Morning vs. Night Exfoliation: Determining the Best Time to Exfoliate Your Skin
2 min read
SKIN CARE
Morning vs. Night Exfoliation: Determining the Best Time to Exfoliate Your Skin
2 min read
SKIN CARE
Exfoliation is a crucial step in skincare routines as it aids in removing dead skin cells, unclogging pores, and promoting cell renewal. But is it better to exfoliate in the morning or night? In this article, we will explore the benefits of exfoliating at different times of the day as well as considerations for sensitive skin.
Exfoliation is a crucial step in skincare routines as it aids in removing dead skin cells, unclogging pores, and promoting cell renewal. But is it better to exfoliate in the morning or night? In this article, we will explore the benefits of exfoliating at different times of the day as well as considerations for sensitive skin.
Benefits of Exfoliating in the Morning
Exfoliating in the morning can be an invigorating start to your day, offering several skin benefits. While you sleep, your skin undergoes a natural process of renewal, leading to the accumulation of dead skin cells on the surface.1 Thus, by exfoliating in the morning you help to remove these cells, revealing a fresh, radiant complexion. This not only improves the skin's appearance but also enhances its ability to absorb subsequent skincare products more effectively.2 By clearing the surface through exfoliation, you set the stage for optimal absorption of moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens. Removing the layer of dead skin cells that may impede absorption maximizes the benefits of these products, making moisturizing after exfoliating essential for healthy skin.
Furthermore, morning exfoliation can also have a positive impact on the application of makeup. By creating a smoother skin surface, you ensure a more even application of foundation and concealer, preventing your makeup from settling into fine lines and pores.3
Benefits of Exfoliating in the Morning
Exfoliating in the morning can be an invigorating start to your day, offering several skin benefits. While you sleep, your skin undergoes a natural process of renewal, leading to the accumulation of dead skin cells on the surface.1 Thus, by exfoliating in the morning you help to remove these cells, revealing a fresh, radiant complexion. This not only improves the skin's appearance but also enhances its ability to absorb subsequent skincare products more effectively.2 By clearing the surface through exfoliation, you set the stage for optimal absorption of moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens. Removing the layer of dead skin cells that may impede absorption maximizes the benefits of these products, making moisturizing after exfoliating essential for healthy skin.
Furthermore, morning exfoliation can also have a positive impact on the application of makeup. By creating a smoother skin surface, you ensure a more even application of foundation and concealer, preventing your makeup from settling into fine lines and pores.3
Benefits of Exfoliating at Night
Exfoliating at night is a great way to clean and scrub your skin from all that you may encounter during the day. In particular, nighttime exfoliation helps to unclog pores and remove impurities and environmental stressors
and pollutants that may have accumulated from the day.4 This not only prevents acne and breakouts but also enhances the skin's natural regeneration process. By removing the layer of dead skin cells and impurities, exfoliating at night promotes
cell turnover and renewal, which is essential for maintaining youthful, vibrant skin.5
Additionally, the nighttime absence of environmental stressors, such as UV radiation and pollution, allows the skin to heal over exfoliated skin and rejuvenate more effectively. This is due to some exfoliants, such as those containing alpha-hydroxy acids or beta-hydroxy acids, leaving the skin more vulnerable to the elements, particularly the sun.6 By outright avoiding environmental stressors, you can ensure your skin can repair itself at its maximum efficiency.
Benefits of Exfoliating at Night
Exfoliating at night is a great way to clean and scrub your skin from all that you may encounter during the day. In particular, nighttime exfoliation helps to unclog pores and remove impurities and environmental stressors
and pollutants that may have accumulated from the day.4 This not only prevents acne and breakouts but also enhances the skin's natural regeneration process. By removing the layer of dead skin cells and impurities, exfoliating at night promotes
cell turnover and renewal, which is essential for maintaining youthful, vibrant skin.5
Additionally, the nighttime absence of environmental stressors, such as UV radiation and pollution, allows the skin to heal over exfoliated skin and rejuvenate more effectively. This is due to some exfoliants, such as those containing alpha-hydroxy acids or beta-hydroxy acids, leaving the skin more vulnerable to the elements, particularly the sun.6 By outright avoiding environmental stressors, you can ensure your skin can repair itself at its maximum efficiency.
Considerations for Sensitive Skin Types
Skin sensitivity is a crucial factor in deciding the best time to exfoliate. If you have sensitive skin, you may experience irritation, redness, or discomfort post-exfoliation, especially with chemical exfoliators that contain ingredients like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid. To mitigate these risks, sensitive skin types should opt for gentle exfoliation products in their skin care routine. They may benefit from exfoliating at night when the skin has ample time to recover and rejuvenate away from daytime irritants.OneSkin's range of topical skin care products
, formulated with gentle ingredients and the OS-01 peptide, is ideal for sensitive skin. Our proprietary OS-01 peptide has been clinically validated to improve the skin's barrier7 and scientifically proven to increase
epidermal thickness,8 helping to lock in hydration and reduce unnecessary sensitization. These products are suitable for both morning and nighttime use, depending on individual skin type and preference.
