Easy Night Skincare Routine to Try Before Bed:
When we were kids, skincare wasn’t a routine; it was something our moms quietly took care of. Every week, they had some new homemade remedy ready for us, turmeric, besan, aloe, or curd, whatever they felt our skin needed. Back then, we didn’t worry about pollution or stress. Staying home felt like a blessing, and the air we breathed was cleaner. Night skincare? That wasn’t even a thing.
But today, everything’s different.
Our skin is exposed to pollution, screen time, weather changes, and daily stress, both physical and emotional. That’s when we started hearing about night skincare routines. And they matter. They give your skin a chance to recover, repair, and reset while you rest.
The only challenge? Many of us don’t know where to start. What comes first, serum or toner? Which product suits our skin? And especially when we live abroad, we miss the comfort of Indian skincare brands we trust, but aren’t sure where to find them.
That’s exactly what this blog is here for:
To help you build a simple night skincare routine that works. To reconnect you with trusted Indian brands. And to show you where to shop them from, no matter where you are.
Skincare Routine Steps You Should Follow Every Night:
If you’ve ever found yourself unsure about what to apply first, why to apply it, or what comes next, or even wondered if a certain step really matters or is just hype, you’re not alone. Following a night skincare routine isn’t as tough or confusing as it might seem. It’s all about understanding why you’re using a product and how it helps your skin. Once you know that, it’s easier to decide if that step is actually important for you.
Below are the skincare routine steps to follow at night, explained clearly and practically, so you can build a routine that’s simple, effective, and easy to stick to.
1. Remove Makeup or Sunscreen (Cleansing Oil or Micellar Water)
Even if you don’t wear makeup every day, you’ve likely applied sunscreen, and both need more than just a regular face wash to come off completely. In fact, sunscreen alone doesn’t fully wash off with water. A cleansing oil or micellar water helps break down sunscreen, makeup, dirt, sweat, and excess oil that build up on your skin throughout the day.
This step is important because it clears away that buildup, which can clog pores or make the skin look dull over time if left behind. Using a cleansing oil doesn’t make your skin oily, it simply helps keep your skin clean and balanced.
Use: Apply cleansing oil on dry skin, massage gently, and rinse. If using micellar water, soak a cotton pad and swipe across your face.
Here are the top three makeup remover brands available on Dista:
Lakme Micellar Water Bi-Phasic Make-up Remover - 100 ml
Aqualogica Glow+ Wipe it All Hydrating Cleansing Balm, Gentle Makeup Remover - 50 gm
Note Cosmetique Instant Bi-Phase Make Up Remover - 125 ml
2. Wash with a Gentle Cleanser (Water-Based Face Wash)
Once the first cleanse is done, the skin still needs a water-based face wash to remove any leftover residue and clean it thoroughly. This step helps clear out the pores and leaves the skin feeling fresh and ready for the rest of the routine.
It’s best to choose a mild cleanser — nothing too harsh or heavily foaming. After this step, the skin should feel soft and comfortable, not dry or tight.
Use: Wet your face, apply a small amount of cleanser, massage gently for 30–60 seconds, and rinse with lukewarm water.
Here are the top three gentle cleansers available on Dista:
Aqualogica 5 Barrier+ Repair Gentle Cleanser with Avocado & 5 Essential Ceramides - 100 ml
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser - 125 ml
Dr. Sheth's Cica & Ceramide Gentle Cleanser Hydrating Face Wash For Normal, Dry & Sensitive Skin - 125 ml
3. Exfoliate (2–3 Times a Week)
Why is this step important? Because exfoliation removes dead skin cells that build up on the surface and make the skin look dull and uneven. It helps the skin feel smoother and can improve how well the next products absorb.
While physical scrubs are commonly used, they can be harsh. It’s usually better to go for a chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid, lactic acid, or salicylic acid. These are gentler on the skin and work more effectively over time. But exfoliation should not be done every day — too much can damage the skin barrier.
Use: After cleansing, apply a few drops of chemical exfoliant to a cotton pad or directly on your fingers, and pat it on your face (skip the eye area).
Here are the top exfoliator brands available on Dista:
Aqualogica Detan+ Gentle Melt Exfoliator Visibly Removes Tan for Brighten & Smooth Skin - 50 gm
Lotus Herbals WhiteGlow Skin Brightening Oatmeal & Yogurt Gentle Exfoliator Scrub - 150 gm
4. Apply a Hydrating Toner or Essence
After cleansing and exfoliating, the skin might feel a little dry or tight. This is when a toner or essence can really help. It brings back moisture, balances the skin, and makes it easier for the next products to sink in properly.
A good toner doesn’t have to be strong, just gentle and hydrating ingredients work well to keep the skin soft and refreshed.
Use: Pour a little into your hands and pat it into your skin, or apply with a cotton pad.
