sweat more. This is the perfect time for detoxifying baths, saunas and cleansing masks.
Make sure to drink water early in the evening, so you don't dehydrate during the night.
Add healthy protein to your dinner so your hormones have the necessary building blocks for night time skin renewal.
9:00 P.M.
The skin is more histamine sensitive in the evening, which may cause itchy skin problems such as dermatitis to worsen at night. The skin’s pH is more acidic in the evening, so refrain from using powerful acid treatments and peelings around this time.
NIGHT
The production of new skin cells is at its highest around midnight. Skin renewal takes place, at its best between 9:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m. To make the most of your beauty sleep, it is most advantageous to go to bed on the right side of midnight;)
2:00 A.M.
The skin only produces half of the amount of oil (at night), as it produces in the middle of the day, so to avoid losing moisture at night, use nourishing balms, sera, oils and creams with plenty of moisture magnets (kokum, butter, hyaluronic acid, honey etc) before bedtime.
Remember
In terms of nutrition, listen to your body and make sure to consume food which is healthy for you. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruit and stay hydrated all day with plain water.
The perfect match
Our Facebalm is the perfect moisturizer for your skin at night - you’ll find it HERE
Sleep better with our silk eye mask HERE
