Great products that work on your skin while you sleep

It is 2.30am, and I am exhausted yet struggling to sleep. The irony that I am writing about skincare for night-time is not lost on me. But when you have to go out into the world having existed on little or no sleep, it will help you look a little less shattered. Your skin operates differently in the early hours, a time when it renews itself. As we get older, however, the ability of the skin to do this is reduced. So a product created specifically to work at night makes all the difference. And there’s choice. Some are really technologically advanced – Clinique detects specific skin concerns and treats them accordingly. There are masks, too: Sisley’s is soothing and great for dehydrated skin; Laneige’s is super-hydrating, has a clear, water-like texture that goes on like moisturiser and is perfect for oilier skins; retinol boosts cell turnover as it brightens and unclogs pores. And then you have the stalwarts, such as Estée Lauder’s popular Advanced Night Repair that produces amazing results – increased hydration, smoother skin, more glow – after just one night. Its latest iteration is an overnight treatment that has all the benefits of its predecessor except your skin looks like it has had two nights’ sleep as opposed to one. For any insomniac that’s the dream.

1. Medik8 Crystal Retinal 24 £109, medik8.com
2. L’Occitane Overnight Reset Oil-in-Serum £59, loccitane.com
3. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Night Cream from £45, charlottetilbury.com
4. Sisley Velvet Sleeping Mask with Saffron Flowers £112, spacenk.com
5. Fresh Black Tea Advanced Age Renewal Cream £88, johnlewis.com
6. Laneige Water Sleeping Mask £26, sephora.co.uk
7. Ulé Recovery Night Cream £59, cultbeauty.co.uk
8. Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Overnight Treatment £89, esteelauder.co.uk
9. Indeed Labs Retinol Reface Eye Cream £24.99, indeedlabs.co.uk
10. Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Overnight Recovery Cream + Mask £74, clinique.co.uk