No one wants to wake up with bronzer smeared on their Shabby Chic pillowcases, so the first step in the evening skincare routine is removing all of your makeup. Not only can you ruin your precious linens by sleeping in your makeup, but there’s a pretty good chance you’ll wake up to a few blemishes as well. This happens to me 95% of the time I fall asleep with my makeup on, so I make it a top priority to always wash my face before I go to sleep no matter what. I’m going to outline the steps in the skincare routine and then later talk about which products I use for each.
The Steps in my Evening Skincare Routine
Step 1: Makeup Remover
The first step is to remove any eye makeup or lipstick before actually cleansing your face. It can be difficult to remove makeup with just a cleanser so I like to use an oil-based eye makeup-remover to wash off my mascara or eyeliner. I also like to use the same remover to take off any lipstick or makeup from my face.
Step 2: Cleanse
After removing your makeup, it’s time to cleanse or remove any existing dirt or leftover makeup from your face. I like to alternate between an exfoliating and foaming cleanser. Using a rotating spin brush like the Clarisonic or Proactive one is also great for deep cleaning your skin.
Step 3: Toner
After cleansing, it’s time to apply a toner to remove any excess oil or dead skin cells that still lurk after cleansing. Using a toner is also essential if you have acne-prone skin.
Step 4: Serum
After applying a toner, I apply a skin serum to my entire face. I never grew up using a skin serum but from becoming a beauty blogger, I have learned how beneficial a skin serum can be. Serums have smaller molecules that can deposit their antioxidant and anti-aging ingredients deeper into the skin than a regular moisturizer. If you have oilier skin, I wouldn’t recommend using a serum twice a day like I do, but finding one right for your skin type would be highly beneficial to preserving the youth of your skin.
Step 5: Moisturizer
The last step in the evening skincare routine is to moisturize! There are so many moisturizers on the market so it’s important to find one that works well with your skin type. It’s also important to use a different moisturizer at night since many of the day moisturizers contain SPF, and that is not what your skin needs overnight. Now let’s get onto the products!
The Products
1. Lancome Crème Mousse Confort Cleanser ($26)
Lancome has always been one of my favorite brands for skincare products, so it’s no surprise that I fell in love with their Crème Mousse Confort Cleanser. The creamy formula turns into a lathering foam that’s filled with rose hip oil and Rose de France to dissolve skin impurities and leave skin super soft. It’s also really great at removing any leftover makeup that my makeup remover missed. Buy at NeimanMarcus.
2. Le Mieux Essence Toner ($24)
After cleansing my face, I like to use the Le Mieux Essence Toner to remove all the excess dirt and oils that are leftover from cleansing. I love this particular toner because it’s light and gentle on my skin, and doesn’t dry it out like some harsh toners can tend to do. The Le Mieux Toner is infused with botanical extracts and marine algae which actually softens skin while also leaving it feeling refreshed. Buy at artofskincare.
3. Dermarché Labs FullFill Hyaluronic Acid Topical Wrinkle Filler ($89)
I am a huge advocate of using anti-aging products way before the aging process even begins. I recently discovered the Demarche Labs Topical Wrinkle Filler and haven’t been able to put it down. I seriously use this stuff every day. The wrinkle filler delivers injectable-size hyaluronic acid with the brand’s patented Dermadeep delivery system, which allows for a deeper penetration of these anti-aging ingredients. It specifically targets deep lines and wrinkles so although I don’t have wrinkles yet, I do use this as a preventative measure around my mouth (frown lines), around my eyes (crow’s feet), and on my forehead. This is the first anti-aging product I’ve used that I’ve actually been able to feel working on my face. It’s not painful in any way, but you do feel a bit of tingling which I love because I know it’s working. Buy at Nordstrom.
4. Biore Self Heating One Minute Mask ($7.49)
Although it’s not required to use a facial mask every day, I wanted to include the face mask I use in my skincare routine since I do use these Biore Self Heating One Minute Masks a few times a week. From the moment you open the packet, you can feel the formula has already heated up – it’s actually pretty amazing. I like to use this if I feel like my skin could use a bit of an extra cleansing. This mask is great for helping to unclog pores since it’s heated, and is great because it works in just under a minute. The formula contains natural charcoal, which is known for drawing out skin impurities and oil. Every time I use one of these masks my skin feels incredibly soft afterwards, so I know it’s truly doing what it claims it does. Buy at Ulta.
5. Malin + Goetz – Replenishing Face Serum ($70)
After cleansing and toning my skin, I like to apply a serum. The Malin + Goetz Replenishing Face Serum is one of my favorites because it’s super hydrating and really soothes my sensitive skin. It also contains Sodium Hyaluronate which smooths fine lines and restores a youthful appearance. Serums are meant to aid in the anti-aging process so it’s important to find a serum like this one that has this added benefit. I like to apply this serum all over since I don’t have oily skin, but if you do have oilier skin, I would just avoid the t-zone area of your face when applying. Buy at Net-a-Porter.
6. Bioderma Sensibio H20 Make-up Removing Solution ($17)
I think makeup remover is one of those products that people choose based on price because of the assumption that they can all do the same thing. I have tried many different makeup removers and had very different experiences with each of them. I recently was given the Bioderma Sensibio H20 Make-up Remover to try and realized I was definitely using the wrong one before. The Bioderma remover is formulated for sensitive skin like mine, and has a soothing emollient from it’s cucumber extract ingredient, so although it removes my makeup effortlessly, it also leaves it feeling instantly fresh. This makeup remover is also great for removing water-resistant face and eye makeup. Buy at beautylish.
7. Erborian Ginseng Milk ($39)
The last step in the evening skincare routine process is the moisturizer. There are countless amounts of moisturizers out there so it’s important to find one that works for your skin type and concerns. I am currently loving the Erborian Ginseng Milk Face Lotion because it’s a bit lighter than a cream, so it’s unique texture has really been beneficial to my skin. My skin feels super soft in the morning, which is not something I can say for other moisturizers I have used at night. The Ginseng smooths and tightens skin, while the milk helps to nourish and infuse skin with moisture. Buy at Sephora.
What are some of your favorite nighttime skincare products? Let me know in the comments below! 🙂
