Ella James is an independent researcher and writer. She has contributed to many online websites related to general health and fitness. Her interests include reading and writing about day-to-day health, fitness, and skin care problems. (Feel free to connect with her on Facebook and Twitter to learn more.) As I’ve been struggling with my skin lately, I asked her to provide some tips on simple things we can do that won’t take too much extra time, but will help us get the best skin possible.

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Some days you end up so tired that you just want to head straight to bed.  If you had a long day at work, or spent the night out partying, then skin care isn’t exactly on your mind before you pass out for the night.

But it should be.

Did you know that taking care of your skin at night affects the way you look the next day?  Taking good care of your face before bed is one of the best things you can do for yourself, especially if you’re concerned with signs of aging.  A recent study shows that skin cells grow much faster when we’re asleep, meaning that you need to properly hydrate and maintain a good skin regimen right before bed.

Other than drinking water, here are four great tips you should practice for a great nighttime routine.

Get Rid of All of the Grime and Dirt

Throughout the day, your face picks up all sorts of dirt and substances that clog up your pores and get trapped there.  If you’re not properly washing your face at the day’s end, these substances stay there, causing unwanted blemishes.  A simple trick that most people forget to do is to properly wash your face.

To correctly get all the grime off, purchase a cleanser that is made to open up your pores.  A good cleansing brush is also recommended so that you can accurately get all areas of your face.  Use lukewarm water when applying the cleanser, and gently scrub to get rid of that unwanted dirt.  It’s important not to go overboard when scrubbing, however, because it could end up leading to more irritations when you wake up in the morning.

Consider a Face Mask

Overnight face masks are great when trying to remove unwanted blemishes on your face.  If you’re starting to notice fine lines, dry skin, inflammation, or puffiness under your eyes, then an overnight face mask might just do the trick to clearing it up.

Make sure that you gently rub the solution on your face and methodically massage the skin afterwards.  Also be sure to do this after you’ve applied your cleanser.  If you create a face mask before getting all the grime off your face, the mask won’t work properly, as clogged pores won’t allow the mask to be absorbed within the skin.

Be Sure to Sleep Correctly

After you’re done applying your skin care products for the night, it’s important to practice good sleeping habits to allow them to work on your skin the proper way. One way to achieve this is by switching over to a pillowcase that won’t constantly pull or yank on your skin during the night. Try a silk pillowcase to free up your facial movements if you’re known to toss and turn when sleeping.

If you don’t want to risk having your skin regimen being tampered by a pillow, a good trick is to start sleeping on your back at night and to always remember to get a good night’s rest. Don’t expect any results if you’re only getting 3 to 4 hours of sleep at night. The recommended length is at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night for healthy and hydrated skin.

Apply the Right Moisturizer

Moisturizer is a must if you want your skin to stay healthy and hydrated.  A common misconception is that if your skin appears oily it must be hydrated.  In actuality, you still need to apply a moisturizer if you have oily skin.

Remember to pick our the right product for you when choosing a suitable moisturizer.  Surprisingly enough, there is a good deal of difference between a daytime and nighttime moisturizer.  Daytime products are usually much thinner in consistency.  Although the solution for night may be thicker and less appealing, it is just as important.  It will end up leaving your skin much softer the next day.

Bonus Tip: 5 Tips to Boost Your Skin Collagen in the Morning

Although you’ve applied these tips to keep your skin nice and healthy, you should also keep the same mindset in the mornings.  When you wake up, make sure to eat a nutritious breakfast.  Vitamins C and E are great for your skin, so eat plenty of fruit rich in these nutrients.  Also, try to eat a breakfast that has a good amount of protein in it.  A recent study shows that breakfasts with a higher protein content will increase oxidation by 16%, which can be great to create healthier skin.

Smooth skin starts with a great mindset.  If you make a note to follow these tips daily, then you’re one step closer to healthier, smoother skin.

Guest post by Ella James