Night Skincare Routine

A night skincare routine is the sequence of products applied before sleep, generally oriented toward cleansing and repair. With no sun exposure to guard against, the evening is often when more active treatments are used and when the skin recovers from the day.

The first priority is usually removing the accumulation of the day: sunscreen, makeup, sebum and pollutants. On days when sunscreen or makeup was worn, double cleansing, an oil-based cleanse followed by a water-based one, is commonly used to lift residue thoroughly. After cleansing, treatment steps are layered from lightest to richest textures.

• Cleanse thoroughly, using a double cleanse when makeup or sunscreen was worn.
• Apply water-based treatments or targeted serums.
• Apply active treatments such as retinoids on the nights they are scheduled.
• Seal with moisturiser to support the barrier overnight.

Powerful actives such as retinoids and exfoliating acids are typically placed at night. To reduce irritation, many people space these out rather than using them all every evening, for example within a skin-cycling framework that alternates active nights with recovery nights. Introducing one new active at a time makes it easier to identify what the skin tolerates. Persistent irritation, burning or worsening breakouts warrant pausing actives and, if needed, advice from a dermatologist.