Considerations for Sensitive Skin Types
Skin sensitivity is a crucial factor in deciding the best time to exfoliate. If you have sensitive skin, you may experience irritation, redness, or discomfort post-exfoliation, especially with chemical exfoliators that contain ingredients like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid. To mitigate these risks, sensitive skin types should opt for gentle exfoliation products in their skin care routine. They may benefit from exfoliating at night when the skin has ample time to recover and rejuvenate away from daytime irritants.OneSkin's range of topical skin care products
, formulated with gentle ingredients and the OS-01 peptide, is ideal for sensitive skin. Our proprietary OS-01 peptide has been clinically validated to improve the skin's barrier7 and scientifically proven to increase
epidermal thickness,8 helping to lock in hydration and reduce unnecessary sensitization. These products are suitable for both morning and nighttime use, depending on individual skin type and preference.
Related Products
Related Products
Product Recommendations from OneSkin
Our gentle daily cleanser PREP is a versatile cleanser with exfoliant properties suitable for morning or nighttime use. Formulated to enhance the absorption of the OS-01 peptide*PREP not only exfoliates but also helps maintain skin’s natural balance, making it an excellent choice for all skin types, including sensitive skin, dry skin, oily skin, and combination skin.PREP's formulation is scientifically proven to promote hydration* and improve overall skin health. Clinical studies over 12 weeks have confirmed significant improvements in skin barrier function with the use of OS-01 FACE, OS-01 EYE, and OS-01 BODY
,7-10 making these products indispensable in any skincare routine. By incorporating PREP into your skincare regimen, you are ensuring that you're not just exfoliating but also nurturing your skin with scientifically validated ingredients designed to improve skin resilience and appearance.
*Shown in lab studies on ex vivo human skin samples (54 yr) by comparing the amount of OS-01 peptide present in the dermis layer and levels of key skin hydration biomarker (AQP3) before and after treatment with PREP+ OS-01 FACE vs OS-01 FACE alone. Data measured in triplicate.Product Recommendations from OneSkin
Our gentle daily cleanser PREP is a versatile cleanser with exfoliant properties suitable for morning or nighttime use. Formulated to enhance the absorption of the OS-01 peptide*PREP not only exfoliates but also helps maintain skin’s natural balance, making it an excellent choice for all skin types, including sensitive skin, dry skin, oily skin, and combination skin.PREP's formulation is scientifically proven to promote hydration* and improve overall skin health. Clinical studies over 12 weeks have confirmed significant improvements in skin barrier function with the use of OS-01 FACE, OS-01 EYE, and OS-01 BODY
,7-10 making these products indispensable in any skincare routine. By incorporating PREP into your skincare regimen, you are ensuring that you're not just exfoliating but also nurturing your skin with scientifically validated ingredients designed to improve skin resilience and appearance.
*Shown in lab studies on ex vivo human skin samples (54 yr) by comparing the amount of OS-01 peptide present in the dermis layer and levels of key skin hydration biomarker (AQP3) before and after treatment with PREP+ OS-01 FACE vs OS-01 FACE alone. Data measured in triplicate.Key Takeaways:
- Morning Exfoliation Benefits: Enhances the skin's ability to absorb skincare products more effectively, removes dead skin cells accumulated overnight, and improves makeup application by creating a smoother skin surface.
- Night Exfoliation Benefits: Promotes cell turnover and renewal, helps to unclog pores and remove impurities and pollutants accumulated throughout the day, and allows the skin to heal and rejuvenate more effectively by avoiding daytime environmental stressors.
- Skin Sensitivity Considerations: Skin sensitivity is a key factor in deciding when to exfoliate, with sensitive skin types possibly benefiting more from nighttime exfoliation to avoid daytime skin irritation.
- Listen To Your Skin: Should you exfoliate in the morning or at night? The choice between morning or night exfoliation ultimately depends on personal skin type, sensitivity, and lifestyle preferences.
Key Takeaways:
- Morning Exfoliation Benefits: Enhances the skin's ability to absorb skincare products more effectively, removes dead skin cells accumulated overnight, and improves makeup application by creating a smoother skin surface.
- Night Exfoliation Benefits: Promotes cell turnover and renewal, helps to unclog pores and remove impurities and pollutants accumulated throughout the day, and allows the skin to heal and rejuvenate more effectively by avoiding daytime environmental stressors.
- Skin Sensitivity Considerations: Skin sensitivity is a key factor in deciding when to exfoliate, with sensitive skin types possibly benefiting more from nighttime exfoliation to avoid daytime skin irritation.
- Listen To Your Skin: Should you exfoliate in the morning or at night? The choice between morning or night exfoliation ultimately depends on personal skin type, sensitivity, and lifestyle preferences.
References
References
Reviewed by Alessandra Zonari, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Co-Founder of OneSkin
Alessandra earned her Master’s degree in stem cell biology, and her PhD in skin regeneration and tissue engineering at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil in collaboration with the 3B’s Research Group in Portugal. Alessandra did a second post-doctoral at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. She is a co-inventor of three patents and has published 20 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals.
Reviewed by Alessandra Zonari, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Co-Founder of OneSkin
Alessandra earned her Master’s degree in stem cell biology, and her PhD in skin regeneration and tissue engineering at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil in collaboration with the 3B’s Research Group in Portugal. Alessandra did a second post-doctoral at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. She is a co-inventor of three patents and has published 20 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals.
Related Products
Related Products
Discover More
