By Bed Threads Wellness 24.08.2026

How Many Skincare Products Should You Actually Apply Before Bed?

The limit does exist... sort of.

You’ve probably seen the meme. The one of the woman, face layered up with serums and oils and creams and lotions, getting ready to hop into bed for a good night’s sleep. Did you laugh with recognition? Are you her, doing a ten-step skincare routine before you go to sleep?

We applaud and admire you for taking care of your skin, but is it possible that you could be doing too much to your face before you go to bed? Is there a limit when it comes to skincare at night?

The short answer is that no, there isn’t – although you definitely should be approaching your sleep beauty regime in a considered and careful manner.

The easy way to think about it is that during the day, skincare serves to shield your face and look after your skin. That’s why you use SPF and other products that will block pollution and harmful materials from impacting your skin while out and about during the day.

At night, when you won’t be exposed to harsh sunlight or other pollutants, skincare should be working extra hard to treat, soothe and take care of your skin.

Sleep is, after all, a time when your body works overtime to heal and nowhere is this more evident than your face. They don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing!

While you sleep, the cells in your skin slowly start to rejuvenate and regenerate, which is why getting your eight hours matters. But it’s also why you should be targeting your nighttime skincare routine to help boost your skin’s natural regeneration. It’s important to choose the right products and apply them in the right order to ensure that you get the most out of your nighttime skincare routine.

The best skincare products to use at night

So, what should you be using? Let's break it down.

1. Cleanser

Basically, you should wash your face – taking off all your makeup and cleansing away the pollution of the day. From there, it’s up to you as to how you like to build your routine.

2. Exfoliant (if using)

You can use a light exfoliant after cleansing once or twice a week to help remove dead skin cells.

3. Serums

Nighttime serums are great for anyone trying to tackle specific skin concerns (e.g. hyperpigmentation, fine lines, dullness and uneven texture). This is because these contain targeted, active ingredients that do their best work while your skin is doing the bulk of its regeneration work (AKA during beauty sleep!).

4. Retinol / Retinol / Tretinoin

If retinol is part of your routine, you can either apply it on to dry skin after cleansing or after a hydration serum (like hyaluronic acid) if your skin is prone to irritation.

5. Moisturizer

One thing you should definitely use is moisturizer. We actually lose water from our skin as we sleep, which is one of the reasons why after a particularly long sleep, you can wake up feeling like your skin is dry.

Adding an extra barrier of moisture to prevent this water loss is important. Put your moisturizer on as one of the final steps of your skincare routine and softly massage it into your face. This soothing ritual will not only help the product absorb better, but it will destress you before bed.

Optional skincare

Toners, essences, masks... everything else is up to you!

If you want to target specific concerns around the eye area, such as puffiness, you could include an eye cream after your retinol. Similarly, a spot treatment is a great addition if you're dealing with a breakout.

Finally, a facial oil to lock in moisture or an overnight mask – anything that is designed to stay on your face and slowly absorb as you sleep – can work really well as the final step in your nighttime skincare routine. With face masks, look for one thick with hyaluronic acid (a hydrator) and vitamin C (to brighten and support collagen formation) that will ensure you wake up looking fresh in the morning.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized skin health advice. If you are concerned about your skin, please speak to your GP or dermatologist, who will advise you on the correct treatment plan.