There are certain beauty rules that have been drilled into us: always take your makeup off before bed, get a good eight hours' sleep, and drink lots of water. While undisturbed sleep and adequate hydration may evade us on busy days working, playing and everything in between, one thing we can control is our evening beauty routine.
Whether you're a wipe-and-it's-off type or you have a meticulous 10-step before-bed regime, we're fascinated by others' evening beauty practices.
Click through to see how Refinery29 staff take care of their skin and unwind before hitting the hay.
1 of 7
Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Editor
Skin type: very oily and acne-prone, sometimes dry eyes
I have acne-prone skin, so my routine is basic and consists of very few products and ingredients that have been recommended to me by dermatologists. I always double cleanse because I wear heavy makeup, so I take it off with Bioderma’s Sensibio Micellar Water before using a foaming cleanser. Right now I love NeoStrata’s Foaming Glycolic Wash because it cuts through grime, oil and foundation. Even though I’m careful with where I apply my acid cleanser, I can get quite dry eyes, so I slather my eyelids in La Roche-Posay’s Hyalu B5 Eyes as it absorbs in seconds and takes away the tight, taut feeling – that’ll be the hyaluronic acid. Finally, depending on how congested my skin is that day, I’ll give it a once-over with either Pixi’s Glow Tonic (which is formulated at 5% glycolic acid) or The INKEY List’s Glycolic Acid Toner (higher at 10%). The latter is so brilliant and I notice such a reduction in whiteheads when I use it. I concentrate it to my cheeks, chin and forehead only, as that's where I get the most spots. I don’t use serum or moisturiser.
I always have a bath or shower before bed and use the Natural Spa Factory’s Nectarine and Honey Body Salt Scrub (which smells divine) to keep my scaly limbs in check and to banish any ingrown hairs, then slather myself in Mauli Rituals’ Reawaken Body Lotion, which contrary to the name, sends me off to sleep thanks to the lavender and sandalwood.
Skin type: very oily and acne-prone, sometimes dry eyes
I have acne-prone skin, so my routine is basic and consists of very few products and ingredients that have been recommended to me by dermatologists. I always double cleanse because I wear heavy makeup, so I take it off with Bioderma’s Sensibio Micellar Water before using a foaming cleanser. Right now I love NeoStrata’s Foaming Glycolic Wash because it cuts through grime, oil and foundation. Even though I’m careful with where I apply my acid cleanser, I can get quite dry eyes, so I slather my eyelids in La Roche-Posay’s Hyalu B5 Eyes as it absorbs in seconds and takes away the tight, taut feeling – that’ll be the hyaluronic acid. Finally, depending on how congested my skin is that day, I’ll give it a once-over with either Pixi’s Glow Tonic (which is formulated at 5% glycolic acid) or The INKEY List’s Glycolic Acid Toner (higher at 10%). The latter is so brilliant and I notice such a reduction in whiteheads when I use it. I concentrate it to my cheeks, chin and forehead only, as that's where I get the most spots. I don’t use serum or moisturiser.
I always have a bath or shower before bed and use the Natural Spa Factory’s Nectarine and Honey Body Salt Scrub (which smells divine) to keep my scaly limbs in check and to banish any ingrown hairs, then slather myself in Mauli Rituals’ Reawaken Body Lotion, which contrary to the name, sends me off to sleep thanks to the lavender and sandalwood.
2 of 7
Georgia Murray, Fashion & Beauty Writer, 26
Skin type: oily skin with a patch of rosacea
My routine at the moment is pretty basic (for a beauty writer…) as in summer I’m inclined to leave my skin be for fear of sweat-induced or season-changing break outs. First up, I remove eye makeup with Simple’s Micellar Water - anything light and gentle works for me. Next, I use Dr Dennis Gross’s Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleanser. One pump goes a long way and it’s the best cleanser I’ve ever used - it sloughs away dead skin cells and daily grime while keeping my complexion bright. I’m a dedicated morning and evening user.
