It can be confusing as to when to apply certain skin care products to obtain the best efficacy.

So don’t feel guilty if you are rushed in the morning and only apply suncreen on your face.

According to Dr. Jenny Kim, assoc. prof of derm at UCLA, “research has shown physiological changes that happen at night may enhance the effectiveness of some creams. Skin temperature rises, as does water loss leading to slightly drier skin. If your water loss is higher, theoretically due to less of a skin barrier, a moisturizer can improve the skin barrier. Also, nocturnal blood flow in the skin appears to be higher, which could help spread the area penetrated by any given cream. When blood flow is increased to skin, surface area of the absorption will increase, presuming that ingredients are actually absorbed and are still active after penetration”.

John Kulesza, CEO Young Pharmaceuticals, says that physiological changes take place in the evening to the skin that may enhance product penetration. ” Many treatment actives, e.g. Vitamin C, Green Tea, Retinoids, are light sensitive. Applying them in darkness reduces the possibility they will photodegrade on the skin surface before they are fully absorbed into the skin, which can take a few hours.”

I prefer my Vitamin C in the AM followed by suncreen. Retinods in the evening.  If you do chose to use your Vitamin C in the evening,  alternating nights with a Retinol product is an effective anti-aging protocol. And if you do not use a Vitamin C, I strongly suggest using one. Vitamin C is a Hydroxyacid and anti-oxidant which plays a key role in collagen synthesis.