"I am just so tired at the end of the day, I can barely take my makeup off." How many times have we heard or could relate to that? When clients fail to see lasting results with their skin, they're often not following at-home recommendations. Top reasons are lack of time and exhaustion. We know that no matter how well we do our part in the treatment room, it's essentially "back into a pumpkin at midnight" if they don't do theirs.
Words alone won't always work, but we can guide them to a lasting glow by simplifying the system. While it may not be how we, as skin care professionals, always do things, it is certainly better than a makeup wipe or nothing. Besides, aren't we sometimes busy and plagued with fatigue too? Enter the bedside beauty ritual era, the answer to our esthetic prayers, where you can keep everything but the kitchen sink in your nightstand because it's only the bathroom sink you'll need. This brings me to the one requirement for this rewarding ritual.
One Cleansing Rule
We can offer a solution and promise our clients better skin if they follow one important step first: to do a proper cleanse at the sink so they can easily continue their skin care routine at the bedside. "I understand the exhaustion, but I need you to at the very least, wash your face thoroughly with a cleanser and lukewarm water, even if you didn't wear makeup, and then you can do the rest in bed."
It is essential to give them an impressionable "why" by reviewing the removal of comedone-clogging makeup, dead skin and free radicals to create a prepped skin surface for optimal product penetration. Ask them, what's the point of this serum and night cream if it can't pass through the debris-ravaged gates of air pollution and makeup?
I like to give them the French women's philosophy that for every night cleansing your skin is skipped, one ages three days. That sticks!
Clients commit when they realize that to enjoy their full beauty supply, a proper skin cleansing routine is the only step they need to stay on their feet a little longer. In turn, everything we get them to do during the "easy part" will yield the lasting skin goal results sought after. For best results, this will be a two-step cleanse incorporating step one with micellar water or an oil-based pre-cleanse, and step two with their chosen cleanser. Don't forget eye makeup remover.
The Ritual: Tranquility Checklist
Give your clients (and yourself) the homework of creating tranquility in the bedrooms. Not only will this enhance a skin care experience, but it will improve the quality of sleep. We know that chronic poor sleep hygiene is related to premature aging. Studies support that low-quality sleep is associated with diminished skin barrier function, revealing extrinsic aging signs such as dark under-eye circles. Creating an environment that promotes consistently setting aside 5-10 minutes of self-care is an excellent sleep hygiene practice. This ritual in a soothing space clears the mind after a long day and prepares you for true beauty sleep.
The Bed Is Important
Are the linens comfortable and fresh? Easy sale: some of our online suppliers offer the same comfortable bedding we use for spa rooms in retail sizes for homes. Trending beauty pillows with cut-outs for side sleepers and silk pillowcases promise a crease-less nights' sleep as they can be gentler on the skin and hair, leading to the reduction or elimination of hair breakage and fine lines from skin pulling, tugging, or squishing.
Furthermore, what does your esthetic bed have that a bedroom may not? I'd leave the paraffin vat and hand warmers to the pros, but a heated blanket would be a nice touch. The room Is it quiet enough, dark enough, airy and comfortable? Air purifiers, humidifiers, and blackout curtains are significant aspects to evaluate when creating a tranquil space. Humidifiers can be crucial in certain climates and during dryer times of the year, particularly in homes with forced hot hair heating.
To set the mood, one may benefit from hazardless flickering battery-operated candles, sound machines or essential oil diffusers. The ideal temperature will be 65℉-69℉ with a humidity level of 40%-60%. Keep track of this with a small hygrometer and thermometer on your nightstand. With the stage set, develop an unwinding routine that trades in your phone and television for soothing spa music, audiobooks, or the golden sound of silence. It's giving spa-ahhhh already.
The Accoutrements
The nightstand should have at least one drawer because you'll need it to house your products and devices. Consider a mini-fridge as storage if cryotherapy is your thing. This idea came to me when I had an always-forgotten-when-left-downstairs prescription cream that needed refrigeration (some high-strength vitamin C and eczema products often do). Eye pads, creams, cryo globes, and rollers feel best when chilled. Bonus: the gentle hum is soothing like a sound machine.
The Must-haves
Our skin undergoes the same reparative process as our body during circadian rhythm, working to reverse daytime damage and sustaining higher levels of product penetration. This process is why most PM products are rich in active ingredients supporting collagen formation during cellular turnover. Since our skin produces less sebum while we sleep, it can tolerate heavier creams, which help lock in moisture during slumber.
At the very least, layer freshly prepped skin with a night-specific serum and moisturizer. You can apply these in 30 seconds, and your spa night has just begun, so now what?
Devices and Sculpting Tools
With fewer distractions, there's more attention to detail in the intentional movements required by gua sha stones, jade rollers or microcurrent and LED devices. The best results yield from a devoted five minutes with any of these treatments. Oil-based serums with aromatherapy give the perfect glide for most tools and enhance your level of relaxation.
Chill Time
To ice the cake, de-puff and cool down your skin with the aforementioned cryo treatments. Doing this at night can not only aid in drifting off to sleep, but cold therapy also reduces inflammation and improves barrier function and muscle recovery. Address muscle or joint pain areas with cooling topicals or mineral-rich body mists.
The Forgotten Extras
Don't let your products expire! After your serum and night cream, this is a great time to add products like hand cream, eye serum and cream, lip masques, cuticle oil, aloe socks, overnight masks, and overnight spot patches. Look through your collection and pull out the products that you know will be the best used when they're nightstand handy. Okay, sleeping beauties, it's flameless-candle lights out.
Woke Up Like This
How restful was your sleep? Better yet, your skin is looking better than ever. Your skin has undergone revitalizing repair thanks to a successful skin care routine and quality rest. When the alarm goes off, roll off the side of the bed to your pink fuzzy slippers and robe. Get yourself over to a mirror. Yes, you just woke up like this. It was effortless, and I'll bet you have more energy to do it again tonight.
Erika Lauren is a writing graduate, licensed esthetician and airbrush tan specialist from Massachusetts, currently residing in Virginia where she runs her business, Art + Sol. Her nightstand contains everything mentioned above, and then some.
