There’s a reason our parents told us that ‘there’s nothing a good night’s sleep can’t fix’. Our energy levels, work-related anxieties, and skin all benefit from eight hours of sleep. The moment our heads hit our silk pillowcases, our skin goes into an intense session of rejuvenation and renewal. At night, our skin has the opportunity to rest and regenerate away from sunlight, blue light and general environmental pollutants we face during the day. Despite this, we are unable to replenish our water stores at night, which means that our skin may become dehydrated. Therefore, a good nighttime skin care routine should focus on hydration and moisture retention.
Why is a nighttime skin care routine important?
Just as we use our daytime routine to protect, our nighttime routine focuses on restoration and treating specific conditions, such as breakouts with spot treatments or fine lines with retinol. While our skin must compete with UV rays and makeup during the day, at night it has the full capacity to absorb our skin care products.
Steps for a nighttime skin care routine…
Step 1: Remove your makeup
If your skin is acne-prone, we recommend completing this step with a hydrating micellar water. Otherwise if you have normal, dry or combination skin, an oil cleanser will thoroughly breakdown makeup and oil without stripping your skin.
Simple Waterboost Micellar Cleansing Water
Want to know more? Read Simple Micellar Cleansing Water reviews here…
$14 at Woolworths
Jurlique Nourishing Cleansing Oil
Want to know more? Read Jurlique Nourishing Cleansing Oil reviews here…
$45 at Adore Beauty
Step 2: Cleanse
One cleanse or micellar water swipe isn’t going to completely remove makeup, which is why every nighttime routine needs a double cleanse. In fact, even on the days you haven’t worn makeup, we still recommend cleansing your skin to wash off the built-up dirt from the day. For this step, we recommend selecting a gentle cleanser that is going to clean your skin while keeping your barrier protected above all else.
Habitual Beauty Balancing Cleanser
Want to know more? Read Habitual Beauty Balancing Cleanser reviews here…
$70 at Sephora
Scott + Sullivan The Cleanser
$65 at The Clinic
Step 3: Toner
Unlike cleansing, using a toner isn’t a compulsory step. Though for those on the oilier side, a pH-balancing toner can be a great way to keep excess sebum production at a minimum.
Clarins Soothing Toning Lotion
Want to know more? Read Clarins Soothing Toning Lotion reviews here…
$46 at Adore Beauty
Rodan + Fields UNBLEMISH Clarifying Toner
Want to know more? Read Rodan + Fields UNBLEMISH Clarifying Toner reviews here…
$68 at RODAN + FIELDS
Step 4: Eye cream
By applying your eye cream before your serums, you’re allowing it to act as a barrier to protect the delicate under-eye from being exposed to overly-harsh ingredients.
Ella Baché Retinol Renewal Eye Serum
Want to know more? Read Ella Baché Retinol Renewal Eye Serum reviews here…
$109 at Adore Beauty
Kiehl’s Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Eye Cream
Want to know more? Read Kiehl’s Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Eye Cream reviews here…
$60 at Adore Beauty
Step 5: Serum
This step is dependent on your individual skin type and concerns. Those who have acne may opt for different serums than those who are concerned with ageing and for anyone with ultra-sensitive skin, the options might change entirely again. Whether you opt for just one or multiple, it’s important to understand that just as vitamin C thrives in the day, active ingredients like retinol are best used overnight.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s important to introduce serums one at a time. And for formulations that contain stronger acids or retinol, introducing them into your routine every other day is the best way to avoid triggering irritation or damaging your skin’s barrier.
Serum for sensitive skin
Trilogy Very Gentle Calming Serum
Want to know more? Read Trilogy Very Gentle Calming Serum reviews here…
$48.55 at Trilogy
Serum for acne-prone skin
SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense Serum
Want to know more? Read SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense Serum reviews here…
$129 at SkinCeuticals
Serum for pigmentation
Aspect Dr Complete Pigment Plus Serum
$165 at The Clinic
Serum for wrinkles and fine lines
BOOST LAB Retinol Night Renewal Serum
Want to know more? Read BOOST LAB Retinol Night Renewal Serum reviews here…
$29.95 at Adore Beauty
Serum for loss of elasticity
No7 Future Renew™ Repair Serum
Want to know more? Read No7 Future Renew™ Repair Serum reviews here…
$67.99 at Priceline
Step 6: Moisturiser
Now it’s time to seal all that goodness in and ensure you’re locking your skin’s moisture in over night. We recommend seeking out a moisturiser that won’t clog your pores but will be rich enough to maintain hydration until morning. A good night cream will leave your skin looking soft, supple and plump by the time you wake up.
In the same way that vitamin C moisturisers are recommended for people who are sensitive to the serum variation, a retinol-infused moisturiser offers a tolerable alternative for skin that tends to reject the strong ingredient.
Olay Retinol 24 Night Moisturiser Cream Fragrance Free
Want to know more? Read Olay Retinol 24 Night Moisturiser Cream Fragrance Free reviews here…
$50.99 at Chemist Warehouse
No7 Future Renew™ Night Cream
Want to know more? Read No7 Future Renew™ Night Cream reviews here…
$67.99 at Priceline
Optional step: Mask
If your skin (or soul) needs some extra TLC, then consider incorporating a mask into your nighttime routine. Similarly to picking a serum, select a mask that has been formulated to target your individual skin care concerns.
