Good Night & Good Luck | My PM Winter Skincare Routine
Hello everyone, and welcome back for the third post in a series that I see no end in sight for, if I’m being honest. We are talking about my evening skincare routine during the winter! If you are new around here or have yet to read my morning routine, you can find it here. In it, I explain my skin type, how to determine your own skin type, and go into extreme depth about the overarching steps of a skincare routine. I’m going to touch on those steps a little bit in this post, too. But, go read my morning routine for more information on those topics. Now, if you feel like you’ve tried every product known to man and your skin still seems to be having a fit, read this post where I talk about some other things that can cause skin issues.
Okay, let’s get into this! Like I did for my morning routine, I filmed my evening routine so y’all can have a frame of reference for how I actually do my routine. You can see how much of each product I use and how I use them. It’s not the shortest video in the world (sorry!) - I’m a teacher and a talker, I can’t help myself. Also, remember that I’m not a skincare professional in any capacity. Everything I’m sharing with you has come from years of research, trial-and-error, and testing. But, if you’re unsure about anything, seek out the opinion of a skincare professional before proceeding.
NOTE: I will have product recommendations at the very end of this post to help direct you if you need somewhere to start, a different price point to match your budget, or want something new to try. So, be sure to check there if you are on the market for anything mentioned.
How I take care of my skin in the evening…
THE STEPS
First, let me repeat what I said in the video and my morning routine: there are five main steps that make up almost all routines.
Every morning routine, at large, should have the following steps:
Cleanse
Exfoliate
Hydrate (and Treat)
Moisturize
SPF
In the evening, you lose a step since you aren't going to be in the sun, so the major steps look like this:
Cleanse (1-2 times, as needed; explanation coming)
Exfoliate
Hydrate (and Treat)
Moisturize
All routines, in some capacity, should look like this. What I mean by that is, each of these steps needs to be a constant in your routine. That does not mean that everything you do will be identical every night (more on that to come). Still, each step needs to be a hallmark of your regimen so that your skin is getting everything that it needs.
Anyway, I’ve got all the tabs for my skincare products open, ready to share them with you, so let’s get into the routine!
THE ROUTINE
Cleansing your skin at night looks a bit different than it does in the morning. It is a bit more involved and, on most days, should be happening twice. Yes, twice.
Here is why: in the evening, you are taking off everything you’ve had on your face all day - everything from sunscreen to makeup - and you need to clean your skin.
In walks the Double Cleanse. This isn’t a product but a process and it’s about to become your new best friend. Yes, you really should be washing your face twice every evening that you have worn sunscreen and/or makeup during the day. How this works is you start with an oil-based cleanser.
**For those of you with acne-prone skin, it’s okay; oil is not the devil. And, especially, in this case, it’s actually everything that you need to get the job done.
The oil-based cleanser will gently and thoroughly breakdown all the SPF, makeup, dirt, pollution, etc., that you have on your face from the day. It does it tangibly and does it in a way that doesn’t dry out your skin or irritate it. For my first cleanse, I use the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm ($31 for 3.8oz) and although I realize that seems like a lot of money for a glorified makeup remover, let me tell you that a little goes a long way. I have had this for what feels like forever and I’ve only just repurchased a replacement yesterday (as of my writing this). It starts solid but quickly melts in your hand without becoming too thin. It’s effective, gentle, and a joy to use. I can’t recommend it enough.
**However, if you didn’t wear makeup and didn’t put on sunscreen because you never left your house, you can entirely skip the “second cleanse.” Just use whatever cleanser you like to wash your face, then move onto exfoliation, as needed.
Then, after my first cleanse, I use a gel cleanser to do my second cleanse. Now is the time that you are going to genuinely clean your skin. Even though all your makeup is off, at least it is if you used a good oil-based cleanser, that’s still all you’ve done. You actually need to clean your skin now. If you have dry or more mature skin, simply reusing your cleansing balm/oil-based cleanser as a second cleanse is a great option because it will clean your skin without potentially stripping it of the hydration you already lack. If you have normal to oily skin (or really any skin type, it’s entirely up to you and what you like to do), a gel cleanser may be a better option for your second cleanse. I use the Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser by Krave Beauty ($16 for 120ml) and really enjoy it. It doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry or tight but does leave my skin feeling clean and refreshed. Everything I’m looking for in a cleanser.
