I call it a skincare ritual for a reason. Yes, it is a routine as well but the whole process behind it is much much more!
It’s all about self-care and self-love. And one way of doing this for yourself is by having a daily skincare ritual at night. This not only helps you get glowing skin, It also slows you down and helps you relax after a long day.
I never had a nighttime skincare ritual before the pandemic. Before, my skincare was a routine, not a ritual and mainly consisted of me removing my makeup and cleansing my face. That was it. No toner, serum, essence or moisturizer—I just thought these extra products were a way for skincare companies to make more $$$! But also because I was LAZY and I didn’t know what a “correct” ritual looked like and what was right for my acne-prone skin type.
This all changed once the pandemic hit and I was in quarantine. As I had more time of my hands, I slowly discovered there was this little window of time between me brushing my teeth and getting into bed where it was just me…quietly looking at myself at the mirror. Sounds odd but it’s true—when we’re getting ready for bed, it’s just us in the bathroom looking at a mirror—sounds odd because we rarely think about it this way.
Since I don’t meditate on a set schedule (but I’d like to). I thought this newly found mini-timeframe would be the perfect time where I could tackle both a skincare routine as well as some ‘me mental time’. And that’s how my following nighttime skincare ritual was born 💗
My Nighttime Skincare Ritual ✨
Step 1: Oil Cleanser
After a long day with wearing makeup or just being alive (collecting environmental air), I always look forward to this step because the oil spreads easily to take off everything including dead skin cells without leaving your face all oily! It pumps out oil and when washed with water, it turns milky—it’s truly magically.
Recommendations: (They seem pricey but they last about 2-3 months)
- Tatcha ($48)
- Amore Pacific ($50)
Step 2: Cleanser
A 2nd cleansing ritual is important because while an oil cleanser removes all the makeup and dead skin cells, a face cleanser will remove even more lingering on your face.
Recommendations: (I switch between different cleansers each day)
- Tatcha Deep Cleanse Exfoliating ($38)
- Tatcha Foaming Enzyme Powder ($65)
- Studio Selection Charcoal Facial Cleanser ($3.50)
- Optional! Cleansing device Foreo Luna fofo with skincare analyzer ($89)
Step 3: Face Masks
Helps target specific needs for the day. For example, use a Brightening mask if you feel like your skin looks a bit dull or a Charcoal mask if you have some pimples coming up!
Recommendations:
- Ole Henriksen Pore-Balance Facial Sauna Scrub ($28)
- Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask ($26)
- Generation Clay Ultra Violet Brightening Purple Clay Mask ($49.99)
- Asarai Australian Red Clay Mask ($35)
Step 4: Blackhead Remover
Use when needed! (approximately 1-2 times weekly)
Recommendations:
- Clinque Blackhead Solutions: Self-heating Exfoliator ($29)
Step 5: Facial Massage
Learned about this through Vogue’s Celebrity Makeup Routine series on Youtube—I’m currently trying this out!
Recommendations:
- Nurse Jamie UpLift Facial Massage ($69)
Step 6: Mist Toner
I’m currently loving mists especially with the summer heat right now!
Recommendations:
- Dr. Jart Calming Mist ($23)
Step 7: Toner
Neutralizes your pH levels and preps skin,
Recommendations:
- COSRX Natural BHA Skin Returning A-Sol ($9) *I was only able to find via a korean site.
Step 8: Serum
Adds a lot of hydration back to your skin!
Recommendations:
- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid ($6.80)
Step 9: Anti-Aging Cream
Target area to remember: your Neck!
Recommendations:
- Peptide Volume Essence ($36)
Step 10: Eye Cream
Seems like a non important step but really, couldn’t be more important!
Recommendations:
- Saturday Skin Wide Awake($46)
Step 11: Lip Balm
Another area to remember: your lips!
Recommendations:
- Roam Homegrown Natural Lip Balm ($7.50 set of 2)
Step 12: Moisturizer
I love moisturizers because it seals the deal from step 1 through 11!
Recommendations:
- Tatcha Water Cream ($68)
- Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cream ($50)
Step 13: [When needed] Pore Zappers!
For true emergencies, when a surprise zit appears and you need it to go away the next day!
Recommendations:
- M.A.D Drying Location Sulfur ($24)
And that’s it! The whole ritual process seems like a lot of steps and that it might take forever (when you just want to go to sleep) but in truth this only take about 10 minutes max.
But more importantly, this 10 minutes is about self-care and setting aside time to focus on you by you!
XOXO,
VSong
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