Dry, oily or combination skin? Follow these evening skincare routines based on your skin type

Skincare tips: Using ingredients like exfoliators and retinol at night helps prevent signs of ageing like fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity and age spots (Image: Canva)

Skincare during the day is all about protection - whether it is from the sun, the climate, or pollution. In the evening, it’s about improvement and recovery. The skin is more likely to absorb products better at night, without the risk of any environmental contamination and fewer external stressors. It is the best time then to repair the damage done. Night time is also when you can use products that might be too heavy to use in the day or too sensitising to use and go outdoors.

Evening skincare routines ensure the time to treat specific skin concerns like fine lines, acne and texture. Aditi Sahu, Product Development Specialist & beauty coach at Foxtale, tells you how to identify your skin type and choose the best evening routine. “There are three basic skin types: dry, oily and combination, which is a mix of the two. To find out your skin type, wash your face and don’t apply any product for 30 minutes or so. If your skin feels stretchy and tight, it is dry. If it feels greasy and looks shiny, you probably have oily skin. Sometimes people can be of combination skin type, where their T-zone, the area on the bridge of their nose and forehead, can be oily and their cheeks can be dry,” says Sahu.

Pick your type:

Evening skincare can be as straightforward as two steps and as extensive as ten. Both can be equally effective given one understands their skin’s needs and finds the right products. The absolute essentials for any evening skincare routine are a cleanser and a moisturiser. Says Sahu, “A non-stripping, sulfate-free cleanser is essential to get the dirt and grime from the day off. And regardless of your skin type, a moisturiser is essential. You can choose a more gel-like or creamier moisturiser based on your skin type. Additionally, night-time is a great opportunity to use serums and targeted products to take care of specific skin concerns like acne, pigmentation and texture.”

Benefits of evening skincare:

Skincare not only helps to nourish and enhance the skin, but its primary benefits revolve around the protection of the skin from various stressors. The benefits of an evening skincare routine are paramount. For starters, a good cleanser helps remove dirt and pollution the face collects throughout the day. “Use products that include antioxidants like Vitamin C which help reverse environmental damage and make the skin less prone to the pollution and harsh sun. Using ingredients like exfoliators and retinol at night also helps to prevent signs of ageing like fine lines, loss of elasticity and age spots. Hydrating the skin ensures a healthy and glowing complexion,” recommends Sahu.

The biggest benefit of skincare is its ability to boost confidence and improve your mood. It revives dull skin and makes it look healthier. An evening skincare routine really emphasises self-care. There is no age group for skincare, you can have a night time routine based on the needs of your skin. There are some ingredients that are targeted to age groups of 18-20 and above. Exfoliators like Lactic Acid and Salicylic Acid should be used above the age of 20, and ingredients like retinol should be used above the age of 25. However, a simple cleanser and moisturiser are ideal for everyone.