My Nighttime Skincare Routine
Table of Contents
How I Approach Building a Skincare Routine
Before I build out any routine, I start by asking myself one question: what’s my skin’s biggest problem right now? I address that first, and once it’s under control, I move on to whatever comes next.
There’s also real science behind why nighttime matters so much for your skin. According to a study on sleep and growth hormone release, growth hormone is released in its biggest pulse during deep sleep, specifically within the first 90 minutes after you fall asleep — and that’s when your body does most of its repair work, skin included. So the real question becomes: how do we set our skin up to actually take advantage of that window?
My Nighttime Routine, Step by Step
This exact order of applying products was actually something covered in that Skin Health class on the MasterClass platform I mentioned before, and it’s the sequence I’ve incorporated into my own routine ever since.
- Wash my face with a gentle facial cleanser.
- Exfoliate 2 to 4 times a week.
- Apply any prescription products I have.
- Layer on my serums such as peptides.
- Apply a retinol eye cream — I skip anything for depuffing since that’s not something I deal with. If that’s your issue, go for a depuffing eye cream, not retinol.
- Finish with a moisturizer.
Picking the Right Nighttime Moisturizer
Which moisturizer is right for you depends on your skin type and the climate you’re in. If you live somewhere humid, you might not need a moisturizer at all. If you’re somewhere dry, feel free to layer it on generously. And unless your nighttime moisturizer contains a retinoid, there’s no real need to buy one labeled specifically for night — a good moisturizer works whenever you use it.
