I’m usually very picky when it comes to night time skincare treatments whether it’s for the face, eyes or body. I don’t like the heavy feel of product while I sleep. Scent also plays a big part in what I can tolerate for night time treatments as well, if it’s too strong I find it interferes with my sleep. I’ve tested a number of minis and samples and due to the sensitivity of my skin and nose, I stopped using most of them after two uses. Two night time facial treatments I’ve fallen in love with that work wonders for my sensitive skin include First Aid Beauty’s Facial Radiance Overnight Mask and Chanel’s Le Nuit de Chanel.
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Overnight Mask ($38 for 1.7 fl oz) is a super hydrating facial treatment that brightens and nourishes the skin overnight. It has a white gel-like texture that feels on the thick side but blends into the skin smoothly. If you feel it being goopy or sticky on the face you’ve applied too much. It took a few tries for me to get the right amount without overdoing it. It has a wonderful fresh clean skincare-like scent. After using this I wake up with amazing skin like I just had a facial. The morning after my skin glows, looks brighter and feels smoother and looks well hydrated. It’s good for my super-sensitive skin. It’s gentle enough to use nightly but I’ve used this 1 to 2x per week for the past month. It’s the only thing I’ve tried that gives me that perfect skin look when I wake up.
Ingredients:
Chanel La Nuit de Chanel ($85 for1.7 fl oz) is something I’ve been using for over a year now. Even after regular use I still haven’t used up a full bottle. For those new to this, the La Nuit de Chanel is part of their Resynchronizing Trio. It’s a night time treatment designed to recharge the skin. It has frankincense extract to calm the skin and hyaluronic acid and shea butter to moisturize the skin. It works wonders on my face to calm flare ups, fix any dry spots, and helps clear up the skin. It has a white cream texture that blends in well with the skin. This one is scented (it’s hard for me to describe) but it smells good and doesn’t interfere with my sleep. I use this one almost every night. I like the pump it comes with which makes it super easy to dispense and mess-free.
Ingredients:
Do you use any night time facial treatments? Or masks? What are your favorites? I’ll be sharing some other hydrating and clarifying mask favorites in the upcoming weeks. You can find First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Overnight Mask in stores and online at Sephora and also at Firstaidbeauty.com. Chanel’s La Nuit de Chanel can be found at all Chanel retailers, I purchased mine from Nordstrom.
First Aid Beauty provided press samples for review consideration. For more information, refer to my Disclosures.
Oh wow! I haven't heard of the First Aid Beauty overnight mask! I've been using Laneige's Water Sleeping Mask, which has really helped mainly with rehydrating my skin. The First Aid one seems like it has even more benefits! Will definitely check it out when I get the chance!
xo,
Carmen
The Fashion Reformation
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In my opinion if you are not using a Retin A or retinol product at night and a good Vitamin C serum in the morning you are not doing anything on a celluar level to help your skin or aid the anti-aging process. The products you're using may help plump up your skin and keep you hydrated but they are not doing anything for you long term. Retin A/retinol and Vitamin C along with a balance of other antioxidants are where the science is.
Thanks Jo for your recommendations! I have used Retin A in the past and Vitamin C treatments but my skin simply could not handle them, I know dermatologists keep recommending RetinA but my skin was simply ruined by it, even though it takes time to really work, I used it for around 3 months and had to stop because my skin reacted really badly with this. With the Vitamin C treatments my skin looked incredible with one week of regular use, but also after that 1 week period was up, it turned out to be too much for my skin and another bad reaction happened – red itchy patches and burning skin.
If you have any insights or recommendations for milder treatments that you believe are better for the skin I'm all ears.
Hi Sabrina, I don't know if the C product you used was an l-ascorbic acid product but you could try another form of C. Medik8 makes a CE-Tetra serum that gets rave reviews. However, there is not as much science behind Tetra as there is l-ascorbic acid. Instead of Retin A you could try a retinol product and Medik8 has a nice retinol serum too. You could start with a low dose and work your way up. Retinol has been shown to have the same anti-aging benefits as tretonin (RetinA) in a number of clinical studies. Peter Thomas Roth has a nice retinol serum too.
Alternatively, I recommend you look into the Environ products. I recommend this for you more strongly than the Medik8 products. There are spas in LA that give the Environ facial (which are amazing, I get one every month, an ultrasound machine is used to help with product penetration) and sell Environ products. They use alternative forms of Vitamins A and C. Des Fernandes, the product founder has quite a few You Tube videos out there so research him as well as the products. They have several product lines depending on your skin type and needs and they have a step up system. You start at level 1 with the lowest concentration of both actives and work your way up. These products are amazing and gentle. They also have a retinol product that you could work up to using. Online, Skin Care by Alana sells both Environ and Medik8 products. You could call them for a consultation (I am not affiliated but have purchased from them in the past).
