After having my kids, my skin changed. It went from oily to extremely dry to now a normal(ish) combination skin. I have gone through more products than I care to admit trying to find the best products for normal skin, and so today I’m so happy to share my night skin care routine and products I use!
Two years ago, my skin was super super dry – so very dry that it would crack and I’d have rough patches. I shared my skin care routine and products for very dry skin). While I still use and love several of those products (for example this moisturizer is still the best night time moisturizer ever) some of them were a little more expensive than I would have liked, and I’ve tried to transition to more clean beauty products and found the best cleanser ever (that actually removes makeup gently and is amazing). I’m trying to use up all of the products I have and then start with new, cleaner/more natural beauty products.
A lot of times, when I post in my Instagram stories, I get questions about my skincare routine or my makeup and what my evening routines look like. So, I thought I’d share my night skin care routine with you!
When I do purchase new products, I always try to buy them at Sephora (or Ulta). I love shopping there because they have everything I need with one stop (or one website!)
Here is my 5 step Nighttime Skin Care Routine:
- Wash
- Toner/makeup remover
- Serum
- Under eye care
- Moisturize (or oil)
Check out my notes below for details on each step.
WASH
- My favorite cleaners is the Drunk Elephant Jelly Cleanser. This cleanser is my favorite because it does a great job at removing almost all of my makeup without having to use any other makeup removers! I have a friend that simply uses old school cold cream to get her makeup off so that’s an option too!
- This has become one of the cornerstones in my routine and I recommend this cleanser to everyone. It is very gentle feeling and effective. It doesn’t really have a ‘scent’ which I like. It works but it’s not abrasive.
TONER
- After washing my face, I will use some Almay non-oily makeup removal pads for any lasting bits of eye makeup. Then, I use an Caudalie toner to strengthen my skin before the rest of my routine. To apply this, I use Shiseido cotton wipes. It sounds so silly to have special cotton wipes, but they’re so soft and amazing and are totally worth it!
SERUM
- I love serums because they hydrate and strengthen the skin and reduce fine lines and dark spots. I waiver back and forth between two different serums; this Caudalie serum (pore minimizing) or the Shiseido serum (hydrates strengthens and firms) that I’ve been using for awhile.
- The Shiseido serum is a great all-around option. It has probiotics, vitamins and enzymes. Generally, it makes my skin feel tighter and more firm.
UNDER EYE CARE
- After my serum dries, I apply an under eye cream. I am using this Aveda one that’s very calming as well as this Caudalie Vitamin C eye cream one, if I had to choose between the two I’d recommend the Caudalie one.
- A friend gave me this Lancome eye illuminator serum, it has this cool metal wand so it’s cooling when it’s applied and I like it too!
MOISTURIZE (OR OIL)
- The last step in my routine is a moisturizer. On every 2nd or 3rd night, I apply an oil instead of a moisturizer. The oil makes my skin feel dewy and nourished in the morning, which is so lovely.
- There are really there different options here; a very expensive option (La Mer -the renewal oil-let me warn you ahead of time for the sticker price, there’s a mini version that’s still $145, I got the mini one as a gift), a mid-range (Caudalie -overnight detox oil- so calming and clean smelling – I love this one, it’s $50) and a super affordable one (The Ordinary – rose hip seed oil – works great and is under $10). I also like another mid-range one by Drunk Elephant.
- For the moisturizer, I love the Shishido essential energy moisturizing cream.
Like I mentioned above, I am trying to use more clean beauty products. That is why Caudalie is one of my favorite brands, their scents are clean and delicate and I love how their products work! Another good option is Tula. For me, their product scents are a bit too strong and flowery.
Something I’ve enjoyed is getting sample size kits Caudalie (favorites or skin perfecting), Tula (best sellers) or Drunk Elephant (the littles or rise+glow). That way I can try out the products and see if I like certain ones!
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my night time skin care routine. I’d love to hear from you in the comments below, do you have a favorite skin care product or brand?
Jennifer Joyce says
I really love the whipped Oil of Olay Regenerist. It feels so good!!
Sweetphi says
I’ll have to try that! Thanks for commenting 🙂
Sharon says
I cleanse with Clarins Foaming Cleaner and then use their nighttime moisturizer. Great products!
Sweetphi says
I’ve heard great things about that cleanser, I think one of my sisters uses it!
Alice says
My pimple years are long over, so I no longer wash twice a day. I use a huge variety of products. I do a sheet or clay mask about once a month, gentle soap or other cleanser with moisturizer by day and a good cream or oil at night, and serum whenever I feel like it. I have been getting new brands to try through fabfitfun, a subscription service that lets you choose various products: skin and hair care, make up, accessories, housewares, etc. I love trying out something new and different! I never would have picked up a skin oil in the store, but now I love them!
Sweetphi says
I’ve heard of fabfitfun, I’ll have to check them out because it sounds awesome!
Kim Henrichs says
I’ve been trying so many new things lately and nothing is really hydrating or settling my skin down at all. I am kind of frustrated at what to try next. I think I need something super sensitive. I tried Beautycounter and it was not for me. I think I want to try that Drunk Elephant.
Sweetphi says
I totally know how frustrating it is to not find the right skin care products! Out of all the many products I’ve tried, I really do like the drunk elephant cleanser and the Claudalie products!
Hesper Fry says
I really like using Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes. They work really good!
Sweetphi says
Oh I have used those too, those work great!
