Skip to main content

The best nighttime skincare routine for men, according to experts

Nighttime skincare routine every man should follow, per the pros

A flatlay of skincare products on white background
Misolo Cosmetic / Pexels

Your skincare routine is just as important as any bedtime regimen.

Bedtime routines may have been a staple part of your life as a child — perhaps even one you looked forward to all day. Maybe it included a book, bath, story, and time with a beloved caregiver.

However, bedtime routines aren’t just for children. They also don’t just include powering down your phone and curling up with a book — though both are good ideas to up your sleep quality and duration. The right nighttime skincare routine can leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated in the morning.

“Proper skincare routine can help maintain healthy and vibrant skin,” said Ewelina Aiossa, a skincare expert and co-founder of Clinical Skin.

Yet, there are so many products on the market. You may also have so many questions. Is there a “right” skincare routine order? What are the must-have skincare routine steps, and which can you skip? Aiossa said the process doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

“Keep it simple when it comes to [your] skincare regimen,” Aiossa stated. “At the end of the day, what matters is that you regularly use the products to [get] their benefits.”

Just like there are best practices for a morning skincare routine, experts share ways to maximize your nighttime skincare routine. Keep reading to learn about these tips.

Skincare products on a counter
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The best nighttime skincare routine

Not everyone has the time or desire to work through a page-long list of steps during their nighttime skincare routine. The good news: you don’t have to. In fact, sometimes, fewer skincare routine steps are better. For example, not everyone needs a retinol product. Generally, Aiossa said skincare regimens can be broken down into two — yes, two — essential steps and nice-to-haves. She and others advised on both.

Must-do nighttime skincare routine steps

Every gentleman’s skincare routine should include these steps in order.

Cleanse your face

Whether you stayed in all day or ventured out to the office, a garden, or beyond, washing your face is necessary. Soap and water is the old-school way. You’ll want a cleanser.

“Cleanse the face with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser to remove any dirt or oil accumulated throughout the day,” said Heidy Urra, the leading medical aesthetician and skincare expert at Miami Plastic Surgery.

Aiossa explained, “Considering men’s skin is a bit oilier (courtesy of testosterone) and has larger, more concentrated oil glands, men should use a cleanser/face wash to effectively remove debris and oil from its surface. One can look for a cleanser with hydroxy acids (i.e. glycolic acid based) to effectively counteract the oiliness.”

“The same cleanser can be used at night as in the morning,” advised Dr. Dustin Portela, a board-certified dermatologist.

Apply a moisturizer

Like cleansing, moisturizing is an essential part of your morning and evening skincare routine. However, consider using something different at night.

“Use a heavier, richer moisturizer at night, ideally packed with age-defying ingredients — ceramides, peptides, [and] AHAs — to support skin barrier and skin repair and wake up to rejuvenated complexion come morning time,” Aiossa said.

Portela recommends against “strong fragrance in this step.”

Here, skincare routine order matters. Cleansing your face before moisturizing ensures you don’t wash away the moisturizer.

Nice-to-have items in your nighttime skincare routine

A two-step nighttime skincare routine may sound too good to be true. It’s not, but experts share other steps to help repair the skin as you sleep.

Try a retinol-based product

Retinol can treat acne and slow aging.

“For men seeking rejuvenating benefits, I suggest using [a] retinol-based product at nighttime, when skin is in recovery mode,” Aiossa commented. “Retinol will help speed up the cell turnover (gentle exfoliation) while minimizing the appearance of pore size, fine lines and wrinkles, discolorations, and improving skin texture. It is a multitasking powerhouse ingredient.”

The evening is a good time to apply a product with retinol. It’s known to cause extra sun sensitivity. Sun exposure also makes retinol less effective.

Use a toner

After cleansing, Urra suggested using a toner to “help balance the skin’s pH levels and prepare the skin for the rest of the routine.”

(The next step is moisturizing.)

Exfoliate weekly

Exfoliating can feel harsh on the skin if done too often. However, Aiossa suggested taking this step once or twice per week.

“You can also choose to add exfoliation (physical scrubs, chemical exfoliants) to your PM regimen skin twice weekly (or as needed) to help remove dead skin cells, which allows for skincare products to penetrate better and keeps the complexion looking and feeling smooth, while keeping breakout at bay,” Aiossa continued. “If you use retinol (vitamin A) at night, you may skip the mechanical exfoliation step.”

