My Brightening Nighttime Skincare Routine

On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, it’s all about brightening. From stubborn acne marks to sun damage, I’m all about my mission to use less and less makeup each year.

Last Thursday, I shared my favorite nighttime products to combat the early signs of aging. As explained, I alternate between two sets of nighttime treatments to give my skin a break from harsher ingredients. But that doesn’t mean any of these guys is a lightweight. My brightening routine adds an additional cleansing layer but scales back on serums. There’s also a potent moisturizer to finish things off.

Ready to drop some acid? On your face? Let’s get into it:

Cleanser No. 1: Biologique Recherche Lait U

Scrub: Era Organics Revive+ Exfoliating Microdermabrasion Face Scrub*
I love me some microdermabrasion and usually get it done a few times a year to scrape all the dead skin away. While I can’t say I’ve used an at-home product that really mimics the benefits of a professional treatment, this scrub is lovely and non drying and leaves my skin looking more even and impossibly smooth. Another discovery thanks to the LadyGang, it boasts one of my favorite fix-it-alls, Manuka honey, which is packed with vitamins, antioxidants and lots of other good stuff.

Cleanser No. 2: Environ Sebu-Wash Gel Cleanser*

Toner No. 1: Son & Park Beauty Water

Toner No. 2: Glossier Solution

Eye Cream: La Mer Eye Concentrate

Serum No. 1: Herbivore Botanicals Prism Exfoliating Glow Potion
I first got into Herbivore Botanicals back when I was living in Japan. I got Gooped into trying their gorgeous Lapis Facial Oil and have kept my eye on this growing brand ever since. It’s got the full boy band of exfoliating and brightening acids — lactic, glycolic, malic and citric — as well as vitamin C. But even after scrubbing, it doesn’t sting at all and absorbs nicely. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now and like that it makes me look like I got some major sleep.

Moisturizer: Biologique Recherche Creme Placenta
Slow your roll, there’s no actual placenta in here. This moisturizer is recommended for anyone with acne-prone skin to balance and improve skin tone. I find it feels soothing and comforting after all the stronger products in my lineup and keeps acne marks at bay.

See, that wasn’t so bad was it? A layered face is a happy, bright face. At least that’s what I told my sleepy self in the mirror tonight.

*The bottle is almost empty! Full review coming soon, so check back.