I don’t have particularly sensitive skin but it can get irritated from time to time. I have a handful of products that I reach for to help calm or soothe my skin so I thought I would round them up all in one post. Many of them are products I’ve been enjoying for the past year, but some are newer discoveries or things I’ve been using recently.

Skincare Products I Use To Soothe My Irritated Skin

Dieux Deliverance 3-in-1 Repair Serum

Dieux Deliverance serum is a 3-in-1 repair serum designed to target fine lines, irritation and hyperpigmentation. It’s a multi-tasking formula that works for nearly all skin types (especially sensitive skin types) and easily works in any skincare routine. It’s one of those serums that I already know I am going to go back to time and time again because of how effective yet gentle it is to use.

Dieux Skin Mercy Recovery Cream

All of Dieux moisturizers have some nourishing and calming properties, but this recovery cream is made with 1% collodial oatmeal for intense soothing. In addition to helping calm irritated or red skin, it has ingredients to help reduce itching. It’s a thick cream but still manages to feel lightweight on the skin while absorbing instantly. I now have and use all three Dieux moisturizers because they continuously perform so well for my skin!

Bloomeffects Royal Tulip Hydrating Bi-Phase Toner (discount code: Maree)

I use a milky toner in my skincare routine every single day – both morning and  night. I love using them because they tend to add additional moisture with some soothing properties that my dry, mature skin needs. But this toner from Bloomeffects stands out to me as one of the most intensely soothing and calming toners I have ever used. It’s a bi-phase formula so be sure to shake it up before pouring it into the hands and pressing it onto the skin. There are ingredients like green tea which help to clarify the skin while collodial oatmeal and various dutch florals (chamomile, calendula and centella) help to calm any irritation.

Cocokind Calming Magnesium Facial Mist

I use facial mists every single day in both my morning and evening skincare routine as well as throughout the day to keep my skin well hydrated. While so many mists help with hydration only, the Calming Magnesium Facial Mist helps to calm stressed skin. The formula was designed for those with sensitive, reactive and acne-prone skin to help support the skin barrier while also refreshing the skin. I don’t have sensitive skin but my skin does get drier than ever before and this mist is absolutely amazing!

Sweet Chemistry Skin Barrier Repairing Hydra-Serum

This is a newer brand that I was introduced to but their entire ethos is around helping repair the skin. I immediately fell in love with this serum from the first night I tried it. It’s a rich texture that feels instantly soothing without being too heavy. In addition to helping improve skin barrier function, this serum helps increase density, hydration and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. But for me, I have been loving it’s ability to really calm and heal my skin when it’s feeling sensitive and/or irritated.

U Beauty The Barrier Bioactive Treatment (discount: MAREE20)

The texture of this overnight treatment may not be for everyone but I personally love it. It feels similar liquid balm with a slight ointment/salve texture that really speaks to it’s restorative properties. For those with dry, sensitive or mature skin, this is a phenomenal overnight treatment to use as your final step to really help rejuvenate, repair and intensely hydrate. Because it’s so rich, I only tend to use this when my skin is severely dehydrated or feeling irritated. It’s a great product to use in the dead of winter when your skin is painfully dry from the cold weather – it’s a miracle worker for that!

Using the correct products for your skin concerns is important but ensuring you are applying them in the correct order is just as vital to efficacy. Applying the products of your nighttime skincare routine in the proper order is important because it allows the products to work correctly giving your skin the results intended. It took me some trial and error to figure out the right order to apply my products but now I can confidently add new products into my routine knowing exactly where they should go. The best nightly skincare routine depends on your skin type and goals, but there are some general rules that any routine should follow. This post will walk you through the ideal order while also explaining why each step matters. Products work differently for everyone so it’s best to consult a dermatologist if you have persistent skin concerns.

