Before bed every night, there’s no better feeling than taking time for yourself to remove makeup and do skincare. PM skincare not only cleanses your skin but also includes an effective routine. This routine heals your skin while you sleep, so you wake up glowy and refreshed.
In the morning, you may be in a rush and do your routine in a hurry. Evenings, however, offer the perfect opportunity to slow down. Use this time to enjoy quality moments with yourself. Gently massaging your face, removing makeup, and cleansing away the day’s oils and dirt can boost your mood. It also leaves you feeling refreshed.
More importantly, this practice is essential to prevent clogged pores and acne. It ensures your skin stays healthy and radiant.
Finding the perfect skincare routine can take some trial and error, but this article will guide you through the 7 essential steps of a great PM routine. Remember to patch-test any new products for allergic reactions and consult a professional for a personalized skincare plan.
What is the PM Skincare routine? How is it different from an AM routine?
A PM (post-meridiem) routine is a skincare regimen performed in the evening. It helps cleanse, treat, and nourish the skin before bedtime. This routine focuses on removing makeup, sunscreen, dirt, and oil accumulated throughout the day. It also includes using products designed to repair and rejuvenate the skin while you sleep.
Key steps often include cleansing and exfoliating, when needed. They also involve applying serums or treatments like retinol and moisturizing to lock in hydration. Since the skin’s natural renewal process is most active at night, a PM routine is essential. It addresses specific concerns, such as acne, fine lines, or dryness.
While the AM routine preps your skin for the day, the PM routine lets it recover and rest. Many people wear makeup in the mornings, and you don’t want to create a heavy buildup under makeup. For a complete guide to kickstarting your morning skincare routine, check out Flawless Mornings: Essential AM Skincare Routine in 7 Easy Steps. On the other hand, the PM is the perfect time for products like retinol, hydrating serums, and heavier moisturizers. Here are our recommendations.
Step 1: Cleanse with the Green Tea Cleanser by Jacques Skin
The first step in your PM skincare routine is cleansing, and the Green Tea Cleanser by Jacques Skin is a popular choice for good reason. This gentle, antioxidant-rich formula effectively removes makeup, dirt, and excess oil without stripping your skin. It is often praised for its refreshing texture and soothing properties, particularly for sensitive and acne-prone skin types. It is an ultra-calming, soothing, paraben-free, and pH-balanced cleansing wash. Formulated with green tea, it gently cleanses while nourishing the skin, making it suitable for all skin types.
Start your nighttime routine with a cleanser that deeply purifies the skin as it preps the canvas for the rest of your products. Green tea, a star ingredient, is known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, helping to calm irritation and reduce breakouts. Green tea is also a natural source of vitamin B2, which helps maintain firmness, and vitamin E, known for its hydrating and healing properties.
Step 2: Cleanse AGAIN with the Soothing Foam Cleanser by SkinCeuticals
The second step in your PM skincare routine is double cleansing, and the Soothing Foam Cleanser by SkinCeuticals is the perfect follow-up to your initial cleanse. This lightweight, sulfate-free formula deeply purifies the skin while maintaining its natural moisture balance. Moreover, it gets rid of every trace of makeup, sunscreen, and impurities that may have still stayed after the first round.
Double cleansing at night is often recommended to ensure a completely clean canvas for your skincare treatments. The Soothing Foam Cleanser, enriched with botanical extracts, helps calm irritation and refresh the skin, making it suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone. It can even be used after procedures like microneedling, chemical peels, and many others because it is very gentle and won’t cause irritation. Its airy texture and ability to cleanse without over-drying give a soft and refreshed finish to the skin. This step not only enhances your skin’s absorption of serums and moisturizers but also supports a healthy, radiant complexion.
Step 3: Hydrate and Soothe with Phyto Corrective Mist by SkinCeuticals
After cleansing, step three in your PM routine is to hydrate and soothe your skin with the Phyto Corrective Mist by SkinCeuticals. This lightweight, hydrating mist is infused with botanical extracts and hyaluronic acid, offering instant calming and replenishment for the skin. Perfect for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone, it delivers moisture while reducing redness and irritation.
SkinCeuticals is a brand owned by L’Oréal. It is renowned for its science-backed formulations and medical-grade products. Dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and aestheticians trust SkinCeuticals. Founded by Dr. Sheldon Pinnell, the brand focuses on developing effective skincare that addresses a range of skin concerns.