Now, before I move onto the next step, I know I’m going to get questions about why I don’t mention makeup wipes. I don’t know how to say this delicately, so I’m just going to say it: STOP USING MAKEUP WIPES! They do not get off anywhere near the amount of makeup that they claim to and, when they do, it’s because you’ve used five of them. They are awful for your skin; all of that rubbing is only irritating your skin, which can lead to aggressive and premature aging. PLEASE stop using them. If you own them, throw them away right now. I rarely advocate throwing away products if they haven’t expired, but these are an exception. Throw them away. Go to Walmart, Target, Amazon (anywhere really) and get a couple of packs of washcloths that you will only use to wash your face. This will change your skincare game, I PROMISE! And, even though you need to buy a few more products and spend a bit more money on the front end to do this, it will very quickly pay for itself. Think about how often you need to buy makeup wipes or spend on buying them in bulk. That cost will disappear, and you will only be spending pennies because you aren’t throwing your washcloths away. You use them, let them dry, wash them, reuse them…the cycle goes on. Even with the cleanser's added cost, you will not go through it so fast, which makes it less expensive in the long run. So, ditch the wipes that are so 2010 (lol, but seriously) and treat your skin right with an oil-based cleanser and a damp washcloth.
I personally like to buy white cotton washcloths because I can bleach them, but it doesn’t really matter what color you get. Some people prefer microfiber cloths because they find they are even more gentle, but it really is a personal preference. Just make sure you buy them knowing that they are very quickly going to get “dirty” because they will have makeup stains that won’t come out. But, that’s the purpose, and it’s okay. Honestly, that’s why I wouldn’t go investing in the most luxurious ones you can get. Basic is perfect for this purpose. Linked below are the retailers with great deals on packs of washcloths, both in cotton and microfiber.
I’m going to be completely transparent; I don’t have a typical “exfoliation” step in my evening routine. I typically do chemical exfoliation in the morning, so I want to be more gentle with my skin in the evening. But, that does not mean that I don’t do some form of exfoliation at night. Instead, the action of taking off my makeup and, then, my cleanser with washcloths is a gentle act of exfoliation. So, that is my exfoliation step in the evening.
Anyway, after I do my double cleanse. At the same time, my face is still damp; I will go in with my hyaluronic acid serum to make sure my complexion is super hydrated. The one I’m using and mentioned in my morning routine is the Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex from NIOD ($35 for 15ml). After that, I will go in with my treatment serum, the Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion from The Ordinary (9.80 for 30ml). Now, I know many skincare experts and professionals who would say that I’m putting them in the wrong order. And, if your purpose for using retinol is for intense anti-aging effects, then that would be correct. The order I used them in dilutes the retinol down, which makes it less potent…and that is the entire reason I use them in the order I do. I want to slightly lessen the harshness that retinol can have while still letting it be effective.
What is retinol, and why are you using it? Retinol or Vitamin A is an active ingredient in skincare that is primarily an anti-aging ingredient. It encourages collagen production and cell turnover, which leaves your skin looking youthful and vibrant. It’s a powerful ingredient that you can get a prescription for from a dermatologist, or you can get an over-the-counter (OTC) dosage from most skincare brands. And, even though those ratios of retinol are not as high, they are still effective. So, if you are over the age of 25 and want to either prevent aging or slow down the effects of aging, retinol is for you.
For moisturizer, the one I’m enjoying for my fussy winter skin is the Plant Ceramide Rich Moisture Cream from Naturium ($25 for 50g). It is exactly what the title claims, a rich moisture cream. It’s very thick and luxurious to use, but a little goes a long way. It moisturizes and soothes my perpetually annoyed winter skin while not causing breakouts. And even though it is especially meant for people with dry skin, anyone can use it as long as they carefully gauge how much. Those of you who are like me with normal-to-oily acne-prone skin, you’re not going to want to go too hard with this product. But, if you feel like the winter has you needing a little more moisture, this is the moisturizer for you. On the other hand, if you have dehydrated skin, you will adore this product and want it year-round. You can use as little or as much as your skin wants. I absolutely recommend it!
