A Calm Nightly Ritual for Hair and Skin

The end of the day is a natural pause. The makeup, sunscreen and city air of the day are still on your skin, and your hair has been styled and handled for hours. A calm evening ritual is a way to set all of that down. It does not need to be long. It needs to be gentle, and it needs to happen most nights.

Why evening is a good time for skin care

A Cleveland Clinic dermatologist recommends washing your face twice a day, once in the morning and once at night¹. If you only manage one wash, she suggests making it the evening one, once you are done with your day¹.

Makeup is the clearest reason not to skip it. Dermatologists interviewed by the AAD advise always removing makeup before bed, because leaving it on while you sleep can age your skin more quickly and cause breakouts². New to all of this? Start with our guide on how to build a simple wellness ritual.

Cleanse gently, and double cleanse only if you need to

Double cleansing means starting with a cleansing balm, an oil-based cleanser or micellar water to lift makeup, then following with a gentle cleanser¹. The same dermatologist suggests it if you wear makeup, but not if you do not, since it can overcomplicate your routine and be more drying¹.

Every wash removes some of your natural oils, and overwashing can leave skin drier¹. So keep it gentle:

• Choose a gentle cleanser and pat your skin dry with a clean towel, since rubbing can irritate very dry skin⁵.
• Keep wipes for emergencies. They often contain preservatives that can be harsh, and the rubbing they need can strip your skin barrier¹.

Where treatments, moisturizer, lips and hands fit

Night is the usual home for retinoids, the vitamin A-based family that includes retinol. Because retinoids can make skin more sensitive to the sun, one AAD dermatologist advises using them only at night, with sun protection during the day³. Another applies a retinoid before bed, 20 to 30 minutes after washing; if it feels too drying, she suggests a moisturizer that will not clog pores right after washing, then the retinoid 20 to 30 minutes later².

• Start low and slow. Use the least intense formula you can find, every other night at first, and build up gradually³.
• Know when to skip them. Retinoids should not be used during pregnancy, and people with skin allergies or dryness are probably not good candidates³.
• Do not pile on exfoliation. Exfoliating while using retinoid or retinol products may worsen dry skin or even cause breakouts⁴.

Dermatologists suggest applying moisturizer while skin is still damp, and note that creams and ointments add more moisture than lotions⁵. If you like a dedicated finishing step, our Daily Face Cream is made for morning and night.

Lips and hands are easy to forget. The AAD suggests lip balm or petroleum jelly for dry lips (switch if one stings or tingles), and hand cream after each hand washing⁵.

Caring for your hair overnight

Try not to go to bed with wet hair. A Cleveland Clinic dermatologist explains that hair is more fragile when wet, and friction against your pillowcase can cause it to break⁶. Moisture on the scalp also lets bacteria and yeast grow, which can lead to folliculitis (acne-like bumps on the scalp) and dandruff⁶. Her advice: let your hair air dry before bed, or use a hair dryer on low or cool⁶.

• Keep it loose. Tightly pulled buns, ponytails and updos can lead to a type of hair loss called traction alopecia, and so can rollers worn to bed most of the time⁸. If a style feels painful, it is too tight⁸.
• Detangle gently. Wet hair breaks more easily when combed or brushed, so most people should handle it as little as possible; tightly curled or textured hair is the exception and is best brushed while wet⁷. Skip the 100 strokes, which can cause split ends⁷.
• Silk or satin, if you like. A satin or silk pillowcase instead of cotton can help, though it is best to let your hair dry first⁶. If you cover your hair, a silk or satin scarf is gentler than other materials, with your hair pulled back loosely beneath it⁸.

A sample 10-minute evening ritual

Here is one way to put it together, with about 10 minutes of hands-on time. Skip any step you do not need.

1. Remove makeup. If you wear it, start with micellar water, a cleansing balm or an oil-based cleanser¹.
2. Cleanse. Wash with a gentle cleanser and pat dry⁵.
3. Moisturize. Smooth on your moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp⁵.
4. Lips and hands. A layer of lip balm, and hand cream after your last hand wash⁵.
5. Hair. Make sure it is dry, detangle gently and leave it down or loosely tied^6,7,8.
6. Retinoid nights only. Apply it last, 20 to 30 minutes after washing².

Once a week, give yourself a slightly longer evening. If your skin enjoys exfoliation, how often depends on your skin type and method: the more aggressive it is, the less often it is needed⁴. Follow with moisturizer, since exfoliating can be drying⁴. For your lengths, our Repair Hair Mask is designed for a once-a-week treatment night.

Above all, be consistent. Unless a product irritates your skin, dermatologists advise sticking with it: it takes at least 30 days to know whether it is working, and switching too often may leave you with nothing but irritated skin².

Then let the wellness ritual lead you into sleep. Experts recommend that adults sleep between 7 and 9 hours a night¹⁰. In one small study, untrained observers rated 23 young adults as less healthy, less attractive and more tired in photos taken after a night of reduced sleep and 31 hours awake than after a normal night⁹. It measured how faces were perceived after extreme sleep loss, not the skin itself, so take it as a gentle nudge rather than proof.

When to see a dermatologist

Check in with a board-certified dermatologist if you notice:

• Dry skin that continues after trying dermatologists' at-home tips, since it may be due to an underlying condition such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis⁵.
• Burning, stinging or irritation from anything you apply, including moisturizer⁵.
• Dandruff or bumps on your scalp⁶.
• Broken hairs around your forehead, a receding hairline or patches of hair loss where your hair is pulled tightly⁸.
• A lot of redness or inflammation, acne linked to your menstrual cycle or other hormonal changes, or moderate to severe acne scarring before you start a retinoid³.

If you are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding, ask your doctor before starting any new skin care product.

The takeaway

Keep it short and kind: remove your makeup, cleanse gently, add a treatment only if you use one, moisturize, and remember your lips and hands. Go to bed with dry hair in a loose style, save exfoliation and masks for an occasional treatment night, and leave room for a full night of sleep. Done most nights, these few minutes add up.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice.