Ever feel like your night routine is a guessing game? One night it’s exfoliation, the next you’re layering everything at once—and still, your skin isn’t improving.
Creating a weekly PM skincare plan (also known as “skin cycling”) helps you strategically use your products without overwhelming your skin. Here’s a 7-day night routine that balances actives, hydration, and recovery to keep your skin glowing and resilient.
🗓️ Night 1: Exfoliation
Use a gentle chemical exfoliant to clear dead skin and prep it for absorption later in the week.
What to use:
- Glycolic, lactic, or mandelic acid (5–10%)
- Follow with a simple moisturizer (avoid actives)
Tip: Don’t exfoliate dry or compromised skin.
🌙 Night 2: Retinol Night
After exfoliating, your skin is primed for retinol or retinaldehyde, which boosts collagen and targets texture.
What to use:
- Retinol (start with 0.25–0.5%)
- Buffer with moisturizer if you’re new to it
Tip: Avoid mixing with acids or Vitamin C.
💧 Night 3: Hydration & Barrier Support
Time to replenish! This night focuses on soothing and repairing the skin.
What to use:
- Hyaluronic acid or polyglutamic acid
- Niacinamide
- Ceramide-rich or fatty acid moisturizers
Tip: Look for fragrance-free and alcohol-free formulas.
🔄 Night 4: Repeat Exfoliation or Take a Break
If your skin is oily or acne-prone, exfoliate again. For dry/sensitive skin, skip and hydrate instead.
Choose based on skin response.
🌟 Night 5: Retinol Round Two
If your skin tolerated retinol earlier, go for round two.
What to use:
- Retinol or peptide serum
- Barrier-repairing moisturizer
Tip: Always follow with SPF the next morning (yes, even if it’s cloudy).
💦 Night 6: Deep Hydration + Overnight Mask
Time for some moisture therapy to keep your glow going.
What to use:
- Hydrating serum
- Rich, occlusive moisturizer
- Optional: Overnight sleeping mask
Tip: Avoid actives; this is a recovery night.
🧴 Night 7: Customize Based on Skin’s Mood
This is your “flex night.” Ask yourself:
- Feeling dry? Hydrate and repair.
- Looking dull? Try a light exfoliant.
- Clear and happy? Keep it minimal.
Listen to your skin and adjust accordingly.
✅ Weekly Night Routine Summary:
| Day | Focus | Key Products |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exfoliation | AHAs/BHAs, Moisturizer |
| 2 | Retinol | Retinoid, Gentle Moisturizer |
| 3 | Hydration | HA, Niacinamide, Ceramides |
| 4 | Optional Exfoliation / Hydration | Adjust to skin needs |
| 5 | Retinol | Retinoid, Moisturizer |
| 6 | Repair & Mask | Sleeping Mask, Barrier Cream |
| 7 | Custom Night | Based on how your skin feels |
🧠 Final Thoughts
A consistent PM skincare routine doesn’t mean doing the same thing every night. In fact, varying your focus throughout the week gives your skin time to renew, absorb, and recover. Think of it as training your skin—with rest days included.
Have you tried skin cycling or a weekly plan like this? Share your routine with us or tag your glow-up @nightrescuelab!