Bedtime Beauty - My Seven Step Routine
Olivia Palermo once said something like ‘washing your face before bed is the most important part of my beauty routine.’ I’m highly paraphrasing her and there’s a chance it wasn’t Olivia Palermo at all, but you get the gist of it. Removing your make up and cleansing your skin before laying your head to rest for the night is golden. Night time is the perfect time to give your skin a chance to recuperate and rejuvenate itself from the attack (yes attack) it undergoes everyday from the environment. Pollution and dirt build up on your skin and clog your pores during the day - and not washing your face at night can be a major source of breakouts (even in our 40’s), allergies and irritations. Pollution is not a good bedfellow - bad for your skin and your linens.
I love how vibrant my face looks after I’ve washed - it’s dewy and moist and feels fresh. I swear I sleep better knowing that at the very least I’m playing an active role in combating fine lines and wrinkles. My bedtime routine includes removing makeup, cleansing, toning and moisturizing. If for some reason I can’t get to my normal routine (one too many margaritas perhaps), I never get into bed without at least swiping off my makeup (especially my eyes) with a cleansing wipe. Wipes are also my go-to when I’m travelling because I don’t necessarily want to haul all my products with me.
My nighttime routine consists of seven steps. I’m not endorsing any of the products I use, I’m simply showing you what’s currently working for me and the order in which I use it. Everyone’s skin has different needs and what works for me might not necessarily work for you.
Remove Eye Makeup
2. Remove Face Makeup
I’m currently using two different brands of micellar water to remove my make up. I prefer a separate product for my eyes because they’re a little sensitive. I have noticed a dramatic difference in my skin since I’ve started removing the makeup (I wear very little) on my face BEFORE cleansing. Many people will only remove eye makeup and then remove their face make up with cleanser. Start using a makeup remover, in my case a micellar water first. Then the cleanser can really do it’s job. CeraVe is a product that I’ve recently started using and it’s recommended by my dermatologist. Click here if you want to read a little more on what micellar water really is.
3. Cleanse
I’ve been regularly using Beautycounter Cleansing Balm for about two years now. It’s hands down my favourite beauty product ever. It’s also a fab makeup remover…but the hefty price can make it cost prohibitive for that reason. Use an almond sized amount for cleansing and it should last you over four months.
4. Tone
What is toner anyway? Applied after cleansing and tapping your skin dry, toner hydrates your skin before applying serum and night cream. The toner’s available today aren’t the toners of the 80’s that we used to apply on our acne prone teenage skin that would sting the crap (excuse the expression - but it’s true) out of your face. They were alcohol based and used for drying. Not today’s toners. They’re refreshing and you can often add spritz to your face during the day if your skin is feeling a bit dried out. I love the Province Apothecary Invigorating and Balancing Toner for that exact reason.
5. Eye Cream
It’s taken a lot experimentation with a lot of different eye creams to find the two that I’m currently using and that I find effective. The day eye cream I’m loving is by Juice Beauty and I love it because it doesn’t make my make up run. My mascara always used to leave me with racoon eyes and I thought it was my mascara brand. Then I discovered it was actually my eye cream. My night eye cream is by The Inkey List, a brand I recently came across at Shoppers Drug Mart. Caffeine - that’s what it’s called and that’s what it contains - is great for reducing under eye puffiness and dark circles. Eye cream is a non starter - use it every day, twice a day!
6. Apply Serum
If there’s a thousand serum’s on the market - I’ve tried at least five hundred. From $300 dollar brands to $9 dollar brands, serum is an important step in your routine because it penetrates your skin deeper than moisturizer and delivers concentrated ingredients. I’m currently using Collagen Booster by The Inkey List, but I tend to change my serum regularly depending on what’s up with my skin. But I can tell you…collagen is always a good idea.
7. Moisturize
And finally - moisturizer, but not just any moisturizer. Be sure you’re specifically using a night cream. Night creams are usually much more moisturizing than day creams so they can work their magic on your skin while you sleep. My fave is another Beautycounter product…Rejuvenating Night Cream.
P.S. Don’t forget to dab some moisturizer on your elbows and knees and a swipe of lip balm on your lips before you go to sleep and bring your serum and moisturizer all the way down to your neck. Those spots need some lovin’ too!
