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A well-structured night-time routine can significantly improve the quality of your sleep.
Engaging in self-care activities before bed can help reduce stress and anxiety, which are common culprits of poor sleep. Relaxing activities can calm your mind and make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.
Practicing self-care before bed can also lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone. By reducing stress, you can prevent racing thoughts and emotional tension that might interfere with your ability to relax and fall asleep.
Many of us are following some type of skincare routine already – however, this blog post will give you unique beauty tips that you may be missing out on! These 5 beauty tips tackle skincare and aging, healthy hair growth, and oral hygiene.
Below are 5 unique beauty tips on how to level up your nighttime routine (that can also improve the quality of your sleep).
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1. Gua Sha Facial Stone Massage
It’s been said the gua sha stone has been used for over 700 years (that must mean it works, right!?).
Not only does using a Gua Sha stone give you an amazing facial massage, but it’s also an easy way to level up your night-time routine and improve the quality of your skin.
Gua sha facial massage can be a soothing and relaxing experience, helping to reduce stress and tension after a long day. The gentle and repetitive motions of gua sha can have a calming effect on the nervous system, making it an ideal pre-bedtime ritual.
Gua sha facial massage helps to stimulate the lymphatic system, aiding in the removal of toxins and excess fluid from the face. This can reduce puffiness and promote a more refreshed appearance in the morning.
Gua sha can help release tension in the facial muscles, especially around the jaw, temples, and forehead. By relaxing these muscles, you may experience improved facial flexibility and a reduction in tension headaches.
Some proponents of gua sha believe that it can help remove toxins from the body. By performing this technique at night, you might be supporting your body’s natural detoxification processes while you rest.
Retinol is an anti-aging serum that helps improve the appearance of the skin by reducing fine lines and wrinkles due to loss of collagen. Retinol also helps to even out and tone the texture of your skin.
sing retinol at night ensures that it won’t interfere with other daytime skincare products, such as sunscreen or vitamin C serums. Some ingredients can reduce the efficacy of retinol, so it’s best to keep it separate from your daytime routine.
Nighttime is an ideal opportunity to incorporate more potent and active ingredients into your skincare routine. Retinol can be a valuable addition to this nighttime regimen.
Retinol works over time, and consistent nightly use can lead to long-term improvements in skin texture, tone, and appearance.
Brushing your hair improves blood circulation in your scalp which promotes new hair growth. It also helps spread natural oils to the rest of your hair which helps keep the strands moisturized and together shiny!
Throughout the day, your hair can also accumulate dust, pollutants, and other debris. Brushing your hair before bed helps to remove some of this buildup, keeping your hair cleaner and fresher!
Leaving your hair tangled or in a tight hairstyle overnight can lead to more severe knots and tangles in the morning. Brushing your hair before bed reduces the chances of waking up with difficult-to-manage hair.
Lastly, brushing your hair is a relaxing activity that helps you unwind before bed. The repetitive motion of brushing can also be soothing and provide stress relief.
Beauty Hack: Try to count to 100 strokes when brushing your hair. That’s how you know your scalp has received some good and lengthy treatment!
Dry brushing your skin before bed can offer several benefits for your skin and overall well-being, and is also an easy way to level up your night-time routine.
Dry brushing helps exfoliate the skin by removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover. This can leave your skin feeling smoother, softer, and more radiant.
By exfoliating the skin’s surface, dry brushing can also help unclog pores, preventing the buildup of dirt, oil, and impurities that can lead to acne and other skin issues.
Dry brushing stimulates blood circulation, which encourages the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells. This improved circulation may result in a healthy and glowing complexion.
By removing dead skin cells and promoting circulation, dry brushing can enhance the absorption of moisturizers and other skincare products, making them more effective.
Using a tongue scraper before bed can offer several benefits for oral hygiene and overall health and is an easy beauty tip to include to level up your night-time routine.
Throughout the day, bacteria, food particles, dead cells, and toxins can accumulate on the surface of your tongue. Scraping your tongue before bed helps to remove these unwanted substances, reducing the overall bacterial load in your mouth.
Tongue scraping is an essential part of oral hygiene as it complements regular brushing and flossing. By removing bacteria and debris from the tongue’s surface, you can prevent bad breath (halitosis) and maintain better oral health
Some alternative medicine practices, such as Ayurveda, suggest that tongue scraping can help remove toxins that accumulate in the mouth overnight. This is believed to support better sleep and overall well-being.
Tongue scraping is a simple and quick practice that can be easily incorporated into your bedtime routine. It takes only a few seconds to complete but can have lasting benefits for your oral health.
