Revitalizing night cream and other skin products

In a poem by the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, the firefly never knew what happens when the stars go out. George Gordon Byron was more fortunate – his night “makes the stars and women shine.” He foresaw the future. “In 2007, the number of evening products in the cosmetics market increased by 40%, and women spent about $ 56 million on night creams, which is one and a half times the amount on daytime cosmetics,” – told us the director of international marketing for skin care L’Or ‘eal Paris Pierre-Emmanuelle Angeloglou.

The peak of cell renewal activity occurs in the period from 23.00 to 4 in the morning. But only if you are sleeping! If you apply a night remedy and then sit down at your laptop or in front of the TV, there will be no benefit. “During wakefulness at night, the hormone cortisol is produced, which destroys skin cells. And within 7-8 hours of the necessary sleep, human growth hormone is produced, which, on the contrary, improves the condition of the skin, ”explains dermatologist Nicholas V. Perricon. “People who sleep seven hours a day have the longest life expectancy. The death rate has been proven to increase in those who sleep more than eight or less than six hours a day, says Marie-Anne Brieux, director of research at ILC-France. “Sleep consists of an alternation of fast and slow phases and intermediate stages. All recovery processes take place during slow wave sleep, ”adds LVMH Research Director Eric Perier. According to dermatologist Annie Cohen-Letesier, at 60 am the cells divide eight times more actively, renewing up to 23.00% in total. The greatest vascular circulation is observed at XNUMX and four in the morning. Around the same time, there is a maximum absorption of nutrients from cosmetics. This time is calculated for larks. “Owls have a cycle that starts and ends about two hours later,” recalls Franz Halberg, a chronobiologist at the University of Minnesota.

To make the most of your skin in the dark, you will need:

1. Water procedures

Twenty minutes in warm (up to 38 ° C) water or ten minutes in the shower – this is enough time for the steam to open the pores of the skin under the influence of high temperature and remove impurities. “Since you will need to get dressed later, you can apply more cream than in the morning. An important point – at the end of the ritual, bring your hands to your face, deeply and slowly inhale the aroma of the cream, ”advises Julie Lind, beautician at Townhouse Spa NY.

2. Sex or yoga

Better both. Practice your breathing while doing yoga. Sitting on the floor, cross your legs, straighten your back and relax your shoulders. With your eyes closed, inhale slowly and deeply through your nose. As you exhale, try to completely empty your lungs. During sex, beneficial hormones are actively produced: estrogen (promotes shine of hair and elasticity of the skin), oxytocin (participates in the synthesis of endorphins-antidepressants, the effectiveness of which is 10 times higher than that of Prozac). One passionate intercourse burns 200 to 600 calories, which is the equivalent of 15 minutes on a treadmill, a 15-minute jog in the fresh air, or XNUMX minutes of intense abdominal exercise.

10 most useful dinner ideas

1. Bananas. In addition to the sleep hormones melatonin and serotonin, bananas contain magnesium ions that relax tense muscles.
2. Chamomile tea. It has a mild sedative effect.
3. Warm milk. The psychological effect of returning to childhood is achieved by the mutually beneficial alliance of the amino acid tryptophan and high calcium content.
4. Med. Recommended to be added to warm milk and herbal tea. Under the influence of glucose, brain cells stop producing orexin, which accumulates in the body in a state of alertness.
5. Potatoes. A small baked potato will cure yawning. For a “soothing” effect, make mashed potatoes with warm milk.
6. Oatmeal. Oats are one of the richest sources of melatonin. Add a few drops of maple syrup for a complete but completely low-calorie snack before bed.
7. Almond. A handful of cardiovascular-friendly nuts also contain a high dose of tryptophan and magnesium ions.
8. Flax seeds. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which, through complex biochemical reactions, improve mood and help you fall asleep. Just add two tablespoons of the seeds to your lawful plate of oatmeal before bed.
9. Whole wheat bread. Toast with tea and honey is enough for insulin to trigger the reaction in brain cells to convert tryptophan into serotonin. The result is immediate, sleep is healthy.
10. Turkey. The richest known source of tryptophan. One “but” – tryptophan only works on an empty stomach. If you ate a hundred hours ago, indulge yourself in a tiny meal: a few chunks of turkey with whole grain bread.

3. pillow fight

“If you spend the night on your stomach, you will inevitably wake up in the morning with a puffy face and bags under your eyes. This position of the body leads to impaired heat and sweat production and contributes to the appearance of wrinkles, ”says Heidi Waldorf, a dermatologist in New York. The best position is on the back or on the right side. If sleeping on your back is uncomfortable, place another pillow under your knees. Still not your story? Try sleeping on your right side using a natural filled pillow and satin or silk pillowcases. To help you get into the right posture and avoid circulatory problems, the mattress must be flat and firm. The mattress must be changed every seven years.

4. Skin care

At night, the effect of any product is enhanced several times, because it does not have to compete with the sun, street dust and decorative cosmetics. “For example, retinoids, which are responsible for the renewal of skin cells, are destroyed by ultraviolet radiation,” says Tom Mammon, executive director of the research department at Clinique, “and vitamins C, E, H will be more beneficial if they penetrate into the skin a few hours before bed.” Cleansing your face before bed is a must. “Avoid soap to avoid drying out your skin. Soap is a detergent, not a cleanser. It is better not to wash your face at all than to do it with soap, ”says Veronique Delvin, director of research and development at Lancôme.

“It takes more than cosmetics to keep your skin hydrated,” says University of Southern California dermatology professor Sheldon Pinnell. – During the day, lean on water (six to eight glasses) and foods high in omega-3 fatty acids (fish, nuts). Leave a humidifier in your bedroom overnight. I used it at one time to get rid of dry throat, but then I realized that my skin never looked better. Just remember to clean your humidifier regularly, especially if you have allergies. ” Pay attention to serums: they have a high penetration capacity, and their effectiveness only increases at night. Scientists at Vichy consider the night to be the most favorable period for getting rid of inflammation, and Sisley cosmetologists recommend applying “course” preparations before going to bed (for example, to restore tired skin after stress). Do not forget about products for feet and hands (we especially recommend sets that include gloves and socks), as well as for hair. Before going to bed, be sure to brush your hair with a natural bristle brush for a few minutes to stimulate blood circulation in the scalp and hair follicles.