And that is everything I do at night, folks, minus lip balm and hand cream. But, I will link to them so you can see what I use. The lip oil was a definite splurge, but I don’t regret it. Every night when I use it, I feel so luxurious; it has been well worth every penny to me (nevermind that it is an excellent lip balm). The hand cream I use is a fantastic evening hand cream - O’Keefe’s is one of the best winter skin brands. But, this particular hand cream is perfect year-round - it absorbs quickly without feeling greasy, and it really does make my hands feel like they’ve been treated well.
This one is scented, so if scented lotion. At the same time, you sleep is not your thing; try the original O’Keefe’s Working Hands, especially if you have dry, wintry skin.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I said this in my morning routine post, but skincare is personal at the end of the day. What works for me may not work for you, and that is completely okay! However, for those who feel completely in the dark when it comes to creating a comprehensive, easy, sustainable, and understandable evening skincare routine, I hope this helped. If you have any questions, product recommendations, or just comments in general, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below! I would love to hear from you, and I truly want this to be a place where we can all learn from each other, so please feel welcomed to participate in the conversation.
PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
For my recommendations for gel/water-based cleansers, chemical and physical exfoliants, moisturizers, and other serums, please check out the post for my morning skincare routine. I covered each of those categories in a lot of depth, so be sure to head there for those recommendations.
Cleansing Balms & Oil-Based Cleansers
Neutrogena Ultra Light Face Cleansing Oil & Makeup Remover ($8.29 for 4oz); for those of you who want all the benefits of using a nice oil-based cleanser but want something lighter on the wallet, this is a great place to start - far better for you skin than their wipes.
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Melting Balm ($9.99 for 2oz); see above comments.
Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Oil with Coconut & Argan Oil ($13.69 for 6oz); another budget-friendly option for the person who wants a lower price tag without sacrificing on effectiveness.
Banila Co. Clean It Zero 3-in-1 Cleansing Balm - Original ($19 for 3.3oz)
Pixi By Petra + Caroline Hirons Double Cleanser ($24 for 100ml); so, this is a product done in collaboration with the skincare queen, Caroline Hirons. She collaborated with Pixi on this product at least, 6 years ago, and it’s a total hit worldwide! Also, it’s a two-for-one product. Half is your cleansing balm to remove SPF and makeup, while the other half is a cream cleanser to clean your skin. A total win-win, and, in my opinion, anything that has Caroline’s endorsement is worth trying. No questions asked.
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil ($29 for 6.7oz); this is the liquid version of the cleansing balm I mentioned earlier and showed you how to use in the video. I have not personally used this (I just haven’t gotten around to it yet); however, I know many people who have and adore it. So, if you like the idea of a liquid cleansing oil as opposed to a cleansing balm, try this one!
Tula #Nomakeup Replenishing Cleansing Oil ($32 for 4.7oz); again, I’ve never used this specific product from this brand, but it has rave reviews (even claims that it is better than the Clinique one!), and I have enjoyed pretty much every product I’ve tried by Tula. So, I don’t think you can go wrong here.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm ($64 for 3.7); if you just choked after reading that price tag, I’m sorry. Sadly, that is not a type-o. I’m including this because I know a lot of people who adore this cleansing balm, and I also see a lot of people who want to be extra to the nth degree. So, if spending roughly $16 per ounce of cleanser floats your boat, this product will not disappoint. (But in all seriousness, it’s a really lovely cleanser. It’s just hella expensive considering it’s only removing your sunscreen and makeup.)
Serums
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum ($20 for 30ml); Naturium is a reasonably new brand. I mentioned in the video since I use one of their moisturizers as my evening moisturizer. But, even though this brand is so new (it only launched this past Spring), they have been continuously launching new products. Every single one of them that I’ve tried has been fantastic and reasonably priced for what it is. Although this is not the least expensive option on the market, it’s a very high-quality option, and it doesn’t require refrigeration as some others do (who has time for that?). Definitely a good option for someone wanting to get their feet wet in the retinol game.
Naturium Plant Squalane Face Oil 100% ($16 for 30ml); I didn’t mention this in my video or anywhere else in this post, but oil is really good for your skin and, especially for those of you who are on the dry end of the skin-type spectrum, using a face oil as a serum isn’t a bad idea. It will help contribute to a healthy glow while also helping to reduce unnecessary moisture loss. This one from Naturium has a great ingredient list (only squalane oil) and is at an affordable price. Great for those who need it.
Alright, that is all for today! I hope you enjoyed this and found it helpful.
Blessings,
Sarah
