Consistency, not complexity, is what the body responds to when it comes to bedtime routines. Many people, including the author, have fallen into the trap of trying to do too much before going to bed, inspired by social media trends like the “morning shed” on TikTok.
At first, it was fascinating to watch 21-year-old influencers with their elaborate nighttime rituals, but soon the author’s own bedside table became a second beauty cabinet, filled with products like face tape, heatless curlers, and peel-off lip liners.
The author’s routine became exhausting, involving products like LED face masks, cuticle oil, mouth tape, barrier cream, lip masks, and magnesium body butter before bed. This obsession with optimizing every minute before sleep led to burnout and likely affected those around them.
Dr. Kat Lederle, a sleep and circadian rhythm specialist, says the skin is already programmed to make the most of sleep hours, restoring itself through collagen synthesis and cellular repair.
Dr. Lederle explains that during sleep, the skin and the body as a whole restores itself – it is a time of regeneration and repair: collagen synthesis and cellular repair take place, skin barrier function is restored.
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The best nighttime routine is the one that is actually done, and consistency is key. Dr. Lederle recommends treating the skincare routine as a non-negotiable act of self-care, completing it at roughly the same time each evening to give the body clock a predictable cue that sleep is approaching.
This approach can have a positive impact on sleep, reducing worry and self-criticism. Dr. Lederle suggests keeping light levels low while cleansing and moisturizing, and paying attention to the sensory experience of the routine to quieten the mind and encourage the shift from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest” mode.
They suggest that by reframing the evening routine as a gentle wind-down time, rather than a task to be ticked off, it’s possible to create a more relaxing and effective bedtime routine. This mindful approach can help signal to the body that it’s time to sleep, and that after the routine, there’s nothing left to do but rest.
In the author’s experience, doing less has actually led to better skin. By simplifying the evening routine to a gentle cream cleanser, a facial spray, and a sleep mask, the author has found a more consistent and effective approach to skincare.
Simplifying the routine has been beneficial.