The tips in this blog post are unique ways of leveling up your night-time routine, but of course, they don’t cover every way that might help you.
Other common ways people incorporate into their routine to level up their nighttime routine and engage in self-care include reading, meditation, or taking a warm bath.
Taking time for self-care allows you to process the events of the day and clear your mind from worries or unresolved thoughts. This mental decluttering can be incredibly beneficial for achieving a peaceful state before bedtime.
Be sure to check out our Ultimate Self-Care Guide For Better Sleep so you can make sure you get all the beauty rest you deserve!
Liked this blog post? Be sure to check out these simple and easy ways you can level up your morning routine so you’re covered for morning and night!
Want to keep leveling up your life? Check out these 50 easy ways you can level up your life today.
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Both retinol and retinal have become household names within the skincare community, however, they’re often easily mistaken for one another. A question everybody seems to be asking, retinol vs. retinal and which one is better?
Retinol and retinal are both forms of vitamin A that are commonly found in skincare products. While they are related, there are some key differences between the two in terms of potency, effectiveness and accessibility.
Retinol, also known as vitamin A1 alcohol, is a precursor to retinaldehyde and retinoic acid, which are the active forms of vitamin A in the skin.
When applied on the skin, retinol undergoes conversion in the skin into retinaldehyde and then further into retinoic acid, which is the form that directly interacts with skin cells to provide its benefits.
Retinol is commonly used in over-the-counter skincare products and is known to stimulate collagen production, promote cell turnover, and improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone.
However, it can take some time for the skin to convert retinol into its active form, and it may cause irritation or sensitivity in some individuals, especially at higher concentrations.
Retinal, also known as retinaldehyde, is a more direct precursor to retinoic acid compared to retinol.
This means that it undergoes less conversion in the skin before becoming active, making it more potent and potentially more effective than retinol.
Retinal is often found in prescription-strength skincare products or in higher-end, medical-grade formulas. It offers similar benefits to retinol, including stimulating collagen production, increasing cell turnover, and improving the appearance of aging skin.
However, because it is more potent, it may also be more irritating to the skin, especially for those with sensitive skin or those who are new to using retinoids.
Determining whether retinol or retinal is better depends on a number of factors, including individual skin concerns, tolerance levels, and personal preferences.
Both retinol and retinal are forms of vitamin A which offer anti-aging benefits that can improve the overall appearance of your skin. However, they differ in potency and potential for irritation, which can impact their effectiveness for different people
Retinal (retinaldehyde) is more potent than retinol and requires less conversion in the skin before becoming active. This means that it may provide more noticeable results in a shorter amount of time compared to retinol.
If you have sensitive skin, or if you’re not yet used to using retinoids, retinal can be more likely to cause irritation or sensitivity.
On the other hand, retinol is less potent than retinal and requires more conversion in the skin before becoming active. While it may take longer to see results compared to retinal, retinol is generally considered to be gentler and may be preferable to people with more sensitive skin.
Retinol is also more widely available in over-the-counter skincare products, making it a more accessible option for many people.
So, the question still is: retinol vs. retinal?
Ultimately, the choice between retinol and retinal comes down to you, your personal preference and your skincare needs. Some people prefer the faster results that retinal can offer, while others may prioritize the gentleness and accessibility of using retinol instead.
When it comes to any retinoid, it’s important to slowly incorporate them into your skincare routine and to asses your skin for any signs of irritation, sensitivity, or redness they may cause.
It’s also worth noting that both retinol and retinal can be more effective when used with other skincare ingredients, such as moisturizer and sunscreen.
If you need professional help in picking whether to go with retinol vs. retinal, a dermatologist is someone who can assess your skin and pick which retinoid is best to add into your skincare routine.
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream
LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream Moisturizer
Avene RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream
Murad Retinal ReSculpt Eye Lift Treatment
With the many benefits that both retinol and retinal can offer, it’s also important to be aware of their potential side effects, especially when used in high concentrations or by people with sensitive skin.
Here are some common side effects associated with retinal and retinol:
Both retinol and retinal are forms of vitamin A that are commonly used in skincare products for their anti-aging benefits. Retinal is more potent and requires less conversion in the skin compared to retinol, but it may also be more irritating.
The choice between retinol and retinal depends on your own skin concerns, skin tolerance levels, and personal preferences.
With any new product you try out on your skin, it may be worth consulting with a dermatologist to see which retinoid would be the most suitable option for your skincare routine.