After cleansing, I gently dab some of Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex II around my eyes. I’ve tried every eye product under the sun and they all give me styes. This one, however, glides on, leaves no residue, and doesn’t clog pores, so gets 10/10 from me. Next, I liberally spritz Mario Badescu’s Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs and Rosewater over my skin. I’m still sceptical about the merits of facial spritzes, but it’s a nice part of the routine so I’ll stick with it for now - plus it was a godsend on sticky summer days.
I then take Allies of Skin’s Promise Keeper Blemish Facial and warm a few pumps between my palms before patting onto my face. It’s not cheap but for me it’s one of the best products out there for keeping spots and blackheads at bay. My skin has behaved very well since I started using it every evening before bed around 6 months ago.
Skin type: oily skin with a patch of rosacea
My routine at the moment is pretty basic (for a beauty writer…) as in summer I’m inclined to leave my skin be for fear of sweat-induced or season-changing break outs. First up, I remove eye makeup with Simple’s Micellar Water - anything light and gentle works for me. Next, I use Dr Dennis Gross’s Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleanser. One pump goes a long way and it’s the best cleanser I’ve ever used - it sloughs away dead skin cells and daily grime while keeping my complexion bright. I’m a dedicated morning and evening user.
After cleansing, I gently dab some of Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex II around my eyes. I’ve tried every eye product under the sun and they all give me styes. This one, however, glides on, leaves no residue, and doesn’t clog pores, so gets 10/10 from me. Next, I liberally spritz Mario Badescu’s Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs and Rosewater over my skin. I’m still sceptical about the merits of facial spritzes, but it’s a nice part of the routine so I’ll stick with it for now - plus it was a godsend on sticky summer days.
I then take Allies of Skin’s Promise Keeper Blemish Facial and warm a few pumps between my palms before patting onto my face. It’s not cheap but for me it’s one of the best products out there for keeping spots and blackheads at bay. My skin has behaved very well since I started using it every evening before bed around 6 months ago.
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3 of 7
Sarah Raphael, Editor at Large, 31
Skin type: very sensitive, combination skin, sometimes dry patches and uneven skin tone
I went part-time a year ago and took a drastic pay cut. Obviously I had to make some changes to my lifestyle to make this work financially. I identified skincare as one of the (many) areas I was overspending in. I used to spend £31 on face wash, which I do miss because it was so soothing and creamy, but now I spend £7.95 on Nip + Fab Glycolic Foaming Cleanser. This meant a saving of £23 every three months. I used to spend a whopping £55 on a soothing serum, a step I decided to just cut out of my routine altogether. And I used to spend an eye-watering £70 on moisturiser, which I’ve replaced with a £6.75 option from The Ordinary (Natural Moisturising Factors + HA). I also stopped using eye cream which cost £37 every three months or so. So with my new nighttime routine, I save £178 every three months and I haven’t noticed the slightest bit of difference to my skin. Ridiculous isn’t it?
Skin type: very sensitive, combination skin, sometimes dry patches and uneven skin tone
I went part-time a year ago and took a drastic pay cut. Obviously I had to make some changes to my lifestyle to make this work financially. I identified skincare as one of the (many) areas I was overspending in. I used to spend £31 on face wash, which I do miss because it was so soothing and creamy, but now I spend £7.95 on Nip + Fab Glycolic Foaming Cleanser. This meant a saving of £23 every three months. I used to spend a whopping £55 on a soothing serum, a step I decided to just cut out of my routine altogether. And I used to spend an eye-watering £70 on moisturiser, which I’ve replaced with a £6.75 option from The Ordinary (Natural Moisturising Factors + HA). I also stopped using eye cream which cost £37 every three months or so. So with my new nighttime routine, I save £178 every three months and I haven’t noticed the slightest bit of difference to my skin. Ridiculous isn’t it?
