I Used to Just Wash My Face and Crash
For most of my twenties, my "skincare routine" was whatever face wash was on sale at Target and maybe some moisturizer if I remembered. On good nights, I'd wash my face before bed. On bad nights—which were most nights—I'd just collapse into bed with my makeup still on, telling myself I'd deal with it in the morning.
My skin was fine. Not great, not terrible. Just... fine. I'd get the occasional breakout, my T-zone was always a little shiny by midday, and I had some dark spots that never seemed to fade. But I figured that's just how my skin was.
Then I hit 28 and things started changing. The fine lines around my eyes weren't going away after a good night's sleep anymore. My skin looked dull and tired even when I wasn't. And the breakouts became less occasional and more "why is there always at least one pimple on my face?"
The Wake-Up Call
I was scrolling Instagram one night (classic bedtime procrastination) when I saw a post from someone I went to college with. She looked... glowing. Not filtered-glowing, but actually radiant. I checked her profile and saw she'd started posting about her skincare routine.
What struck me wasn't the products she used—it was the ritual of it. She talked about her nighttime routine like it was sacred time. Ten minutes every night where she focused entirely on taking care of herself. No phone, no distractions, just her and her skin.
It hit me: I'd been treating skincare like a chore to rush through. But what if it was actually a gift? Time to slow down, be present, take care of myself before the chaos of the next day started.
Starting Small (Because I'm Impatient but Also Realistic)
I didn't overhaul everything at once. I started with three simple changes:
1. I set a "start bedtime routine" alarm for 9:30 PM
This sounds silly, but it worked. The alarm reminded me to put my phone down and head to the bathroom. No more scrolling until midnight and then being too tired to do anything.
2. I actually double-cleansed
Oil cleanser first to remove sunscreen and the day's grime, then a gentle water-based cleanser. My skin felt so much cleaner, and I realized I'd been building up product residue for years without knowing it.
3. I committed to one active ingredient: retinol
I started with a low percentage twice a week. Yes, my skin purged a little at first. Yes, I had some flakiness. But after about six weeks, my skin texture improved so noticeably that my coworker asked if I'd gotten a facial.
What Changed (Besides My Skin)
Here's the thing I didn't expect: my sleep got better.
Creating a consistent nighttime routine trained my brain that it was time to wind down. The act of washing my face, applying products slowly and mindfully, massaging in moisturizer—it became a signal. "We're done with the day now. It's time to rest."
I stopped scrolling my phone until my eyes burned. I started going to bed at a reasonable hour because I wanted to, not because I had to. My 10 PM routine became something I looked forward to instead of something I resented.
And my skin? After three months of consistency:
- The dullness was gone—I actually looked awake
- My breakouts decreased significantly
- The dark spots from old acne started fading
- My skin texture smoothed out
- I stopped wearing as much makeup because I felt better without it
The Routine I Stick to Now
Nothing crazy. Just consistent.
- Oil cleanser to remove the day
- Gentle water-based cleanser
- Retinol (every other night now that my skin is used to it)
- Hyaluronic acid serum on damp skin
- Rich night cream to lock everything in
It takes maybe 8 minutes total. But those 8 minutes have become non-negotiable. It's my time to reset, to care for myself, to close out the day intentionally.
What I Learned
Consistency beats perfection.
I don't have a 12-step routine. I don't use the most expensive products. But I show up for my skin every single night, and that's what made the difference.
Skincare is self-care, but not in a cliché way.
It's not about pampering or indulgence. It's about taking responsibility for something you live in every day—your skin. And treating it with the care it deserves.
Your routine is training for your brain, not just your skin.
The ritual matters as much as the products. Creating a consistent wind-down routine improved my sleep, my mood, and my mornings.
Build the routine you'll actually keep. It doesn't have to be complicated. It just has to be yours.
If you're ready to build sustainable evening rituals, start with essentials that work.
