Now that you’ve built your ideal daytime skincare routine, it’s time to turn your attention to the evening. This is when the real magic happens. I have had a nighttime skincare routine since middle school and it’s something I never miss. I could be half asleep, sick or tipsy—I’m washing my face and applying my products. My nighttime routine is also when I get to pamper myself a bit, especially if my day didn’t go so well.

If your nighttime skincare routine could use a refresh, follow these steps to find the right products for your complexion:

1. Remember your skin type.

As with any MIDDI skincare post, I always suggest starting out with an assessment of your skin type. Once your face is clean, take a look in the mirror and see what condition it’s in after a long day. Does your skin feel dry or oily? Is it red or irritated? Do you still have a glow or some dullness? From there, you can build a routine that suits your individual needs. My skin is very oily by bedtime and if any blemishes were hiding under the surface that morning, they’ve made their debut. My routine focuses on a deep clean that doesn’t overly strip my skin and then products that are suitable for acne-prone, adult skin. I tend to use heavier formulas while I sleep because I’m not worried about looking shiny and I won’t be drinking any water for (hopefully) eight hours or so and my skin will need the hydration.

2. Determine your goals.

While you’re sleeping, your skin has time to heal. You’re also out of the sun, generally sweat-free and not touching your face. This is the time to bring in the big guns you can’t use during the day that tackle issues like pigmentation, wrinkles and texture, which take a while to correct. If you choose to invest in more expensive products, nighttime is when I would do it because you can really get the most out of them.

3. Start with the key three.

Three main steps should be in everyone’s nighttime routine: Cleanse. Treat. Moisturize. First and foremost, you need to take off all of the makeup, sunscreen, sweat, etc. that has been hanging out in your pores all day long. I prefer to double cleanse to make sure I get it all. After that, apply a serum that targets your primary concern. It could be retinol to tackle fine lines and pigmentation, an exfoliating treatment for texture and tone or a peptide serum to plump. Lastly, choose a night cream that suits your skin type to lock everything in and keep your skin hydrated. And remember to keep your daytime skincare routine in mind, especially when using products like retinol, to make sure you don’t overdo it.

4. Add extras.

Once you have the key three covered, you can add more products to your routine. My extras are eye cream, brown serum, lash serum and lip balm. And pimple patches should any new friends show up on my face. Just make sure to check the ingredient lists carefully of all of the products you will be layering to avoid irritation.

5. Plan out your evening.

Your nighttime skincare routine should be relaxing. So however long you want to spend on it is up to you. One of the best tips I’ve heard is to do your nighttime skincare routine as soon as you get home for the night. Before your settle in on the sofa to watch some Netflix (and maybe fall asleep), head into the bathroom to wash the day away. Otherwise, you may be losing product on your pillow if you slather it all on right before hitting the sheets.

Want more tips? Learn how to shop for fake houseplants here.

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