How to create your ultimate nighttime skincare routine

Get the order right

Don’t discount the importance of performing your evening facial routine and applying the correct products in the right order. You want to make sure a serum goes on before moisturiser so all the active ingredients are locked in and you want to make sure you apply your products long enough before bedtime so your skin (not your pillowslips) soak them up.
 
Here is the order most experts agree with, in order of usage :

Cleanser

Toner

Serums

Eye creams

Spot treatments

Moisturiser

Retinol

Face oil

Choose a smart serum

Think of a serum as a concentrated shot of nutrients, antioxidants and hydrating ingredients – they’re excellent for boosting tired skin and can do so much work while you sleep. Look for products containing hyaluronic acid to plump up dehydrated skin. Vitamin C is brilliant for brightening skin, while vitamin A helps to resurface dull skin.

Magical moisturiser

Moisturiser is the holy grail of any nighttime beauty routine and should always be included in the lineup. Dehydrated or ageing skin needs extra help so look for high lipid content and hyaluronic acid in your night cream and if you’re adding retinoids to your routine, moisturiser before and after applying to lock in the active treatment.

An oil to seal it all in

Think of oils as the final sealant to your beauty routine – their lipid base is naturally heavier than serums and moisturisers, so applying them last helps seal in all the goodness you’ve applied. Rosehip oil is well-loved for its rejuvenating properties while argan oil is lovely for dehydrated skin.

A little extra help

Products like eye creams are best applied before your moisturiser – and remember not to rub creams into this delicate area, but rather to dot it on. Creams designed to help with blemishes or spots are best applied at night and before your moisturiser so the active ingredients can penetrate the problematic areas. Masks are another extra spoil that can soothe tired or irritated skin – some can be left on overnight while others are lovely to apply before beginning your evening skincare routine.

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