As women, we all know we have to do certain 'rituals' before hitting the sack, but seriously? How many of us actually do it? Most of us skip this particular part of the day either due to sheer exhaustion or simply, laziness. And as a boyish lady, I used to ignore this routine until I was 20 where I started to get a really bad acne breakout. Since then, I've decided to heed my mother's warnings and I have actually developed my own night time skin routine that I will now share with everyone.

1. Get those makeup off your face.
I understand if you want to wake up looking like a doll, been there, done that for several years. But the 'I woke up like this' look will most likely just be smudged liner, mascara and lipstick, and mind you if your goal is to look like a circus clown in the morning you wouldn't like this look at all. Invest in a really good makeup remover (or some baby oil, for budget conscious ladies) and make it a habit to remove your makeup as soon as you get home. Get all those colors off from your lips and eyes as much as you can, especially in the eyes where you're most likely using waterproof products. It is important to remove (gently) as much as you can to avoid irritation why you sleep.

2. Washie Wash Wash Wash
To remove the excess product off your face and prevent your skin from having a breakout, don't forget to wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser. This will also clean up the dirt and oil from your pores; going for a gentle facial cleanser that is right for your skin type will do you wonders. Oh and don't forget to gently pat (don't rub) your face with a towel, preferably a face towel which you would only use on your face alone. Heard it's best to use a separate towel than your body towel to make sure it's all clean and clear up there.

3. Bring on the protectors
Now that your face is clean from all the grime and grit (exaggerating to make a point) it is now time to pamper it with serums, toners and moisturizers to help protect your skin from long term damages brought by pollution, UV rays and even aging (gasps!) If you're not sure what products to use, you may consider your skin type and needs and purchase products that would be right for your skin. Consulting with a dermatologist will also be really good as they can recommend the precise products that your skin needs.

I know that these things are simply common knowledge, but it must be said and reiterated. *wink*


What about you? What do you do for your skin before hopping in between the sheets?