The Nighttime Skin Care Routine You Should Never Skip

You may have your morning routine down to a tee, but what about your night skin care routine? We get it: After changing into your jammies, you probably want to prep your lunch for tomorrow, check your social media feeds one last time, and catch up on the latest episode of your favorite TV show before drifting off until the a.m. But your night routine should be a top priority, too! Not sure which skin care products you should consider adding to your nighttime skin care routine? Keep reading for suggestions, including peel pads formulated with glycolic acid, eye creams to address the appearance of dark circles under the eyes, and face masks to help you unwind after a long day.

NIGHT ROUTINE STEP #1: REMOVE YOUR MAKEUP

Believe us, we know how inconvenient it can be to remove your foundation and mascara at the end of the day when all you really want to do is sink into bed with a good book. But trust us: This is one step in your night skin care routine that you don’t want to skip. That’s because when you sleep in your makeup, it can mix with the dirt and oils that have built up on the surface of your skin throughout the day, which can lead to blemishes. Yuck!

Taking your makeup off doesn’t have to be super time-consuming, though. Keep a bottle of a convenient makeup remover such as no-rinse micellar water or makeup-removing towelettes on your nightstand to keep things simple.

The L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof - All Skin Types intensely purifies and helps remove long-wear makeup—even the waterproof kind. To use, saturate a cotton pad with micellar water, then hold the pad over closed eyes for a few seconds and gently wipe to remove your eye makeup. You can also wipe the pad across your face for all-over makeup removal.

For even more convenience, grab the L’Oréal Paris Ideal Clean™ Makeup Removing Facial Towelettes. These ultra-soft towelettes gently yet effectively remove makeup, including waterproof mascara and long-wear formulas, without drying out the skin. Gently wipe your face and eye area with a towelette. When you're done, just make sure to reseal the pack to prevent the towelettes from drying out!

NIGHT ROUTINE STEP #2: BREAK OUT THE FACIAL CLEANSER

After removing your makeup, you find that your complexion is still in need of a good cleanse. So, the next step in your night routine should be reaching for a rinse-off facial cleanser to help remove any impurities from skin that are remaining post-makeup removal. Choose from the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox and Brighten Cleanser, or the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Exfoliate & Refine Cleanser, which are both formulated to transform from clay to mousse when you add water.

Lather your clay facial cleanser of choice into wet hands and add water to transform its consistency. Use circular motions to gently massage the facial cleanser onto your skin, rinse off thoroughly with lukewarm water, and pat dry. 

NIGHT ROUTINE STEP #3: USE A PEEL PAD FORMULATED WITH GLYCOLIC ACID

In case you haven’t noticed, when it comes to putting together a night routine, we’re all about skin care products that are easy to use. Case in point: peel pads! The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Daily Peel Pads are formulated with glycolic acid and have a multi-ply texture that helps physically resurface dead skin cells from the surface of skin. Immediately, skin looks brighter, while skin looks more even with continued use over time.

Using nightly on clean skin, gently apply a peel pad in a circular motion to your face. Just keep in mind that alpha-hydroxy acids like glycolic acid can increase your skin’s sun sensitivity—so make sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher in the morning as directed. Follow up with other sun protection measures including limiting your amount of time in the sun (especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., which are the sun’s peak hours), seek shade, and cover up exposed areas in long sleeves, pants, a broad-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses.

NIGHT ROUTINE STEP #4: APPLY MOISTURIZER—NO MATTER YOUR SKIN TYPE!

Like it or not, whether you have normal skin, dry skin, oily skin, or anything in between, it’s essential to apply a moisturizer twice daily—once in the morning and once at night—before bed. Not sure which moisturizer to use? Follow our tips below for picking out a moisturizer for your skin type.

If you have oily skin…a water-based moisturizer may do the trick, as it can help provide lasting, lightweight hydration. The L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Oily Skin has a matte finish, making it the perfect moisturizer pick for oily skin.

If you have sensitive skin…opt for a fragrance-free moisturizer that is specifically formulated for sensitive skin. (According to the American Academy of Dermatology, ingredients such as fragrance can irritate sensitive skin.)

If you have dry skin…choose a moisturizer that provides long-lasting hydration and can help increase the appearance of skin’s radiance, like the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Dry Skin, which is formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water.

If you have combination skin…consider applying a combo of multiple moisturizers on different areas of your face. Think: a lightweight, matte-finish moisturizer on your T-zone and a richer moisturizer on your cheeks.

If you have mature skin…stock your vanity with anti-aging moisturizers. Be sure to choose a formula that specifically addresses your concerns.

If you have normal skin…you’re one lucky duck! You can scoop up any moisturizer that’s formulated for all skin types. Yay!

NIGHT ROUTINE STEP #5: DAB ON AN EYE CREAM

Frustrated by dark circles, under-eye puffiness, and/or crow’s feet? Say hello to eye cream! Look for an eye cream formulated to address the issues you’re concerned with, and gently pat it on once you’re done applying moisturizer. The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Eye Cream works to address the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and dark circles. Use your fingertips and apply the eye cream in small dots around your eye and smooth until absorbed.

NIGHT ROUTINE STEP #6: UNPLUG

Ever get under the covers after completing your night skin care routine only to answer your phone and stay up for the next few hours? Next time, think twice before getting cozy with your smartphone nestled against your face. You deserve to relax!

BONUS NIGHT ROUTINE STEP: USE A FACE MASK 2-3 TIMES A WEEK

Beyond using a facial cleanser to wash your face and applying a moisturizer to hydrate your complexion before bed, you may want to add face masks to your night routine. In addition to being a great way to relax before bed, face masks can help address a variety of skin care concerns.

Pick your potion from the face masks below (one is even a charcoal mask)—you can even multi-mask by using a few at the same time. Simply apply an even layer to clean, dry skin, avoiding your eye and lip area. Leave on for 10-15 minutes before removing in small circular motions with lukewarm water. For best results, use two to three times a week.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clarify & Smooth Face Mask: Daily wear and tear—makeup and improper care—can leave skin looking uneven with roughness and imperfections. This face mask helps draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and pollution, shed rough, dead skin cells from the surface of skin, clarify tone, and improve skin texture.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clear & Comfort Face Mask: Over time, harsh cleansing can be drying and sensitizing, leaving skin uncomfortable. As a result, skin needs cleansing that is effective yet gentle. This face mask helps draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and oils, visibly reduce the look of imperfections, and gently cleanse stressed areas.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Exfoliate & Refining Face Mask: Day after day, dead skin cells can accumulate on the surface of your skin, leaving it feeling rough, while dirt and oil can build up the surface, causing the appearance of enlarged pores. This face mask helps draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and oils, exfoliate dead skin cells from the surface of skin, and smooth the appearance of imperfections.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Face Mask: Over time, harsh environmental factors such as pollution and debris can damage skin, leaving your complexion looking dull and tired. This charcoal mask helps draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and pollution, reduce the appearance of dull skin, increase the look of luminosity, and even out skin tone.

Next up: Now that you’ve got your nighttime routine down pat, why not upgrade your morning skin care regimen, too? Check out our article, The Morning Skin Care Routine You Should Never Skip, to find out how.