The Routine: Night Time Skincare

Sometimes when you hear the word "routine", it might sound like the equivalent of "boring". Something to expect, nothing special. For my night time routine however, this couldn't be farther from the truth. These days, I look forward to my skincare regimen the most at night. I find the entire process soothing and relaxing. Add the fact that I know I'm taking good care of my skin and that brings me so much joy and satisfaction like you would not believe (haha skincare junkie here).

Its worth noting that I have more steps at night than for day (you can read my daytime skincare here).

So without further ado, here goes the routine. List goes in order of application.

Step 1. Cleanse

Bioderma Sensibio H2O - Micelle Solution

This is Step1a for the night. I find this Micellar water very effective in taking off the day's gunk off my face. Its very gentle to my eyes, which I love, and melts off any makeup I have on. The key is to place a saturated cotton pad on your eyes for 10 to 15 seconds and let the solution do its magic so you can minimize the dragging of your skin around the eyes (bad! stop doing that if you are).

Then I move on to the next cleaning step, which is using my favorite cleansing tool.

Clarisonic Mia

My color of choice is this gorgeous light blue. It goes well with my bathroom colours (haha! OCD much?). 

For ages, I stared at this thing on the sephora website while googling reviews, oooh'ed and aaah'ed while watching youtube video reviews . Finally the inevitable happened - I gracefully caved. 

I started using the Clarisonic early this year and I loved it. It really cleans your face like no other and my skin feels really clean without being tight and dry. Initially I was using this once a day but have since cut back to once/twice per week. Some people say that there is a purging phase during initial use, which I think I experienced but not to any massive degree. I think the purging was just the clarisonic doing its deep pore cleansing thing and getting rid of the hidden junk under my skin.

I use the Clarisonic with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser which was also included in my daytime skincare routine.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

This cleanser works well with the Clarisonic. Because I have dry skin, I tend to avoid foaming cleansers. I have used foaming cleansers before and they left me with tight and dry skin which was unpleasant. On the days that I don't use my clarisonic, I would use this on its own for a gentle wash.

NOTE: Recently, I seem to have developed a sensitivity to Cetaphil. Does that sound crazy to anyone? I mentioned that I've been using this cleanser for more than a decade and didn't have any previous issues. Maybe my skin is changing? I have no idea. Sometimes I feel a slight burning on my cheeks! This is obviously not a good thing. After doing some research, I purchased another cleanser online, the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Cleanser. I will let you know how this cleanser compares after I get the package!

Okay I think that's it for the cleansing step. Phew that dragged on.

Step 2. Tone

Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion

Same toner that I use for daytime routine. This clarifying lotion will take off any last bits of residue on your face (if there's any!). Read the daytime skincare routine for the spiel on this product.

I am currently looking for an alternative that I can rotate this toner with. It's not the I don't like this product anymore. I do think it works great in keeping acne at bay. But sometimes I think I can skip the salicylic acid and go for something gentler and more hydrating. 

Step 3. Facial Mist

MAC Fix +

It might sound strange to some people that I use the fix plus after my toner but hear me out. I like the refreshing mist on my skin! After I tone, I find that my skin is no longer damp from the cleansing step (damp is good since the moisture in the skin will keep your skin hydrated under a serum...more on this later...) and using mac fix plus fixes - see what I did there?? - in a jiffy. In any case, this is the description from the MAC website:

"An aqua-spritz of vitamin and minerals, infused with a calm-the-skin blend of green tea, chamomile, cucumber, topped off with the fresh, natural, energizing scent of Sugi. Adds radiance, finishes makeup. Spray it on. Skin drinks it up!"

To me, this is my equivalent to Claudalie Beauty Elixir. Since I already have the fix plus sitting on my dresser, I figured I might as well use it since I don't reach for it very much for after-makeup spritzing anyway.

Step 4. Serum

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair

I started using Advanced Night Repair (or ANR) this year and it has made the most remarkable difference in my skin's tone and texture. I can harp on and on about how amazing this stuff is, but I will spare you and instead may I suggest going to an Estee Lauder counter and asking for a sample. They don't bite, I promise. Prepare to fork out your money the next day though. This serum is serious stuff.

Along with its anti-aging properties, the ANR also contains Hyaluronic Acid which helps hold moisture in your skin like a barrier. Remember that mac fix + step? Well this is where it comes in. The moisture from the facial mist which is loaded with good things can now be kept ON your skin for far longer and its properties won't evaporate as quickly. I hope that made sense.

Step 5. Moisturize

For this step, I might use an overnight mask if I feel like my skin needs that extra moisture for the night or if not, then I will use a regular moisturizer. 

Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask 

This is a really nice mask that can be left on the skin while you get your beauty sleep. I like that it gets absorbed right away on my skin so no need to worry about the any residue or stickiness left on your pillow!

I like to use this mask after exfoliating, usually the same night that I use my clarisonic since the deep cleaning makes my skin absorb the moisture better! I wake up to soft skin and I just love this mask. For days when I don't use this mask, I use my normal moisturizer.

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief

My daytime moisturizer as well as the moisturizer at night, this covers most of my needs. I tried to steer away to others but I always go back. There's something about its nice and light texture that I miss when I switch to something else. Also one of the few moisturizers that don't irritate or cause breakouts on my skin while giving a boost of moisture. I also apply this down to my neck and decolletage. Good stuff.


BIG PHEW. So much writing! If you got this far, thank you for reading all that! Do you have any special steps you take for night time? Let me know!

*Disclaimer: All items mentioned are purchased with my own money and I am in no way affiliated with the mentioned sites and companies (i wish lol)