The advantage of the correct evening skincare

Written by Carina Franck | 1 August 2025

This is an insightful read if you’re serious about your evening skincare regimen. Did you know that your skin performs distinctly different functions at night compared to during the day? This is precisely why day, and evening skincare products are formulated differently. These varying skin functions align with the body’s natural circadian rhythm.

Understanding the circadian rhythm:

The circadian rhythm is the body’s internal 24-hour clock located in the brain, regulating cycles of alertness and sleep by responding to changes in environmental light. Your skin’s circadian rhythm is essential for cellular synchronization. At night, your skin enters repair mode, activated and coordinated by your circadian clock. While you rest, your skin actively repairs itself.

Interesting fact:
Supporting your circadian clock consistently over time may delay premature ageing—highlighting the importance of sufficient sleep.

It thus makes perfect sense to adopt a tailored daytime and nighttime skincare regimen, as your skin has unique needs at different times. Utilizing products and ingredients specifically designed for evening use can maximize your skin’s nighttime repair functions. Our skin endures significant stress from daily environmental factors; therefore, a robust nighttime skincare routine is critical to repair and restoration.

Let’s explore exactly what happens to your skin during the day versus the night and how a focused nighttime routine can facilitate optimal skin regeneration.

DAYTIME

During daytime, your skin undertakes several unique metabolic activities:

Skin pH rises due to increased sebum and sweat production.
Skin density increases as it enters protective mode.
Cell proliferation (growth and division of cells) slows down.
Exposure to environmental stressors such as pollution, UV radiation, free radicals, temperature fluctuations, and humidity variations impacts your skin’s health.
Indoor environments are also challenging, as blue light emitted from electronic devices can cause long-term damage.

NIGHTTIME

At night (while you sleep), your skin transitions into full regeneration mode, significantly increasing activity:

Cell regeneration doubles, including high collagen production.
Enhanced DNA repair occurs, with melatonin levels rising to repair UV-induced and free radical damage.
Autophagy increases, a process by which the body recycles and renews cellular components, maintaining cellular health.
Cell proliferation increases through mitosis, shedding older cells and generating new, younger cells.
Sebum production decreases, skin temperature rises, and trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) peaks around 03:00 AM, potentially leading to dryness and itchiness.
Enhanced barrier permeability and increased blood flow improve product penetration.
Activity of crucial proteins loricrin and filaggrin, key to the skin’s barrier function, increases.
Barrier recovery rate is significantly lower between 20:00 and 23:00.

Optimized evening formulations:

Our night time products are specifically formulated to take advantage of increased skin permeability at night, ensuring effective penetration, supporting nocturnal repair functions, and preventing dehydration. Our approach emphasizes naturally hydrating ingredients and essential nutrients that enhance rather than override your skin’s natural processes.

Recommended ingredients & products for your evening regime:

Ginkgo Biloba, Green Tea and Kigelia Africana Extract, found in our Intensive Night Serum.

This exclusive phyto-active™ serum boosts cell regeneration, stimulates collagen and elastin production, enhances blood circulation, and strengthens vascular capillaries.

Rich in antioxidants, it effectively repairs and restores skin health. Ginkgo acts as a vasodilator, promoting blood and oxygen circulation, while Green Tea’s antioxidant EGCG protects against free radicals and inflammation.This gel-based serum rapidly penetrates the superficial layers of the skin whereafter you can apply your prescribed evening moisturiser such as the Evening Moisturiser with is a rich botanical based formulation, locking in moisture.

Below is a reference list with recommended nighttime treatment products with ingredients suitable for nighttime application. We focus on ingredients that aid in repair and hydration while you sleep. Keeping the skin’s hydrolipid barrier in is key!

Retinoids/Retin-alts and Vitamin A are excellent for promoting skin cell turnover, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and improving skin texture. Retinal palmitate is a gentler retinoid as well as Retin-alts. Higher strength retinoids is only recommended for evening application, as it can make your skin more sensitive during the day, to the sun.

Retinal Palmitate:
Evening Moisturiser, Vitamin A Booster, Anti-puffiness Eye Serum, Phyto Eye Contour Mask, Anti-ageing Gel, Oily Skin Correction Gel, Vitamin C Booster Oil.

Retin-alts: (Carotenoids Pro-vitamin A):

Resveratrol:
Vitamin C Leave-on Mask, Alpha Lipoic Complex.

Astaxanthin:
Phyto-foam Cleanser, Vitamin C Leave-on Mask, Vitamin C Booster Oil, Vitamin C Sheet Mask, Alpha Lipoic Complex.

Rosehip oil:
Kalahari Marula Face Oil, CF Ceutical Glyco Cleanse, CF Tetra Serum.

Sea buckthorn oil:
CF Tetra Serum.

Hyaluronic Acid:
This powerful humectant attracts and retains moisture, heping to plump and hydrate the skin. It’s a great addition to any nighttime routine, especially for dry or dehydrated skin.

Kalahari Phyto-ceutical Skincare Range:
Vita-gel Mask, De-age Hydration Mask, Vitamin C Mask, Vitamin C Sheet Mask, Phyto Eye Contour Mask, Anti-ageing Gel, Revitalising Booster Gel, Phyto Comfort Lotion, Instant Lifting Serum, Phyto-correct Serum, Ultra-rich Skin Complex, Phyto Fluid Foundation, Treatment Lip Glaze, De-age+ Leave-on Mask.

CF Ceutical Skincare Range:
Hyaluronic Sheet Mask, Tetra Serum, MelanoBright Dermal Solution, CeraPep Balm, CCR Balm

Niacinamide:
Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide helps to minimize the appearance of pores, regulate oil production, and improve skin tone. It also strengthens the skin’s natural barrier, making it more resilient.

Kalahari Phyto-ceutical Skincare Range:
Skin Brightening Gel, Ferulic CEB+ Serum, Phyto Rich Moisturiser, Omega+ Complex.

CF Ceutical Skincare Range:
Micellar Ceramide Water, Glyco Cleanse, Exo-eye Serum, Niacinamide B3 Dermal Solution.

Antioxidants (Vitamin C, Vitamin E):
Most of the products in the Franck Global brands contains antioxidant-based ingredients. These ingredients help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, which can
lead to premature aging. They can also help to brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots.

Peptides:
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that can help to stimulate collagen production, which can improve skin elasticity and firmness.

Kalahari Phyto-ceutical Skincare Range:
Phyto-calm Facial Mist, Ultra Rich Skin Complex, Vita-gel Mask, Vitamin C Mask, Nourishing Eye Balm, Anti-puffiness Eye Serum, Phyto Eye Contour Mask, Hydrating Collagen Eye Patches, Revitalising Booster Gel, Instant Lifting Serum, Phyto Rich Moisturiser, Ultra-rich Skin Complex, Omega+ Complex, Vitamin A Booster

CF Ceutical Skincare Range:
GF Bio-Pep Mask, Exo-Eye Serum, Regen+ Serum, CeraPep Balm, CCR Balm.

Ceramides:
These lipids help to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, preventing moisture loss and protecting against environmental aggressors.

CF Ceutical Skincare range:
Regen+ Serum, Niacinamide B3 Dermal Solution, CeraPep Balm, CCR Balm, Micellar Ceramide Water

AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids):
AHAs like glycolic acid can help to exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells and revealing a brighter complexion. However, they can make the skin more sensitive to the sun, so it’s best to use them at night. In both the Franck Global Skincare Ranges, we are using various types of Alpha and Beta Hydroxy acids to ensure optimal dermal rejuvenation.

By incorporating the correct combination of ingredients and products, you will: