When it comes to an evening skincare regimen, we can all step it up. But we’re tired. If we’ve fallen asleep on the couch or it’s been an especially long day, the last thing we’re interested in is a long pre-bedtime routine – all we really want is sleep. But if we simplify our routine to just a few key steps – and stick with it – our skin will thank us for it for years to come.

Step One: Makeup Removal & Cleansing

Use lukewarm water and an oil-free makeup remover on your eyes. Find the gentlest formula you can – the fewer ingredients, the better. The skin around your eyes is especially delicate, so treat it as carefully as you can. Years from now, you’ll be happy you did. Use a cleanser appropriate for your skin type to clean the rest of your face.

Step Two: Mask

Use a mask once or twice a week to hydrate and moisturize your skin while deep cleaning your pores. Masks come in a variety of types. If you have normal to dry skin, use a moisture-rich mask that eliminates dead surface cells as it cleans and hydrates. If your skin is combination or oily, use a refreshing mask that absorbs excess oil, minimizes pores and removes dead skin cells. If your skin is more prone to acne and breakouts, try a clarifying mask that deep cleans and removes excess oil from the surface of the skin.

Step Three: Toner

Don’t forget a toner in your evening routine. After cleaning the day’s dirt and oil from your face, your pores will be open. A toner will help reduce the size of your pores and help to hydrate your skin. It will also help restore your skin’s pH to normal.

Step Four: Microdermabrasion

On days when you’ve used a microdermabrasion formula in the morning, also use one at night. Be sure to limit the use of a microdermabrasive to 2-3 times a week at most. And always be sure to leave at least two days between treatments to allow your skin to recover. Also remember to never follow a microdermabrasion with the application of a topical acne medication.

Step Five: Moisturizer

For normal to oily skin, use the same daily moisturizer you used in the morning. Evening is also a good time to use a moisturizer with a self-tanning ingredient. Over the course of the night, the self-tanner will work with your skin to give your face an extra glow in the morning. For normal to dry skin types, consider a more intensive nighttime moisturizer to repair and hydrate your skin while you sleep. Look for products that include chamomile, evening primrose oil and aloe vera – valuable hydrating agents that can help to nourish dry and sensitive skin.

Step Six: Eye Treatment

Don’t forget your eyes. In some cases, your moisturizer may be enough, but if the delicate skin under your eyes requires more attention than the rest of your face, try a nighttime eye cream. Look for formulas that include glycolic acid or botanical extracts and antioxidant vitamins to hydrate, condition, firm and tighten your skin while you sleep. Vitamin-rich formulas fortified with A, C, E and K can also help with nighttime repairs.

Stick to this routine at night and a similar routine in the morning (with appropriate use of sunscreen) and your skin will stay healthier longer – a goal all of us can get behind.

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