Simply Accessible: A PM Routine

 Ah yes...after a long, busy day, we are all ready to crash into our cozy beds and get a good night's sleep. But, not until you have completed your 12 step routine, facial yoga and taking a cryogenic nap in the anti-aging chamber! Ok, I kid but in all seriousness, one of the worst things you can do to your skin is sleeping with makeup. Your skin repairs itself at night and makeup is not something that contains goodies to be absorbed overnight. So, no matter how tired or drunk you are, clean your face before going to sleep every night! Here are some basic steps to include...

Level 1: Augh! I can't...just get me to bed ASAP

Ideally, you don't have makeup on and it will super quick to get your face clean but the reality is that you may have a full face of glam by the time you are ready to turn in for the night. If this is the case, at a minimum...keep makeup wipes so you can swipe your face before crashing to bed. If you are upright long enough to add a few more steps, consider the following:

- cleanse your face. 

I highly recommend double cleansing because an oil cleanser is your best bet to getting long-lasting foundation, waterproof mascara and other heavy hitters. If it is isn't possible, wash with a water-based cleanser and swipe your face with a toner. I love Son & Park's Beauty Water because it isn't drying like astringent but still gets any leftover residue off my face. Micellar water is also a cult favorite and will work well.

- moisture your face

If your late-night antics are a result of drinking, your face will be super dehydrated, no matter your skin type. Moisturizer of any kind will be acceptable for this stage and I keep a tub of Vanicream with a pump on my nightstand so I am just that closer to my bed.

Level 2: I can handle a few more steps, what you got?

Alright, I can work with this! If you are able to build off the steps above, consider adding an active ingredient to help make your beauty rest that much more restorative.

- I love tretinoin and consider it the most important ingredient for anyone who has skin...period. 

Will this work for 100% of the human population, maybe not...but that is why there is retinol! This multifunctional Vitamin A derivative will work for everything from acne to wrinkles. It should only be applied at night so definitely consider this as an addition to your nighttime routine.

- Double-cleanse

If you aren't wearing makeup, you may not need this but a double cleanse at night make sure that your face is clean and free of any free radicals, sunscreen or any pollutants that may cling to your face overnight. It also puts the emphasis on gentle cleaning to make it more effective as opposed to harsher methods. Depending on your preference, you can use cleansing balms (which become oil when rubbed into your face) or cleaning oils which are already liquid and easier to apply. My favorite oil is from DHC and my favorite balm is the Heimish All Clean balm, though I find the oil cleanser with a silicone scrubber is much better at getting off eye makeup than a balm on my fingers.

Level 3: Bring out the big guns!

My PM routine has evolved into spot treating different parts of my face for different issues. This means that I have quite a few products but each part of my face needs different things! For example, I only have blackheads on my nose. So the COSRx BHA blackhead power liquid is perfect for the tip of my nose but anywhere else, it tends to over exfoliate. I have some hyperpigmentation near by sideburns or in spots from old acne so I use Kiehl's Dark spot corrector on these specific spots. I also have wrinkles forming in my neck, crow's feet and forehead so argireline from The Ordinary has been great and keeping wrinkles from getting deep. The tricky part of this is first identifying the issues and then what products you need to address this. The best way to find the right product is a combination of trial-and-error and researching and reading reviews. 

This level requires a certain commitment because you will not see results immediately, maybe not even within the first month. However, the greatest benefit is that it teaches you about your own skin and what works for you. Your skin will continue to change and being knowledgeable about what works for you allows for the greatest flexibility in making sure you are getting what you need!