4 of 7
Katy Harrington, Managing Editor, 37
Skin type: always dehydrated, a bit patchy and red in places with the occasional spot
I’m a demon for not washing my makeup off at night, but I always feel better when I do so I’m trying to do it more. Foaming cleansers are the devil if your skin gets dehydrated or dry so instead I use something like REN Rosa Centifolia Cleanse & Reveal Hot Cloth Cleanser. I massage it in really well and then remove with a muslin or flannel cloth soaked in warm water. If I’ve had eye makeup on then I might do a second cleanse or use a little bit of Avène Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover. After that, I splash my face with a toner or use a toning mist. I like Melvita Organic Orange Blossom Floral Water Spray a lot.
I used to load heavy night cream on but was recently told this isn’t the way to sort my dehydrated skin (if you are going to use heavier cream it should be in the morning, not at night, according to the very knowledgeable facialist Su-Man) so instead, I now use a little eye cream (I’ve used everything from Sisley to the cheapest brands in the past but now settle for something mid-range like Avène, La Roche-Posay or Vichy) and then rub in a light layer of ALGENIST Power Recharging Night Pressed Serum. If I could afford one luxe addition I'd go for Sisley Eye Contour Mask or Caudalie Premier Cru The Eye Cream. They do wonders when my eyes look like "two piss holes in the snow" as one friend delightfully put it.
Skin type: always dehydrated, a bit patchy and red in places with the occasional spot
I’m a demon for not washing my makeup off at night, but I always feel better when I do so I’m trying to do it more. Foaming cleansers are the devil if your skin gets dehydrated or dry so instead I use something like REN Rosa Centifolia Cleanse & Reveal Hot Cloth Cleanser. I massage it in really well and then remove with a muslin or flannel cloth soaked in warm water. If I’ve had eye makeup on then I might do a second cleanse or use a little bit of Avène Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover. After that, I splash my face with a toner or use a toning mist. I like Melvita Organic Orange Blossom Floral Water Spray a lot.
I used to load heavy night cream on but was recently told this isn’t the way to sort my dehydrated skin (if you are going to use heavier cream it should be in the morning, not at night, according to the very knowledgeable facialist Su-Man) so instead, I now use a little eye cream (I’ve used everything from Sisley to the cheapest brands in the past but now settle for something mid-range like Avène, La Roche-Posay or Vichy) and then rub in a light layer of ALGENIST Power Recharging Night Pressed Serum. If I could afford one luxe addition I'd go for Sisley Eye Contour Mask or Caudalie Premier Cru The Eye Cream. They do wonders when my eyes look like "two piss holes in the snow" as one friend delightfully put it.
5 of 7
Kara Kia, Editorial Intern, 24
Skin type: combination, oily T-zone, dry patches on my cheeks (in cool months), uneven tone, occasional spots
London's hard water and questionable air quality gave my skin a really difficult time until I stumbled upon Urban Skin Rx Even Tone Cleansing Bar at the Afro Hair and Beauty Show. I have used it every day since and I rarely get spots anymore which means my skin has time to heal past acne scars! I swear by this product, especially for people of colour.
Let's back up a little from my fangirling. On the rare occasion that I wear makeup, I start my evening cleansing routine with organic jojoba oil, no specific brand, although MV Organic Skincare Jojoba Oil is a great choice. Using a dropper, I apply it to my cheeks, forehead and nose, gently massage it in and rinse with warm water. Next step, of course, my Urban Skin Cleansing Bar to maintain my island baby glow. Using the enclosed exfoliating sponge, I lather the product and massage it into my skin in an upward and outward circular motion, rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry. Then I move on to a few drops of DCL Clear Skin Anti-Blemish Hydrator to keep my spots under control. Finally, in the cooler months when my dry patches emerge from their summer slumber, I finish off with Botanics Organic Facial Oil with Rosehip. With a few drops in the palms of my hand, I warm the product for a few seconds and then pat into my cheeks, chin and the corners of my mouth. Some evenings, I use a few drops of Urban Skin Super C Brightening Serum instead of the face oil.
