My Nighttime Skincare Routine: Barrier Repair, Regeneration & Aging Well
- Ashley Chaffee
- Dec 15, 2025
- 3 min read
🌙
Nighttime is when my skin does the real work. This routine is built around barrier protection, inflammation control, and long-term skin regeneration, not harsh exfoliation or trend-chasing. Every step has a purpose, and everything is layered in a way that helps my skin tolerate prescription treatments while still improving texture, firmness, and glow.
🧾 Nighttime Routine Summary (Quick Scan)
Cleanse: Double cleanse with calming, barrier-safe formulas
Treat: PDRN → peptides → growth factors → prescription actives (alternating nights)
Calm: Anti-inflammatory layers before and after treatments
Seal: Moisturizer + occlusive to lock everything in overnight
Best for: Sensitive, reactive, rosacea-prone skin or anyone using tretinoin
🌙 Step-by-Step Nighttime Skincare Routine
1. ANUA Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
Dissolves sunscreen, makeup, and excess oil while calming the skin with heartleaf.
Why it matters: removes buildup without disrupting the barrier.
2. ANUA Heartleaf Deep Cleanser
A low-pH, soothing cleanser that completes the double cleanse.
Why it matters: clean skin improves absorption and reduces irritation risk.
3. medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Exosome Shot Serum 2000
A regenerative treatment serum formulated with PDRN (Sodium DNA) and micro-spicules to enhance penetration and support skin repair, recovery, and collagen signaling.
Why it matters: applied on bare skin after cleansing, the spicules help drive actives deeper, improving skin resilience and tolerance to treatments like tretinoin..
4. Origins Dr. Andrew Weil Mega-Mushroom Relief
A calming, anti-inflammatory treatment with medicinal mushrooms.
Why it matters: reduces redness and buffers the skin before actives.
5. mixsoon Bifida Toner
Supports barrier strength and microbiome health with bifida ferment.
Why it matters: strengthens skin resilience before layering treatments.
6. mixsoon Galactomyces Ferment Essence
A lightweight ferment essence that improves clarity, texture, and glow.
Why it matters: enhances radiance without irritation.
7. COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum
A multi-peptide serum that improves elasticity and boosts absorption.
Why it matters: primes the skin for deeper repair signals.
8. The Ordinary Treatment Serums (Layered)
9. VT COSMETICS PDRN 100 Essence – Intensive Glow Serum
A lighter PDRN essence focused on hydration, glow, and recovery.
Why it matters: reinforces repair without interfering with prescriptions.
10. Prescription Treatment (Alternate Nights)
Ivermectin – inflammation and redness control
Tretinoin 0.025% – collagen stimulation and skin renewal
Why it matters: effective treatment without overwhelming the skin.
11. YENSA Pink Lotus Peptide Renewal Eye Cream
Hydrating, peptide-based eye care for overnight repair.
Why it matters: supports the delicate eye area without heaviness.
12. Obagi Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream
A reparative moisturizer that supports hydration and barrier recovery.
Why it matters: seals in actives and supports overnight renewal.
13. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 (MY RIDE OR DIE)
A barrier-repair occlusive that locks everything in and reduces water loss.
Why it matters: improves tolerance to tretinoin and prevents dehydration.
14. Dr. Dan’s CortiBalm (Lips)
A medicated lip balm to prevent dryness and inflammation. YOU'RE WELCOME, ITS AMAZING. TRUST ME.
Why it matters: protects lips from retinoid-related irritation and cold, dry air.
🌿 Who This Routine Is Best For
This routine is ideal for:
Anyone focused on aging well, not quick fixes
Sensitive, reactive, or rosacea-prone skin
People using tretinoin who want results without irritation
Skin recovering from inflammation, barrier damage, or over-exfoliation
This is an advanced, intentional routine designed for long-term skin health.
🌙 Final Thoughts
This routine works because it prioritizes barrier health first, treats inflammation early, and uses strong actives strategically, not aggressively. Instead of forcing results, it gives the skin what it needs to repair itself overnight.
Healthy skin isn’t rushed. Consistency beats chaos. And glow comes from recovery.
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