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Using an ice roller on your face can be a refreshing and beneficial part of your skincare routine.
The type of ice roller you use on your face is entirely up to you. Whether you choose to pick a facial ice roller made out of plastic, real ice, stone (like a gua sha roller), or stainless steel, they will relatively serve the same purpose.
Make sure you leave your ice roller in the freezer for the roller to get cold (or frozen) so you can feel the most amount of coldness and benefit on your face.
Using an ice roller for the face offers various benefits, including reduced inflammation, improved circulation, and enhanced lymphatic drainage.
The cold temperature of the roller helps constrict blood vessels, leading to a temporary tightening effect on the skin and a reduction in puffiness.
The improved blood flow and lymphatic drainage contribute to a more even skin tone, diminished redness, and a revitalized complexion.
Additionally, ice rolling can be soothing and may alleviate muscle tension, making it a popular practice for promoting a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance.
Regular use of an ice roller can be a simple yet effective addition to a skincare routine, providing a quick and invigorating solution for addressing facial swelling and promoting overall skin health.
The duration of using an ice roller for lymphatic drainage can vary depending on personal preferences and sensitivities. However, a typical session may last a few minutes, or anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes.
It’s important to listen to your skin and pay attention to how it reacts to the cold temperature. If you’re new to ice rolling, you might start with shorter sessions and gradually increase the time as your skin becomes accustomed to the sensation.
Be cautious not to apply excessive pressure or use the roller for an extended period to avoid potential skin irritation or numbness.
Additionally, it’s advisable to wait at least 30 minutes to an hour between sessions to allow your skin to recover. Always be mindful of your skin’s reaction and adjust the duration accordingly.
It’s generally recommended to use an ice roller before applying moisturizer. The cold temperature of the ice roller helps constrict blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and improve lymphatic drainage.
Using it before applying moisturizer allows the skin to benefit from the refreshing and depuffing effects of the cold roller, creating a smoother surface for subsequent skincare products.
To use an ice roller for lymphatic drainage, first, ensure it’s clean and has been stored in the freezer.
Begin with clean skin, and optionally, apply a hydrating serum or moisturizer.
Starting from the center of your face, near the nose, gently roll the ice roller in outward and upward motions, following the natural contours of your face.
Apply light pressure as you move the roller across your forehead, cheeks, and jawline. Pay extra attention to areas with puffiness or tension.
Continue the rolling motion for 5-10 minutes, avoiding the eye area.
The cold temperature helps constrict blood vessels, reducing inflammation, and promoting lymphatic drainage, which can help alleviate puffiness and improve skin tone.
Afterward, clean the roller and store it back in the freezer for future use.
Facial ice rollers are generally safe and can provide benefits like reducing inflammation and tightening pores.
However, if used too aggressively or for prolonged periods, they may potentially irritate the skin, particularly for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Vigilant hygiene, gentle pressure, and limited duration of use are key to minimizing the risk of irritation or acne development.
It’s advisable to avoid using an ice roller on active acne lesions or open wounds and to follow up with a moisturizer after the session.
Conducting a patch test and consulting with a dermatologist for personalized advice can help ensure that an ice roller is suitable for individual skin conditions and concerns.
Ice rolling your face at night can offer several benefits for your skin. Firstly, the cold temperature helps constrict blood vessels, reducing inflammation and puffiness, which can be particularly beneficial after a long day.
The lymphatic drainage stimulation can assist in removing toxins and excess fluid from the face, promoting a more sculpted and rejuvenated appearance.
Ice rolling can also soothe irritated or sensitive skin, providing relief from conditions such as redness or inflammation.
Additionally, the calming effect of the cold roller may contribute to relaxation, potentially aiding in stress reduction, which is crucial for overall skin health.
Incorporating ice rolling into your nighttime skincare routine can be a refreshing and therapeutic way to promote skin wellness, contributing to a revitalized complexion by morning.
Another popular beauty tool for facial ice rolling are ice globes, as seen below!
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use an ice roller on your face:
Before using the ice roller, make sure your face is clean. Use a gentle cleanser to remove any makeup, dirt, or impurities from your skin.
Place the ice roller in the freezer for at least a few hours or according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You want it to be adequately chilled but not frozen solid.
Pat your face dry with a clean towel to remove excess moisture.
Bottom Line: How To Use An Ice Roller On Your Face
Remember, everyone’s skin is different, so pay attention to how your skin responds, and adjust the frequency and pressure accordingly.
If you have any skin conditions or concerns, it’s always a good idea to consult with a dermatologist before introducing new skincare practices.
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