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Does anyone else feel like doing their skincare at the end of the night is as good as taking off your bra? It’s the best thing ever.
In this post I’m going to share my anti-aging nighttime skincare routine in my late 40s, and yes, it has 16 steps. Although honestly, some nights when I’m really tired, it has five steps. Some nights it might have 20. You might have noticed I’m a little extra when it comes to skincare. I have a gazillion products, and I enjoy using them.
So I’m going to share what I do for my skin, but remember, you don’t need to copy every step. Now, let’s talk about how I layer my skincare, what I use, and what I love.
If you want to check out the products I use for this routine, you can find them here! I’ll also link to them throughout this post, and share them at the bottom of this page.
My nighttime anti-aging skincare routine
Step 1: Wash your face
I was never a double-cleanse girl, but I’ve changed my mind. I’m surprised by how much still comes off when I follow my cleansing oil with a second cleanser.
I’m using the Illiyoon Gentle Deep Cleansing Oil followed by the Illiyoon Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser and my Unifree disposable face cloths… yes, disposable. But don’t knock it till you try it! I’ll never go back to regular washcloths. They feel so much softer on my skin.
Getting all of the makeup off my face at the end of the day feels so good. I can count on one hand the times I’ve slept in my makeup in my lifetime. Taking off my makeup at night is nonnegotiable for me.
That’s one thing about skincare: you have to be consistent. All the products in the world won’t do a thing if they’re just sitting on your bathroom counter.
Step 2: Skincare Devices
In addition to my cleansing and hydrating products, I also use the Tria FRX Fractional At-Home Laser and the JOVS 4D Laser Light Mask.
(If you decide to purchase using those links, make sure to use the code FORTYSOMETHING to save at checkout!)
I’ve had a dark spot on my face that drives me crazy. I’ve been using the Tria and taking pictures to keep track of the changes, and I’ve seen a huge difference in that spot.
And the JOVS mask? I cannot tell you how comfortable this thing is to wear. I use it for 30 minutes on a clean, dry face, with no makeup or sunscreen on, before I put my skincare products on.
But you have to actually use it. It’s a commitment, not something you do once and expect a whole new face. For me, I try to use it at least three to five nights per week.
To be clear, these aren’t things you need to buy to have a skincare routine. They’re things I use and share my experience with. If you use a device, follow its instructions for timing and which skincare products you can use with it.
Step 3: Skin flooding. (My favorite!)
If you haven’t tried skin flooding, y’all, it’s that girl. It changed how my skin looked and felt faster than anything else I’ve done, and I thought my skin was already hydrated.
Skin flooding is layering hydrating toners one right after the other. You can use one toner and layer it multiple times. You don’t need all of mine.
I start with my thinner, watery toners and work toward the thicker ones. I really like spray toners, too. I’ve even added a spray top to some of my toners.
Some of the products I’m using here are the Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Toner Pads, Anua Niacinamide + TXA Brightening Pads, Byoma Balancing Face Mist, and Medicube PDRN Pink Cica Toner.
The Medicube AGE-R Glutathione Glow Toner has a little bit of oil in it, so I usually use that one last. It is so hydrating. It’s one of my favorites when my skin feels dry.
It looks like a lot, but it all dries down, I promise.
If you’re just getting started, try a couple of thin layers of one gentle hydrating toner. Exfoliating or treatment pads are a separate step, not something to keep layering for hydration.
Step 4: Serums
With my serums, I usually go thinnest to thickest, too.
In the video at the top of this post, I was testing the Jumiso 20% Niacinamide Serum. I also use DMCELL EGF 3% and the Peach & Lily Mini Protein Exosome Bioactive Ampoule.
Again, do you need to use all of these serums? No. I use them because I like trying new things, and my products change depending on my mood, what I’m testing, and what I’m loving at any given moment.
Step 5: Eye cream, moisturizer, and lips
I’ve been testing the Dr. C. Tuna Age Reversist Eye Cream at night. I’m using a different one in the morning.
My moisturizer is the AESTURA AtoBarrier 365 Cream. And yes, I probably said that wrong when I was filming because I don’t always know how to pronounce these product names.
Another product I use, is prescription tretinoin. Mine is prescription, but Musley is a great option for prescription tretinoin. It’s holy grail in my skincare routine, but it’s something to ease into, rather than jumping straight into nightly use. Not everyone’s skin tolerates it every night. You may get what people call the “tret uglies” while your skin is adjusting: peeling, dryness, redness, or an initial breakout flare. More isn’t better, and severe irritation isn’t something to push through.
Finally, I finish with the Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Mask.
You might wonder if there’s a “right” order to apply products during your nighttime skincare routine.
For my nighttime skincare, the order is cleansing, toners, serums, eye cream, tretinoin, moisturizer, and lip care. That’s the order of my routine, not a requirement to use every one of those steps.
That doesn’t mean you need something for every single step. Some nights I’m tired, and keep it simple. Other nights I want to stand there and use half my bathroom.
The bottom line is that you don’t need 16 steps. You need a routine you’ll actually do. That’s what actually matters.
Want help building your skincare routine?
If you’re looking at your products and thinking, “Okay, but what products do I use? What comes first? What comes second?” that’s something I can help you with.
I offer personalized skincare routines that are about your skin, your budget, and how much you actually want to do.
Whether you want five steps or sixteen steps, we can create a routine that will work for you.
Great skin doesn't have to be complicated or unaffordable, it just has to be right for your skin. So let's build a personalized AM and PM routine that actually gets you results, based on your skin type, age, concerns, lifestyle, and budget.
As a registered nurse with a deep passion for skincare and anti-aging, I blend science, skin health, and real routines you'll actually follow and that work. My goal is to help every woman have the best skin of her life without an overwhelming routine.
What You'll Get
A step-by-step AM and PM skincare routine tailored to your specific skin needs
A review of the products you currently use, including what to keep and what to replace as each runs out
Product recommendations with direct links, tailored to your budget
Guidance on actives like retinol, vitamin C, exfoliating acids, and more
Barrier-friendly hydration and moisturizer recommendations
A simple, realistic routine you can actually stick to
Your personalized routine delivered within 7 business days
Service Delivery Policy
This is a personalized skincare consultation service. Your written routine and recommendations will be delivered within 7 business days of submitting your intake form and photos. You may send one follow-up email with questions within 7 days of receiving your recommendations. Questions submitted after that window, or requests for additional product or treatment recommendations, will require a new consultation. No physical products are included.
You can find links to the products in this routine in my ShopMy
You can also shop my favorite products and devices in my Amazon storefront
The DMCELL EGF 3% is from AceCosm.com, where you can save 10% using my discount code FORTYSOMETHING
Educational disclaimer: I’m a registered nurse, but I’m not acting as your healthcare provider here. This is my personal at-home routine, shared for general educational purposes only. It isn’t individualized medical advice, and it doesn’t create a nurse-patient relationship. Always do your own research and talk to a provider before starting any new treatment.
Affiliate disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of them, or use one of my codes, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share brands and products I’ve researched and use myself.