My 7-Step Evening Skincare Routine

My biggest aging regret is that I didn't solidify a better skincare routine until I reached my 30s. When I was young, I spent a ton of time in the sun (sans sunscreen!), rarely washed off my makeup at night, and didn't place any importance on skincare. After I shared my nighttime routine last week on Stories, I received a lot of requests to have it here too—here's what my evening routine looks like these days:

One of the most important rules I set for myself is to never go to bed without washing my face. I try to make it as easy as possible on myself as possible, which is why I often end up doing it immediately after putting Sloan to sleep. That way, it's done and I can enjoy dinner with G or a movie, without having to go through the whole routine when I'm already exhausted. After throwing my hair back into a ponytail, I put on a terry cloth headband to keep my hair from getting wet and wash my face. Most nights, I use a Caudalie soap-free foaming cleanser that removes makeup without stripping my skin. 

For nights when my skin is looking a bit dull, I use the Goop exfoliating instant facial, which is somewhere between an exfoliator and a mask in one. I apply it to dry skin, rub it all over, and then let it sit for two to three minutes until it gets a little tingly and then I wash it off. It leaves my skin looking really clean, refreshed, and very soft. 

I remove my eye makeup using Muji cotton pads (I'm very particular about them since they're large enough to use on both eyes and don't come apart) with Lancome Bi-Facil Makeup Remover. It gets off even the most stubborn of mascara/eyeliner/glitter/shadow, leaves a glowy finish, and never stings my eyes. 

This next step isn't one I do every night - it's more of a when-I-feel-like-it addition, which involves using a toner. The Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Unscented Toner is my go-to since it leaves my skin feeling refreshed and moisturized.

Perhaps the most important step in my skincare routine is serum and since I use it every morning and night, I go through it quickly (which also leaves room to try out lots of new kinds). I rotate between several, depending on what my skin needs at that moment. In the winter, I love Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum. It smells incredible—like a luxurious spa—and a little goes a long way in making my skin look radiant and sleek. When I want something to make my skin tone look more even and less red, I'll use the Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum. It dries quickly, which is a plus when I'm looking to get through my skincare routine as fast as possible when it's late and I'm ready for bed. 

Then, since my skin is always on the pretty dry to super-crazy-dry scale, I add a layer of Caudalie Premier Cru Rich Cream (preferably after letting my serum sit for a minute or two). It smells divine and though my skin usually soaks up most creams immediately, this one takes a while to penetrate since it's so thick. Then I dab on some of the Caudalie Premier Cru Eye Cream, which is part of the same, seriously emollient collection. I tap it on under my eyes then kind of go up around the side of my brows and then on top of my brow bone. 

At this point, if I have any blemishes on my face, I'll add a Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch (or as many as I need). I like that the product stays on top of my blemish all night, which makes it super effective, while simultaneously covering it so that I'm not tempted to pick at it. 

And while I don't add my lip balm at this stage (it's always the very last thing I do right before bed, so I keep it on my nightstand), I apply a generous coat of Lanolips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Balm. I used to be someone that had perpetually chapped lips until I added this step to my routine and now they're always soft, which says a lot based on how much lipstick I wear. 

I don't do this every evening, but when my face needs a little extra help, I'll apply a mask. I always keep these eight face masks on hand, which can cure pretty much any ailment.