11 New Year Night Routines That Make Skin Feel Calm

As the year comes to a close, there is no better time to treat yourself to a soothing nighttime skincare routine that helps calm your skin. A peaceful evening routine not only helps your skin feel relaxed but also sets the tone for a restful night’s sleep. Whether your skin is feeling dry from the winter weather or just in need of some TLC, a simple routine can do wonders. From gentle cleansers to hydrating masks, each step works to replenish and restore your skin, leaving it soft and calm by morning.

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 Start with Gentle Cleansing

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Cleansing is the first step in any calming night routine. A gentle cleanser helps remove makeup, dirt, and impurities without disrupting your skin’s natural moisture balance. The key is to avoid harsh cleansers that can leave the skin feeling tight or dry. Instead, look for a creamy or hydrating cleanser that soothes the skin while effectively cleaning.

This step sets the tone for a relaxing skincare experience, allowing your skin to feel fresh and prepared for the next steps. A calm, clean face helps your other skincare products absorb better, providing optimal benefits. A soothing, gentle cleanser can transform your routine into a peaceful ritual. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is a great option, priced at around $15 for a 16 oz bottle.

Toner for Hydration and Balance

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After cleansing, a toner can help restore balance to the skin. The Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner is an excellent choice, especially for those with sensitive or easily irritated skin. This toner hydrates the skin and helps prepare it to better absorb subsequent skincare products.

It is free from artificial fragrance, which minimizes the risk of irritation. Its formula includes plant extracts like aloe vera and beta-glucan, which provide anti-inflammatory properties to soothe the skin. The lightweight texture feels refreshing and not at all heavy on the skin. This toner leaves the skin feeling calm and hydrated without any sticky residue. You can expect to pay around $20 for a 180 ml bottle.

Moisturize skin with Hydrating Cream

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Moisturizing is crucial in any night routine to ensure that the hydration you’ve applied stays locked in. The right moisturizer helps restore and maintain your skin’s moisture barrier, leaving it feeling calm and plump. Look for a moisturizer that suits your skin type rich creams for dry skin and lightweight gels for oily skin.

This step not only hydrates the skin but also smooths it, preparing it for the next day. A calming moisturizer can help your skin recover from the day’s stress and maintain its softness. Moisturizing at night allows your skin to absorb all the benefits of your previous skincare steps. Vanicream Moisturizing Cream is a great option for sensitive skin and costs about $16 for a 16 oz jar.

Using Eye Cream

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Nighttime is the ideal time to address specific skin concerns like fine lines, puffiness, or hyperpigmentation. Apply a treatment product designed to target these issues while you sleep. Whether it’s an anti-aging serum, a brightening product, or an eye cream, these treatments work to improve skin condition without daily stress. Targeted treatments should feel gentle and calming, rather than harsh or irritating.

When applied in the evening, these products can work their magic overnight, so you wake up to refreshed, healthy-looking skin. A calming, effective product for this purpose is Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream, which helps reduce puffiness and dark circles for about $30 for a 0.5 oz jar.

Calming Lip Care

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Don’t forget your lips in your calming night routine. A nourishing lip balm or mask will help prevent dryness and cracking, especially in colder months. Applying a lip treatment before bed can leave your lips feeling soft and hydrated by morning, ready for a smooth, comfortable day ahead.

This small step makes a noticeable difference, especially if your lips tend to get dry overnight. A hydrating lip mask or balm can also provide a soothing scent, adding to the relaxing atmosphere of your skincare routine. A popular choice is Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, which provides deep hydration and is priced at around $20 for a 20 g jar.

Facial Massage for Relaxation

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Incorporating a facial massage into your night routine is a great way to relieve tension and promote calm. Use gentle upward strokes to massage your face, which encourages blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. This relaxing process can help reduce puffiness and promote relaxation, allowing both your skin and mind to unwind. Facial tools like a jade roller or gua sha stone can enhance this ritual and provide an added sense of calm.

Taking a few minutes for a facial massage can be a peaceful moment of self-care, especially before bed. This step helps relieve stress while ensuring your skin absorbs all your treatments effectively. Tatcha The Camellia Beauty Oil is perfect for a facial massage and costs about $88 for a 1 oz bottle.

Soothing Overnight Treatment for Sensitive Skin

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If your skin is particularly sensitive, it’s essential to incorporate an overnight treatment that soothes and restores the skin’s barrier. These treatments often include ingredients like panthenol or calendula, which are known for their healing properties. They can calm redness and irritation, helping the skin recover overnight.

A soothing overnight treatment provides much-needed relief, allowing you to wake up with calmer, more balanced skin. These treatments often have a rich, comforting texture that melts into the skin, leaving it nourished and hydrated. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 is an excellent option for calming irritated skin and costs about $15 for 40 ml.

Night Masks for Extra Hydration

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For deep hydration, a nourishing night mask is a must-have in your routine. These masks work overnight to provide intense moisture, leaving your skin feeling soft and rejuvenated by morning. The beauty of an overnight mask is that it does the heavy lifting while you sleep, ensuring that your skin stays hydrated and calm through the night.

Night masks are perfect for tackling dryness or irritation caused by the weather or harsh skincare products. They should feel comforting and soothing on application, making your night routine feel like a luxurious, calming ritual. Choose a mask that is rich in soothing ingredients to ensure your skin wakes up feeling refreshed. A great option is the Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair which costs about $30 for 70 ml.

Overnight Hydrating Treatment

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For a deeply hydrating experience, incorporate a moisture mask that works while you sleep. Overnight masks provide intense hydration that penetrates the skin, leaving it looking plump and refreshed by morning. This treatment is especially beneficial for dry or stressed skin, offering a boost of moisture and radiance.

Hydrating masks with nourishing ingredients like vitamin C and citrus extracts also help brighten the complexion overnight. Applying a thick layer before bed helps lock in hydration, keeping your skin calm and replenished as you sleep. The mask’s soothing properties also make it ideal for a relaxing pre-sleep ritual. Fresh Vitamin Nectar Moisture Glow Face Mask is a perfect option, priced at about $48 for a 50 ml jar.

Relaxing Body Treatment

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A calming body can complete your nighttime routine, and Neutrogena Rainbath Refreshing Shower and Bath Gel serves as both a body wash and a relaxing treatment. The formula combines natural oils and fragrance to leave your skin feeling soft and smooth after every wash.

The gel gently cleanses while hydrating the skin, ensuring that it feels comfortable and nourished without stripping away moisture. It is ideal for a peaceful evening bath, helping to calm both your body and mind. The fresh, clean scent lingers subtly, making it perfect for winding down after a long day. This product is suitable for all skin types and is gentle enough for daily use. A 16 oz bottle is typically priced around $7

Overnight Retinol Treatment

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Retinol is a well-known ingredient for promoting skin renewal, and using it overnight allows it to work deeply to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. An overnight retinol treatment can also help improve skin texture, making it smoother and more even. The key is to use a gentle formula that does not irritate the skin, especially for sensitive types.

This treatment helps repair damage and provides anti-aging benefits, leaving your skin calm and refreshed by morning. Retinol can also help reduce dark spots and promote overall skin health. RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream is a reliable choice, priced at around $22 for a 1 oz jar.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.