It’s not just your legs that suffer on a cycle ride, a few hours out in the elements can leave your face feeling the effects too.
Adele Mitchell seeks out the best night-shift dream creams to deliver some much-needed TLC to you skin.
Night cream isn’t just day cream in a different pot. For a start it doesn’t contain spf (you don’t need it in the dark) and, because its job is to work with the natural repair of your skin as you sleep, the active ingredients focus on replenishment and rejuvenation as well as moisturising.
Having said that, if an spf-free day cream is what you have to hand then go ahead and use it, your skin will still benefit.
For the best result, apply your treatment to skin that has been thoroughly cleansed (double cleansing is de rigeur these days) and completely free of make up and grime. This allows for maximum penetration of the active ingredients – and full value for money. Massage it in to your skin rather than just wiping it on. Use your fingertips in sweeping strokes upwards and outwards from chin to cheek to hairline. The movements help stimulate blood flow to the skin surface, which in turn helps with the rejuvenation process.
When you wake up in the morning you should be able to feel evidence of your night cream’s effect. The best leave behind a noticeable veil of moisture and soft, supple skin.
BEST FOR A JAUNT OVER THE ALPS (OR THE SOUTH DOWNS ON A SUNNY DAY)
Clarins After Sun Replenishing Moisture Care for Face & Decollete
Price: £26.oo
While no cream can repair the long term effects of sunburn (so avoid at all costs please), this balm is designed to ease redness and heat and contains shea butter to hydrate and comfort your skin. Use over night for several weeks after sun exposure.
BEST FOR THE REGULAR RIDER
Clinique Turnaround Overnight radiance moisturiser
Price: £34.00
Wake up radiant – who wouldn’t want that? The cream is designed to clear away the dulling effects of time and sun damage as well as delivering nourishing moisture. Suits all skin types and, basically, ticks all the boxes.
BEST AFTER A WIND WHIPPING RIDE
Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate
Price: £36.00
An Omega-6 rich blend enriched with Evening Primrose and a blend of essential oils to provide an intense moisture burst to dehydrated skin. The non-greasy formula is instantly absorbed, and as you only need 2-3 drops per night it will last for ages. Use it alone or under moisturiser – it’s like an overnight facial.
BEST FOR THE ‘I’VE SPENT ALL MY MONEY ON MY BIKE’ RIDER
Body Shop Aloe Soothing Night Cream
Price: £11.00
A no fuss or frills moisturising cream with aloe that’s designed to calm the skin, nourish and moisturise. Suited to complexions that need some gentle care, this one is fragrance, colour and alcohol free.
BEST FOR THE ECO RIDER
Neals Yard Nourishing Orange Flower Night Cream
Price: £23.75
With squeaky clean green credentials and organic ingredients, this rich cream is formulated with wild rosehip, pomegranate and sea buckthorn oil plus orange flower water to deeply nourish and replenish. Expect naturally soft, smooth skin by morning.
