The benefits of a good nights sleep are well known among both physicians and beauticians; sleep rejuvenates mind and body while enhancing the natural cycle of healing and rest that takes place every night. Whether you are searching for the proverbial Fountain of Youth or just attempting to retain your vibrant complexion, one of the most overlooked and misunderstood sleep aids available to most people is a high-quality night cream. Not convinced? Don't worry, the benefits of a night cream are as clear as the nose on your face, once you know what to look for, of course.

Not Your Mother's Night Cream

Unfortunately, today's hectic lifestyle combined and environmental pollutants can result in a never-ending assault on the perfect timing and wisdom of the body. Much to the dismay of women around the world, fragile and delicate facial tissues are often the most sensitive areas of the body, and are especially prone to damage from UV exposure, pollution and a veritable laundry list of irritants and environmental toxins. Fortunately, it's no longer necessary to learn to live with it or resort to expensive and painful plastic surgery. Today it is easier than ever to hold back the hands of Father Time while enjoying the benefits of beautiful skin and a healthy look simply by assisting Mother Nature with a gentle yet effective night cream.

If the mere mention of night creme brings globs of oily goo to mind, relax; this isn't your mothers night cream. In fact, night creme has finally come into its own. After decades of pasting their face with heavy lotions, unsightly creams and a variety of uncomfortable potions, women have finally made their voices heard. The result is a new generation of light night creams and lotions that are gentle yet more effective than ever. In fact, if not for the stunning results, it would be easy to forget it is even there. So, can night cream really make a difference? Simply put, yes.

Discover the science behind the secret ingredients and processes that have transformed night creme from a glaring glob of goo into a relaxing and rejuvenating sleep aid. Not only will you be well informed about how to select the right product for your specific situation; but best of all, the benefits will show on your face.

Who Benefits?

Everyone loves the silky smooth skin of an infant, but figuring out how to retain it over time is another thing entirely. Although we all started with the same unblemished complexion, the ravages of age, exposure and other environmental elements take their toll resulting in wrinkles, poor complexion, dry rough skin and a host of other problems. As the largest organ of the body, skin is the first line of defense against an arsenal of daily assaults that damage skin and result in premature aging if left unchecked. While nearly everyone can benefit from the consistent use of a night cream, those in middle age are likely to experience even greater challenges, including the normal aging process itself. Hormonal fluctuations, reduction in collagen levels and changes in the fatty tissue deposit under the skin itself all lead to complex changes in the quality and consistency of facial skin.

Common Skin Complaints that benefit from an advanced night cream include:

• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Discoloration, inconsistent skin tone and red blotches
• Dry, flaky skin
• Rough texture
• Flaccid skin tone
• Age spots

Why Night?

One of the most common questions about night cream is, why night, wouldn't the cream work equally well during the day? The fact is that night cream is specifically designed to work with the body's natural healing cycle that takes place during sleep. Everything from melatonin production to cellular repair is associated with this cycle. Since skin is typically not exposed to harsh sunlight or other UV rays during the night, it is the perfect time to use exfoliating agents and other ingredients that either break down or don't mix well with sunlight or other cosmetics. An added benefit is the availability of vitamins, nutrients, minerals and herbal elements the body can use in the restoration process. Without make-up or other chemicals to detract from the breathing process, the healthy ingredients contained in quality night cream actually aid in the healing process.

What to Look For

Wondering what makes a good night cream? There are several key ingredients that differentiate an average night cream from one that leads to great results.

First, it should exfoliate and include a high potency (yet gentle) amount of retinol; 1 percent is typically the strongest level of retinol available. It is important for the retinol to be microencapsulated as this assures a slow steady release and maximum bioavailability. Recommended retinol products include DERMAdoctor Poetry In Lotion intensive retinol 1.0, Afirm (level 2 or 3) or Replenix Retinol Plus Smoothing Serum (both the 5x and 10x versions). Poetry in Lotion is a perfect example of a well-blended night cream that provides powerful results without the skin irritation associated with most retinol products; clinically proven to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and blotchy skin, retinol actually helps increase dermal thickness and collagen production to restore that vibrant and youthful appearance. Due to the inclusion of a sophisticated anti-irritant complex, it is now possible to obtain the benefits historically associated with retinol without the irritation, even with long-term use.

