Today (in partnership with Sephora) I am going to share six skincare products I am LOVING right now, especially when I want to wake up super glowy. This little routine will give you the true definition of beauty sleep – it’s the perfect nighttime routine!
A Bedtime Routine for Glowing Skin
My skin type is naturally pretty dry so my biggest concerns are dryness and dullness (and of course aging – fine lines and wrinkles, fighting off free radicals, etc!). I do this exact skincare routine 2-3x a week but have been using the cleansing balm, lip mask, and emerald face oil every night. I will get into how I use each product below but on the other nights I’ll either just do my favorite night cream… or I will do retinol (2x a week max – this one is my favorite), followed by lots of face oil. For bonus points and to reaaaallly relax and pamper yourself, start your routine with a bath… some bath salts or essential oils, a face mask… and then all of these things!
Also! I left eye creams out of this post but this one is one of my favorites.
I’ve said this before but my skincare routine is all about giving it what it needs.
If my skin is dull and dry I’ll do a face scrub or Vitamin C. If it’s feeling sensitive I’ll back off the retinol and serums; I just do a really gentle cleansing balm (the Farmacy one is a good one), moisturizer, and face oil. If it’s a little oilier than usual I’ll switch to a lighter moisturizer. I think that the two most important things you can do for your skin (besides sunscreen everyday – someone will ask, right now this one is my favorite) are establish a consistent bedtime routine (cleanse – treat – hydrate) and listen to your skin and what it needs. It’s taken me a long time to get to a place where I know what my skin needs!
Farmacy Honeymoon Glow AHA Resurfacing Night Serum
I am going to share the exact routine but need to gush for a sec about the Farmacy Honeymoon Glow AHA Resurfacing Night Serum. I had been dying to try it ever since Beverly gushed about it in her Day in her life feature. This is probably the product I’m most excited to share (and if you buy one thing from this post, this should be it).
This serum is amazing, and very very potent (it’s a blend of FOURTEEN PERCENT AHA/BHA/gentle flower acids. You feel it working the second you put it on.. gently tingling – it’s that glycolic acid. I will say that this product is probably not for you if you have really sensitive skin. Because it’s strong. But man – it’s effective – probably the most effective exfoliating serum I’ve tried. The next day you’ll immediately see a difference in uneven skin tone and texture and with time I’ve noticed fewer fine lines.
I LOVE this serum – cannot say enough good things about it!
The first step is the Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm which is super gentle but still very effective.
Farmacy is quickly becoming a favorite if you can’t tell! If I’m doing a double cleanse I also love this cleanser from them – it smells amazing and is so gentle. I like this one because it’s really lightweight for a cleansing balm, but takes off all of my makeup. I like to leave it on a little while and do a little facial massage if I have the time. The name of the product is spot on – it really does melt your makeup and any other dirt or oil away. I like to take it off with a hot, steamy wash cloth – it makes for a nice ritual.
After cleansing (NOT every night… 2-3x a week) I do the Honeymoon Glow.
(As mentioned above I also do retinol 1-2x a week or just go straight to night cream.)
On nights where I do the Honeymoon Glow I like to let it soak in a bit (usually brushing my teeth, getting into PJs etc) and then apply a layer of Summer Fridays Jet Lag Face Mask to lock it all in. I LOVE this mask. It’s ultra rich and hydrating and can double as a face cream if your skin is feeling really dry. I did a more thorough review of it here but it is an amazing face mask and has been one of my holy grails for ages; especially when I’m traveling. But it’s also just really great at home as a mask – you don’t have to wash it off if you don’t want to.
I will usually tissue off the mask after 10-15 minutes and then I will apply face oil.
The Herbivore Emerald Hemp Seed Deep Moisture Glow Oil is my favorite right now and I use it every night as a last step. This one is incredibly nourishing and soothing. It actually contains cannabis sativa seed oil which helps to calm skin (making it the perfect complement to the Honeymoon Glow serum!) and it’s really hydrating.
I always do oil as a final step – it feels good, it delivers additional hydration, and it helps seal in any active ingredients in your serum and/or moisturizer.
I love to use the Herbivore Jade Facial Roller before bed. Honestly, I have a lot of tools and use them all differently. I always get asked questions about which one I like better and the simple answer is (sorry) I love, need, and use them all!
In my personal experience…
- The jade roller helps with product absorption. I love using this after all my serums and oils to help push them further into my skin.
- The gua sha tool helps with lifting the skin, especially at the brow and jaw.
- Ice rolling is great for puffiness, especially at the jaw line.
The last step is a small but important one – the Laneige Sleeping Lip Mask! It’s so hydrating! But I never miss it before bed. My lips get really chapped and this is very effective and very hydrating. It’s also very pretty on – it instantly plumps up lips delivers just a hint of pink shine.
photography by Carter Fish // created in partnership with Sephora!
I had no idea jade rollers helped with product absorption! I should get one for myself, haha. Thanks for sharing your bedtime routine, Grace. Your skin is glowing! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Yeah I find that it really helps as an extra step!
