Nighttime Skincare Routine

With so many products available, it can be difficult to find the perfect balance for your skin type. Any and all skincare routines are all about two end results- looking good AND feeling good! Read below to discover how I found my ideal nighttime skincare routine and what I personally recommend.

Quick tip: It's super important to keep in mind that everyone's skin is different, and that you need to listen to your own when it reacts to something negatively. While it's totally fun to experiment with new products and you should give products a chance/time to show serious results, do not continue using something if your skin does not like it!

This year, I've realized that my skin is definitely combination during the winter months AND even more so now that I live in Los Angeles during the school year. Starting this winter I have been struggling with an oily t-zone, dry/red patches, and overall blotchy redness on my cheeks. While this may seem like a long routine, it is absolutely worth it. Devote time to your skin after a long day! Please know that while the following products work for me, they may not for you...but I sure hope they do or that you found your own! :)

Step 1: Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover For Lids, Lashes, & Lips

Because I use eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara regularly, I like to take off my eye makeup separately from the rest of my face makeup, and this is the first step of my process. I actually snagged this bad boy from TJ Maxx for only $12, normally $19.

Step 2: Palmer's Skin Therapy Cleansing Oil (Face)

This is one of my FAVORITE drugstore finds! Makeup wipes were making my skin burn and left with a greasy feeling, and I didn't exactly want to spend the big bucks on an expensive, oil-based makeup remover so I felt completely stuck...until I stumbled across this gem that's ONLY $10.95. Two pump of the Palmer's Skin Therapy Cleansing Oil (Face) does the trick and dissolves everything from the day! And let me tell you how NERVOUS I was to be patting my face down in oil when there seems to be more than enough oil on my face as is. Surprisingly though, this oil make-up remover is so gentle, soothing, smells amazing, and is packed with multiple vitamins and oils to wash the day away. I massage my entire face with it and then wash it off with warm water. This is a life saver and leaves my skin soft, clean, and positively glowing.

Step 3: LUSH Herbalism (natural herbal wash) OR Clinique City Block Purifying Charcoal Cleansing Gel

I switch off between these two each night!

Although a messy green scrub, the Herbalism scrub has been one of the best things that has happened to me, no joke. It really takes time to get used to the herbal-y smell (my boyfriend is not a fan and I don't think he ever will be hahaha), but I've been using this for a year and a half consecutively now and it has fought away so many pimples, scarring, and overall redness. With the power of multiple herbs and vitamins your skin will love, this scrub exfoliates, tones, refreshes, and smooths. Just make sure you clean your hands and sink out afterwards!

The Clinique City Block Purifying Charcoal Cleansing Gel is so gentle on the skin and deeply removes all the yucky dirt/whatever extra makeup is potentially leftover from the day. It ALSO removes excess oils (woohoo!) and your skin feels squeaky clean upon use. I swear my pores on my nose become smaller and are completely clear after I wash this off. It's all the beauty of what charcoal can do for your face without the mess or smell. Your skin will feel so soft and clean!

Step 4: Bliss Micro Magic- Microdermabrasion Scrub

I only use this exfoliator around 2-3 times a week because more than that can irritate your skin. I found this hidden treasure at Target and had actually never heard of "Bliss" before! The packaging is too cute, and what beats paraben-free, cruelty free, and no phthalates? Some of the ingredients include Peppermint Oil to refresh the skin, Chamomile and Lavender Extract, Kaolin Clay to cleanse pores and removes excess oils, Volcanic Pumice to remove dead skin cells and improve circulation in the face, Aloe Leaf Juice to calm the skin, and Pro Vitamin B5 to rejuvenate. After just the first use I noticed a difference in my skin. The microbeads feel like sand and are not too large or abrasive; exfoliators need that balance. This product is seriously spa-level treatment.

Step 5: Dirty Works Blueberry and Willow Bark Ultimate Detox Clay Mud Mask

I try to use this mask twice a week to fully detox my skin; this is beauty in a bottle! This mask smells deliciously like blueberries and you can literally see it in action working on your face. Willow bark is one of the best ingredients for your face if you struggle with pimples/acne because it contains salicylic acid, but is very gentle. It clears pores and exfoliates, revealing newly radiant & soft skin immediately upon use. I wash it off after 10 minutes and my face is glowing! You can purchase this either through Amazon or try your luck at TJ Maxx for around $5.

Step 6: LUSH Breath of Fresh Air Toner Water

With a few spritz of this spray ($10), this toner soaks into your skin and calms all redness. It is so refreshing following your scrubs/cleansers and has so many soothing properties such as aloe vera, rosemary oil, sea water, and rose. I use this morning and night before moisturizing.

Step 7: Ole Henriksen Nurture Me Soothing Creme (moisturizer)

This moisturizer targets sensitive skin & works almost instantly. It is so incredibly hydrating and light; my skin LOVES it. My face is noticeably brighter, less red, and softer upon each use. This moisturizer has helped my confidence so much because it fights pimples, redness, and dry patches! It's also a cute pink color and the consistency reminds me of icing. Unfortunately, the orange creamsicle smell is not for everyone...it's very strong and can be pretty overpowering, but I've gotten used to it. This light, creamy, and fast-absorbing moisturizer also works wonders underneath makeup. I would highly recommend trying a sample from Sephora first before buying it though!

Step 8: Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye Cream

So this eye cream is more pricey, BUT I would recommend it a thousand times over. It's my first Kiehl's purchase and I'm absolutely in love. As I've gotten older, I've noticed my hereditary dark circles becoming more prominent and more puffiness around my eyes. This has made me severely self-conscious without concealer, but the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye Cream has been a complete game changer- I'm shocked! The 0.5 fl oz size lasts for a while because you only use it before bed. The fine lines under my eyes have diminished, my dark circles are almost completely gone, and my eyes look so awake every morning even if I'm exhausted (which was a miracle during finals weeks lemme tell ya). It's packed with natural ingredients and the smell is soft. This has certainly become one of my most prized skincare products and I can't be without it.

Step 9: Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Cleansing Gel

This little bottle has worked miracles for my blemishes. I put this on my pimples/acne scars every night as one of my last steps and let it dry overnight. I use it as a spot-treatment rather than putting it all over my face. While it does not always stop breakouts from happening, it absolutely has helped minimize them and dry them out so they disappear quicker. The bottle seems small for $28 (the 1 fl oz bottle) but it lasts for so long. Guys, this gel is amazing. It's an emergency acne/blemish remover and has been essential to maintaining my clear skin.

Step 10: Carmex Lip Balm (roller)

The application of the Carmex Lip Balm (roller) is so easy, fast, and more hygienic. This is my go-to for full lip moisture. It soothes my lips instantly and I always need to make sure I have one on me at all times. A pack of three is around just three dollars at Target. So three for three?! Go get em!

With Love,

Lindsay