Hi Sabrina,
You're not alone in your intolerance to C and retinoic acid. Although those are the two things most frequently mentioned, they aren't the only kids on the block :-). There are other ingredients that also have independent research to support their anti-aging claims. Matrixyl 3000, niacinamide, and coffeeberry immediately come to mind. No matter what a woman chooses to use, though, the single greatest preventative measure is sunscreen applied generously and consistently all day, every day 🙂
I tried La Nuit de Chanel and I must say that I loved it. The texture, the smell… I woke up feeling my skin really good, but I must be honest, the ingredients are not the best.
I agree with Jo that it is vital to incorporate a good C serum (I use CE Ferulic in the AM) and a retinoid (I use a prescription strength retinoic acid in the PM) into our skin care routine because those do have a lot of solid science behind them. I've been using those for years and they are without a doubt–along with sunscreen–the big guns in any anti-aging arsenal. But, our skin needs other things as well to look its best; even if the effect is transitory. I have dry mature skin with mild, well-controlled rosacea so I look for humectants, ingredients to calm and sooth my skin, and good non-comedongenic occlusives to seal in all the goodness. I have a few different serums and moisturizers to use depending on the season of the year and what my skin needs to keep looking its best.
Totally agree with Jo..you will be amazed when go with science here. Retin A, vitamin C, acids (lactic, glycolic, AHA, BHA)and sunscreen everday are where it is at. The earlier you start, the better. You will thank us when your skin looks amazing at 50! Forget Chanel's overpriced products. And check out the ingredients in both of these products; lots of alcohol & cones..not good.
Thanks Michelle, I responded to Jo's comments above. I have never been able to use Retin A or Vitamin C products without my skin turning into a complete nightmare, even if certain products are meant to improve skin over time, I couldn't handle red patches, burning sensations, peeling etc. If you have any specific recommendations product that have worked for you I'd love to hear them.
Hi Sabrina-it is really important that you start very slow with prescription Retin A and over the course of a year you might be up to 3 nights/week or potentially 7 depending on how it goes. The key is slow and mixing with preferred moisturizer. Although I like to wait at least 30 minutes after the Retin A to apply anything on top, my Derm suggests it can be used together (which is a change from past advice.) My best suggestion would be to start with a product called, Differin as it is a milder prescription vitamin A (retin A) cream that is often more tolerable. It is usually prescribed for acne and my insurance has paid for that in the past (which is a bonus!) Also, Retinoids (which are milder vitamin A than prescription Retin A) and are sold over the counter have proven to work well and be milder as Jo suggested in her reply. Happily, you don't have to spend a lot on these; in fact, I suggest you don't:) A good youtuber named: HotandFlashy has an excellent overview on starting Retin A so that you can get there without all the peeling, redness and pain. Good luck!
These sounds so amazing, I really need to try those! I love the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask for a punch of hydration and the Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial to wake up the next morning with baby soft new skin. Both have quiet a strong smell but as long as it smells good I'm totally fine with it!
Alice x | My Beauty Blog: ALICEYEH.pro
Le Nuit de Chanel! Best treatment ever!
Lots of love, xx
http://marysreturn.blogspot.com.ar/
http://marysreturn.blogspot.com.ar/
Chanel la nuit is one of my favourite. I skip to some other serums sometimes or oils for a change. This had hyaluronic acid but it' s very light and gentle.
Love some Nude Products as the progenius oil and the repleneshing serum and cream. And I'm trying their night mask. Another night mask I use is by Sensai Kanebo
Thanks for the recommendation on Nude and Sensai Kanebo! I just received a sampler packet of Nude and can't wait to try it 🙂
I love the smell of Chanel La Nuit! I can't use Le Jour because it stings my sensitive skin, but I do like La Nuit. In regards to skincare Tatcha is really amazing and great for sensitive skin. I also like Caudalie's Premier Cru, and Chanel Sublimage. Another great one is Nuxellence, and the Masque Creme Fraiche from Nuxe, as well as their lip balm (the version in a pot.) There is also the Black Rose Mask from Sisley which is wonderful.
I just thought I'd share because it took me years to figure out what works for me and my sensitive and combination/oily skin. I love reading your blog! Great pictures and reviews and a kind heart. Thank you!
Magic and Superstar both look amazing on you.