For more information on building the skincare routines and how to use your products, these are some previous blog posts I recommend reading:

How To Layer Skincare Products

Skin Care Routine For Dry Skin

Skin Cycling Routine

Nighttime Skincare Routine Order

There is an ideal order to applying skincare products before bed. It’s best to cleanse, tone, treat and moisturize but within that are other helpful tips to get the most out of your products. It’s important to layer products correctly in order to support the skin barrier, skin repair, and overnight skin renewal. Once you understand how to properly apply your skincare products, you can adjust your routine as needed and always be confident that you will get the most of your products.

Why Is Nighttime Skincare Routine More Important Than Morning

Having a proper skincare routine both morning and night is important, but the skin goes into a natural repair and regeneration process while you sleep. This is why active ingredients are often better suited for nighttime use. An effective nighttime routines can help improve skin tone, fine lines, and signs of aging over time. You can still use active ingredients in your morning skincare routine but for anything stronger and targeted for specific concerns, it’s best to use those products in the evening.

What Order To Apply Nighttime Skincare

Cleanse First

The first step of any nighttime skincare routine should involve cleansing the skin. A true proper cleanse rather than just using a makeup wipe. Once you have cleansed your skin fully, the rest of your skincare can work better on clean skin.

Apply Toners/Essences

Using a toner can help rebalance the pH of the skin after cleansing. It is also a great time to add in additional moisture with an essence. You can also use an exfolating toner at this step for a gentle chemical exfoliation.

Use Your Face Masks

If you decide to use a mask in your routine, it’s good to use it after you have cleansed/toned but before you apply your serums.

Spray Your Face Mist

You don’t have to use a face mist every time you do your nighttime routine, but if you do this would be the time that you would apply it. Additionally, you can also apply your face mist throughout the rest of your routine each time you want to add in a burst of moisture.

Follow with Eye Cream

There is much debate about when to apply your eye cream but for me personally, I like to apply it at this step. The reason I apply it before my serums and moisturizers is so I can get it on bare skin rather than possibly layering it over the serums/moisturizers making it harder to get through all those layers.

Layer Serums Thinnest to Thickest

If you use a retinol, you can apply it before applying all your serums. When applying your serums, it’s best to layer them from thinnest to thickest. This helps me figure out the order whenever I add a new serum into my routine.

End With Your Moisturizer

Finish your nighttime routine with your moisturizer of choice.

Face Oil To Seal It All In

If you want to use a face oil as well, be sure it goes after your moisturizer. Any face oil should be the final step of your nighttime routine because oils can be heavily occlusive not allowing any other products to penetrate past it. For this reason, use it as your last step.

How To Create A Nighttime Skincare Routine

Nighttime Routine For Dry Skin

Step 1: Use a gentle hydrating cleanser

Whether you are removing your makeup or just cleansing your skin, look for formulas that are gentle and hydrating. Start with a cleansing balm to remove makeup and then follow with a second cleanser that helps to hydrate and soften. Below are a few of my favorites:

Elemis Pro Collagen Hydrating Cleansing Balm (discount code: MAREE20)

Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover (discount code: MAREE10)

OneSkin Prep Facial Cleanser (discount code: MAREE15)

Experiment Beauty Plasma Wash (discount code: MAREE15)

Step 2: Apply a hydrating toner or essence

Often toners can be an afterthought but can actually make a huge difference for dry skin types. After you cleanse, use a hydrating toner and/or essence to help balance the skin and add back in moisture. I love to layer my toners and essences so here are a few that I love to use at night.

Sarah Creal Beauty Moisture Source

TirTir Milk Skin Toner

Farmacy Honey Milk Hydrating Essence

Step 3: Use a hydrating serum

Every skin type can benefit from adding in a hydrating serum but dry skin types need them daily. There are so many to choose from but here are a few that I regularly use and love.

