How to Help Hydrate Your Skin Tonight

Tired of waking up to dry, dehydrated skin? We hear you. Keep reading for nighttime skin care tips to help address dryness for softer, smoother, and hydrated skin!

Many people assume that winter is the only month where avid moisturizing from head-to-toe is necessary. Wrong! It’s crucial to keep your skin hydrated all year long so it can look its best. But if your skin is very, very dry, a few dollops of a lightweight moisturizer may not cut it. You may notice smoother-looking and hydrated patches, but chances are those benefits are only temporary and can dwindle away overnight, leaving you with a noticeably scaly mess by the time the sun comes up. Now tell us, what’s the sense in starting your day with dry, flaky skin when you can wake up to a dewy masterpiece?

Since deep sleep is when our skin has an opportunity to naturally refresh itself, a nighttime routine that hones in on providing surface skin with hydration can be very beneficial. What’s more, reaching for rich, creamy moisturizing products in the evening hours can be well worth your while since you don’t have to worry about applying makeup over top of it. To help address your parched-looking skin overnight, we’re sharing helpful tips along with product recommendations from the L’Oréal portfolio of brands, below. Keep reading to discover how to help achieve moisturized skin at night!

Use a Night Cream

The quickest way to help hydrate your skin? Slathering on a heaping amount of a night cream. Reach for a night cream that addresses your skin’s concerns—be it visible signs of aging or lack of luminosity—and boasts a formula with hydrating ingredients that help to attract water to the surface of your skin (hello hyaluronic acid!). A dose of hydration can also help visibly reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines which is always a plus, even if only temporarily.

Try: Vichy Idéalia Skin Sleep

Try an Overnight Mask

An overnight mask is a great way to help give your skin a boost while you snooze. These formulas can help you achieve the appearance of softer, smoother, more supple-looking skin by morning. What’s the difference between an overnight mask and night cream, you ask? Overnight masks tend to be more concentrated with hydrating and anti-aging ingredients. A good rule of thumb is to stick to a night cream daily and sprinkle in an overnight mask a few times per week to kick the hydration benefits up a notch.

Try: SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Masque

Don’t Forget Your Lips

The only thing more irritating than dry-looking lips? Dry-looking lips that last into the morning hours. Help soothe an uncomfortable pout with a hydrating lip balm or conditioner. Apply a generous coat before bed to help ensure a smooth pout in the A.M.

Try: Lancôme Absolue Precious Cells Nourishing Lip Balm

Pamper Your Hands

Hand cream is a staple in our desks, cars, and purses for quick and easy access while on the go. We also store a tube on our nightstand to apply right before laying our head down. Reach for a rich yet non-greasy formula that absorbs quickly. Your hands will immediately feel soft and smooth!

Try: The Body Shop Almond Milk & Honey Hand Cream

Apply Foot Cream & Wear Socks

Our feet get put through the wringer more than one would expect. Give them the TLC they deserve by applying a thick coat of moisturizer (you can reach for foot cream or simply extend your body lotion) before bed. To help lock in moisture for a visibly softer feel, put on a pair of socks once the product has absorbed a bit. 

Invest in a Humidifier

Do you sleep in a room that’s very dry? Artificial heating and air conditioners can cause moisture levels to drop in the air, which can subsequently cause your skin to look tight and dry. To help add moisture back into the environment around you and help hydrate your skin, invest in a humidifier.

Not sold on the purchase just yet? Click here for more benefits of using a humidifier while snoozing!

Stay Hydrated 

Hydrating your skin on the outside with a good moisturizer is a must. But in the midst of all your slathering and lathering, don’t forget to hydrate on the inside as well. Be sure to drink the recommended amount of water per day to avoid dehydration.

Editor’s note: Avoid chugging water immediately before slipping between the sheets. Unless you don’t mind making a bee line for the bathroom in the middle of the night, it’s probably a bad idea. I say this from experience.