Shana says
Thanks for sharing! I used to be a skincare product junkie, but since having kids I have tried to streamline my routine. I recently discovered bliss rose gold facial cleanser. I love it! It smells amazing, doesn’t make my skin feel too tight or dry after using it, and is affordable. I’ve been using oil of Olay Night of Olay night cream for a few years and love it. It’s been around for forever and does a great job moisturizing, and is incredibly affordable. I use l’occitane’s Divine Eyes night cream, but I’m going to check out your eye creams that you recommended as well. Thanks again!
Sweetphi says
Oh I love the sound of that rose gold facial cleanser, I’m going to check it out, thank you for sharing!
Regina G. Escalante says
You just inspired me to spend more time on my own skin, thanks.
Sweetphi says
Aw, thank you for your kind words!
Lauren says
A really great cleanser that’s inexpensive is CeraVe… takes all makeup off without leaving your skin parched.
I also recommend the Ordinary for serums and acids and you name it for great prices !!
Sweetphi says
I’m going to go look them up right now, always looking for great solutions!! Thank you
Amy Cooley says
For close to a year now, I’ve been on a journey to clean up my skincare products. I’ve switched to companies that choose natural ingredients. My new favorite product is a facial oil from Just Ingredients. You can find her on IG. She also has natural deodorant, chapstick and facial scrubs that are awesome.
Sweetphi says
Oh fun, I’m going to go find her and look those up, thank you for sharing.
Jana says
I recently started using Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream an it’s amazing! It feels great on – very moisturizing without feeling too heavy. Still looking to find an under eye cream that helps with dark circles. I’ve tried tons and can’t seem to find the right one for me (or maybe I just need more sleep – lol!).
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for sharing about the moisture cream. and I’m with you, finding the right under eye cream is so hard!!!!
Jordan M says
I keep hearing about Drunk Elephant from everyone, might be time to finally give them a try. I also love Caudalie! I have a serum from them. My current cleanser is the First Aid Beauty one, but maybe it’s time I switch it up.
Sweetphi says
I used to use the First Aid Beauty one too…the Dunk Elephant one is a little better, well, it’s honestly the best cleanser I’ve ever used. It’s so gently and works so well!
Jessica F. says
I rinse my face with cold water and then use Aveeno positively radiant moisturizer every morning. In the evening, I just rinse with warm water. From time to time, I use a clay mask to cleanse my skin. Using too many things on my face gets it really irritated, though, so I have to keep it simple on a daily basis.
Sweetphi says
I love hearing about a good simple routine, one has to do what works for one’s skin!
Melissa Storms says
These all sound like great products. I love Go Pure’s retinol serum, it makes my skin feel great.
Sweetphi says
I’ve heard so much about Retinol serums, definitely need to check them out.
Melissa says
I need to check out your recommendations. Now that I’m in my 40’s, my skin is changing and I definitely need a good brightening eye cream.
Sweetphi says
I hope you enjoy the recommendations! I love skin care product! The cooling eye serum from Lancome is really nice!
Monica M says
I use a few different skin care lines, one that works well for my sensitive skin is Dermologica
Sweetphi says
Oh I’ve never heard of that one, I’m going to check it out!
Annette says
Lately, I’ve been doing the bare minimum, but for most of my life I was so diligent with my routine. The most important product I like is Retin A (tretinoin is the generic). It’s topical vitamin A and doesn’t compare to the retinols that don’t require a prescription. Not only does it exfoliate the skin, it stimulates collagen production. I’m 55 and get asked all the time about Botox. Never used it.
Sweetphi says
Wowza, I definitely need to look into that, it sounds amazing, thanks for sharing!
Sue Ryan says
I also love the Drunk Elephant Jelly Cleanser!
Sweetphi says
Isn’t it the best?! I love it oh so much!
Rachel Ball says
I love hearing about skin-care routines! My personal routine is waaaay too lackadaisical, but I want to be more diligent about it. Thanks for sharing yours. I’ve taken notes and plan on trying some of these out!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much, so glad you enjoy hearing about skin-care routines (I always love hearing about them too!)
Lanie Heller says
Oh I love my nighttime routine. I cleanse with acure wioes then tone with moon juice after it dries I use my acure brightening eye cream then my collagen serum lastly moisturize with Derme E collagen cream.
Sweetphi says
Oh I’ve heard of Acure, I definitely need to try it out!!
Laurajay says
Thanks so much for your nighttime skin care routine. Your skin is lovely. I have been looking for products to help my parched skin so am looking to try Caudale and Drunk Elephant. The one product I always use nightly or every other night is a retinol product, I am fortunate that my skin tolerates it well I use either ROC Wrinkle Corrector, or Skinceticals retinol. If you haven’t used a retinol product, start with one with a low amount of retinol a few times a week to be sure your skin can tolerate.
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for your kind words. My skin was so dry and scaly last year, thankfully it’s under control more now! I have heard about retinol products, definitely need to look into those, thanks for the recommendation.
Shawn Parent says
I am interested in all of these products. Normally I use coconut oil to take my makeup off and then Cetaphil cleansed followed by witch hazel toner. I have GoPure serums That I alternate with followed by rose hip oil … never sure Which products to try but these sound amazing
Sweetphi says
Your routine sounds amazing (I love rose hip oil!) thanks for sharing.
Susan Craig says
No wonder you have such lovely skin! I wash with a soapless cleanser and moisturize with a vitamin E hand cream. I get both at the drug store.
Sweetphi says
You’re too kind, thank you. There’s definitely something to be said about simple and effective products!