What is circadian skincare?
Syncing your skincare with your body’s internal clock could be the answer to super-charging your beauty routine
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Your circadian rhythm is the name given to your body’s 24-hour internal clock. It naturally regulates everything from your sleep-wake cycle to hormone releases and body temperature, all in the background without you even realising. But it’s not just your body that follows this daily rhythm; your skin does too.
Throughout the day, your skin works hard to protect and defend against external aggressors; overnight, it switches into repair and regeneration mode. Circadian skincare is the idea that aligning your skincare routine, and the actives you use, with these natural cycles creates the optimum condition for healthier, more resilient skin. The result? Improved elasticity and firmness, less irritated and aggravated skin, and a brighter, more youthful, complexion.
What is circadian skincare?
“In short, circadian skincare is working with your 24-hour natural biological clock,” explains Charlotte Murdock, skincare expert at Avant Skincare. It’s about “protecting the skin in the daytime from environmental stressors, and repairing the skin with active ingredients and nourishing products while we sleep.”
Rather than using the same products morning and night, circadian skincare focuses on giving your skin exactly what it needs, when it needs it, prioritising protection by day and repair by night. Aligning your routine with your skin’s natural rhythm can benefit overall skin health immensely, strengthening the skin barrier, boosting cell turnover and leaving your complexion hydrated and beautifully radiant.
Day: protection and prevention
“The main focus with skincare for the daytime should be on protecting the skin from UV damage, pollution, and environmental stressors,” explains Murdock. Start with a gentle cleanse to “remove any dirt, sweat, and excess oil built up through the night, keeping the skin barrier happy and intact.” Follow with nourishing formulas and day creams to lock in moisture, and, of course, SPF is always non-negotiable.
Look for products that consist of antioxidant ingredients, such as vitamins C and E to “neutralise free radicals from UV rays and pollution and enhance SPF’s performance” and “opt for a broad-spectrum SPF that protects from UVA and UVB rays, that has moisturising ingredients like ceramides and jojoba, preferably with protective ingredients like white tea extract,” recommends Murdock.
“It’s crucial to avoid active ingredients in the daytime, and stick to ingredients that are nourishing and gentle, rather than heavy exfoliants or actives.” Focus on products and ingredients that prepare and protect the skin for the day ahead.
Night: repair and regeneration
“The nighttime routine should focus heavily on repair – regenerating and restoring the skin, and replenishing the skin barrier,” explains Murdock. “At night, the skin is in peak regeneration time – especially between 11pm and 2am. The skin cell turnover is higher, and collagen production peaks, so opting for a nighttime routine that enhances this process is a fantastic idea.”
Katey Mandy, founder of Raeso (formerly Raaie), adds: “The human skin doesn’t sleep passively. It moves through a precise biological rhythm every night. We formulate with this night pattern in mind. This approach supports the skin’s own renewal process, allowing active ingredients to be released in measured phases. Our focus when formulating is to work with the skin, not against it.”
Start your evening ritual with a double cleanse to remove any makeup, SPF and any build up of daily impurities, such as oil and dirt. Look for products with active ingredients like retinoids and exfoliating acids to encourage regeneration, boost collagen and increase firmness, before applying moisturiser and barrier creams to support the skin’s repair process overnight.
Circadian skincare is simple but smart. By synchronising your skincare routine with your body’s natural rhythm, you can maximise results, protecting your skin during the day and supporting its natural repair process at night. The outcome? Healthier, stronger, glowing skin.
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