The Best Nighttime Skincare Routine for Glowing Skin

A solid nighttime skincare routine can make all the difference in how your skin looks and feels. While you sleep, your skin repairs itself, making it the best time to use nourishing products like moisturizers, night creams, and serums. It’s no surprise that nearly three in every four women (74%) follow both a morning and evening skincare routine.

Whether you have dry, oily, or sensitive skin, a well-planned nighttime routine helps lock in moisture, repair damage, and keep your skin smooth. It typically includes cleansing, hydrating, and using targeted treatments before going to bed, which ensure you wake up with a refreshed, radiant complexion.

Let’s find out what the best nighttime skincare routine looks like.

Step 1: Remove Your Makeup (If You Wear It)

Sleeping with makeup on is a big no. It clogs your pores, causes breakouts, and speeds up aging. Removing it properly is the first step to healthy skin.

Try the OG Pink 7-Day Set, a pack of seven mini MakeUp Erasers, that remove makeup with just water. These reusable (three to five years) mini erasers gently lift away your makeup, dirt, and oil without harsh chemicals. Add this to your routine for a quick, effective, and sustainable way to cleanse your skin before bed.

Step 2: Cleanse Your Skin

A good cleanser removes dirt, oil, and leftover makeup. Choose a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser like SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils. It removes long-wear eye and face makeup and is formulated for daily use.

If you have oily skin, go for a foaming cleanser, like SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser. However, a hydrating cream cleanser, like IsClinical Cream Cleanser, is a much better choice if your skin is dry or sensitive. You might need double cleansing if you wear sunscreen and makeup. In this case, you should start with an oil-based cleanser, such as SkinCeuticals Replenishing Cleanser and follow up with a water-based one like SkinCeuticals Soothing Cleanser.

Step 3: Exfoliate (2-3 Times a Week)

Exfoliation is the secret to smoother, brighter skin. It removes dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and helps other skincare products absorb better. Regular exfoliation also boosts cell turnover, reducing dullness and fine lines.

You can choose between chemical exfoliants (AHAs and BHAs) or physical exfoliants (gentle scrubs).

• AHAs (like glycolic and lactic acid) work on the skin’s surface to brighten and smooth texture. We recommend a product like Cosmedix POLISH Dual-Action Body Scrub.
• BHAs (like salicylic acid) go deeper into pores, making them great for oily and acne-prone skin. If your skin is oily and acne-prone, try using something like Revision Skincare Papaya Enzyme Cleanser.
• Gentle scrubs with fine particles can work if your skin isn’t sensitive, but avoid harsh scrubs that cause micro tears. Micro-Exfoliating Scrub is an excellent choice if you’ve sensitive skin. It’s gentle enough for daily use.

If your skin gets irritated easily, start with exfoliating once a week and increase gradually. Over-exfoliating can strip the skin, leading to redness and sensitivity, so always follow up with a hydrating serum or moisturizer. PCA Skin Hydrating Serum has a specialized blend of antioxidants and moisture-binding ingredients. It leaves your skin soft, plump, and hydrated.

Step 4: Apply a Toner

Use the right toner to prep your skin for the next steps. It helps remove any leftover dirt or cleanser residue while balancing your skin’s pH. A good toner can also boost the absorption of serums and moisturizers, making your skincare routine more effective.

If you have oily or combination skin, look for a toner with ingredients like witch hazel or Niacinamide to control excess oil and minimize pores. If your skin leans towards the dry side, opt for a hydrating toner with hyaluronic acid or rose water to lock in moisture.

One great option for balancing the skin is the Obagi C-Balancing Toner. This toner is formulated with aloe, witch hazel, and Vitamin C, making it ideal for combination or oily skin. It helps refine pores, reduce shine, and create the perfect base for your serums and moisturizers.

Avoid using an alcohol-based toner, as it can strip your skin and cause irritation. Instead, choose one that hydrates, soothes, and preps your skin without disrupting its natural barrier. Apply toner with a cotton pad or your hands, gently pressing it into your skin for the best results.

