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
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
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)
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
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)
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