Nighttime Skincare Routine Update

Few people love skincare products as much as this weird blog lady. I’m shamelessly addicted to the pursuit of youthful, glowy skin, and if my mother’s any indication, I probably always will be. It appears to be genetic.

I’m constantly testing new products, but I’ve settled into a pretty consistent evening routine over the past few months. And since I shared a morning product update a few months ago, it’s only fair that I (finally) hit you with my updated nighttime skincare regimen.

Is it a lot of steps? Yep. Do you need all of these products? Obviously not. But I have to say, I’m mildly obsessed with my nighttime skincare ritual. And while 6 out of 7 nights a week my roommate screams, “What are you DOING in there?!” the whole thing really isn’t that time consuming. I’m talking 10 minutes, max, and that includes brushing my retainers ;).

(For the record, the answer to Logan’s question is always, “YOU KNOW I’M DOING SKIN THINGS, DAMMIT!!!”)

Let’s dish.

My Current Nighttime Skincare Routine:

1. Tatcha Pure One-Step Camellia Oil Cleanser. This stuff is magic, and I am now truly a Tatcha convert. Supercharged with oleic acid, and nourishing Omegas 3, 6, and 9, this luxurious oil removes every single trace of dirt and makeup from my face (including heavy eye makeup) in one fell swoop. No joke. The best part? You don’t need a washcloth, cotton pads, etc. to remove it—it rinses completely clean with good ol’ water splashing (because there’s no mineral oil in the product). HALLELUJAH. I use it as the first step in my double cleanse followed by the Rice Enzyme Powder, and it makes me feel like a princess.

2. Tatcha The Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder Calming. I first tried this powder a few years ago, back when it only came in the original formulation. Given my product testing fetish, I forgot about the rice powder for a hot second, but when a targeted ad popped up on Instagram for this calming formulation (Big Brother knows what this weird blog lady likes!), I was freakishly excited. I can’t say enough good things about the powder, which I use as the second step in my double cleanse routine. When mixed with water, it forms a luxurious foam that gently exfoliates my sensitive skin, leaving it feeling unbelievably clean and smooth. The powder has had a huge impact on the overall texture of my skin since I started using it in mid-December, and it’s helped keep the persistent blackheads on my chin and nose in check. (Also comes in Classic, Deep, and Gentle formulations.)

3. Avène Eau Thermal Thermal Spring Water. I don’t really use toner. I’ve obviously experimented with many over the years but didn’t see any real difference while using them, and I was never reallllly sure what they were supposed to do. So, I finally asked my facialist a few months ago. While her response was far too long and complex for me to absorb while she was extracting my blackheads, what I took away was that one of toner’s primary jobs is to balance the skin’s pH. When we rinse our faces with regular tap water, our skin’s pH balance is too high (alkaline), so balancing the pH as much as possible before applying serums and moisturizers will improve their efficacy. Sure, one can use fancy toners formulated to target specific skin concerns, but something as simple as this Thermal Spring Water or rose water is a great way to help balance pH. So, I started using this Eau Thermal. Honestly, no idea if it does anything, but it feels refreshing and does seem to have a softening effect on my skin, so I’m gonna keep spritzing. (Pro tip: I also like to keep a bottle in my purse to spritz on my face on long flights.)

4. Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S. Thirst Quenching Serum. Bless the wizards at Caudalie. This serum has kept my face from falling off this winter (I haven’t had a single flake), and it’s clearly the product that was missing from my skincare regimen in winters past. If you’re suffering from winter skin or simply have dry skin, you may want to take this baby for a spin for its amazing “softening” effect. The super gentle blend of grape water, hyaluronic acid, and olive squalane provides intense hydration and instantly soothes and plumps. I’ve always struggled with serums and moisturizers sitting on the surface of my skin, but this one absorbs almost instantaneously, and my moisturizer glides on like a dream afterwards. I use two full pumps morning (before CE Ferulic) and night.

