I’ve been talking to a lot of my friends about skincare recently. I get a ton of questions about my daytime and nighttime skincare routine. I’m always trying something new to see which products I see real results from. There are some that take time to see results, but I honestly very rarely come across products that I’m not truly a fan of, because I do THAT much research prior to buying. There are SO many products in the skincare industry, it’s overwhelming. The number of beauty products available to us is endless but then add to it that we have to know the correct order in which the products are to be applied. Most of us are everyday women who want to take care of our skin and have no clue what is worth our investment and efforts.

Now that I am a mom, I don’t have endless energy or time to have an extensive nighttime skincare routine, but I have an overall routine that I strive to keep up with and feel my best self when I do.

I started doing extensive at-home research over the last few years as an everyday consumer and asked as many questions as I could. It turns out some products can only be used at nighttime, some products cannot be used in the same routine together, and some products should be used every day while others should be used with caution. All of this is standard practice when applying anything to your face, but it’s helpful to know that BEFORE applying which I didn’t before my research a few years ago. The nighttime skincare routine that I have settled on has made my skin flourish, glow, and feel healthier than ever.

How do I know the nighttime skincare routine that I should use for my specific skin type?

I have combination skin that used to be dry before I started taking my nighttime skincare routine more seriously. If you have dry skin, I recommend using a quality moisturizer if you’re truly wanting to get rid of it. If you have oily skin, I have found that a common cause is overwashing your face. Obviously, a doctor is recommended to truly understand your skin type, but simply washing your face with water without a cleanser can help stop the stripping effect and allow your skin to produce its natural oils. However, this isn’t always the fix. Exercise, genetics, and other factors can play a part in excessively oily skin.

My Nighttime Skincare Routine

1. REMOVE MAKEUP – I always start by removing any makeup that I have worn that day. If I didn’t apply any makeup, I skip this step, but if I used even a little bit of makeup I want that stuff cleaned out of my pores.

2. CLEANSER – I follow up with a cleanser using a soft cloth to be gentle on my skin along with warm water. Cold water won’t necessarily kill any bacteria, so I prefer a warm cloth. I gently press it onto my face in various spots before gently wiping it away. It’s important that I use a cleanser in the evening to wipe away dirt and debris that my skin collects from walking around during the day. If I am at home it’s less of an issue, but if I’ve been in public places, I like to give my skin a fresh slate to fall asleep instead of letting particles settle overnight.

3. EXFOLIATOR OR MASK –I only use an exfoliator or mask a few times a month, but I want to get more in the habit of using them. I have been wanting to try the Jetlag Mask by Summer Fridays, so if you have, please leave a comment below and tell me how you like it!

4. HYALURONIC ACID – This is a substance that occurs naturally in the skin to help bind water to collagen, locking it into the skin to make it plumper and dewier. It keeps the skin hydrated and well-lubricated. I LOVE this stuff and use it everyday morning and night, but it’s important to know the correct way to use it. Hyaluronic acid works with water to lock it into the skin, which means that it has to be applied to a damp face. If applied to a dry face it could pull the moisture from your skin and have a reverse effect. It’s meant to be pressed into the skin, not rubbed. In other words, dab it into your pores on damp skin!

5. EYE CREAM – This is the stage when I use eye cream. Our eyes are sensitive, especially the area surrounding our eyes, so I gently apply a cream to my eyes. I am looking for a new one and have my eye on a few that I want to try, but I recommend having some sort of eye cream in your nighttime routine!

6. SPOT TREATMENTS – I personally don’t use spot treatments anymore, but this is the time in my nighttime skincare routine that I would apply it and then allow it to settle in a bit just before applying my moisturizer.

7. MOISTURIZER – One of the most, if not the most, necessary products in a skincare routine! A quality moisturizer gives your skin something to drink so to speak, which is essential when considering products to help anti-age. Keeping your skin well-hydrated from the inside out is key! So drink water and moisturize your face.

8. RETINOL – Retinol is an anti-aging substance that comes from Vitamin A. When it is used on the skin, it is known to promote healthy cell turnover and prevent the breakdown of collagen in the skin which creates skin elasticity. It’s an anti-aging serum to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. However, there is no magic serum that prevents wrinkles without a catch. There is a lot of debate over this product and a lot of different opinions on whether you should use it at all. The Retinol on the shelves typically has a low dosage, but you should be cautious and use it at your own discretion for your skin. I wanted to try it and see how I felt about it for my own skin. You have to follow the directions on the bottle very closely and ONLY use it at nighttime. It is strongly recommended to always use sunscreen during the day if you use Retinol in your skincare routine. You should be wearing facial sunscreen regardless, especially if you use this product in your skincare routine at all.

9. FACE OIL– I used face oil to help add extra moisture to my skin when I was treating my dry skin. It worked and my skin no longer needs the added oil, but I keep some on hand when I want the luxurious rich feeling of it on my skin. Oils made for the face are not known to clog your pores!

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