How to build an anti-aging night routine

The order, at a glance

1. 1

   Step 1: Take off makeup and sunscreen

   Use a cleansing balm, oil or micellar water if you wore makeup or sunscreen.

2. 2

   Step 2: Cleanse

   Follow with a gentle cleanser, then pat skin dry.

3. 3

   Step 3: Toner or essence (optional)

   A hydrating, alcohol-free toner or essence adds a layer of moisture.

4. 4

   Step 4: Serum

   Your active step. This is where retinol and PDRN go.

5. 5

   Step 5: Eye cream (optional)

   Tap it on gently with your ring finger.

6. 6

   Step 6: Moisturizer

   Seals everything in and keeps skin comfortable overnight.

7. 7

   Step 7: Face oil (optional)

   A final layer for very dry skin.

Start with a clean slate

Makeup, sunscreen and the day's oil sit on top of your skin and keep the rest of your routine from going on smoothly. If you wear makeup or water-resistant sunscreen, a two-step "double cleanse" helps: an oil or balm first, then a gentle cleanser.

Skip harsh scrubs and very hot water at night. They can leave skin feeling tight before you've even started.

The serum step: where the actives go

Serums carry the ingredients that do the visible work. For an anti-aging routine, that usually means retinol for smoothing the look of fine lines and texture, plus supporting ingredients like PDRN, peptides or niacinamide.

One active serum is plenty, especially if you're new to retinol. A two-in-one formula like our PDRN + Retinol Night Serum keeps the routine short.

Don't skip moisturizer

Moisturizer is the step that makes everything else comfortable. At night you can go a little richer than in the morning. Look for ceramides, glycerin, squalane, shea butter or panthenol if your skin runs dry.

If retinol leaves your skin feeling tight, the sandwich method adds a layer of moisturizer before your serum as well as after.

Three sample routines

What to skip at night

• Too many actives at once. Retinol, exfoliating acids and strong vitamin C on the same night is a recipe for tight, unhappy skin.
• Scrubbing. Gentle hands are enough.
• Starting several new products together. Add one at a time, a couple of weeks apart, so you know what your skin likes.

And in the morning

A night routine works best with a simple morning: cleanse or rinse, moisturize and finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher. If you use retinol, daily sunscreen matters even more.