Top 14 Best Night Skincare Routine for A Youthful Appearance

During the nighttime, the skin experiences reduced moisture levels caused by transepidermal water loss. Hence, our skin needs an extra boost of hydration. The skin’s protective barrier becomes more absorptive at night, making it an optimal time for applying skincare products. Nighttime fosters accelerated cell renewal and facilitates the skin’s natural detoxification process.

Focusing on nourishment, restoration, and protection, this routine addresses daily stressors and paves the way for a revitalised complexion. Let’s delve into the essential products and carefully curated steps of a night skincare routine that promises to unlock the secret to radiant skin. Here are the 14 best night skincare routines for a youthful appearance.

What Makes The Morning And Evening Skincare Routines Different?

According to Olay, your morning routine resembles your nighttime routine, except for skipping retinol during the day. Ensure to incorporate a moisturiser containing SPF or sunscreen to shield your skin from sun-induced damage and premature ageing effects. Consistency is key for an effective nighttime skincare routine; patience is essential as certain products require time to impact your skin visibly.

Can You Use The Same Products For Morning And Night Routines?

While some products can be used in both routines, such as cleansers and moisturisers, others, like retinol serum, are often recommended for nighttime use due to their potential to make the skin more sensitive to the sun. It is essential to adjust your routine to suit the specific needs of each time of day for a better result.

What Are The Must-Have Ingredients in Your Night Skincare Routines?

Incorporating essential ingredients into your night skincare routine can significantly enhance its effectiveness. Based on HerZindagi, here are some must-have ingredients:

Retinol

Derived from Vitamin A, retinol addresses acne-prone skin by reducing pore blockages, breakouts and redness. It is also suitable for ageing skin, promoting a smoother and more radiant complexion through enhanced collagen production, which diminishes fine lines and wrinkles. Remember to only apply retinol at night due to its limited efficacy in sunlight.
Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a component in moisturising creams, lotions, and serums, renowned for delivering plumpness to the skin. When topically applied, it draws moisture from the skin’s deeper layers to the surface, preventing moisture loss and maintaining prolonged hydration. An exceptional feature is its versatility, suitable for use in both daytime and nighttime skincare routines.
Niacinamide

Niacinamide, a form of Vitamin B3, has gained significant attention among skincare enthusiasts for its numerous skin benefits. It effectively minimises enlarged pores, enhances uneven skin tone, restores the skin’s moisture barrier, and diminishes redness linked to acne. To maximise its effectiveness, apply niacinamide as a serum onto a cleansed face.

Read more to find beauty products that you can include in your nighttime skincare routine:

14 Best Night Skincare Routines for A Youthful Appearance 2025

1. Use Oil-Based Makeup Remover

An oil-based cleanser serves as a dual-purpose solution by dissolving natural skin oils and makeup residue. Carefully read your makeup remover’s instructions because some may advise using another cleanser or micellar water afterwards. While it effectively eliminates makeup remnants and impurities, not fully removing excess oil might lead to pore congestion. This stage can be skipped if you do not use makeup, have oily skin, or prefer a water-based option.

Read more to get your hands on one of the top-rated cleansing oils in Malaysia:

Best Cleansing Oils in Malaysia

2. Opt for a Water-Based Cleanser

Water-based cleansers effectively interact with makeup and dirt on the skin, allowing easy rinsing with water. Opt for this step if double cleansing aligns with your routine. Remember to prioritise a gentle, low or neutral pH formula to protect your skin barrier and avoid harsh scrubbing. Double cleansing aids in thorough residue removal, although some formulas may potentially lead to dryness or irritation, so you can switch products if needed.

Check out the list of water-based cleansers to enhance your skincare routine:

Best Water-Based Cleansers in Malaysia

3. Exfoliate The Skin

Exfoliation eliminates dead skin cells and clears pores, while clay masks excel at unclogging pores and absorbing excess oil. It is best for nighttime use, aiding in dirt removal and enhancing product absorption. After exfoliation, it is important to apply sunscreen during the day due to the potential impact of exfoliators on sun sensitivity. This step helps improve skin texture, pore purification, and breakout prevention, yet abrasive physical exfoliators might irritate sensitive skin. If your skin is irritated, avoid exfoliating.

Here is the guideline you can use before adding exfoliation to your night skincare:

Skin Type	Frequency
Normal skin	2-3 times weekly
Dry skin	1-2 times weekly with gentle exfoliants
Oily skin	3-4 times weekly
Combination skin	2-3 times weekly
Sensitive skin	Begin with once a week and monitor the skin’s reaction.

Data from Kim Gallo Esthetics

Read more to discover exfoliators available in the beauty market here:

Best Exfoliators in Malaysia

4. Don’t Skip Toner

A toner concludes your nighttime cleansing routine and includes humectant ingredients like lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, and glycerine can help to enhance moisture. Apply using a cotton pad and gently swipe over the skin. Avoid excessive use of alcohol-based toners to prevent potential irritation or harm to the skin barrier. Toners assist in eliminating residual buildup from other products from your skincare steps while maintaining your skin’s pH balance.

