As previously stated, basic facial care is critical - you can't paint a masterpiece on a dirty canvas. I've already written a post about doing a morning facial routine, but as the experts will tell you, it is just as important to have a nightly routine as well. Again the most important part of the nightly routine is to wash your face. There are, however, other aspects of it as well. Begin by removing any makeup, washing your face, then apply any other creams or masks that you might wish to, and finally finish by applying a good moisturizer (no SPF).
The most important of the aforementioned steps is makeup removal. It is crucial to remove as much makeup as possible prior to washing your face to ensure that your pores are cleaned instead of clogged when you wash your face. There are dozens of different face wipes and makeup removers. I like to keep it simple because, from my experience, the more natural and simple you keep this step the better the results. The first thing that you will need is a quality eye makeup remover. Yes, they make makeup remover specifically for your eyes and I highly recommend investing in a good one; they're pretty cheap. I've tired a few different ones but my favorite is by far, Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover. Target makes a great version that is pretty much the exact same product but cheaper.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
*Be sure to shake well before applying.
For a makeup remover to use for the rest of the face I like to use baby oil. You read that right, baby oil. I used to use wipes but they always smelled like rubbing alcohol and they burned my face and did a bad job of removing the makeup, plus they were pretty pricey. So I started looking for an alternative and I was pretty floored when I saw several recommendations for baby oil. I'll admit, it was very odd the first time I used it to rub oil on my face and I expected clogged pores and a serious breakout to follow, but, after at least six months of use I haven't had an issue. My face actually feels better afterwards than if I use a wipe. Just be sure to wash your face thoroughly immediately after using it to remove your makeup. I swear it works, it's super cheap, and it's unscented. As always, Target sells their Up&Up brand which is what I use and love. Another great thing, one big bottle lasts months!
Baby oil - the miracle makeup remover!
Now the question is how to go about applying oil to one's face. Target (I live across the street from one) makes awesome cotton rounds (a cotton ball would suffice). I prefer the cotton rounds because they don't leave behind the fuzz like cotton balls do. I just apply the eye makeup remover first to two cotton rounds, one for each eye. I set them on each eye, much like cucumbers at a spa though not as appealing I'm sure, and I let them stay on my lids for about fifteen seconds to penetrate and break up the makeup before I remove them. I wipe away all of my eyeshadow with the same rounds and as much of my eyeliner as I can. Next I dip a clean Q-Tip into the eye makeup remover and start working on the mascara by rubbing the Q-Tip over the lashes near the waterline. About four Q-Tips later the last of the eye makeup is gone. I then apply baby oil to two fresh cotton rounds and wipe them over my face. I use two in order to ensure that I get everything. Finally it's time to wash!
A cotton round like the ones at Target. They get the job done!
As always, there is a large selection of facial washes to use. It is perfectly fine to use your morning face wash for your evening routine as well. I've always used the same face wash for both until recently when I started using a prescription strength Retin-A cream that would leave my face dry and peeling at night. I needed a little extra moisture so I switched from using my morning Cetaphil face wash to their Antibacterial Cleansing Bar. Sometimes I use it in conjunction with the face wash that I use in the morning by using that one first and then following up with the bar. It just depends on my mood and how dirty I feel like my face is. The bar will get all the oil off your face and will moisturize wonderfully on its own. I also personally love the smell - so fresh and clean! I'm acne prone in certain areas and both of the face washes mentioned have yielded great results so they both come highly recommended.
Cetaphil Antibacterial Cleansing Bar
Once your makeup has been removed and your face washed you will need to apply any creams or masks that you'd like to use. Personally, I put on a prescription strength Retin-A cream (derivative of Vitamin A) that I have to help exfoliate my skin to keep the acne in check (it works!). I also have a cream that I use for under eye circles that, unfortunately, are inherited. I put on the Retin-A cream, let it dry, and then apply the puffiness cream. Once that has dried I apply the final step, a moisturizer. You don't want to use the same type of moisturizer that you use in the morning. Your morning moisturizer should have an SPF in it, your night one should not. I also like to use a slightly more intense moisturizer at night just because I have dry skin and want something that will get me through the night so I don't wake up with tight skin. I recently started using Cetpahil Restoraderm Skin Restoring Moisturizing Lotion. It works okay but I'm planning on switching to CeraVe PM which is what my dermatologist has recommended. I've used samples and it makes your skin so smooth and it's a wonderful consistency for easy application. I have already switched my morning moisturizer to CeraVe AM which has an SPF of 30 in it. I highly recommend both.
Cetaphil Restoraderm Restoring Skin Moisturizing Lotion
CeraVe PM
CeraVe AM - The morning moisturizer that I now use.
After you apply your moisturizer you're ready to go. The biggest thing to maintaining clear skin is to be sure and wash your face immediately following any physical activity whether it's going to the gym, the beach, working outside, etc. Hopefully between this post and the one on the morning facial routine you've gotten a good foundation for skin maintenance. Now, on to bigger things!
