Nowadays, we’re all encouraged to adopt some sort of a beauty routine before hitting the pillow as a lot of products are designed for use at night, such as overnight masks, treatments, facial oils and the like. For me, it’s more than just taking good care of your skin; a good routine before you go to bed helps you to de-stress, it relaxes the mind, helps you sleep better, and is a great way to adopt a bit of self-care.
It’s all easy said than done though; even I get a bit lazy sometimes and end up skipping a few steps. As I was preparing this post I realised that there is so much more I need to adopt into my routine, like actually going to bed early! So, below is a little insight into the steps in my night-time routine and the products I like to use, and then at the end I’ve done a little, or should I say big list of all the things I should do, but don’t; I never said I was perfect!!
The Things I Do……
Remove My Makeup
Even on the lazy days I always do this and am one of those people who can’t fathom why you would sleep with your makeup on! For quick and easy results I find the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water is great. I always use it to remove my eye makeup and take another cotton pad of it for across the face and down my neck.
I’m also a massive advocate of a double cleanse, whether it’s with the same product, or something different. I always come back to the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel and the Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, which you can read about here. Another favourite of mine is the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. This cult classic does the lot and is very gentle on the skin; I did a review on this recently, which you can read here.
Exfoliate
I exfoliate at least two to three times a week and I particularly love using my Clarasonic Mia. There are some cheaper alternatives out there but I’ve had mine for a good few years now and it really deep cleans my skin, restoring it back to normality. When I do use this, a good foaming cleanser is required and I recently just finished my Estēe Lauder Perfectly Clean Multi-Action Foam Cleanser/Purifying Mask. To find out more about this cleanser, as well as my other favourite foaming cleansers, you can read my post here.
If it’s not my Clarasonic Mia, then I especially love the Oskia Micro Exfoliating Balm, which you can read about here, or the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, which you can read about here. Both of these exfoliators are very gentle on the skin and always leave it bright and refreshed.
Brush My Teeth
I know it sounds boring, but brushing your teeth has to be done. I’m still using the Activated Charcoal range by Janina, which you can find out about here. Another thing that I’ve gotten into the habit of using is an electric toothbrush. It is expensive, but it’s a good investment and it commits you to brushing your teeth for the recommended time too – something I always shorten when I use a conventional toothbrush.
Moisturise
After all that cleansing and exfoliating, it’s important to get the moisture back into your skin and for night-time I like to use facial oils and serums. My products on current rotation and my all-time favourites are the Oskia Restoration Oil, which you can read about here, and the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate, which you can read about here. Both of these absorb into the skin leaving it soft, smooth and hydrated the following morning. I also love using the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask, which you can read about here.
A little tip: I often take the residue of the moisturiser or oils that I use and rub it into my hands too. But for a more intense hand treatment, the Aveda Hand Relief Night Renewal Serum is fantastic as it leaves you with super soft hands the following morning.
Of course I can’t forget the delicate under-eye area and for this my current favourites are either the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye, which you can read about here, or the Oskia Eye Wonder, which you can read about here.
And what I need to do more of…..
Use a toner. I’ve bought a few but this is a step I just always miss. If you have any good recommendations, please let me know.
Bubble baths and using aromatherapy oils. I really don’t do this enough, in fact hardly at all. I bought the Aromatherapy Associates Miniature Bath & Shower Oil Collection and haven’t got round to using these as much as I would like, but now that winter is looming I think it’s the perfect time to use these.
Moisturising my body. This is just pure laziness. Is it just me, or do you also find this a bit of an effort?
Reading. Reading a book is the best way to switch off and I normally start one and for no reason, other than the fact that I opted to scroll though my Instagram feed instead, some much-loved books get put aside. If there’s one thing I want to fix first, then it’s this one as I love getting lost in a good book.
Go to bed early. Ok, so this should be at the top of the list but I sneakily put it last! I always find something else to do; all work related like replying back to my comments, scheduling pins on Pinterest or editing my photos (you know how much I love that); but it means I end up going to bed very late. Whilst it may demonstrate how much hard work and commitment I put into my blog, a good night’s sleep would make me more productive and I probably wouldn’t need all that under-eye concealer too!!
So that’s my routine or actually lack of it now that I come to think of it. What about you? What’s your beauty regime like at night and are there things you feel you should do more of? x
