101 Skin-Care Products Beauty Experts Use at Night

101 Skin-Care Products Beauty Experts Use at Night
These bedtime beauty routines are elaborate.
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Courtesy of Tara Foley
I'm going to let you in on a little secret: Beauty experts don't use the same products at night that they use during the day. A pre-bedtime skin-care routine is a bit more...involved. There is a formula to follow. First, you need an effective cleanser to get off all the makeup and dirt from the day. Then, you need a serum with powerful ingredients to brighten while you snooze. Finally, you want to top it all off with a rich moisturizer. Oh, and of course, the evening is the ideal time to do all your exfoliating and masking (a 20-minute sheet mask is a good way to practice self-care, if you ask me). If you're thinking this all sounds like a somewhat big time investment, you'd be right.
But at night is the optimal time to go all in when it comes to skin-care, since skin repairs itself while we sleep. I spoke with 15 beauty insiders—including dermatologists , celebrity estheticians , models , and bloggers —to find out what their nightly skin-care routines look like. Everyone happily opened up their bathroom vanities to share their favorite products (and took pictures, too). You can use their expertise as a jumping off point to creating your own bedtime beauty routine.
1
Patrice Grell Yursik, creator of beauty blog Afrobella.com
I try to be conscientious about putting my skin to bed. I usually oil cleanse with Lancome Énergie de Vie the Smoothing & Purifying Cleansing Oil ($42), tone with Bolden Sin Brightening Toner ($20), and then apply a serum or night cream like Vichy Idéalia Skin Sleep Night Recovery Gel-Balm ($35). I’m also not averse to doing a quick face mask at night. My latest favorite is Farm House Fresh Will Dew Probiotic Milk Balancing Mask ($34)—it’s moisturizing and leaves my skin feeling hydrated. When it comes to a retinol cream, I’ve been using StriVectin Fully Charged Serum x Moisturizer ($39) for a while. I also use Advanced Night Repair by Estee Lauder ($98). I just love a fancy serum! I try not to be lazy about cleansing, but I do keep several kinds of makeup removing wipes under the bed in a handy basket as well as a bottle of La Roche Posay eye makeup remover ($20), just in case the wipe has dried out.
2
Alicia Yoon, founder of K-beauty shop Peach & Lily
I start with an oil cleanser to remove the SPF I wear during the day. The soothing Aromatica Coconut Cleansing Oil ($45) completely dissolves everything but in the gentlest way with natural ingredients, and I like the hint of lavender. I follow up with the Shangpree S-Energy Facial Mousse Cleanser ($35). If I'm washing my face in the shower, I use the Atopalm Moisturizing Facial Cleansing Foam ($23) because I have eczema, and this is easy to use head-to-toe. I also exfoliate in the evenings. Two to three times a week I use Be the Skin Non-Stimulus Face Polisher ($29). I've been using this for years and keep going back to this one for the irritation-free, effective exfoliation. Currently, I'm using a sheet mask every night and have been keeping it up for twenty-one days. I use the Peach & Lily ($15) and Peach Slices sheet masks ($14). Since my lips are so chapped in the winter, I also like to use the Peach Slices Aqua Jelly Lip Mask ($4) under a sheet mask. While I have the masks on, I'll do some facial massages. It's easy to massage skin with a sheet mask on as there's hardly any friction, so no harsh tugging or drag on skin. I follow up with the Peach Slices Citrus Honey Aqua Glow ($12) or the Ground Plan Overnight Pack ($50) (it's a sleeping mask that's like a night cream).
3
Tara Foley, founder of natural beauty boutique Follain
I invest more time, steps, and products at night since your skin really benefits from these when it regenerates during sleep. I start with La Bella Figura Cleansing Balm ($60), which gently and effectively cleanses without leaving a balmy residue and delivers tons of nutrients to the skin. Then, I spritz on Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator ($35). This super hydrating mist helps repair dry skin and deliver nutrients. Not to mention it smells amazing, like coconuts! Next, I use the potent True Botanicals Vitamin C Booster ($90) with Osea Sea Serum ($88) for dramatic hydration and brightening benefits. I’m currently using the Amala Rejuvenate Targeted Wrinkle Treatment ($116). I love rolling it right on and how you can feel that it’s firming right away. I finish by pressing a small amount of May Lindstrom Blue Cocoon ($180) into the skin to help soften fine lines and even out skin tone. Every other night I’ll add either a mask like Tata Harper’s Clarifying Mask ($68), or an exfoliator like Tammy Fender’s Epi-Peel ($80), to help detoxify or hydrate the skin, so it is at its peak performance to absorb all the serums and other products!