The Phyto Corrective Mist is recommended for post-cleansing hydration and to prepare the skin for further treatments. It is loved for its refreshing feel and ability to calm irritated or stressed skin, giving it a glow instantly. This step ensures your skin stays hydrated and balanced, setting the stage for the rest of your routine.
Step 4: Restore with Antioxidant Night Serum – Resveratrol BE by SkinCeuticals
Step four in your PM routine is to restore and protect your skin overnight with the Resveratrol BE Antioxidant Night Serum by SkinCeuticals. This powerful serum is another must-have by SkinCeuticals. It is packed with resveratrol, a potent antioxidant derived from Japanese knotweed that helps neutralize free radicals and fight oxidative stress. It also contains baicalin and vitamin E, which work together to strengthen the skin’s natural defense system and support overnight recovery.
Known as the “longevity molecule,” resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that boosts the skin’s internal defense system to help repair and prevent accumulated damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals, generated by external factors like sun exposure and pollution, and internal factors like the body’s metabolism, accelerate skin aging. This night serum is developed to enhance the skin’s natural recovery and repair process at night, which makes this a vital part of the PM routine.
Clinical studies show that after 12 weeks of use, Resveratrol BE significantly improves skin radiance, elasticity, density, and firmness, making it a must-have in your routine for tackling visible signs of aging.
Step 5: Renew with Retinol 0.5 by SkinCeuticals
Step five in your PM skincare routine is to renew and refine your skin with Retinol 0.5 by SkinCeuticals. Retinol is a potent active that promotes cell turnover, smooths texture, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and pigmentation. For skin of color, it’s crucial to introduce retinol gradually, as it can be irritating at higher concentrations. Start with Retinol 0.5 by SkinCeuticals, which is a gentle but effective option that can be incorporated into your nighttime routine.
How to Use: Apply a pea-sized amount to clean dry skin in the evening. Since retinol can cause dryness and irritation, it’s important to use it only a few times a week at first, gradually increasing frequency as your skin builds tolerance. Always follow up with a moisturizer to lock in hydration and prevent excessive dryness.
Additional Tips:
- Use sunscreen during the day, as retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
- If you’re new to retinol, consider buffering it with a moisturizer to reduce irritation.
- To prevent overloading the skin, avoid using it with other strong actives, such as Vitamin C or exfoliating acids.
Retinol 0.5 by SkinCeuticals is an excellent option for targeting hyperpigmentation and fine lines and improving skin texture over time.
Step 6: Eye Cream – Age Advanced Eye Cream by Jacques Skin
After applying your retinol, gently tap a small amount of Age Advanced Eye Cream from Jaques Skin around your eyes using your ring finger. This finger applies the least pressure, which is ideal for the delicate skin around the eye area. This eye cream targets puffiness, fine lines, and dark circles while also providing deep hydration to keep the skin soft and smooth. Allow the product to absorb fully before moving on to the next step.
Jaques Skin is another dermatologist-favorite luxury skincare brand that delivers high-quality, results-driven products. It is a medical-grade, clean, cruelty-free, and paraben-free skincare line formulated for sensitive and combination skin. It is made in the USA and is exclusively available at Aesthetic MdR.
Step 7: Moisturizer (After 2 Weeks) – Age Advanced Interrupter by Jacques Skin
After incorporating retinol into your routine for two weeks, it’s time to add the Age Advanced Interrupter by Jaques Skin. This advanced moisturizer is designed to hydrate, restore, and rejuvenate the skin, helping to smooth out fine lines and improve skin texture. It works synergistically with the previous steps in your routine, providing long-lasting moisture while addressing the visible signs of aging. Suitable for sensitive skin, it nourishes and protects the skin barrier, ensuring a healthy, radiant complexion.
Finally
This mix blends the best of SkinCeuticals and Jaques Skin, maintaining a focus on repair, hydration, and anti-aging during and after procedures. By combining the power of these dermatologist-approved brands, you’re ensuring that your skin receives optimal care throughout the night. Together, these brands create a balanced and effective nighttime routine that promotes skin recovery, reduces fine lines, and keeps your complexion hydrated and smooth.
By following these seven essential steps, you’ll provide your skin with everything it needs to repair and rejuvenate overnight. So, as you finish your evening routine, take a moment to unwind, knowing that your skin is in good hands. Sweet dreams, and wake up to brighter, smoother, and more youthful-looking skin!
