My Current Nighttime Skincare Routine: Cleansing, Hydrating Toners, Brightening Serums, Retinal Favorites, and Moisturizers I Love!

My Current Nighttime Skincare Routine

I love skincare that feels effective without feeling overwhelming. Over the past year, I have found a nighttime routine that feels simple, layers well, and leaves my skin looking healthy, hydrated, and smooth. These are the products I personally love and reach for the most often!

I am sharing this routine because I know it can be hard to figure out what goes where, which product types work well together, and which products are actually worth trying. This lineup has become my go-to because I can adjust it depending on what my skin needs that night.

A Quick Note Before You Start

Before I get into the products, I want to mention that this is simply the routine that works well for me. Even though I really enjoy these products, not every skincare product works the same way for everyone.

If you have very sensitive skin, reactive skin, eczema, rosacea, allergies, or are under the care of a dermatologist, it is always best to check with your doctor before trying new active products. I also recommend patch testing anything new before applying it all over your face.

This routine is generally a sound nighttime routine for most people. Still, the retinol/retinal step is the strongest part and the one most likely to cause dryness, redness, peeling, or irritation if you are not used to those ingredients. Go slow with those products and work your way up in frequency.

Step 1: Apply One For a First Cleanse

The first step in my nighttime routine is a first cleanse. This is the step where I remove most of my makeup (especially eye and lip makeup) and sunscreen before moving on to the rest of my skincare.

I rotate between three products for this step: DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, Mimmua! Kojic Acid + Turmeric Cleansing Crème, and Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm. I like having a few options here because sometimes I want an oil cleanser, sometimes a balm, and sometimes a cream texture instead.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil: This is a classic first-cleanse product for a reason. It is an olive oil-based cleansing oil designed to melt away makeup, sunscreen, excess oil, and daily buildup without leaving skin feeling stripped. It is especially nice on nights when you have a full face of makeup on because it breaks everything down quickly and rinses clean, while still leaving skin feeling soft and supple.

Mimmua! Kojic Acid + Turmeric Cleansing Crème: This cream-to-lotion cleanser with kojic acid and turmeric is designed for makeup removal and to address the appearance of discoloration. It is a perfect option for someone who prefers a richer, creamier texture over an oil or balm. Because kojic acid is a more active ingredient category, this cream is the perfect makeup-removing cleanser with added brightening support.

Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm: This buttery cleansing balm melts away makeup, sunscreen, and even waterproof eye makeup. This balm contains rice extract and is meant to be the first step in a double-cleanse routine before using a water-based cleanser. This is a great option for people who like a soft balm texture that melts into an oil as they massage it in.

Step 2: Bioderma for Any Remaining Eye Makeup

After my first cleanse, I use Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water to remove any leftover eye makeup. I especially love this step around the eyes because it is gentle, effective, and does not irritate my eyes like some others I have tried. It does a beautiful job of removing any leftover mascara, liner, or shadow while still feeling soothing and comfortable on the skin. If you do not wear much makeup, this can also work well as a first cleanse on its own, and many dermatologists consider micellar water a gentler option than makeup wipes for regular use, especially for sensitive skin. If you wear heavier or waterproof makeup, micellar water may not always be enough on its own, and an oil cleanser or cleansing balm can work better!

Step 3: LED Mask and Ziip Halo

Once my makeup is removed, I do my Currentbody LED mask and Ziip Halo.

This is the point in my routine where I slow down and take about 30 minutes for the device part of my skincare. I like doing this before my second cleanse and treatment products so I can start the rest of my routine with a fresh, clean base. I LOVE my Ziip Halo and Currentbody LED Mask! If you have any questions about these devices, please ask!

Step 4: Second Cleanse

After using my devices, I go in with my second cleanse. My absolute favorite is the Prequel Gleanser. This is a non-stripping glycerin cleanser for face and body with 50% glycerin, inulin, and an aquaporin-stimulating active to boost suppleness while helping maintain the skin’s natural moisture barrier and pH. It also includes soothing ingredients like arginine, oat extract, and aloe, which make it especially appealing for anyone who wants a cleanse that feels thorough but not drying.

From here, I move into the hydrating and treatment steps.

Step 5: Apply One Milky Toner

The first thing I use after cleansing is a milky toner. This step makes a huge difference for me because it helps my dry skin feel super hydrated right away and provides a good base before I move on to the rest of my routine.