Skin type: combination, oily T-zone, dry patches on my cheeks (in cool months), uneven tone, occasional spots
London's hard water and questionable air quality gave my skin a really difficult time until I stumbled upon Urban Skin Rx Even Tone Cleansing Bar at the Afro Hair and Beauty Show. I have used it every day since and I rarely get spots anymore which means my skin has time to heal past acne scars! I swear by this product, especially for people of colour.
Let's back up a little from my fangirling. On the rare occasion that I wear makeup, I start my evening cleansing routine with organic jojoba oil, no specific brand, although MV Organic Skincare Jojoba Oil is a great choice. Using a dropper, I apply it to my cheeks, forehead and nose, gently massage it in and rinse with warm water. Next step, of course, my Urban Skin Cleansing Bar to maintain my island baby glow. Using the enclosed exfoliating sponge, I lather the product and massage it into my skin in an upward and outward circular motion, rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry. Then I move on to a few drops of DCL Clear Skin Anti-Blemish Hydrator to keep my spots under control. Finally, in the cooler months when my dry patches emerge from their summer slumber, I finish off with Botanics Organic Facial Oil with Rosehip. With a few drops in the palms of my hand, I warm the product for a few seconds and then pat into my cheeks, chin and the corners of my mouth. Some evenings, I use a few drops of Urban Skin Super C Brightening Serum instead of the face oil.
6 of 7
Jazmin Kopotsha, Entertainment Editor, 25
Skin type: combination-oily and uneven skin tone. Leans on the sensitive side
I was pretty jammy in my teens and never experienced any major skin issues beyond the misuse of toothpaste on angry spots. My skin is pretty uneven in tone around my cheeks and it’s only in the last couple of years that I’ve started to do anything about it... but only on the days I can be bothered (read: haven’t been out drinking). I’ll take off my makeup with Pestle & Mortar’s Erase Balm Cleanser which is great because, being oil based, it doesn’t dry out my skin like foam cleansers do. After massaging the balm into my skin for a bit, I’ll remove it using a damp muslin cloth which gets rid of way more makeup than your hands can on their own.
If I was a bit lacklustre with my morning routine or have gone heavy on the makeup, I’ll double cleanse, using Peter Thomas Roth’s 3% Glycolic Solutions Cleanser – it’s an exfoliating gel that you just need to rinse off after another little massage, so I’ll skip my multitude of scrubs (all natural, one ambitiously homemade) and jump straight to a toner. I like La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Lotion mainly because the blue bottle looks nice in my bathroom and it’s not too expensive to buy every couple of months. Back in my serum days I’d layer on all The Ordinary had to offer. I have since learned this is a mistake and depending on how my skin is feeling, will pop on a little of my Charlotte Tilbury Magic Night Cream sample, or half a squirt of my Pestle & Mortar Superstar [that is what you are] Retinoid Night Oil; a little goes a long way. My face looks a little bit more buoyant on mornings after the Superstar oil. If I knew what to do with eye cream I’d maybe use that too.
Skin type: combination-oily and uneven skin tone. Leans on the sensitive side
I was pretty jammy in my teens and never experienced any major skin issues beyond the misuse of toothpaste on angry spots. My skin is pretty uneven in tone around my cheeks and it’s only in the last couple of years that I’ve started to do anything about it... but only on the days I can be bothered (read: haven’t been out drinking). I’ll take off my makeup with Pestle & Mortar’s Erase Balm Cleanser which is great because, being oil based, it doesn’t dry out my skin like foam cleansers do. After massaging the balm into my skin for a bit, I’ll remove it using a damp muslin cloth which gets rid of way more makeup than your hands can on their own.
