Our best nighttime skincare routine

There are few things we look forward to more after a long, busy day than relaxing with our nighttime skincare routine.

Those precious hours of sleep we get each night are an important time for our skin. While we (hopefully) get some rest, our skin is hard at work repairing itself. Which is why using the right skincare products to support its processes is essential.

But what products should you use and in what order? Here are all our top tips to build the best night face routine so you can wake up looking super refreshed each morning.

 

What is the best skin routine before bed?

The best night skin routine is one that works for your skin type as well as your lifestyle.

Ideally, that means that your nightly skincare routine leaves your skin cleansed thoroughly and feeling nourished at a minimum.

Sometimes, a multi-step routine is slightly unrealistic when you come home late and just want to get into bed.

What skincare ingredients should I use at night?

Depending on your skin type, your evening skincare routine can be the perfect time to incorporate active ingredients because your skin repairs itself as you sleep, so they can support those vital processes

Hydrating heroes like Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid are always something to look out for, no matter what your skin type. Particularly if you have a damaged skin barrier, as you may be experiencing more transepidermal water loss than usual. Using intensely replenishing formulas while you sleep gives them time to sink in and really get to work

Transepidermal water loss is a normal process where moisture leaves the body through the skin. When your skin barrier is damaged, however, this can speed up, leaving your skin feeling irritated.

Using ingredients that support the skin's natural nightly repair processes will help restore balance and reduce the amount of water lost. 

 

What should I apply on my face in the evening?

It totally depends on your skin's needs, how much time you have and the products you like to use. But our recommendation is:

Nightly

• A great cleanser
• A balancing toner (optional)
• A skin-boosting serum
• A nourishing eye cream (optional)
• A replenishing night cream

2-3 times a week

• An exfoliator
• A face mask

What order should I do my night-time skincare routine in?

After cleaning your skin, it's a general rule to go from lightest to heaviest in terms of formulas so lighter products can penetrate more easily.

Let's dive into our nighttime skincare routine order.

1. Cleanse away your day

Pollution, SPF, bacteria and more can all build up on the skin during the day. If we don't cleanse well regularly, it can lead to breakouts, irritation and even make fine lines and wrinkles more visible over time.

That's why your evening skincare routine is so important. Using any purifying product you enjoy is great but our go-to is our NEW Replenishing Cream Cleanser at the moment. Every cleanse lifts away all traces of impurities while nourishing and repairing skin’s natural moisture barrier.

How to use

Lather a small amount of your cleanser and massage into the skin in circular motions before rinsing again and patting your skin dry.

 

 

2. Take time to tone

There are many misconceptions about toners being harsh or just water, but they can be packed with beauty benefits.

It’s optional, of course, but we love to tone in the evening. Not only because it feels so refreshing but because it helps soothe the skin. Our Kind to Skin™ Soothing Facial Toner  is enriched with purifying Witch Hazel and nourishing Vitamin B5. It's also alcohol free and doesn’t contain perfume or colour, making it perfect for sensitive skin.

How to use

Pour a few drops onto a reusable cotton pad and sweep across the face – no need to rinse.

3. Supercharge with a serum

Serums are perfect to use in your night skincare routine to give your skin a helping hand while you sleep.

Our Booster Serums are packed with active ingredients to supercharge your skincare routine and deliver visible results. They’re lightweight, non-greasy and non-sticky. Plus, they’re super easy to use and give you real results.

There's our brightening 10% Vitamins C + E + F Booster Serum, hydrating 3% Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin B5 Booster Serum and multi-skin-benefit 10% Vitamin B3 Niacinamide Booster Serum. You can learn more about choosing the right serum for you here.

 

How to use

Just shake your serum of choice and apply 2-3 drops after cleansing. You can also blend with your moisturiser if you prefer.

4. Hydrate like a dream

Night creams

A night cream blended with replenishing ingredients is the star of your evening skincare routine.

Try our Repairing Rich Cream, which gives you super soft, smooth skin. Unlike a topical ceramide moisturiser that only sits on the skin’s surface, this Simple moisturiser is enhanced with 22% Ceramide Boosters which feed skin with everything it needs to produce its own ceramides, making the skin barrier more resilient from within.

If you prefer lighter texturRepairing Rich Cream, which gives you super soft, smooth skin. Unlike a topical ceramide moisturiser that only sits on skin’s surface es, then something like our Soothing Water Cream will give you all the hydration you need in an ultra-light formula.

How to apply

Take a small amount on your fingertips and gently massage it into your skin. You can replenish your skin even more by adding a finishing touch of face oil if you want to lock in moisture – use this as your very last nighttime skincare routine step.

Eye creams

Eye cream is another optional but great step for reviving tired eyes. As eye creams are often richer than your facial moisturiser, we recommend you use it after you use your night cream. This is so it doesn't stop your facial moisturiser from sinking in.

How to apply

Pat the eye cream gently onto the skin under and around your eyes. The skin around your eyes is delicate, so go easy by applying with your ring finger – it helps keep pressure to a minimum.

Steps to do a few nights a week

Exfoliating

Exfoliating helps buff away dead cells, revealing the fresher-looking skin beneath.

We love our Protect 'N' Glow™ Express Glow Clay Polish for an additional radiance boost, which contains bamboo fibres to gently buff the skin.

How to apply

Apply a small amount of the product onto your skin after cleansing. Massage in a circular motion before rinsing away with warm water.

Masks

It's a good idea to treat yourself and your skin to a face mask a few times a week. They're a great way to do everything from purifying to intensely hydrating, depending on your skin's needs.

 

How to apply

For clay or cream masks, smooth a thin layer evenly onto your skin. Depending on the specific instructions, leave for 5-15 minutes, then use a warm, dampened wash cloth to remove.

If you're using a sheet mask, apply it onto your face and smooth out. After you've left it on for a few minutes (check the packaging for the recommended time), you can peel it off. There's no need to rinse with these, but you can pat down any excess serum if needed.

Nighttime skincare routine enhancers

Did you know sleeping on a silk pillowcase can help keep skin hydrated overnight?

Silk helps keep moisture close to your skin, and its natural fibres help to minimise pressure. Plus, its smooth, friction-free surface keeps hair feeling super-soft while minimising frizz.

Your night face routine can also be a great time to use facial massage tools like a gua sha, which helps stimulate blood flow and promote lymphatic drainage. If you tend to wake up a little puffy, this is 100% worth incorporating into your evening regime.

Ready for more?

We hope you love your new nighttime skincare routine - let us know how you get on over on our social channels.

If you're looking for more skincare tips and tricks, or you're now curious about what the best morning routine is, we've got lots more articles for you to check out here.