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Bedtime beauty: A nighttime skincare routine that works

Don’t sleep on these powerhouse products!
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There’s a reason so many powerhouse products are designed for your nighttime skincare routine – while you sleep, your body shifts into repair mode.

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Skincell turnover increases, stress hormones drop, and your products get to work without interference from sun, sweat or make-up. But to make the most of those overnight hours, you don’t need a 15-step routine – just a smart set of essentials.

For a nighttime skincare routine that works, don’t sleep on these must-have products.

Nighttime skincare routine: The essentials

Tower 28 SOS Daily Balancing Gel Cleanser

$38.48 at Revolve

Best for: Cleansing clever

Cleansing isn’t just about removing make-up – it resets your skin and preps it to absorb whatever follows. Choose a balm, cream or gel cleanser that clears make-up, SPF and pollution without leaving skin tight or squeaky.

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L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Golden Age Night Cream

$39.99 at Chemist Warehouse

Best for: Locking in the good stuff

Skin naturally loses moisture at night, especially in heated or air-conditioned rooms. A rich night cream or sleep mask seals in hydration and helps your skincare underneath work harder.

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L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Treatment Midnight Serum

$21.59 at Chemist Warehouse

Best for: Protecting your strands

Tossing and turning can cause friction, breakage and frizz, especially for longer or textured hair. Reach for a nourishing scalp and hair oil that works while you sleep.

Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set

$25 at Adore Beauty

Best for: No-heat curls while you sleep

As well as a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce moisture loss, use a soft scrunchie alongside a heatless curling set to keep your bouncy waves intact.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

$20 at Adore Beauty

Best for: A powerhouse skin serum

A good serum delivers concentrated active ingredients while your skin is in its most receptive state. If you’re after hydration, reach for this hyaluronic acid serum.

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Elizabeth Arden Retinol HPR Ceramide Capsules Rapid Skin Renewing Serum

$180 at Adore Beauty

Best for: Tackling skin ageing

After wrinkle-busting skincare for fine lines and skin renewal? Try these game-changing Elizabeth Arden capsules.

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Essano Vitamin C Micro Dart Patches

$9.99 at Chemist Warehouse

Best for: A boost of vitamin C to your nighttime skincare routine

For overnight brightening, these fast-acting vitamin C patches will do the trick.

CeraVe Intensive Moisturising Lotion

$26.99 at Life Pharmacy

Best for: All-over body skincare

Your body is often an afterthought when it comes to skincare, but it’s just as prone to dryness, dullness and ageing. Adding targeted care to your evening routine helps reinforce your barrier, support elasticity, leavinge your skin soft and smooth. Seek out body creams or butters with ceramides, and cocoa butter or colloidal oat for deep nourishment.

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Boost Lab Edelweiss Neck Firming Serum

$44.95 at Adore Beauty

Best for: Firming neck skincare

Don’t forget your neck skincare! Look for firming neck serums with peptides, niacinamide or hyaluronic acid to support collagen in thinner, more delicate areas.

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Nightstand skincare essentials

Keep these low-effort, high-reward beauty bits within arm’s reach.

Lanolips 12 Hour Overnight Lip Mask

$23 at Adore Beauty

Best for: Luscious lips

Swipe on a rich balm or mask with lanolin, squalane or shea and wake up to smooth, pillowy lips.

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Avène Thermal Spring Water

$13.99 at Life Pharmacy

Best for: A face mist with calming benefits

It’s not just about hydration. A good face mist can calm irritation, strengthen your barrier and soothe redness, especially if you’ve used actives like acids or retinol.

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My Beauty Tools Rose Quartz Gua Sha

$14.39 at Chemist Warehouse

Best for: A quick bedtime destress

Use for a quick jaw release or tension-taming massage. This gua sha tool depuffs, destresses and subtly sculpts.

Essie On a Roll Apricot Cuticle Oil

$24.99 at Mecca

Best for: Nourished nails

Perfect for brittle nails or dry cuticles, a quick swipe of this oil restores hydration with no greasy fingerprints.

Lavender Hand Cream

$22 at L’Occitane

Best for: A mini hand cream

Here’s a handbag staple that doubles as a bedtime ritual. Go for non-greasy textures with ceramides, niacinamide or shea, and a scent that signals sleep. Our pick? This gorgeous lavender hand cream for a luxurious nighttime skincare routine.

The Crème Shop Cheery Bright Skin Blemish Patches

$14.99 at Life Pharmacy

Best for: Acne patch patrol

Don’t forget these hydrocolloid blemish patches to help treat breakouts before morning.


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