Here are the best toner for face available on Dista:
The Body Shop Vitamin E Hydrating Toner - 250 ml
Plum 3% Niacinamide & Rice Water Face Toner - Reduces Pores & Blemishes For Bright Skin - 150 ml - Pack of 1
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution Toner - 240 ml
5. Use an Under-Eye Mask (1–2 Times a Week)
Even if the rest of the skincare routine is in place, the eyes often show signs of tiredness first. Puffiness, dark circles, or a dull look under the eyes can make the face appear more tired than it actually is. That’s where an under-eye mask can help — it's a great weekly addition that feels cool and refreshing, while giving the under-eye area a boost of hydration.
It’s not something that needs to be done every night. Just use it on days when the eyes feel heavy or look tired — it helps calm, hydrate, and refresh the delicate skin under the eyes.
Use: Place the mask under the eyes, leave it on for 10–15 minutes, then gently remove and pat in the remaining serum.
Here are the best eye masks available on Dista:
Laneige Bouncy & Firm Eye Sleeping Mask - 20 gm
Tonymoly Timeless Ferment Snail Eye Mask - Korean Skincare - 10 gm
PLIX The Plant Fix Watermelon Hydrogel Under Eye Patches - 60 pcs
6. Apply a Treatment Serum (Retinol, Niacinamide, etc.)
This step depends entirely on what the skin needs. A treatment serum is used to target specific concerns, and each ingredient works differently:
Retinol – Often used for early signs of aging, uneven texture, or skin tone.
Niacinamide – Helps with dark spots, excess oil, and uneven tone.
Salicylic Acid (BHA) – Suitable for oily or acne-prone skin.
Vitamin C (night-safe formulas) – Used for dullness and pigmentation issues.
It’s important not to use all of these at once. Choose one that matches your skin concern. If using retinol, start with 1–2 nights a week and increase slowly as the skin adjusts. Also, avoid using retinol and exfoliators on the same night to prevent irritation.
Use: Apply 2–3 drops of the serum and gently press it into clean, dry skin.
Here are the top three advanced night repair serum available on Distacart.com:
Love Earth Retinol 2.5% Vitamin E & Hyaluronic Acid – Face Serum - 30 ml: Best hyaluronic acid serum
Serumique Niacinamide Face Serum for Advanced - Hello Even Tone Pro Conc. 5% - 30 ml
7 Days 2% Salicylic Acid Serum for Acne, Blackheads & Whiteheads Removal - 30 ml
7. Use a Hydrating Serum (Hyaluronic Acid or Barrier-Boosting Serums)
This step in your night skincare routine focuses on keeping your skin hydrated. If your skin feels dry or dull, a hydrating serum helps restore softness.
These serums are lightweight and suitable for all skin types. You can use them every night, whether or not you're following the other skincare routine steps.
Use: Apply a few drops to slightly damp skin and pat it in.
Here are the best night serum available on Dista:
AHC Premium EX Hydra B5 Soother Hydrating Serum - Korean skincare - 30 ml
Deconstruct Hydrating Serum - 30 ml
Florence by Mills Dreamy Drops Hydrating Serum - 30 ml
8. Apply Eye Cream
The most neglected area of the face is under the eyes, which is thinner and dries out easily. Using an eye cream helps keep that area soft.
If you stay up late, or spend long hours in front of a screen, using an eye cream can be a helpful step.
How to use: Take a small amount and gently pat it under your eyes using your ring finger.
Here are the best eye creams available on Dista:
Anour Caffeine UnderEye Cream - 15 gm
82°E By Deepika Padukone Rose Boost Under Eye Cream, Reduces Under Eye Dark Circles & Puffiness - 15 ml
Bakson Sunny Herbals Under Eye Cream - 50 gm
9. Apply a Moisturizer (Night Cream or Gel)
You know why we use a moisturizer or night cream, right? It helps lock in moisture and supports the skin’s repair process while you sleep.
If you're unsure which type of moisturizer suits your skin, go for a cream-based one if you have dry skin, and a gel-based one if your skin is oily.
Use: Take a coin-sized amount, warm it in your hands, and apply it evenly over your face and neck.
Here are best night creams available on Dista:
Aqualogica Glow+ Mousse Night Gel With Vitamin C & Hyaluronic Acid - 50 gm
W2 Why Wait Mulberry Fairness Night Cream - 50 gm
Sri Sri Tattva Rejuvenating Night Cream - 60 gm
Wrapping Up:
Some nights may only allow time for two or three skincare routine steps, and that’s perfectly fine. Consistency matters more than perfection. Whether it’s a full routine or a basic cleanse-and-moisturize kind of night, the goal is simply to give the skin time and space to reset.
Let us know if you'd like help choosing simple, effective Indian skincare products to build your own routine, no matter where in the world you're shopping from.