Find out the best toner that suits your skin type here:

5. Add Acid Treatments

Although applying acid to your face might seem daunting, this skincare treatment promotes cell turnover. Beginners could consider glycolic acid, with alternatives like acne-targeting salicylic acid and hydrating hyaluronic acid for a more radiant and even complexion. It can reduce signs of ageing, scarring, and acne, along with enhanced skin tone. Remember that acids might heighten sun sensitivity, so use sunscreen in the daytime after the night you apply acid treatment. This step is not ideal for sensitive skin or those with acid reactions.

Here are some acid treatments you can choose from to enhance skin tone:

6. Apply Your Favourite Serum

Serums can effectively deliver powerful ingredients directly to the skin. Vitamin E proves effective if you have dry skin, whereas green tea extract with antioxidants suits dull complexions. Retinol or vitamin C is advisable for managing breakouts. When selecting a serum, prioritise one aligned with your skin’s needs, whether it is focused on anti-ageing, hydration, brightening, or blemish reduction. A standout advantage of serums is their ability to deliver concentrated skin benefits, facilitated by their unique formula for deeper skin penetration.

Read more to browse the best serums to tackle your skin problem:

7. Spot Treatment The Pimples

Incorporate a spot-drying treatment as your next step in the night skincare routine, and you can opt for visibly drying options, as it is more suitable for nighttime use. Apply a small amount to clean the skin and allow it to dry. Do not pop blemishes, pimples, or whiteheads yourself, as it may result in scarring and bacterial introduction. Spot-treatment products can bring noticeable changes, occasionally even overnight. If your skin is currently spot-free, this step can be skipped.

Read here to check out the list of spot treatments you can find in Malaysia:

Best Spot Treatments in Malaysia

8. Mask Up with a Hydrating Mask

Using a sheet mask in your nighttime skincare regimen offers numerous advantages. It boosts the absorption of beneficial hydrating elements, providing a soothing experience. For added anti-inflammatory benefits, consider refrigerating the sheet mask before application. The close contact of the sheet mask with your skin optimises the delivery of active ingredients, ensuring their efficacy while aiding in regulating excess sebum production.

Read more to find hydrating masks to promote a balanced complexion:

Best Sheet Masks For Dry Skin in Malaysia

9. Reduce Fine Lines with Eye cream

Utilise a richer nighttime eye cream to address issues like tiredness and fine lines, and look for products enriched with peptides and antioxidants to allow better effectiveness. The advantage of applying eye cream before sleep is enhanced penetration, with certain formulations possibly promoting collagen production and staving off signs of ageing. You can skip this step if your moisturiser or serum is appropriate for under-eye application.

Here are some best-rated eye creams you can start incorporating into your nighttime skincare:

10. Never Skip Moisturiser

Using a moisturiser during your nighttime skincare routine is essential as it helps replenish and lock in the moisture your skin needs to repair and rejuvenate overnight. Nighttime is when your skin’s natural healing processes are at their peak, and applying a moisturiser provides a protective barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss. This ensures that your skin remains hydrated, supple, and better equipped to combat signs of aging, dryness, and environmental stressors.

Read more to find a moisturiser that suits your skin type:

11. Hydrate with Face Oil

Opt for a nighttime oil if you have dry or dehydrated skin but ensure a thorough cleanse the next morning to eliminate residue from heavier products. Oils might affect sunscreen efficacy during the day, making nighttime applications preferable for specific products. However, individuals with oily skin or acne might find heavier oils less compatible. Given the diversity of skin types, it is essential to discover a product that aligns with your needs.

Discover a face oil that can help address your dehydrated skin problem:

Best Face Oils in Malaysia

12. Elevate with Night Cream

Night creams offer an optional yet valuable final step in your routine. While daytime creams focus on protecting the skin, these richer moisturisers aid in cell repair. The advantage lies in allowing the product ample time to penetrate the skin barrier. However, certain individuals might not prefer sleeping with heavier products, so a lighter formula can still be advantageous. This step can be skipped if your skin is already in optimal condition.

Here is the list of top eye creams to improve your night skincare routine:

Best Night Creams in Malaysia

13. Don’t Forget Lip Care

Lip care is optional but it is vital if you want to maintain healthy, soft, and hydrated lips. While you sleep, your body undergoes natural repair processes, and your lips are no exception. Applying a nourishing lip balm or treatment before bed helps seal in moisture, preventing dryness, chapping, and flakiness.

Here are the lists of lip care products you can try:

14. Moisturise The Neck

The neck is often overlooked but it is also prone to showing signs of agieng and sun damage. Applying nourishing creams to your neck helps maintain its elasticity, moisture, and overall health, ensuring a more youthful appearance. By extending your skincare routine to your neck, you can prevent sagging, wrinkles, and fine lines, achieving a consistent approach to skincare that includes this often neglected area.

Check out the best neck creams available in Malaysia:

Best Neck Creams in Malaysia

Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.asia. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.