How to layer your Skin Care Products - The Night Routine
17 September 2023
It is easy to get overwhelmed with the amount of skin care products available and especially in what order to apply them. But with this simple layering guide you can make sure to get the most out of your skin care routine 
In my previous Morning Routine post I mentioned that skins do far better with fewer products, this is also true for the Night Time Routine but the main point of your evening routine is to help your skin help itself to repair and correct.
As an additional note I want to emphasise that peels should be used at night time, as they can make your skin very sun sensitive.
Please, never mix acids like BHA or AHA in the morning or evening routine! Combined they can cause irritation.
Below I am listing ALL products that can be used for your night time routine, in their right order:
- Take the time to remove your Makeup and/or SPF with a deep cleanse.
DOUBLE-CLEANSE if possible with an oil-based Cleanser ie Cleansing Oil/Cleansing Balm first and follow with a water-based Cleanser ie Cream Cleanser.
A Cleansing Oil or Balm clears the skins' surface, drawing out oil-based dirt such as oxidized sebum, old skin cells, daily build up from pollution and make-up, before advancing deeper into the pores with a Cleansing Cream which makes sure your skin gets really clean, balanced and comfortable and removes traces of the oil cleanser. It prevents skin dullness, allows the skin to breathe and repair and absorb moisturisers, retinols and serums much better.
I explain Double Cleansing in more detail in my blog post
https://www.gerlindenaturals.com/blog/double-cleansing-method.html including tips on how to apply these products best.
A good Oil based Cleanser and Cream is far more gentle and nourishing on your skin and suit ALL skin types. Your skin will definitely thank you.
Use face cloths or flannels with your Cleansing Oil or Cream.
Please NO makeup remover wipes, they mainly just move make up and dirt around and on top of it, they are not environmentally friendly either!
A foaming Face Wash can be far too harsh and drying on your skin.
Micellar Waters are for the "quick" cleanse.
- EXFOLIANT OR CLAY MASK
Be careful not to use too often as these products can irritate sensitive skin. Use once or twice a week max, for example my Organic Face Scrub or French Pink Clay Face Mask.
- TONER
A Toner is built to hydrate and prepares for the next steps in your skin care routine.
What you are looking for is a product that contains humectants like Hyaluronic Acid or D-Panthenol and Glycerine. It calms the skin, gives a burst of hydration and acts as a conductor that aids delivery of serums to the skin.
A good Toner can also contain beneficial ingredients such as calming Aloe Vera or anti-oxident rich Green Tea or skin brightening Papaya extract. See my range of Toners and Mists https://www.gerlindenaturals.com/toners-and-mists.html
- ACID TREATMENTS
AHA, BHA, (Glycolic, Salicylic, Lactic Acid). Be careful not to mix products containing these acids in one routine, especially when you have sensitive skin.
- SERUM
A lightweight product containing for example Hyaluronic Acid, Peptides and Anti-Oxidants OR a Serum containing Glycolic/Salicylic/Lactic Acid, but if you do this skip Step 4!
- SPOT TREATMENT
To topically treat bad acne spots you can use benzoyl peroxide but please go easy! It can penetrate the pore and kill off the bacteria specific to acne, but I would suggest the acids in the step above. Sulfur is very commonly used too: just a word of warning – both can be drying to the skin in high %.
- EYE CREAM or if you suffer from puffy eyes, use a Serum or Gel
- NIGHT CREAM / MOISTURISER
Whether or not you use a night-time moisturiser is dependent on what treatment you use. If your treatment is in your moisturiser, you don't need any more. If you are using a lovely night-time oil you may not want anything else.
- OCCLUSIVE FACE OIL or FACE BALM to seal in all the ingredients and moisture you just have applied to your face.
If you are new to Face Oils, start using them by mixing a few drops with your moisturiser - use for example my Revive Elixir with Cacay Oil containing natural Retinol.
Some people might not like to go to sleep with heavier products on, so you could use a Sleep Mask instead.
Please contact me with any questions you might have. I am always happy to delve into my 15 years+ experience in the skin care industry to answer your questions as best as I can.
Gerlinde x