5
Charlotte Cho, chief curator of Soko Glam
I’m constantly testing and using new Korean beauty products, but there are products that I always go back to. I always, always start off with the Hanskin Cleansing Oil & Blackhead with PHA ($25). The oil cleansing step is the most relaxing part of the routine, and I love a thorough cleanse that melts off my makeup and any oil-based impurities. Then I follow it up with Acwell Bubble Free pH Balance Cleanser ($21), it’s a low pH gel cleanser that cleans it gently. Then I exfoliate and tone my skin with these Re:P Organic Cotton Treatment Toning Pads ($37) to slough off any dead skin cells. When I have some extra time, I’ll do a sheet mask like the Neogen Capsule Masks ($25) and let it soak into my skin for 20 minutes. I have a lot of fine lines, so I’ll tap in a hydrating Erborian Ginseng Infusion Total Eye cream ($46) around the orbital bone to not only plump up fine lines, but give my sensitive eye area some antioxidants and nourishment. Lastly, I use this super hydrating Klaris Freshly Juiced Vitamin E sleeping mask ($27) to help lock everything in. It keeps my skin soft and glowing throughout the night and into the morning. It's like icing on the cake!
13
Siraad Dirshe , beauty editor at Essence Magazine
At night, my routine is a bit more elaborate, or should I say fun! I always start with an oil cleanser to take off the day's grime, dirt, and makeup. After trying a bunch of oil cleansers, Tatcha's Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil ($48) is by far my favorite. It gets everything off and leaves my skin feeling hydrated but clean. I'll then follow-up with a traditional cleanser like Biologique Recherche Lait U (price available after login). Because I like to make sure my face is actually clean, I'll usually do a once over with a makeup wipe to make sure I've got everything. After cleansing, I'll follow with Biologique Recherche P50 (price available after login) to exfoliate and Origin's Skin Relief Soothing Treatment Lotion ($34) to tone. Sometimes I’ll do a hydrating sheet mask or detoxifying clay mask. But the one mask I absolutely can't live without is Masque Vivant (price available after login)—it's a complete game-changer. It doesn't smell the best, but it really works!
After I wash off the mask, I’ll add a concoction of serums. I’ll start with The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid ($7), then layer a heavier one on top, like Everyday Oil's Mainstay Blend ($22). A few times a week, I’ll add a vitamin C serum in the mix to help with my hyperpigmentation. Clinique's Fresh Pressed ($77) is super effective! Last but not least, I'll slather on a heavy moisturizer before heading to bed. Right now, I'm using Tata Harper's Creme Riche ($185). It's really hydrating and leaves my skin feeling moisturized. I’ll also add a few drops of The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion ($10) into my moisturizer at night to help stave off any premature wrinkles for as long as possible.
14
Susie Wang, cosmetic chemist and founder of 100% Pure
I always wear SPF and often a BB Cream, so I need a deep cleanser that will remove all the impurities that have accumulated throughout the day. The 100% Pure Blood Orange cleansing balm ($38) melts away every trace of makeup but leaves my skin super soft. Then I use Puristry Flower Water Toner ($32). In the summer, this toner is hydrating enough that I may not use additional moisturizers. Next, I use the holy grail serum: 100% Pure Multi Vitamin Serum ($59). I use this serum even around my eyes. Then, I apply a small amount of Plantioxidants Powerseed Menagerie Oil ($105), which I use at night because I like an extra rich moisturizer. I apply a thick layer all over my face and my neck. I finish with Plantioxidants ABCDE Eye Cream ($75) all around my eyes, including on my eyelids and add a bit of oil on top of the eye cream. I want a highly effective eye cream that focuses on age correction. I’m obviously paranoid of signs of aging around my eyes!