Ethical Beauty Nighttime Skincare Routine

Last week, I wrote about my ethical beauty morning skincare routine. This week, it’s my ethical beauty nighttime skincare routine. 

Ok, I am going to start this post off by saying that it is a huge privilege to get wrinkles. One that I am grateful for each and every day. They are, in the words of a dear friend’s mother, “a side effect of not dying” as well as proof of all late nights with too much wine and hilarious friends and the worry and endless joy and surprise that comes with little ones. Basically, a long-ish life well lived. 

But… that doesn’t mean I have to like the way they look (although one or two laugh lines and crow’s feet, I don’t mind. I want to look younger, not young!)

And, for more on clean, ethical beauty, click here. 

My Ethical Beauty Nighttime Skincare Routine

Over the years, as I’ve had fewer opportunities and time for self-care, I’ve had to get it where I can find it. More often than not, it is either before the kids get up or after they go to bed. For some, this nighttime skincare routine may seem like a lot, but for me, it is the part of a relaxing evening that helps me wind down after a long day of chasing kids and chatting with clients.

I can see such a difference in the morning when I do a complete routine. My skin looks brighter, more well-rested (even when I’m not), more even, and less wrinkly. More importantly, I feel a difference in my evening and when I finally do go to bed, I am more relaxed. Sometimes, I do this routine in a slow and mindful way. Other days, I sit in front of Netflix watching a half an episode of whatever my current favorite is.

Either way, my nighttime skincare routine has changed from five minutes of “just get it done so my skin looks ok” into something of a ritual that I look forward to and feel peacefully relaxed afterward.

My ethical beauty nighttime skincare routine includes:

Oil Cleanser

This is my first, and most of the time, only cleansing step. I love Cocokind’s Oil Facial Cleanser. It gets off all my makeup, leaves my skin feeling clean without feeling tight or dry (which is what a lot of cleansers feel like). It is completely ethical and sustainable: it comes in a glass jar and water is not an ingredient!

Once I switched over to an oil based cleanser, most of my dryness and tightness went away. I also find that my makeup comes off a little easier and more completely. I don’t see “leftovers” on my towel. And, it is gentle enough to use on my little ones when they get into my makeup or get their faces painted. 

Cleanser

When I’ve had a really long, sweaty day or wore a lot of sunscreen, I like Alaffia’s Everyday Coconut cleanser. It is a little too drying for me to use everyday, but when I need a little more, I love this one. I don’t like that it comes in a plastic container, and will likely pick up their bar soap when I run out (although that likely won’t be for another year or so – I don’t need the double wash all that often).

Exfoliator

Exfoliating is so important but can easily be overdone. If you don’t exfoliate, your skin can’t absorb all of the other good stuff that you put on – you are just layering expensive products over dead skin. For me, once or twice a week is the right balance. 

I love Cocokind’s Sea Moss Exfoliator. Just add a bit of water (or their Oil Facial Cleanser if feeling a little dry) and scrub. If you like a physical exfoliant, this one is awesome! Just a minute of exfoliation and I feel like I am doing a little self-care! It leaves my skin feeling smoother and looking much brighter. The texture is smooth, so it isn’t over-exfoliating. It is currently sold out 🙁 but I hope it comes back! It comes in a little glass jar and is a dry powder, so not only is it organic and clean, it is also zero waste and water-free!

Essence & Serum

I use the same essences, toners, and serums that I use during the day: Tata Harper’s Hydrating Floral Essence and True Botanicals Chebula Active Immunity Serum. Take a look at my morning routine to read a little more about these two (the serum is truly a skin super power!)

Night Mask

Just about every other night, I use a night mask. I am new to overnight masks, but have fallen in skincare love with mine. Combined with the True Botanicals Chebula Active Immunity Serum, Cocokind’s Resurfacing Sleep Mask has made an enormous difference on my skin. It contains bakuchiol, or nature’s retinol, that works really well for resurfacing and evening my skin, without being too harsh. I saw a difference the morning after I first used it.

Moisturizer

On the nights I do not use the resurfacing mask, I use Derma-e Vitamin C Intense Night Cream. I have long been a fan of Derma-e (probably one of the first ethical skincare lines that I used regularly). When I can feel my skin tightening from the heater and the cold, this provides an immediate relief. It is luxurious. It is also antioxidant-rich and works. My skin looks brighter and more even in the morning.

Oil

After I moisturize or mask, I use an oil. I alternate between The Ordinary Rosehip Oil, The Ordinary Chia Seed Oil and Herbivore Botanicals Emerald CBD+Adaptogens Deep Moisture Glow Oil. I love The Ordinary because they offer organic, ethical single-ingredient skincare that is really inexpensive. Both of these oils are about $8. And, I love the Herbivore Oil because it relaxes me, really moisturizes, and evens out my skin.

Gua Sha

I finish up my night with a gua sha treatment. This is where my nighttime routine becomes ritual and self-care. If my little ones are all tucked in, I often couple my gua sha routine with a cup of Republic of Tea’s Beauty Sleep Rose and Chamomile Tea. It has become a soothing evening ritual that  I often look forward to all evening. It definitely moves my nighttime skincare routine to self-care. 

When I first bought my gua sha / roller kit, I thought I would use the roller a lot (which I do), and wasn’t sure about the gua sha. Well.. after a few uses, I saw a very subtle difference. And after a few years of somewhat regular use, I see a much bigger difference, especially in my crows feet and a little in my “elevens,” my true trouble spot! 

That is about it! Over the years, it has definitely changed and after trying probably hundreds of ethical skincare products, these are my favorites. As the seasons change, so will my products (much lighter in the summer! And usually fewer – I get a little less interested in rituals and this type of self-care in the summer). It’s no longer a minimalist skincare routine, but it is clean, non-toxic, and ethical. And most importantly, it works!

Interested in more clean, ethical beauty? Here is my morning skincare routine, here is a Big List of Ethical Beauty products, and here are a few of my favorite affordable ethical beauty products (most available at Target and other drugstores!)

And, if you want to know how you clean up and detox your beauty routine, I’ll send you a guide:

What does your nighttime routine look like? Are you a ritual and take your time type or do you just get your makeup off and go?