Nighttime Skincare Routine For Clear Skin & Oil Control

If you have oily skin, you already know what can happen if you go to bed without properly removing your makeup. Breakouts, clogged pores, and excess oil will usually greet you in the morning.

That’s why my nighttime skincare routine is all about doing two things: removing every trace of makeup and making sure my skin is clean and hydrated before bed.

Whether I wear a full face of makeup or go makeup-free, I like to keep my routine simple and focused on keeping my skin clear while controlling oil.

Here’s my nighttime skincare routine and the products I use.

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My nighttime skincare routine when I wear makeup

When I wear makeup, my routine focuses heavily on cleansing to make sure I remove all the dirt, oil, and product from my pores.

Step 1: Break the makeup up with a warm washcloth

Before a cleanser even touches my face, I like to start by wetting a washcloth with warm water. I try to remove as much makeup as possible with just the washcloth first. I’ve found this helps start breaking up the makeup, so I don’t have to wash my face multiple times with cleanser alone.

Step 2: Cleanse (sometimes twice)

To cleanse my skin, I use the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. I’ve used it for years to remove my makeup.

I usually cleanse twice, with the first cleanse breaking down leftover makeup from using the washcloth. The second cleanse helps clean deeper into my pores.

I like to work the cleanser into my skin for about 30 to 60 seconds before rinsing. I also pay close attention to areas where makeup tends to hang around, such as my eyebrows and around my nose.

Depending on how much makeup I wore or what setting spray I used, I might do a third cleanse with a gentle cleanser.

Optional: Third cleanse

Sometimes I use a gentle cleanser, like Thayers Hydrating Milky Cleanser (a gifted product), when I feel I need an extra cleanse. If my skin feels clean after two washes, I skip this step.

Step 3: Hydrating Toner

After I finish washing my face, I apply a hydrating toner. Right now, I'm using the Thayers Hydrating Milky Toner (gifted product).

I apply it with a cotton ball and gently sweep it across my face to add hydration back into my skin after cleansing.

Step 4: Facial serum

Next to be applied are treatments. One that I use all of the time is The Ordinary Niacinamide + Zinc Serum. I like applying this while my skin is still slightly damp because serums tend to absorb better that way.

I usually let this sit for about 30 to 60 seconds before moving on to the next step

Step 5 (optional): Acne spot treatment

If I have any breakouts or spots forming, I apply an acne spot treatment. I currently use a simple Walmart (Equate) version.

Some of this is treatment, and some of it is preventative if I see spots starting to form.

Step 6: Oil-free moisturizer

The last step is moisturizer. At night, I focus on hydration, not SPF. I’ve been using an oil-free Equate moisturizer that keeps my skin hydrated without making it feel heavy.

At night, I’m more generous when applying moisturizer since I’m not going anywhere. Nighttime is all about helping my skin stay hydrated so it's ready for the next day

My nighttime skincare routine when I don't wear makeup

When I don't wear makeup, my routine is very similar in the steps and the products I use. I would say it’s a little simpler in that I only cleanse my skin once because there’s no makeup to remove.

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