Experiment Beauty Super Saturated Serum (use discount code: MAREE15 to save)

U Beauty The Super Hydrator 

Step 4: Use a nourishing night cream in the evening

The last step of your evening skincare routine should be something that really helps to comfort and nourish the skin. Focus on formulations that help to moisturize and protect like the few I have listed below:

Dieux Instant Angel Moisturizer

Experiment Beauty Molecular Mesh Moisturizer (discount code: MAREE15)

INNBEAUTY Project Extreme Cream Firming & Lifting Moisturizer

Nighttime Routine For Oily Or Acne Prone Skin

Step 1: Use a gentle non-stripping cleanser

It’s important for all skin types to cleanse every night but especially those with oily or acne-prone skin. Removing all the dirt, sunscreen, makeup, etc is key in helping prevent and reduce breakouts. A great cleansing balm is fantastic for helping remove makeup without feeling too oily. Then follow with a refreshing gel cleanser that will cleanse but not strip. Here are a few recommendations:

Remedy Derm Dissolve Cleansing Balm

Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm

Dieux Baptism Gentle Foaming Facial Gel Cleanser

Step 2: Apply a toner to help balance the skin

Using a toner that helps to rebalance the skin is great for those with oily skin types. Additionally, adding in an exfoliating toner a few times a week could help unclog pores and reduce breakouts.

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 1% BHA Exfoliating Gel Toner for Sensitive Skin

Tatcha The Texture Tonic AHA Liquid Exfoliating Treatment

innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Soothing Toner Pads for Acne-Prone Skin

Step 3: Use a serum designed to help treat acne-prone or oily skin

It’s important to use serums targeted to your specific skin concerns. There are a ton of great serums that help to target breakouts while not causing irritation or sensitivity. Here are a few that come highly recommended:

Versed Skin Refine Gentle Pore Clearing Serum

Caudalie Vinoperfect Acne Serum to Treat and Prevent Blemishes

Sofie Pavitt Face Mandelic Acid Exfoliating and Clearing Serum

Step 4: Use a lightweight night cream in the evening

You should still finish off your evening routine with a moisturizer but one with a lightweight texture and suitable for oily skin types. There are so many great options for this.

Dieux Air Angel Plumping Peptide Cream

Tatcha The Water Cream Oil-Free Pore Minimizing Moisturizer

Sofie Pavitt Face Skin Jelly Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer

Educated Mess Sake Bomb Targeted Peptide Hydro-Burst Moisturizer (discount code: MAREE15)

Nighttime Routine For Sensitive Skin

Step 1: Use a gentle hydrating cleanser

Much like dry skin types, it’s best to use cleansers that are gentle and hydrating. A nourishing cleansing balm is always a great start followed by a gentle gel cleanser that cleanses but leaves the skin feeling hydrated. Below are a few formulas that I love and use regularly:

Elemis Pro Collagen Hydrating Cleansing Balm (discount code: MAREE20)

Prequel Gleanser Non-Drying Glycerin Cleanser

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser for Dry Skin

Step 2: Apply a soothing toner or essence

Often toners can be an afterthought but can actually make a huge difference for sensitive skin types. After you cleanse, use a soothing toner and/or essence to help balance the skin and add back in moisture. I love to layer my toners and essences so here are a few that I recommend.

Sarah Creal Beauty Moisture Source

TirTir Milk Skin Toner

Bloomeffects Royal Tulip Hydrating Bi-Phase Tonic (discount code: Maree)

Step 3: Use a calming serum

If you find that your skin is irritated easily, it’s best to add in a serum that will help to calm and soothe the skin. There are some great formulations that I personally use and love.

Cocokind Ceramide Barrier Nourishing Daily Serum

Dieux Deliverance 3-in-1 Repair Serum

Step 4: Use a skin barrier strengthening night cream in the evening

The last step of your evening skincare routine should be something that really helps to comfort and nourish the skin. Focus on formulations that strengthen the skin barrier like the two I have listed below:

Dieux Skin Mercy Recovery Moisturizer

Mother Science Molecular Genesis Barrier Repair Moisturizer (discount code: MAREESYE)

Then I Met You Bong Bounce Cream Moisturizer with Ceramides, Squalane and Vitamin C (discount code: MAREE10)

Versed Daily Recovery Rich Barrier Cream