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If you thought ‘beauty sleep’ as a concept only exists in movies and fairy tales then you might just be wrong. A good night’s sleep, a comfy bed, and the right nighttime routine are all you need to wake up to healthy skin. Nykaa’s Nighttime Routine – Cleanse, Repair, Hydrate has to be your go-to routine when it comes to rejuvenating your skin overnight, well, isn’t that the dream?
Your skin heals and restores itself at night twice as fast as compared to the day, making it an ideal time to indulge in a nighttime skincare routine to wake up with incredible skin. Your skin is free from the harmful rays of the sun, dust in the air, and the greasiness of the day and thus ready to boost cell regeneration, barrier repair, and overall rejuvenation. But even a simple nighttime routine – cleanse, repair, hydrate, is incomplete if you don’t keep the right dos and don’ts in mind.
If you are a beginner or operate on an expert level when it comes to skincare, you need to have a checklist in place with the necessary dos and don’ts depending on your skin type. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
Even though there are a lot of skin types, when it comes to a classic divide with respect to products, routines, and points to remember, there are only two factions that need drastically different care. They are dry and dull skin type and oily and acne-prone skin type. Let’s look at what to do and what not along with the ideal routine and recommended products for each.
Why Is A Night Face Care Routine Important?
As the day starts to settle, your skin starts its most important job: repair and renewal. A nighttime routine isn't just pampering; it’s a necessity. At night, skin is most receptive, able to soak up soothing serums, balms, and moisturising layers that turn back the day's damage. Pollution, stress, and makeup residue are not welcome to bed with you, and a carefully curated routine guarantees they don't stick around beyond sundown. Double cleansing to a retinol kiss goodnight, each step comes in with a purpose. It's not skincare, it's self-care, elevated. At night, while you sleep, your products work the night shift, fine-tuning texture, increasing collagen, and returning your natural shine. Beauty sleep, after all, is a catchphrase that's a discipline.
Essential Steps For A Perfect Night Skin Care Routine
A perfect night skin care routine starts with gentle cleansing to wipe away impurities, followed by a toner to balance. Apply targeted serums, then a moisturiser to seal in hydration. Don't miss eye cream for sensitive areas and, if necessary, a retinol or treatment.
Step 1: Remove Makeup & Cleanse
Start by removing makeup thoroughly to avoid clogged pores and breakouts. Then, use a gentle cleanser to sweep away dirt, oil, and impurities that have built up during the day, leaving your skin fresh, clean, and beautifully prepped for the next steps.
Step 2: Exfoliate (1–2 times a week)
Exfoliation sloughs away dead skin cells, promoting a smoother, brighter complexion. Use a mild chemical or physical exfoliant once or twice a week to unclog pores and enhance product absorption, revealing healthy, glowing skin beneath.
Step 3: Apply Toner
A toner restores the pH balance of your skin after washing, refines pores, and provides a boost of hydration. It prepares your skin to absorb serums and moisturisers more effectively, maximising the benefit of your routine.
Step 4: Apply A Serum
Serums are high-concentration treatments addressing specific skin issues, such as dullness, fine lines, or spots. Use a few drops and gently press onto the skin, so active ingredients work deeply as you sleep.
Step 5: Hydrate With A Night Cream Or Moisturiser
Lock in all the previous steps with a hydrating night cream or moisturiser. Thicker than day creams, it quenches and nourishes deep into the skin overnight, making your complexion soft, plump, and rejuvenated by morning.
Step 6: Apply An Eye Cream
The sensitive skin under your eyes requires special attention. Apply a light eye cream to minimise puffiness, soften fine lines, and ward off dark circles. It's the last step in your evening routine, guaranteeing your eyes wake up bright.
Dos And Don’ts Of A Night Skin Care Routine
Do wash thoroughly, apply products appropriate for your skin type, and apply in the proper order. Don't sleep in makeup, forego moisturiser, or over-exfoliate. Don't use harsh ingredients together, such as retinol and acids. Be consistent, so pamper your skin with kindness and patience each evening.
Do: Always Cleanse Before Sleeping
Before bed, cleanse away the day's dirt, oil, and impurities. It helps your skin breathe and lets other products function optimally during the night.
Do: Use Products for Your Skin Type
Use products specifically suited to your skin's specific requirements: dry, oily, sensitive, or combination. Proper ingredients help maintain balance, avoid irritation, and boost the effectiveness of your nighttime routine.
Do: Stay Hydrated for Better Skin Health
Hydration assists your skin in its natural repair process. Stay hydrated during the day and use hydrating skincare products at night to keep your skin plump, radiant, and healthy-looking.
Don't: Sleep with Makeup On
Sleeping with makeup clogs pores and traps bacteria, causing breakouts and dullness. Always wash off makeup carefully to keep your skin clear, refreshed, and ready to renew overnight.
Don't: Overuse Harsh Exfoliants
Exfoliating excessively removes the skin's protective layer, leading to irritation and sensitivity. Exfoliate only 1–2 times a week and opt for gentle products to keep your skin healthy.
Don't: Forget to Moisturise
Missing out on moisturiser makes skin susceptible to dryness and overnight water loss. A night cream rich in nourishment prevents moisture loss at night, promotes repair, and keeps your skin soft and smooth.