Mask for congested
Freeman Beauty AVOCADO + OATMEAL CLAY MASK
Want to know more? Read Freeman Beauty AVOCADO + OATMEAL CLAY MASK reviews here…
$14.95 at Target
Mask for dehydrated skin
Paula’s Choice Super Hydrate Overnight Mask
Want to know more? Read more Paula’s Choice Super Hydrate Overnight Mask reviews here…
$39.10 at Paula’s Choice
Do you follow these steps in your nighttime routine?
If I followed all these steps I would never get to bed . I like to clean add serum and night cream -Done
Me too. I usually go to bed late anyway, so all these steps would bite into my sleep time.
hahaha, true!
I can tell you from experience that you would still get to bed if you treat it like a selfcare winding down routine before bed. Prioritising time for selfcare can be important.
I like to keep it simple at night. Too many products and I wake up with a tacky pillow slip and puffy skin.
I agree with that.
Yeah I follow this routine, every couple of nights I add a gentle exfoliant, a microfoliant of some kind. I often use a essence before adding serum too.
I have a 5 step night routine.
A few nights a week it’s 7 steps. That’s when I exfoliate and add a night mask.
How often do you use a night mask? I try for once a week but I often forget.
I keep my night masks on my bedsite table these days and that way, even if I’ve gotten into bed, I can still easily apply them if I’ve forgotten, even if only my bedlamp is on.
bedside not ‘bedsite’!!
Twice a week 😊
I use a foaming cleanser, then I follow it up with a toner, face serum and eye gel
No moisturiser?
My routine has only few steps: remove makeup, cream cleanser and a serum.Less is more.
I keep my nightime routine fairly simple. Cleanse tone and moisturise. I will do extra steps once a week like face masks etc
Reminds me I have the EB retinol somewhere…
I desperately need a better night skin care routine. X
I wear makeup once per month or two months. So no need for first steps. I wash face, plop on whatever skin needs that night (usually 2 products), done.
I generally have a 5 step routine that changes every second night as I use a retinoid cream but once a week I try to use a face mask (when I remember).
I generally have a 5 step routine that changes every second night as I use a retinoid cream.
I feel like I need to go wash my face and do my routine after this article – inspired & motivated now, thankyou beautyheaven for making me have good skin!
I do a mask well try to once a week at least and my daily routine would be similar but just minus the layering of serums I usually use one in the day and one at night.
I’m using the Boost Lab Serum at the moment.
I few too many steps for me, but I am interested in the Ella Bache eye serum and Cetaphil moisturiser.
My skin was stinging for a while there when I introduced retinol serum, I definitely should have just used it every second night.
This routine would take too long I’d never get to bed.
I just cleanse use an eye cream and a night moisturiser and sometimes a serum. Simple.
I used to take waay better care of my skin, I have gotten so lazy with it lately! At the moment its mostly wash and straight to bed haha!!! I try to remember to do serum/moisturiser/oil..also have gotten very slack with facial masks.
I have used a few of these products, loved the Jurlique cleansing oil, the Olay retinol cream is pretty good. I am so keen to try the skinceuticals C E Ferulic serum someday ♡♡
Lots of choices.
Some great product in this list I want to try.
My night time routine is very simple. Cleanse, tone and retinol
Alkeme Beauty is a Nashville-based beauty studio, which offers the best Permanent makeup, wedding hair and makeup service in Nashville, Tn.
It takes me a very long time to go to bed, always cleanse my makeup off and use a Serum and Night Cream using a Rose Quartz Gua Sha and Roller.
I use about the same number of steps in my skincare routine.
Sometimes it does seem a lot to do but it always feels better once it’s done. What I would like to do is use a face mask more often.
So many steps!
So many choices, I remember Freeman from many years ago
Yep this is my exact routine. It’s so fun doing skincare.
Not sure at what stage to use a mask here – too many steps just before bed though
I do these, but I usually prefer rosehip oil to moisturiser.
I don’t use those particular products, but I do follow a lot of these steps every night. It is part of my evening self care routine before bed.
I’ve recently discovered overnight masks, and I do like them.
I don’t quite follow all of these steps (I use a facial mist instead of a toner), but for the most part I do. I add a facial oil to my routine during the colder months to give my skin a bit more moisture & I do exfoliate at least once a week, but I haven’t used a mask for a while simply because I haven’t got one in my stash.
The Jurlique Nourishing Cleansing Oil has been on my wish list for a long time but I need to use up my other cleansing oils first.
I generally keep it simple. Cleanse, serum and moisturise.
The Kiehl’s eye cream is fantastic.
I do double cleanse my skin at night time before apply any serum and night cream.
great article. I have let my routine slip of late especially at night and my skin has suffered for it. Will definitely need to get back into a proper night routine
I do all steps plus apply a mask at least once per week and exfoliate twice per week.
This is very useful, thanks for sharing this information.
Too many steps for me but I do make sure I cleanse, then serum and moisturise
I do a whole lot of skincare before going to bed. It becomes a habit
I don’t necessarily follow these steps every time. I cleanse, tone and moisturise, plus sunscreen during the day, and use an eyecream at night. I only use a serum or mask occasionally.
I just use normal moisturizer for ny face at night. I should probably get a night time sleeping mask moisturizer