Those all seem like amazing products, I feel like I haven’t really made it in life until I have a good skincare routine with such great products. My life could be falling apart but a good skin care routine is gonna save it all haha I’ve heard of that Herbivore oil before and it seems amazing, I really need to check it out.
HAHA I feel the same. Doing my routine at night gives me a sense of control. 😉
I really love your content recently – the Sephora partnership is really cool 🙂 I feel like you keep saying “someone will ask” in your instastories, and it was also in this post…but isn’t that what we’re here for in a way? To get your recommendations and ideas? Just a thought.
Yes, of course it is! I do that to cut down on DM’s and extra back and forth – there can be a lot!
I LOVE the Laneige lip mask too! I use it during the day and at night. I’ve heard amazing things about the Summer Fridays mask! I need to try it
Kendal / Life With Kendal
I hope you do! It’s been a fav since it came out!
Oh I need all of the help in the glow department! Thank you!
x Lisa | lisaautumn.com
You’re so welcome!!!
Hi Grace! Love this post! I bought the summer Fridays mask but I don’t love it- I’m wondering if it’s because I’m not using enough. How thick of a layer do you apply?
Thanks!
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that! To be honest, I use it a lot of different ways. If my skin is extra dry and I am at home and can tissue it off, I’ll use a thick layer. If I’m flying, I will use a thinner layer. And sometimes I use it as face cream and just rub it all the way in.
What didn’t you love about it? It may just not be for you!
I have to say that although the Farmacy cleanser made my skin feel nice, it seemed to be really ineffective at taking off my make-up. I’ve pretty much abandoned it at this point. 🙁
I just started using Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Night Cream a few weeks and it is a winner. I also have skin on the drier side and I wake up in the morning with skin that feels so smooth, plump and refreshed. I think it’s the first night cream I’ve truly loved.
I need to try the Laneige lip mask! It has been on my wish list forever but keeps getting bumped off by other stuff. Haha.
Oh no! I’m sorry to hear that! I love it!
I also love that night cream – it’s soooo good!!! I abandoned it bc Dr. Bader but tested it for a while and was really impressed.
The Laneige mask is amazing. Honestly, I wear it during the day too!
Hey Sara! With the Farmacy balm, you may try spending more time gently massaging it into your skin to help it break up your makeup. I usually spend a good 30 seconds at least, then add a little water and spend another 30 seconds. I wear waterproof mascara and it even removes all traces of that!
Thanks Lisa! (You basically described exactly how I use mine!)
How do you think the Honeymoon Glow compares to P50? I’m almost out of P50 and am considering trying an alternative!
Hey Michelle! I have and love both.
I think the biggest differences are as follow:
1 – formula/consistency – P50 is a liquid, whereas Honeymoon Glow is a serum.
2 – ingredients – P50 is not clean whereas Honeymoon Glow is.
3 – scent – Honeymoon Glow doesn’t really smell like anything whereas P50 definitely has a distinctive scent.
They are both great products. And they’re both intense (you really feel them both working the second you apply them). I think Honeymoon Glow would be a great clean alternative to P50.
Thanks for sharing your routine… I feel I’m finally at a place where I am learning to “listen” to my skin and adapt as needed. I recently added retinol but the one thing I have not tried yet, are face oils and Laneige has been on my list for a while, I just need a trip to the US to get it (Sephora stores in Mexico don’t carry it).
I would say that’s one of the best things about getting older; figuring out how to better listen to your skin and understand what it needs!
Thank you for sharing. I will let my girlfriend read this article and buy her the Laneige lip mask too!
xx, Cicero
Thanks for spreading the word!
I am loving this Sephora partnership so much. I feel like there is nothing more on brand for you! Would you say the Honeymoon Glow is similar to the Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel? If so, do you prefer the Honeymoon Glow? I currently use the Beautycounter, but am always open to trying something new if it is highly recommended.
Haha right? It’s a DREAM!!!!
I think they’re really different and I still use them both (but I am spoiled and have a lot of beauty products – I still also love the Kiehl’s Line reducing concentrate too which is VERY similar to the Beautycounter one!) The Farmacy is a lot more intense (it starts tingling immediately; it’s very strong) whereas the Beautycounter one is a little more gentle. I personally prefer the Farmacy one right now (my skin can fully tolerate it most of the time) but I like to give my skin what it needs – if it’s feeling at all sensitive I can’t use the Farmacy in which case I”ll grab the Beautycounter one! Hope that helps.
I would give this a try and maybe do it once a week and the Beautycounter 2x a week… and then work up to using this 3x a week.
Love the laneige lip treatment! It’s made my lips so much better. They used to be flaky all the time, now they’re completely healed even if i forget to put it on for a night. Do you use the emerald oil on top of Dr. Bader on the nights you use his cream?
It’s so effective!
And yes, I do. I don’t ALWAYS do it, it’s more about what my skin needs but on nights where I want extra hydration I apply the Dr. Bader, let it sink in while I brush my teeth and then pat on face oil over that.