5. True Botanicals Antioxidant Booster. This is actually a potent antioxidant powder that can be mixed with your favorite serum (or water!). I mix one shake of the Booster into my Thirst Quench Serum and it’s had a seriously brightening and evening effect (read: I feel GLOWY), which thrills me. As with all True Botanicals products—which are made from high quality, clean ingredients—this stuff is pricy, but I’ve had the same bottle for roughly 6 months, and it’s still almost half full.

*I usually let my Thirst Quench/Antioxidant Booster combo absorb while I brush my teeth. Then I apply Triple Lipid.

6. Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2. This shit ain’t cheap, but my skin has been loving it the past few months. The rich cream is loaded with essential lipids that we create less of as we age, and it is one of the most hydrating creams I have ever had the pleasure of slathering on my mug. It has almost no fragrance (I HATE smelly things), penetrates well (and feels glorioussss going on), doesn’t clog my pores, and leaves my face feeling radiant and bouncy the next morning. It’s a little too thick for me during the day, but if you have extremely dry skin, this baby could definitely do double duty as day and night cream.

*Full disclosure: I’ve recently been testing the Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream. It’s a touch lighter in consistency but has a similar feel to the the Triple Lipid, and my skin has been responding very well to it the past few days. Given that it’s roughly half the price of Triple Lipid, I will likely switch over should my continue to dig it.

7. Biossance Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel. I have sensitive skin in general, but my eye area is a nightmare. I have tested countless eye creams and gels over the years, and every single one has ended up irritating my delicate eye area in some way, shape or form (rashes, and flaking, and burning, oh my!). I discovered this quick-absorbing gel over a year ago, and it’s been my personal eye savior. Do I sometimes get cocky and try something more “potent”? Obviously. But I always come crying back (literally) to the Biossance. Truth be told, this gel doesn’t do much for me beyond hydrate the eye area (I like that you can also use it on the eyelids!), and given how soothing it is, I can live with that. I’ve just learned to supplement the gel with an anti-aging eye mask to target fine lines and brighten (I swear by these ones from Shiseido) once or twice weekly, and a de-puffing eye mask whenever I’m low on sleep (I like these from Wander Beauty).

8. Mother Dirt AO+ Mist. After this probiotic mist saved my face from a particularly nasty rash situation last winter, it’s been a staple in my routine. I find it incredibly balancing, and I haven’t had any major skin freakouts since I started using it. (In fact, the only real breakout I’ve had this year was on my honeymoon when I did NOT have the mist.) I spritz it as the last step in this whole crazy regimen.

9. LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask. A bazillion people recommended this mask, so I finally tried it, and all I can say is…BELIEVE THE HYPE. I keep this mask (it glides on like a balm) on my bedside table, apply it right before I go to sleep, and wake up with silky smooth lips.

*Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial. It’s been over a year, and I’m still creepily obsessed with this exfoliating mask which does, in fact, leave my face feeling baby soft. My skin responds surprisingly well to its potent blend of AHAs and BHAs, and I try to use it once a week. On nights I use the mask, I skip the Rice Enzyme Powder (the powder is gentle, but my sensi skin really doesn’t need double exfoliation), Antioxidant Boost, and Thirst Quench Serum. So, I cleanse with Camellia Oil, apply a thin layer of Babyfacial, rinse after 20 minutes, then spritz with Eau Thermal and apply a generous amount of Triple Lipid. (BabyFacial comes with a little bottle of Marula Oil, which they recommend applying after the mask. For the record, I have done that and liked it.)

As always, I shall leave you with my favorite DISCLAIMER: I have combination (leaning toward dry), sensitive, generally unpredictable skin. Your skin is extraordinarily unlikely to be exactly like my skin, and things that work for me may not work for you. (Sad, but true.) I always recommend purchasing products via Sephora or Blue Mercury, which have awesome return policies, should you decide to experiment with something and not love it. xox, Captain Obvious