My three favorite

options are the Anua Rice 70+ Glow Milky Toner, the BYOMA Hydrating Milky Toner, and the Innisfree Green Tea Ceramide Milk. I rotate among these three because they feel lightweight yet still hydrate deeply.

Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner: This toner is a great fit for anyone who loves that soft, hydrated, “glowy but not greasy” look. Anua highlights rice water, niacinamide, ceramides, panthenol, glycerin, and allantoin, and can help with uneven tone, rough texture, and oil balance. In simpler terms, this is the milky toner option that gives your skin hydration plus a fresh, smooth, radiant finish.

BYOMA Hydrating Milky Toner: BYOMA’s milky toner is very much a barrier-supporting comfort product and is definitely a favorite! It hydrates, calms, and soothes from first use while helping protect barrier function. Its ingredients include a barrier lipid complex, polyglutamic acid, and cica. This is the toner I would describe as the “comforting” option in your lineup — especially good when skin feels dry, sensitized, or just needs a softer touch.

Innisfree Green Tea Ceramide Milk: This is a lightweight, hydrating, milky toner that supports the skin's moisture barrier without feeling greasy or causing breakouts. It hydrates quickly, smooths flakiness, supports barrier repair, and is non-acnegenic tested.

Step 6: Prequel Half & Half

Next, I use Prequel Half & Half. I adore this product, and it makes everything after it feel better on my skin. This is a lightweight liquid emulsion that sits somewhere between a hydrating layer and a fluid moisturizer. It is formulated with a ceramide complex, a peptide complex, and amino acids to moisturize and boost the skin barrier while leaving skin dewy, plump, and radiant-looking. This is the perfect “cushioning” layer that helps serums and actives feel smoother and more comfortable on the skin.

Step 7: Apply One Alpha-Arbutin Serum (Optional)

After that, I use one of my alpha-arbutin serums. This is the part of my routine where I focus on brightness and a more even-looking skin tone.

One option I love is the Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Alpha-Arbutin. I also rotate in the COSRX The Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum or The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA.

Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Alpha-Arbutin: This serum is designed to target dullness and dark spots while giving skin a brighter, more radiant look. Its ingredients include rice bran water for hydration and glow, plus alpha-arbutin, which targets uneven tone and discoloration. It is also labeled fragrance-free and pregnancy-safe.

COSRX The Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum: The perfect “all-in on discoloration” option. It targets post-blemish marks, pigmentation, unwanted spots, dullness, tanning-related discoloration, and overall uneven tone. It is positioned as a more comprehensive dark-spot serum. I have only been using this one for a week or so, but I have high hopes for its efficacy!

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA: This is a straightforward, simple, no-fuss brightening serum. It is a water-based serum designed to address uneven tone and dark spots, combining purified alpha-arbutin with hyaluronic acid to enhance radiance and support absorption. It is a great “simple and effective” option for targeted brightening without many extras.

Important Note About This Step

I only use one arbutin serum at a time. I would not recommend layering multiple arbutin serums in the same routine, especially if your skin is easily irritated. Keeping this step simple helps reduce the chance of overdoing it.

Step 8: Apply One Retinol or Retinal (only use 2 nights per week to start)

After that comes the use of an active step. Most nights, I use one retinol or retinal product. Retinol/Retinal focuses on skin texture (smoothness). The three favorites that I use in rotation are:

Dr. Althea 0.1 Gentle Retinol Serum: This serum is positioned as a gentle retinol option, combining retinol with bakuchiol, and is suitable even for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Start with 1–2 times a week at night and increase gradually, with sunscreen during the day. It makes a softer-entry retinol option for smoother, healthier-looking skin.

REMEDY Healthy Aging Advanced Serum: This is a more treatment-focused, multi-active serum. Remedy combines encapsulated retinol, retinal, Argireline, and Matrixyl 3000 peptides to visibly smooth fine lines and support skin texture, collagen, and elastin. It can be an all-in-one formula for wrinkles, elasticity, texture, and uneven tone, so I would describe it as the “more advanced” nighttime treatment option.

Prequel Retinal Renew Gel: This retinaldehyde treatment is designed to support renewal and firmness while maintaining the skin barrier. Prequel uses highly stabilized retinaldehyde and includes ectoin plus bio-enhanced cica to help smooth texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, even out ton

e, and deliver results with less irritation. In your routine, this is a strong but thoughtful treatment step.

