Winter mornings are slow, nights are long and our skin often feels dull, dry and tired. But what if getting glowing skin this season is not just about the products applied, but also about the timing of their application? Welcome to the concept of circadian rhythms – the body’s inherent clock that affects sleep, energy levels, and even skin repair processes.
Just as we align our waking, working and resting habits with the Sun, our skin follows its own timetable, signaling specific times ideal for hydration, nourishment or comprehensive repair. Syncing your skin-care routine with this rhythm, from the time you wake up to the time you fall asleep in the evening, can help boost your winter glow.
You will no longer need to guess which cream is most effective – your skin already has the knowledge. This winter, it’s time to get in tune with your body’s biological clock and discover how AM to PM rituals can give you that fresh, well-rested glow even on the coldest days.
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To highlight the importance of circadian rhythms for healthy, glowing skin all season long, Dr. Mili Sinha, beauty therapist at La Clinique and expert in Otaria, said, “Winter doesn’t just change the season, it changes our body’s internal rhythms, and our skin feels its impact. With shorter days, increased melatonin and reduced serotonin make us feel sluggish while the skin’s natural renewal process slows down.
Because our skin operates on its own circadian cycle, repairing, hydrating and rejuvenating at specific times, it’s essential to align our skin care with this rhythm. By choosing the right products at the right time, such as morning protectant and nighttime repair, we can support the skin’s natural balance, keeping it hydrated, strong and glowing even in the depths of winter.
1. Rise (6:00–9:00 am): Security and wakefulness
The early hours of waking hours are important for reviving your skin. In the morning, your skin is especially open to hydration, so start with a mild cleanser followed by a moisturizing cream containing vitamins A and E. Vitamin C serum may provide protection from environmental factors such as pollution and cold winds. It acts as a natural “boost” for your skin, setting the tone for the day ahead.
2. Shine (12:00-2:00 pm): Refresh and hydrate
Skin hydration levels fluctuate throughout the day. By noon, the skin becomes dehydrated due to loss of transepidermal water. Incorporating hydrating products like mists with ingredients like fresh strawberries or kiwi fruit cells helps replenish the skin’s moisture levels. For protection, using suncare gel containing aloe vera and vegetable pear can keep your skin protected from UV rays all day long.
3. Cool (6:00–8:00 pm): Rejuvenation and preparation
In the evening, the skin enters repair mode, making it essential to prepare it for optimal overnight renewal. Using a serum rich in polypeptides and hyaluronic acid helps relax facial muscles to instantly reduce wrinkles, while providing deep hydration for a plump, healthy look. Evening care revitalizes the skin and prepares it for the repair phase that occurs at night.
4. Yawning (08:00 PM-10:00 PM): Repairs and Renovations
Night is the time when your skin really regenerates, entering peak repair mode. This makes it ideal for rich creams and serums that deeply hydrate and nourish, and leave a radiant glow by morning. Use an eye serum with sweet orange to refresh tired eyes, brown algae to boost collagen, and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture.
In winter, switch to a thick night cream with encapsulated retinol and hyaluronic acid to combat dryness and enhance overnight renewal.