Night time is the right time to take years off your face. Your complexion works hard to repair itself while you rest. Here’s how to take advantage of this natural healing process.

1. Keep It Clean

Washing your face plays two important roles: it removes damaging dirt and makes your night cream work harder. Removing makeup, oil, and other impurities helps keep pores tight and skin blemish free. For dry skin, look for a creamy cleanser; for acne-prone or oily skin, a gel formula. If your skin is sensitive, wait 10 minutes after cleansing before applying anti-agers.

2. Rejuvenate

Choose an anti-ager that packs real power. These vitamin-a derivatives are key to youthful-looking skin. Start by using an OTC retinol-containing cream or lotion every other night until skin becomes acclimated to the side effects.

3. Erase Dark Circles

Dot under your eyes with vitamin K cream. In a 2003 study by Elson, showed that women who applied an undereye cream containing vitamin K and retinol every night for 12 weeks saw their dark circles improve by 33%.

4. Apply a Mega-Moisturizer

Plump and condition your skin to help disguise signs of aging and prevent further damage. Due to nighttime increase in temperature and water loss, extra hydration is a must. For best results, look for a cream with the superhydrators hyaluronic acid or glycerin, which attract water to skin.

5. Sleep Tricks

Revive your complexion with 4 easy tweaks to your nighttime routine.

Convert to sleeping on your back.

Lying on your stomach or on the same side every night can etch permanent sleep lines into your skin. If you can’t adjust, switch to a satin pillowcase; the silky texture prevents wrinkles. 

Raise your head.

Stack a few pillows beneath your head to avoid puffy eyes. 

Get deeper slumber.

Use the bedroom for sleep and sex only—doing so trains your mind to associate your bed with getting Zzzs. 

Avoid caffeine and exercise for 3 to 5 hours before bedtime.

Also limit alcohol consumption at night, each can keep you from solid slumber. Make sure your room is dark and cool. To transition into sleep mode, don’t watch TV or go online for an hour before turning in.

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