A man applying a skincare treatment in the mirror
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Why your nighttime routine still needs customization

The above skincare routine steps should help you streamline your pre-bed regimen. That said, experts share there’s still something to be said for those often-overwhelming ingredient options. Your skin type, goals, and concerns matter.

“In today’s market, there really is a product for everyone,” said Dr. Gary Goldfaden, a board-certified dermatologist with Goldfaden MD. “It boils down to finding the correct ingredients and regimen for your skin.”

Think about your concerns when shopping.

“When shopping for products, make a list of the problem being targeted and the desired result. For example, ‘you want to achieve a brighter complexion, but you suffer from rosacea,'” stated Dr. Goldfaden.

A dermatologist can help you cut through the jargon. However, a little research is something to get you started.

“The best advice is to read all the information because nothing is black and white,” Dr. Goldfaden continued. “Mixing and matching high-tech products with natural products is sometimes the best regimen. Educate yourself and try a few different types of products.”

A man with a charcoal face mask
Safia Shakil / Unsplash

Add a face mask to your skincare routine

Incorporating face masks into your skincare regimen offers a significant skin health boost. Masks address various skin concerns and deliver concentrated vitamins and nutrients that are beneficial to your skin. Face masks establish a protective barrier that locks in essential ingredients and enhances the absorption of your everyday skincare products.

Masks also contribute to the skin’s overall softness and deeply permeate the epidermis, resulting in a plumper, more youthful appearance. Adequate hydration plays a pivotal role in achieving vibrant, radiant skin, and well-hydrated skin helps combat common signs of aging, such as sagging and wrinkles.

Adding a face mask to your skincare routine one to three times per week is recommended, depending on your skin type.

Editors' Recommendations

BethAnn Mayer
Beth Ann's work has appeared on healthline.com and parents.com. In her spare time, you can find her running (either marathons…
5 essential anti-aging skincare tips every man needs to know
Keep your skin looking great with these simple tips
man looking in mirror

Aging is a natural part of life, and while there’s no way to stop it, you can take hold of it. Along with the typical aging of gray hairs and frown lines, plenty of signs of aging can start to appear. Some signs, like sun spots or dry skin, are completely avoidable with the proper care. If you’re not a fan of signs of aging, taking care of your lifestyle and skincare can be your best bet for combatting it. Celebrities like Brad Pitt or Jeff Goldblum, who have been on the silver screen for decades, have shown us that you can age in a way that you’re proud to show off your gray hairs. By following some of the tips your favorite celebrities use, you can also age the way you wish and look your best. 
Sunscreen is your friend

No matter your age, sunscreen is the most essential step to add to your daily routine. Whether you precede it with a more detailed skincare routine is a personal preference, but there’s no doubt that sunscreen will do wonders for helping you with your anti-aging journey. As The Skin Cancer Foundation states, sunscreen can help reduce the risk of cancer and precancer diseases by up to 50%, making it the easiest way to avoid these issues. Besides these health benefits, sunscreen also has an anti-aging benefit that can help you keep your youthful glow. 

Read more
Want the best cologne for men? These niche fragrances are perfect for spring
Try these great colognes for men this spring
Man spraying luxury perfume on black background, closeup

It can be a headache (literally) to go into a store and sniff through a hundred fragrance options when trying to find the best cologne for men. The coffee beans in fragrance stores are helpful in resetting your nose so all the scents don’t become indistinguishable from one another. Even still, remembering which scent was which with a sales associate hovering over your shoulder can quickly spoil a fun shopping trip. 

Avoiding the hassle of figuring out what your next cologne will be can make it easy to stay stuck to one or two colognes that have been your ride-or-die options for longer than you can remember. Having a signature scent is great–there’s just something endearing about having a loved one say something “smells like you.” But when you realize that your signature scent doesn’t fit every occasion, mood, or season, it’s time for something new.

Read more
A new study suggests the secret to your skincare routine is… strength training?
Lifting weights may be the new anti-aging skincare hack
man doing skincare

Forget the face scrubs made from oatmeal and questionable DIY concoctions. Guys, the secret weapon in your anti-aging arsenal might already be hiding in your weight room.

New research shows that building muscle might be the secret weapon you've been missing. A study published in Scientific Reports found that strength training could actually be more effective in reducing signs of aging than cardio, especially for your skin. While the study focused on women, the researchers believe the benefits hold true for men, too.

Read more