Why night-time skincare matters

During the day, skin is exposed to a host of environmental stressors, such as UV rays, pollution and blue light. These stressors can damage the skin and emphasise visible signs of ageing.

However, as we sleep, the skin goes through a natural repair process. A good night-time routine can support this renewal process. Skin becomes more receptive to the nutrients found in certain products, making it an ideal opportunity to reap the benefits of targeted treatment, whether that’s boosting hydration or reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Step-by-step night-time skincare routine

Building an effective night-time skin regimen doesn’t need to be complicated. Maintaining a consistent cleanse-tone-moisturise routine is a good place to start, with scope to incorporate tailored treatments to address your skin’s specific needs.

Take a look at our five-step guide to night-time skincare below.

Step 1: Cleanse

Cleansing is the first step to rid skin of the day’s make up, dirt and SPF. Our award-winning Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, combining cocoa butter and rosemary leaf extract, instantly hydrates and lifts away impurities to leave skin feeling soft and refreshed.

For an added touch of luxury, opt for Superskin™ Advanced Nourishing Cleansing Balm. Featuring an ultra-nourishing blend of botanical oils, this creamy balm reveals plumper, smoother-looking skin. and is perfect for the evening.

Step 2: Tone & balance

Using a toner post-cleanse helps remove any residual impurities while leaving the skin feeling balanced. Take our Instant Boost™ Skin Tonic: a gentle, non-drying formula complete with soothing ingredients – including aloe vera and cucumber – Designed to leave skin feeling calm, hydrated, and prepped for the next steps in your routine.

Step 3: Target & treat

The right serum delivers active ingredients directly to the surface your skin, targeting specific concerns. For example, when it comes to dullness, products containing vitamin C can help brighten your complexion, while retinol (or a retinol alternative) works to support the improvement of skin’s tone and texture.

Our Superskin™ Alt-Retinol Skin Paste is enriched with Bidens pilosa, a plant-based alternative that mimics the action of retinol. The Paste helps reduce the appearance of deeper lines and wrinkles, whilst being kind to skin.

Not sure what our plant-based retinol alternative can do for your skin? Discover what retinol is and how our naturally derived ingredients can work similar magic whilst being gentle for the skin.

Step 4: Moisturise & hydrate

Next, it’s time to lock in hydration to support your skin’s natural night-time repair process. Superskin™ Advanced Firming Serum-in-Moisturiser fuses the benefits of a serum with those of a moisturiser – plus acacia tree extract and rosehip oil, to help firm the appearance and boost the look of suppleness in collagen-depleted skin.

Step 5: Eye cream

For eyes that look and feel extra rejuvenated, reach for a formula designed to help lift, firm and brighten the look of the eye area whilst reducing the appearance of dark circles. Our targeted Superskin™ Eye Cream, enhanced with plant extracts expertly selected for their efficacy including green tea, alfalfa and a trio of plant oils, provides specialist care for this delicate area, leaving skin visibly brighter and reducing the appearance of under-eye puffiness.

Key ingredients

Certain ingredients can boost your night-time skincare routine. We’ve rounded up some well-known examples below:

• Hyaluronic acid for hydration

• Retinol or retinol alternatives to reduce the appearance of fine lines
• Peptides to support skin’s night-time repair processes
• Antioxidants (such as vitamins C and E) for their protective qualities
• Natural oils & ceramides for deep moisturisation

Top tips for the best night-time routine

Consistency is key:

For optimal results, follow your routine consistently each day.

Avoid too many actives:

If you’re prone to skin that feels irritated or sensitive, consider limiting the use of several active ingredients at once.

Adjust seasonally:

Choosing richer skincare products in the winter and lighter formulas in the summer can be beneficial, as this allows you to adapt your routine to your skin’s changing needs (e.g. dry skin in winter, increased oiliness in summer).

The importance of sleep:

It’s no secret that getting enough sleep is essential for supporting both mental and physical wellbeing – skin included! Establishing a relaxing wind-down routine can help your mind and body prepare for a restful night’s sleep, and ensure you wake up looking – and feeling – refreshed.

How to customise your night-time skincare routine by skin type

Every skin type benefits from a personalised approach. Here’s how to adapt your evening skincare routine for your unique needs:

• For oily skin: Opt for balancing, lightweight products to cleanse without clogging pores
• For dry skin:When moisturising, try a more indulgent cream like our Skin Repair™ Rich Cream: a luxuriously textured formula proven to deliver up to 72 hours of intensive hydration
• For sensitive skin: Consider fragrance-free products, or those specifically designed for sensitive skin
• For combination skin: Try applying lighter formulas to oily areas and rich creams to dry patches

• Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser – a gentle, effective cleanser that’s ideal for night-time use
• Superskin™ Advanced Nourishing Cleansing Balm – a luxurious option for those seeking deep hydration
• Instant Boost™ Skin Tonic – perfect for balancing and prepping skin post-cleanse
• Superskin™ Moisturiser – a nourishing choice to lock in moisture
• Superskin™ Eye Cream – helps address the appearance of fine lines and puffiness around the eyes

FAQs

Why do you need a night-time skincare routine?

A night-time skincare routine leverages your skin’s natural overnight renewal process, Help support surface cell turnover and hydration, and reveal a refreshed complexion on waking.

What serum should I use at night?

Serums with ingredients like antioxidants or retinol / retinol alternatives can help address specific concerns, such as uneven texture and fine lines, while skin repairs overnight.

What is the correct night-time skincare routine order?

Start with a cleanser, followed by toner, targeted treatments (like serums), moisturiser and, finally, eye cream.

How is a Liz Earle night-time routine unique?

With a tailored night-time skincare regimen, you’ll be ready to wake up to a refreshed, radiant complexion every morning.