Night Skin Routine For Different Skin Types
A customised night skin ritual is your key to fresh and healthier skin. An oily skin needs a balance with light, clarifying textures. Dry skin quenches in lush, moisturising layers. Sensitive skin yearns for gentle, fragrance-free reassurance, and combination skin is a curator. Know thy type, love its demands, because genuine glow starts with individualised care.
Oily Skin
Focus on balancing overactive sebum with a light foaming cleanser, light gel moisturiser, and non-comedogenic products. Niacinamide and salicylic acid clarify without drying and leave skin smooth and shine-free.
Dry Skin
Moisturising is essential. Apply a rich cleanser, hydrating serum, and creamy night cream. Look out for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides to restore moisture and soften skin at night.
Combination Skin
Address different areas separately, light hydrators for oily skin, and more emollient creams for dry skin. A mild cleanser, balancing toner, and serums that target both hydration and clarity with specificity.
Sensitive Skin
Choose fragrance-free soothing products that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients such as aloe, chamomile, and oat extract. Refrain from using aggressive exfoliants and minimise the number of steps in your routine to further reduce irritation and redness.
Dull & Dry Skin
If you have dull and dry skin, your skin needs hydration at its core. Hence, your nighttime cleanse, repair, and hydrate regime should include a gentle cleanser, nourishing serum, repairing under-eye cream, moisturiser, and a lip balm. It ensures your skin remains hydrated at every step, including your lips and under-eye area.
Dos & Don’ts For Dull & Dry Skin
Dos:
- Hydration is key to compensate for dry skin cells and dull complexion
- Use gentle cleansers to not strip the natural oils of the skin
- Use a thick and cream-based moisturiser to lock in the hydration
Don’ts:
- Don’t take hot showers at night
- Don’t over-exfoliate, limit it to once a week
- Don’t use alcohol-based products that can dry out your skin.
Use the following products to create your simple cleanse, repair, and hydrate routine for dry and dull skin. Focus on brightening ingredients such as vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides to get rid of uneven skin, pigmentation, and discolouration caused due to dry skin.
Nykaa Recommends:
Acne-Prone & Oily Skin
If you have oily and acne-prone skin, then you need to incorporate a double cleanse in your night routine. Start with an oil-based cleanser that removes all the stubborn dirt, grime, dust, makeup, oil products, and sweat. Make sure to follow it up with a toner to tighten your large and open pores. Finish strong with a serum with astringent ingredients and finally a lightweight moisturiser. This routine ensures that you cleanse, repair, and hydrate your skin before you drift off into the night.
Dos:
- Make sure to double cleanse, first with an oil cleanser and then a water-based cleanser
- Exfoliate the skin to unclog pores and remove excess oil
- Include toners in your routine to tighten pores
Don’ts:
- Don’t use heavy creams and lotions, opt for lightweight formulations instead
- Don’t skip moisturisers, your skin might get dry even if it generates too much oil, which causes it to overcompensate by creating even more oil
- Don’t over-cleanse or over-exfoliate as they can aggravate your oil glands to produce more sebum and oil
A cleanse, repair, hydrate model works for acne and oily skin types too, simply add an extra step of cleansing and replace your eye serum with a toner for a more even texture and complexion. You can additionally also add a lip balm and eye mask if you want to go the extra mile.
Nykaa Recommends:
Key Takeaways
Every skin concern can be treated with three simple steps – cleanse, repair, and hydrate. Whether your skin is dry as a bone, one that flakes as soon as the temperature drops or oily and acne-prone like nobody’s business, all you need are the right products, an effective routine, and potent ingredients that offer a targeted approach.
FAQs
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What Is Nykaa’s Night Routine?
Nykaa’s Night routine is a simple routine that you can incorporate as a self-care ritual before you take your beauty sleep. It includes a simple three-step process – cleanse, repair, and hydrate that aims at nourishing your skin so it can breathe and rejuvenate at night, so you can wake up to healthy skin daily.
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What are some good nighttime cleansers?
You can try the following cleaners for the night
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Recommend serums for a nighttime routine.
Pick a serum based on your skin type:
Oily & Acne Prone Skin: Deconstruct | Foxtale
Pigmented Skin: The Ordinary | Eucerin
Dry Skin: Dot & Key | Minimalist
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Should I use a toner at night?
Yes, you can and should use a toner at night as it tightens your pores to improve skin elasticity and bounce. Since there is very minimal dirt when you sleep, nothing will get trapped in your pores as it tighten.
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What is the best night skin care routine for glowing skin?
The best routine begins with double cleansing to remove makeup and impurities, followed by a gentle exfoliator (a few times a week), balancing toner, and a glow-boosting serum with ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide. Finish with a hydrating night cream and an eye cream for a luminous, well-rested glow.
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Should I apply serum before or after moisturiser?
Always apply serum before moisturiser. Serums are lightweight and packed with active ingredients that need to penetrate deeply. Moisturiser helps to lock in the serum’s benefits and keep skin hydrated throughout the night.
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How do I choose the right night skin care products?
Know your skin type: oily, dry, sensitive, or combination and choose products tailored to your needs. Look for ingredients that address your concerns, such as hyaluronic acid for hydration, retinol for anti-ageing, or salicylic acid for acne. Always patch-test new products.
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What happens if I skip my night skin care routine?
Skipping your night routine allows makeup, pollutants, and daily grime to linger, leading to clogged pores, dullness, and breakouts. You also miss the skin’s peak regeneration window, reducing long-term glow and resilience. Consistency is key to maintaining a healthy, radiant complexion.
