💫 Night-time Routine for Dry Skin

If there’s one thing that changed my skin for the better, it’s committing to a night-time routine. After dealing with years of cystic acne, extreme dryness from Accutane, and trying countless products, I finally have a lineup that works with my skin.

Here’s exactly what I do each night to wake up with smooth, calm, and hydrated skin:

Note: The underlined text below includes linked products (click to access!). This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly love and think you'll enjoy too!

🪥 Step 0: Braid, Brush, Floss, Rinse

Before getting to skincare, always set the tone for the night by taking care of your hair and teeth.
– Gently braid hair to prevent tangles, breakage, and hair fallout while sleeping.
– Brush teeth, floss, and rinse with Listerine Zero Alcohol Mouthwash — no sting, just a fresh, clean feeling that kicks off your wind-down routine.

🧼 Step 1: Gentle & Moisturizing Cleanser(s)

If you've been wearing makeup, always start with Banila Cleansing Balm. It melts away everything effectively without making your skin very dry. You can skip this step if you don't have makeup on.

Follow up with CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser to gently remove anything left behind.

💧 Pro tip: Use cold or lukewarm water when washing your face, hot water can strip your skin and make dryness worse.

💦 Step 2: Hydrating Toner

Next, use an essence or hydrating toner like TIRTIR Milk Skin Toner, this one feels like a splash of hydration and preps your skin to drink in whatever comes next. Think of it as a moisture primer.

✨ Step 3: Serums

This is where you can set up your skin for a healthy glow:
– Glossier Niacinamide 5% + Zinc Serum to help even tone and calm redness
– Ranavat Saffron Serum to support barrier repair and leave your skin looking radiant

💧 Step 4: Face Oil

I warm up a few drops of Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Oil in my hands and press it into my skin. It locks in hydration, soothes irritation, and gives my face that soft, dewy finish by morning.

🧴 Step 5: Moisturizer (Switch Based on Seasons)

– In the summer, I use Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream — thick enough to hydrate, but still breathable.
– In the winter, I switch to Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2, which is richer and helps with those extra dry patches that show up when the temps drop.

💤 Step 6: Moisture for the Lips

Apply Aquaphor Healing Ointment to keep your lips from cracking, and bonus: you can spot-treat super dry patches on your skin too.

🌙 Final Thoughts

If you’re dealing with dry and flaky skin, I hope this routine gives you something to try. Your glow-up starts at night, and I promise, it’s worth the effort.