Day and Night Skincare: What's the Difference, According to a Dermatologist?

Have you ever stopped to think that your skin has different needs throughout the day? Just like your body, it also responds differently to the environment, completely changing how we care for it. Dermatologist Cristina Salaro explains this by advocating specific skincare routines for daytime and nighttime.

"During the day, the skin acts as a protective barrier. It's constantly exposed to solar radiation, pollution, and free radicals. All of this promotes oxidative stress and can accelerate premature aging, as well as worsen blemishes and inflammation," says Cristina.

Morning skincare: protection comes first

The key to daytime skincare, according to the doctor, is protection. It's during these times that we need to strengthen our skin's defenses to face everything that comes from outside: sun, smoke, airborne particles, and visible light.

According to the dermatologist, your morning routine should begin with a gentle cleansing routine, simply to remove the oil accumulated during sleep without damaging the skin barrier. Next, apply a light moisturizer, which helps maintain skin balance and comfort.

Next, ideally, apply an antioxidant serum with active ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide, which neutralize free radicals and add radiance. Finally, always use sunscreen . "It's the most important product of the day, as it protects against UVA and UVB radiation damage, preventing blemishes, wrinkles, and even skin cancer ," Cristina emphasizes.

At night: time to repair and treat

As night falls, the body enters recovery mode—and the skin follows suit. Cristina explains that microcirculation increases, permeability improves, and collagen and elastin production is naturally stimulated.

Here the key word changes: repair. "At night, we can use more powerful active ingredients, such as acids, which stimulate cell renewal and enhance skin repair ," he explains.

According to the expert, the nighttime routine begins with a deep cleanse to remove makeup , pollution residue, and impurities. Then, apply richer repairing or moisturizing serums. It's also the ideal time to apply specific treatments, such as brightening products or acids, always respecting your skin type and sensitivity.

Pharmacy is an ally of skincare

You don't need to spend a fortune to create an effective routine. Cristina emphasizes that there are excellent, affordable products available at regular pharmacies. Among her favorites for daytime skincare, she recommends:

• Gentle soaps: Cetaphil Foam, La Roche-Posay Effaclar High Tolerance and Eucerin Cleansing Gel
• Light moisturizers: Neutrogena Hydro Boost, La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat, Eucerin Hyaluron and Nivea Soft
• Antioxidant serums with vitamin C: Vichy Liftactiv, La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 and Active CG Avene
• Broad-spectrum sunscreens: Episol 70, Minesol, La Roche-Posay Anthelios, Neutrogena Sun Fresh, and Nivea Sun Toque Seco
• Thermal water or hydrating mist: Avène, La Roche-Posay, Vichy and Needs

For nighttime skincare, the dermatologist recommends the following items:

• Makeup removers or micellar waters: Bioderma, L'Oréal, Garnier, Nivea and Needs
• Purifying soaps: Actine, Neutrogena Deep Clean and Dermotivin
• Serums with hyaluronic acid: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5, L'Oréal Revitalift, Tracta Facial Serum and Sallve Repairer
• Nourishing moisturizers: Nivea Creme, Eucerin UreaRepair, Caudalie Vinoperfect and Densifiant
• Acid treatment: Tracta Mandelic Acid, La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 and The Ordinary Glycolic Acid

Simple routine, healthy skin

Understanding this natural dance between day and night—protection and repair—is the first step to achieving more radiant, healthy, and balanced skin. And best of all: it's hassle-free.

"Simple and consistent routines make all the difference. You don't need to follow a thousand steps, just the right ones for your skin type," concludes Cristina.