Step 5: Use a Treatment Serum

Serums are the powerhouse of any nighttime or seasonal skincare routine. They deliver active ingredients deep into your skin. Depending on your skin concerns, you can pick a serum that works for you. This typically includes:

• Hyaluronic Acid is excellent for deep hydration and plump skin. The Cosmedix SURGE Hyaluronic Acid Booster has three varieties of Hyaluronic acid (1.5%), Niacinamide, and kiwi fruit water. It's a great addition to your nighttime routine.
• Retinol helps fight fine lines, wrinkles, and acne. GlyMed+ Retinol Restart Rejuvenation Serum delivers the maximum concentration of 5% retinol and keeps your skin free from acne, wrinkles, and fine lines.
• Vitamin C brightens your complexion and reduces dark spots. You can use Obagi-C Fx C-Clarifying Serum if you've dark spots and wrinkles.
• Niacinamide reduces redness and controls oil. With 5% Niacinamide and many other ingredients, the SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense is a clinically proven spot corrector. You can add it to your nighttime skincare routine.

Apply a few drops of your chosen serum and let it absorb fully before moving on to the next step.

Step 6: Eye Cream for Bright Eyes

The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate. That’s why it needs extra care. Use an eye cream with peptides, caffeine, or hyaluronic acid to reduce puffiness, fine lines, and dark circles. Try Neocutis LUMIÈRE FIRM RICHE Extra Moisturizing Illuminating & Tightening Eye Cream. It targets the delicate eye area with advanced anti-aging formulation.

It comes with Human Growth Factors + Proprietary Peptides, which reduce wrinkles and fine lines, crow’s feet, puffiness, and under-eye darkness in only 14 days. Gently tap it around your eyes using your ring finger.

Step 7: Lock in Moisture with a Night Cream

A rich night cream seals in moisture and keeps your skin hydrated while you sleep. Look for ingredients like ceramides, peptides, and squalane to nourish and repair your skin barrier. Revision Skincare Restorative Night Cream is one of the best recommendations. Nutrient-rich moisturizer comes with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, which reduces fine lines and wrinkles.

Step 8: Apply a Spot Treatment (If Needed)

If you struggle with acne, include a spot treatment in your nighttime routine. Look for ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to target breakouts. The IMAGE Clear Cell Clarifying Acne Lotion comes with fast-acting benzoyl peroxide and it's perfect for fighting all grades of acne.

If you have dark spots, a night cream with hydroquinone or azelaic acid can help fade them over time. The Obagi-C Rx Therapy Night Cream - 2 fl. oz comes with 4% hydroquinone and provides Vitamins C and Vitamin E to your skin. However, it requires a telemedicine appointment, which we offer for free.

Step 9: Overnight Mask (1-2 Times a Week)

An overnight mask gives your skin an extra boost, which is why nearly half the women (49%) include it in their skincare routine. It works like a deeply hydrating treatment, making your skin soft and radiant by morning.

The Cosmedix RESTORE Moisture-Rich Mask hydrates your skin overnight. It packs powerful ingredients like mango seed butter, squalene, sodium hyaluronate, papaya fruit extract, adenosine triphosphate, and algin complex.

Step 10: Lip Balm for Soft Lips

Last but not the list - your lips! Apply a hydrating lip balm with shea butter or coconut oil before hitting the bed. Moira Butter Bliss Lip Balm 002 Poppy is an excellent choice. This 100% vegan lip balm comes with shea butter, jojoba seed oil, and meadowfoam seed oil. It keeps your lips irresistibly soft and supple.

Final Thoughts

A good nighttime routine can transform your look since your skin repairs itself at night and remains away from environmental stressors. However, you must stay consistent, use the right products, and help your skin work its natural magic while you sleep. This routine is a great place to start if you haven’t had one before. Of course, you can modify it depending on your needs.

At Totally Skincare, you can find many go-to nighttime skincare products and other cosmetics. We offer only the best products from leading beauty and skincare brands. Explore our skincare best sellers now or contact us if you need help with your order.