Important Warnings About Retinol and Retinal

This is the step I would use the most caution with. Retinol and retinal can be very effective, but they can also cause irritation if you jump in too quickly.

A few things I think are important to know:

• I only use one retinol or retinal product at a time

• If you are new to retinoids, start slowly instead of using them every night right away

• If your skin becomes red, tight, flaky, stinging, or overly dry, pull back and use it less often

• Do not use these products on broken, freshly irritated, or over-exfoliated skin

• If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, ask your doctor before using retinol or retinal products

• Daily sunscreen is especially important if you use retinoids at night

If someone is brand new to retinol or retinal, I would personally suggest starting just a couple of nights a week and building from there.

If I skip Retinal (usually one night a week for me)

If I am not using a retinol or retinal product that night, I will use INNBEAUTY PROJECT Elastic Skin instead. This is a firming and plumping serum that gives you a treatment-step feel on nights when you do not want to use retinol or retinal. It contains over 19% clinically proven ingredients, including vegan growth factors, peptides, copper peptides, ceramides, and vegan collagen amino acids, and is designed to reduce wrinkles while improving elasticity and plumpness. I like having this as an option on my off night when I still want my routine to feel targeted and intentional, but a little less intense.

Step 9: Apply One Moisturizer

The last face step is moisturizer, and I rotate between three favorites.

Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream is one I like when my skin wants something soothing. This is a lightweight gel-cream for bl

emish care, soothing, and daily barrier-friendly moisture. It is non-comedogenic, gentle for acne-prone skin, and designed to nourish while supporting relief and recovery. It's the perfect moisturizer you reach for when your skin wants calm, lightweight comfort.

Prequel AM/PM Daily Face Moisturizer is a fabulous, dependable option for everyday use. It is a mid-weight formula for all skin types, with a ferment-peptide complex, ceramides, glycerin, polyglycerides, and vitamin F to replenish moisture, strengthen the barrier, and lock in hydration. It is a fast-absorbing, non-greasy formula, making it a balanced, easy-to-use option.

Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Cream is a recent favorite! This cream lightly hydrates and refreshes with a blend of PDRN, hyaluronic acid, and collagen, and helps improve the look of texture and radiance for a healthy, dewy finish. It truly makes my skin feel fresh, plump, and glowy.

In the winter, I use a few thicker moisturizers, but in Spring and Summer, these are my three go-to options.

10. Lip Products Before Bed

For my lips, I start with the Dionis Goat Butter Lip Mask (Available In-Store!) and then, right before bed, finish with the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask.

Dionis Goat Butter Lip Mask: This leave-on lip mask, available at The Farmhouse, glides on like a silky balm but delivers intensive treatment, providing long-lasting moisture without stickiness. This lip mask highlights vitamin-rich goat milk, including vitamins A, D, and B6, as well as gentle lactic acid to help smooth flakes and support the skin's moisture barrier. This is a great first lip step for a soft, nourishing base.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask: In my opinion, this is THE best leave-on overnight lip mask that softens lips while delivering intense moisture and antioxidants during sleep. I love the lip brush that comes with it, and my favorite scent is vanilla. In your routine, this is the richer sealing step that helps lock in moisture overnight.

A Few Final Safety Tips

If you are building your own nighttime routine based on this one, here are the biggest things I would keep in mind:

• Start slowly when adding active products (retinol/retinal)

• Introduce one new product at a time

• Use only one arbutin serum and one retinol or retinal product in a single routine

• Pay attention to how your skin responds

• Do not ignore burning, stinging, or ongoing irritation

• Wear sunscreen every morning, especially if you are using retinoids at night

A simple routine that your skin tolerates well is always better than an aggressive routine that leaves your skin irritated.

Final Thoughts

This routine works well for me because it has a simple structure: cleanse, hydrate, treat, moisturize, and finish with lip care.

I focus on hydration, brightness, and healthy aging every night, but I still keep my routine manageable by rotating the specific products I use within those categories. That lets me stay consistent with my goals while adjusting based on how my skin feels that night.

If you are building your own nighttime skincare routine, this is the approach I recommend most: 1) Start with a hydrating base (toner), 2) Choose a treatment step, and 3) Finish with a moisturizer that makes your skin feel comfortable.

To Skincare! ❤️Kiersten