Thank you!
Hi Grace,
I finally bought the Jet lag mask and I really like it. My skin, dry, aging and redness is sensitive, but no too. I bought the pineapple serum and used it for the first time last night. My skin looks good. I love several of the Farmacy line ( melting cleanser , sheets masks). Can you tell me what you find different between the two serums? It sounds like they are pretty similar. The face oil seems to be a winner too!
Hey Cy! I really like the Pineapple serum – it’s good. It def makes your skin glow but is super gentle! THe Farmacy serum is much more intense (and also more effective). I think even sensitive types could use the pineapple serum whereas the Farmacy one is stronger; almost as strong as P50!!
Hi Grace! Have you used the Summer Fridays R+R mask? Just bought it yesterday and excited to try, but don’t really know what to expect!
Thanks,
Taylor
Yes! Review to come soon!!! (I like it a lot)
I have about 1312093810938 face oils, but now I want this Emerald Cannabis one!
Dana | The Champagne Edit
I hear you (and SAME!!!) this one is amazing though!
Grace! Where did you get that beautiful ring? I just purchased both Summer Friday masks in the Sephora sale and can’t wait to use them!
It’s Suzanne Kalan! I never take it off 🙂
YAY hope you love the masks!!!
You’re eyes look especially blue in these photos! Always wear those PJs 🙂
Haha thank you – I told Carter the same thing thinking it was a filter or some magic trickery and she blamed the PJs!
I was gifted the Farmacy cleansing balm at Christmas and hadn’t used it until I read this post last night. My skin feels amazing today and I love the little shovel/scoop thing! I will be keeping that to reuse in the future 🙂 I also appreciate you breaking down the jade roller, ice roller, and gua sha – v helpful!
I love the scoop thing too! For whatever reason I just hate sticking my fingers in jars (same goes for scrubs!) so that helps.
Thank you for your honest review of these products. I just picked up The Honeymoon Glow Serum and love it!! It does make a difference. I’m a new reader here and I have to say I really appreciate your honesty. I’m so grateful I found your blog. You do a really great job and I don’t feel like you are just trying to “sell” me something. So thank you and keep up the great work!
aw that means SO MUCH – thank you!!!
And so glad you love the honeymoon glow as much as I do – so impressed by it!
YESSS Green Clean! I’ve been using and repurchasing that for months – it’s the best. For those who are having issues with it not taking off makeup: you may need to use a bit more than you think is necessary (I know, we want to conserve as it’s not super cheap), and spend time really massaging it. For me, the best part is that it leaves no residue and doesn’t require a double cleanse. When I tone after, nothing is left! LOVE.
I am so glad you agree! I love it so much – I think it may be the best cleansing balm I’ve ever tried (I also love the BeautyCounter and Elemis ones) as it’s so light but gets everything off.
Thanks for chiming in; it’s one thing for me to share my opinions but I love it when others chime in too!!!
Hi Grace! Question for you- Do you like the Honeymoon Glow AHA resurfacing serum better or the Beauty Counter resurfacing peel? Looking to get one of the 2..! thanks!
Hey Aurelia,
I already answered this in another comment response so copying and pasting 🙂
I think they’re really different and I still use them both (but I am spoiled and have a lot of beauty products – I still also love the Kiehl’s Line reducing concentrate too which is VERY similar to the Beautycounter one!) The Farmacy is a lot more intense (it starts tingling immediately; it’s very strong) whereas the Beautycounter one is a little more gentle. I personally prefer the Farmacy one right now (my skin can fully tolerate it most of the time) but I like to give my skin what it needs – if it’s feeling at all sensitive I can’t use the Farmacy in which case I”ll grab the Beautycounter one! Hope that helps.
I would give this a try and maybe do it once a week and the Beautycounter 2x a week… and then work up to using this 3x a week.
Hi Grace – I love your blog and insta! Do you not use toner anymore? I remember in one of your posts you mentioned a facialist told you to get it and I just bought one, but I’ve found it dries out my skin – especially on the 1-2 nights/week I use retinol as well. Have you switched away from it?
Thank you!
I still do! My routine is really about giving my skin what it needs so I don’t always do it. If I’m doing retinol or vitamin C I don’t find that I need it but I always use it before Dr. Bader.
This was a dedicated post with Sephora so I didn’t mention other non-Sephora products out of courtesy to them… but my fav toners are in this post: https://thestripe.com/do-you-really-need-toner/ (The Acwell is my personal favorite out of all of them.)
I am in love with Laneige night sleeping face mask and lip mask. It really makes my skin so soft and hydrated, I totally recommend to buy and use it every day. I am going to buy a facial roller, and now I know which one I’ll choose 🙂 Thanks!
Couldn’t agree more! Keep me posted on how you like the jade roller!
Hi! I was wondering if when you use the honeymoon glow, do you use it for a few nights in a row or wait a day or two in between uses?
I wait a few days! Probably only use it 2-3x a week.