Is your skin in sync? How to time your beauty routine to get good skin

If your skin were a person, it would be more homebody than intrepid traveller. The type who enjoys the comfort of a relaxing rural retreat – preferably out of direct sunlight – while sipping a green juice. Crossing time zones might provide great Instagram fodder, but it doesn't make for a happy epidermis. The reason? It's all down to a rather complex system of internal cycles. 

‘Our circadian rhythm, or our body’s internal clock, regulates the 24-hour cycle of biological processes,’ explains Kirsten Robinson, Senior Director of Product Development for Murad. ‘Patterns of brain wave activity, hormone production, body temperature, blood pressure and cell regeneration are all linked to this 24-hour cycle.’

Every one of our skin cells also has its own internal clock system and recent studies have linked the skin’s circadian clock to the control of UVB-induced DNA damage and even skin cancer. So how can we ensure our skin stays in sync? Read on for four expert skincare routine tips.

It seems that Sleeping Beauty was onto something, after all. ‘Good-quality sleep is crucial for cellular repair, regeneration and immune function, while sleep deprivation is known to contribute to systemic inflammation and increase age-related processes and chronic health problems,’ warns Dr Stefanie Williams, specialist dermatologist and founder of the Eudelo dermatology and skin wellbeing clinic. ‘At night, we naturally release the sleep hormone melatonin: levels start to rise in the evening and peak around midnight before slowly subsiding again. This cycle is governed by the changes in light and darkness. If we don’t get enough sleep, our melatonin levels are impaired. Interestingly, melatonin can also help to protect our skin from the sun’s damaging effects, as well as counteract DNA damage.’

Find yourself lacking in Zzzs? Here’s what you can do to give your skin a helping hand. ‘It’s not possible to truly compensate for lack of sleep with skincare; however, using ingredients that stimulate collagen and elastin production certainly makes sense,’ says Dr Williams. ‘Try vitamin A derivatives such as retinol. Alternatively, if you have very sensitive skin, peptides and/or growth factors can be a good alternative.’

‘I always recommend that my patients use antioxidant skincare and SPF in the morning to help fend off environmental aggressors during the day, and a repair cream containing ingredients such as vitamin A in the evening to support the skin’s overnight cell proliferation and regeneration phase,’ says Dr Williams. ‘Our skin’s barrier function is less effective at night, so the active ingredients are better absorbed. However, this does mean our skin loses more water, so it’s a good idea to use a slightly richer cream in the evening.’

‘Jet lag completely messes up your internal body clock,’ warns Dr Williams. Aesthetic doctor Dr Maryam Zamani agrees: ‘A change in time can confuse the brain until it readjusts itself to a normal schedule again. When you see dawn or dusk at a different time to usual, jet lag manifests itself not just in the form of fatigue but also cell rejuvenation.’ Here are four of the top science-backed products to help combat the effects.

Grown Alchemist Regenerating Night Cream
Formulated to optimise the body’s circadian rhythm to help restore, rejuvenate and recharge through the brand’s unique understanding of cellular renewal and nutrient metabolism. This is one cream that’ll see you through the red-eye unscathed.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex
Eyes are the first place to show signs of tiredness, so treat yours to this intensely hydrating fatigue-fighter. Using exclusive ‘ChronoluxCB’ technology to help promote the skin’s natural renewal processes, it protects by day, repairs at night and returns your skin to its natural circadian rhythm.

This Works Sleep Plus + Pillow Spray
Scent can be a powerful aid in getting some shut-eye and this award-winning lavender and vetivert-infused sleep spray is your perfect travel companion, helping you to nod off on the move. You are feeling very sleepy…

Darphin Ideal Resource Youth Retinol Oil Concentrate 
We’ve already heard about retinol’s collagen-boosting prowess from our experts, and these oh-so-portable capsules also contain nourishing jojoba oil to help plump and rejuvenate as you sleep – or not, as the case may be during 11 hours in cattle class!