Next, search for a product rich in antioxidants and natural botanicals that compliment rather than compete with the bodys own line of defense. For example, DERMAdoctor Poetry In Lotion intensive retinol 1.0 contains all natural antioxidants like Licorice Root Extract, Elderberry and Edelweiss that actually smooth skin while assisting in healing. Combined with powerful all natural ingredients like Plantago Lanceolate, a perennial from the Swiss Alps long associated with wound healing and collagen production, and Meadowsweet Flower extract, a sacred herb used for hundreds of years by the Druids as an anti-irritant and antiseptic, the result is an effective yet gentle solution for even the most complex skin care needs.

Finally, don't be misled by big bottles or fancy titles. The old saying rings true, size doesn't matter. The same can be said of night cream, sometimes less really is more. The active ingredients are what really matter; in fact, fillers and other adulterants only serve to dilute the final product and increase the risk of sensitive or adverse skin reactions. It is important to use a reputable night cream like Poetry in Lotion that is safe, effective and yet gentle enough to be used through your lifetime while still providing the essential elements required by your body to aid in healing and repair at each stage of life.

What to Avoid

While some fillers and adulterants added to night creams provide little therapeutic benefit, other ingredients can be downright irritating. In fact, one of the most common reasons most people fail to use a night cream is the oily mess and skin irritation. Retinol as well as Hydroxy-A are both known to irritate sensitive skin in some individuals if not properly encapsulated into a slow release formulation and combined with anti-irritants like those contained in Poetry In Lotion. Unfortunately, harsh chemicals, dyes, fragrances and other known irritants are frequently encountered ingredients that often lead to problems, especially in sensitive individuals.

Learn how to avoid potential problems when reading ingredients lists with these common night cream culprits:

• Excess filler and low quality ingredients like alcohol and mineral oil. Talk about oily! Mineral oil is one of the most inexpensive and commonly used ingredients found in inferior products. Although it initially may make skin feel softer, in the long term it can actually irritate skin by not allowing skin to breathe properly resulting in clogged pores. Alcohol is very drying and harsh on skin, especially sensitive areas surrounding the eyes or lips where fine wrinkles tend to appear.
  
  
• As mentioned above, less is more when it comes to a night cream. Active ingredients are should be absorbed into the skin and released over time through a micro-encapsulation process rather than having to rely upon sheer volume. Eliminate the major cause of night cream avoidance by using a high quality night cream with effective ingredients without the filler.
  
  
• Heavy fragrances and dyes. Not only do fragrances and dyes provide little to no therapeutic value to your skin care regimen, they can actually increase the risk of adverse reactions and skin sensitivity. Remember, the skin is absorbent and every little bit makes a difference. Rather than settle for night creams with inferior ingredients, insist upon one that uses only the highest quality ingredients without the filler, fluff and fragrances.

How to Use

The proper use and application of a night creme should never be overlooked or taken for granted. Remember, it is important to cleanse the skin from all impurities, make-up and other moisturizers or topical products. Use a gentle cleanser to thoroughly wash your face and dry then wait twenty minutes before applying. It is important to start slowly and use sparingly; initially apply every-other-night to start, gradually increasing to nightly application, as tolerated. Night creams like DERMAdoctor Poetry In Lotion intensive retinol 1.0 are created to provide ample coverage without clogging pores or excess use. Since each person has their own natural rhythm of healing and restoration, the body tends to use only that portion which can be assimilated at one time. Persons with sensitive skin, complex dermal damage or long-standing neglect of their skin tone need not use more to obtain the same great results; simply provide the body the ingredients it needs to assist in healing during your normal sleep patterns.

Shannon Perez
DERMAdoctor Staff Writer

(Any topic discussed in this article is not intended as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please check with your doctor.)

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