If your goal is a glowing, youthful complexion, going to bed without a nighttime skincare routine is a major no-no. You don’t need to go crazy, but you do need to cleanse, moisturize and treat any problematic areas. Night creams are great for moisture while you sleep. If that feels too heavy, try a pre-bedtime or overnight mask (which can combat dryness as well as acne and premature aging), or a serum or oil. Spot treatments go to work on pesky blemishes in the wee hours. When it comes to choosing products, Team Zoe editors rely on good old trial and error (and we’ve tried a lot) to find the ones that really work. Here, we’re sharing our own healthy-skin must-haves.
"I tend to have multiple products in rotation at all times (and am always trying new things!) but I almost always remove makeup with Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil. For a base layer these days, I alternate between Pestle & Mortar Retinol Oil and Laurel Whole Plant Organics Antioxidant Serum. My eye cream (when I remember to apply it) is by Skin Owl. Then I seal in all the good stuff with True Botanicals’ Renew Pure Radiance Oil, which I recently started using but am already head over heels for."
—Kristi Mikesky, Features Editor
"This night oil and lactic acid treatment is my go-to before bed. It actually motivates me to wash my face at night (which I can be really lazy about) because I know it'll give me such a good glow in the morning."
—Stephanie Montes, Senior Beauty Editor
"I use Guerlain Abeille Royale Day Cream—yes, at night. The texture is a bit heavy for daytime, but it sets just right after washing off my makeup. The light honey scent and luxurious jar make my evening routine feel a little more glamorous."
—Samantha McDonald, News Editor
"I layer this glycolic lotion under my moisturizer once a week and reliably wake up with brighter, softer skin."
—Nicky Deam, Editorial Director
"I'm well into the aromatherapy game and use this lotion every night before I go to sleep. It has an amazing smell and promotes inner strength so #BONUS."
—Leah Benzie, Social Media Coordinator
"At first I was a bit skeptical, as I usually prefer lush face creams for my dry skin, and the texture of Tatcha Overnight Memory Serum is more like a thin gel. But after trying it, I woke up with my skin feeling more hydrated than ever, plus it had an amazing luminous glow. It's now my favorite!"
—Rebecca Iloulian, Associate Marketing Manager
"iS Clinical Active Serum is a one-stop shop that's brightening, anti-acneic and softens texture. After applying that, I spritz on a rosewater facial mist from Mario Badescu for quick hydration and I'm ready to sleep. If my skin needs some extra TLC, I'll massage in the Sunday Riley Luna Oil and I swear I wake up glowing."
—Amy Lee, Associate Fashion Editor
"I was just in Tokyo and stocked up on these. I love to throw one on while watching a bit of Netflix before bed. It's my favorite nighttime ritual—so moisturizing."
—Erin Bunch, Lifestyle Editor
"For prevention, I like Perricone MD Multi-Action Overnight Treatment. It doesn't feel greasy and you wake up looking smoother."
—Thomas Balamaci, President
"This glycolic serum lifts dead cells and impurities during my sleep. My skin has become significantly brighter and my skin tone a lot more even since I've started using it. For a firming moisturizer, I swear by Korres Black Pine Firming, Lifting & Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream. I'm a beginner when it comes to anti-aging products. This cream tightens, but it's not overbearing and you still get a ton of moisture. For eye cream, I love Philosophy Hope in a Jar Eye—it really works on my dry under-eye patches."
—Andrea Navarro, Associate Beauty Editor
"My skin is very prone to breakouts so lately I’ve been using these each night to remove that extra layer of dirt my cleanser doesn’t quite remove. Plus the peach bellini scent is really refreshing!"
-Laura Lajiness, New York Editor
