*Please note I was gifted The Body Shop’s Oils of Life Sleeping Cream in exchange for an honest review. All opinions on this blog are 100% my own.
I can’t believe I am even telling you this, but up until about a year ago I didn’t have a nighttime beauty routine (input a cringing face emoji here). For some odd reason I thought that I didn’t have to do anything before going to bed and I would still stay eternally young. That all changed one night when I was getting ready for bed and noticed that there were a few too many “smile” wrinkles than before. Determined to reverse or at least hinder any future aging, I took to the interwebs to find out what I needed to do.
4 steps to the Perfect Nighttime Beauty Routine
Cleansing
First and foremost, you HAVE TO take your makeup off every night. Every night. Think about it this way – you’ve been up for X amount of hours, your makeup has been on your face for said hours – your pores need to breathe. Your face will thank you!
I know that there are some nights when you’re super exhausted and all you want to do is change into your pajamas and cuddle in bed with a good book (subsequently falling asleep 5 minutes later). Your pores open wide and work double time overnight. You want your face to be super clean and ready to absorb the moisturizer, which is the next step. If you are truly that tired, the least you can do is wipe your makeup off with a cleansing cloth. I keep a packet in my nightstand just in case!
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!
The type of moisturizer you choose to use depends on your skin type. I was sent over The Body Shop’s Oils of Night Sleeping Cream to try out for a bit. I like it because it is lightweight and smells heavenly! The blend of 3 seed oils and 7 essential oils are what helps it to easily melt into my skin and revitalize me while I’m sleeping. I’ve used it for the past 3 weeks and my skin is super soft. I apply it in an upward motion to my face, neck and décolleté about 20 minutes before bedtime, giving it ample time to absorb into my skin.
My absolute favorite nighttime eye cream is Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Night Concentrate. A little goes a long way!
I apply lotion to my hands and feet nightly. Every few days I lather on a thicker cream to my feet (or Aquaphor if my heels are especially cracked) and them put on a pair of socks. My feet feel heavenly in the AM.
Housekeeping
Change your pillow case at least every week. As we sleep, dead skin cells collect on our pillows. Enough said, right?
Sleeping Habits
A good night’s sleep can go a long way. Getting your beauty rest isn’t a myth. Did you know that your skin is working hard for you even when you’re sleeping? Sleep increases melatonin which in turn, helps us wage the battle against aging and reduces the cortisol which usually brings about discoloration and thinning skin.
Do you have a nighttime beauty routine? If so, please share it in the comments – along with your go-to nighttime products!
Toni Jones says
I do exfoliate every few weeks which does wonders, but I don’t have a nighttime beauty routine, but I will start. Great tips!
Dana says
You just reminded me Toni – I always forget to exfoliate!!! I literally need to write it on my to-do list. LOL!
Susan says
Drink water all day. A bottle or glass of water at bed side will also work wonders for your skin.
Dana says
I need to do that more…I can feel it on my skin when I don’t drink enough water
Jackie @ My Sort Of Adult Life says
I’m with you, I didn’t have a regimented nighttime beauty routine until pretty recently either. I’ve perfected it in the last year and now if I miss a step it totally messes with my sleep!
Dana says
Glad I’m not alone 😉 Are there any different things that you do nightly?
Shannon says
Yes to all of these! These are all included in my routine…cleansing and moisturizing should be at the top of everyone’s list!
Shannon
Clothes & Quotes
Dana says
I completely agree, Shannon! Thank you for stopping by!
Rachel says
Great tips! I’ve been trying to incorporate a better skincare routine before bed lately too!
Dana says
Thanks Rachel! I have to say it took some time to remember EVERY night to apply the moisturizer and eye cream, but as any routine, it takes time. Thanks for stopping by!
Jenn says
I’m a pretty simple gal 🙂 I do oil cleansing and follow with jojoba oil. 🙂 Sometimes I also exfoliate with a honey, nutmeg and cinnamon mixture. Thank you for sharing, we need to nourish our skin to take care of it!
adriana says
I love The Body Shop! I admit doing a skincare routine at night when all I wanna do is get in bed is hard haha but I push through! ; )
Dana says
I am the same way Adriana! LOL..I have to push myself sometimes!
Cara says
Great tips! Sometimes I honestly feel like people focus so much on finding that miracle cream when sleep is one of the best thing you can do for your skin and body!
Hannah Adkins says
I keep cleansing cloths on my nightstand too! If I had a really busy day, r I’m really tired I’ll forget to actually wash my face. Having them there will at least mean my face gets a cleansing of some kind before I sleep. ha