Hair conditioners

Sometimes called deep conditioners or reparative masks, these temporary leave-on hair products can work even better when they’re allowed hours, not minutes, to absorb deeply into the hair shaft. Before bedtime, massage the mask along the ends and mid-shaft of dry hair and comb through. Rinse and style as usual in the morning.

Rouge recommends: Pantene Night Miracle Treatment, which provides 8 hours of continuous repair as you sleep. Wake up with gorgeous, smooth hair. Buy it now on The Store!

Heavy-duty moisturisers

Quick-absorbing, lightweight hydrators with built-in sunscreen are perfect for protecting the skin during the day and providing a satiny base for your make-up. Night-time is when you’ll want to slather on the thicker, richer, more emollient moisturisers that may look greasy, but provide more reparative moisture benefits. This deeply penetrating moisture can have a carry-over benefit into the daytime.

Rouge recommends: Olay Regenerist Intensive Night Recovery Cream. But it now on The Store!

Retinoids

Dermatologists suggest that patients use over-the-counter and stronger prescription retinoids (tretinoin, tazarotene, adapalene) only at night because these topical forms of vitamin A can degrade in light and make the skin more vulnerable to sun damage and likely to burn. “They have become the gold standard of what dermatologists recommend to help exfoliate, lighten brown spots, stimulate collagen production and clean out pores,” says Dr D’Anne Kleinsmith, a cosmetic dermatologist.  

Active treatment products

Many treatment products work best when they’re not competing with layers of cosmetics and sunscreen. What’s more, active ingredients such as salicylic acid, which exfoliates dead skin cells, as well as peptides (tiny proteins), which stimulate collagen to help reduce the signs of aging, are most effective when they’re not being diluted by perspiration or fending off day-time environmental stressors like pollution and sunlight. The increased blood flow to skin at night, along with nocturnal water loss, may help these ingredients better penetrate the skin’s barrier layers.

Rough skin erasers

Products made to soften rough skin on the feet or hands are likely to get the best results if they’re applied at bedtime. Many include alpha hydroxy acids (lactic, glycolic and citric acids) that penetrate the outermost layer of skin to promote exfoliation. Or try this softening treatment: soak hands and feet in room temperature water for up to five minutes. Apply an extra thick moisturiser, such as shea butter or petroleum jelly. For the best over-night penetration, pull on a pair of light cotton gloves or socks.

Antiperspirant

Some extra-strength antiperspirants are specially formulated for night-time use, but normal formulas can also be more potent during the night’s optimum conditions. “For people who have problems with excessive perspiration, it makes a lot of sense to apply an antiperspirant before you go to bed,” says Dr Kleinsmith. “When you’re not already perspiring, you can block the sweat glands more easily and let the medication work more effectively.”