If I was a bit lacklustre with my morning routine or have gone heavy on the makeup, I’ll double cleanse, using Peter Thomas Roth’s 3% Glycolic Solutions Cleanser – it’s an exfoliating gel that you just need to rinse off after another little massage, so I’ll skip my multitude of scrubs (all natural, one ambitiously homemade) and jump straight to a toner. I like La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Lotion mainly because the blue bottle looks nice in my bathroom and it’s not too expensive to buy every couple of months. Back in my serum days I’d layer on all The Ordinary had to offer. I have since learned this is a mistake and depending on how my skin is feeling, will pop on a little of my Charlotte Tilbury Magic Night Cream sample, or half a squirt of my Pestle & Mortar Superstar [that is what you are] Retinoid Night Oil; a little goes a long way. My face looks a little bit more buoyant on mornings after the Superstar oil. If I knew what to do with eye cream I’d maybe use that too.
7 of 7
Jess Commons, Health & Living Editor, 31
Skin type: oily
I used to be METICULOUS about my evening routine and had all sorts of lotions and potions knocking about. These days though, it depends on whether or not I can be arsed.
I take my makeup off with Bio Oil and a cotton pad. I don’t know why, it just works really well and considering how good Bio Oil is for stretch marks and scars, I have formulated a theory that it’s doing good stuff to my face too. I have literally nothing to back this theory up.
I wash my face with Simple Kind to Skin Moisturising Facial Wash (my current bottle is some sort of Little Mix special edition so it really gives my sink a little something something in the sophistication department). Then, I wash my face again. Sometimes I use Lixir Electrogel Cleanser.
Then, if I’m being good, I use Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate which is super. It’s spenny but it does actually last for ages. I’ve been using my current bottle since May and it’s not run out yet. Then I rub in a little of The Ordinary’s Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion (not every day) and finish up with Caudalie VineActiv Overnight Detox Oil because a) it protects against pollution and free radicals and I run a lot outside in dirty polluted London and b) because it’s made out of red wine grapes and I appreciate that as a concept.
I was, until recently, using Crème de la Mer as an eye cream because someone gave it to me and it was very nice but I had to give that up because it’s £225 and I’ve got rent to pay.
If I’m being lazy, it’s another story. I just take my makeup off and slap on a moisturiser. I recently rediscovered everyone’s favourite teenage product, Clean & Clear’s Skin Balancing Oil Free Moisturiser, after I left my fancy stuff at home on holiday and I was looking for a cheap stopgap until I returned. And let me tell you – this moisturiser is the tits. I didn’t ever get loads of spots anyway but I certainly get fewer now, and it leaves my skin nice and soft and not oily at all.
Skin type: oily
I used to be METICULOUS about my evening routine and had all sorts of lotions and potions knocking about. These days though, it depends on whether or not I can be arsed.
I take my makeup off with Bio Oil and a cotton pad. I don’t know why, it just works really well and considering how good Bio Oil is for stretch marks and scars, I have formulated a theory that it’s doing good stuff to my face too. I have literally nothing to back this theory up.
I wash my face with Simple Kind to Skin Moisturising Facial Wash (my current bottle is some sort of Little Mix special edition so it really gives my sink a little something something in the sophistication department). Then, I wash my face again. Sometimes I use Lixir Electrogel Cleanser.
Then, if I’m being good, I use Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate which is super. It’s spenny but it does actually last for ages. I’ve been using my current bottle since May and it’s not run out yet. Then I rub in a little of The Ordinary’s Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion (not every day) and finish up with Caudalie VineActiv Overnight Detox Oil because a) it protects against pollution and free radicals and I run a lot outside in dirty polluted London and b) because it’s made out of red wine grapes and I appreciate that as a concept.
I was, until recently, using Crème de la Mer as an eye cream because someone gave it to me and it was very nice but I had to give that up because it’s £225 and I’ve got rent to pay.
If I’m being lazy, it’s another story. I just take my makeup off and slap on a moisturiser. I recently rediscovered everyone’s favourite teenage product, Clean & Clear’s Skin Balancing Oil Free Moisturiser, after I left my fancy stuff at home on holiday and I was looking for a cheap stopgap until I returned. And let me tell you – this moisturiser is the tits. I didn’t ever get loads of spots anyway but I certainly get fewer now, and it leaves my skin nice and soft and not oily at all.
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