Quick answer
Night is when your skin repairs — and when actives work best. Here is a simple, effective PM routine you can adapt to any skin type.
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Shop anti-aging products →Your skin does most of its repair overnight, and without sun exposure, night is when stronger actives (retinol, acids) work best and most safely. Here’s a simple, effective night routine — adapt the “treat” step to your skin.
The core night routine
1. Cleanse (double cleanse if needed). If you wore sunscreen or makeup, an oil cleanser first, then a gentle water-based cleanser. (See cleanser guide.) In hard-water areas, a final filtered-water rinse helps (why).
2. Treat (your active). Pick ONE most nights:
- Acne/oily/pores → BHA
- Glow/texture/spots → AHA or azelaic acid
- Ageing/scars → retinol
- Pigment → tranexamic/alpha arbutin
- Don’t stack strong actives the same night. (See layering order.)
3. Hydrate. Hyaluronic acid on damp skin, and/or niacinamide.
4. Moisturize & seal. A ceramide moisturizer locks everything in and supports overnight repair.
Adapt it to your skin
- Oily → lightweight/gel textures (oily routine).
- Sensitive → skip actives until calm; focus on barrier (sensitive routine).
- Beginner → start with just cleanse + moisturize, add one active slowly. (See beginner routine.)
Two rules
1. Introduce actives slowly — 2–3 nights a week first.
2. No sunscreen at night, but it’s essential every morning — many night actives increase sun sensitivity.
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