Affordable Nighttime Skincare Routine For Women In Their 20s

This post is about all things to help you build your perfect affordable nighttime skincare routine for women in their 20s. From skincare tips to product recommendations, we have you covered.

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If you’re in your 20s and already thinking about skincare, you’re ahead of the game! This post will cover a simple and affordable nighttime skincare routine for women in their 20s that can be scaled up or down depending on your needs and budget. 

Skincare doesn’t have to be fancy and expensive to be effective! In fact, many of the most expensive products don’t use proven ingredients and science-based formulation techniques. By understanding the basics of skincare and the foundational ingredients, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your skin goals. 

Get ready to dive head first into the world of skincare and discover affordable products and skincare tips that will leave your skin looking and feeling amazing.

Don’t forget to check out the Ultimate (Science-Backed) Morning Skincare Routine for 30s if you want to learn more.

Cleansing and Makeup Removal

The most important part of any nighttime skincare routine is thoroughly cleaning the skin. This should not be skipped, even if you are not wearing make-up! It’s an essential part of any affordable nighttime skincare routine for women in their 20s.

The process of cleansing removes dirt, pollutants, and oil on the surface of the skin. If left on your skin overnight, this can lead to bacteria accumulation, acne, and clogged pores. It also helps maintain a healthy skin barrier. By getting rid of foreign substances, you allow the skin’s natural processes to build its protective layer, preventing moisture loss and maintaining a healthy pH level. 

Tip: Your skin has a natural pH balance, the level of acidity or alkalinity measured on a scale of 0 to 14. The pH of your skin’s surface should stay between 4.5 to 5.5 to maintain a healthy skin barrier. 

Starting with a clean face also enhances the effectiveness of the skincare you apply next. It get your skin to the blank canvas needed for the rest of the routine.

You’ll need to adjust your cleansing routine based on your needs and what you have on your skin, whether just sunscreen or a full-face of make-up. 

Make-up Removal

Removing all of your make-up is critical. Depending on the type of make-up you’re wearing you’ll need different products. 

• For waterproof mascara, try an oil based eye make-up remover.
  • We swear by this one!
• For foundation or face products, try an oil or balm cleanser.
  • This is an affordable stable for all skin types.
• For light make-up, try a micellar water.
  • Under $5 and a cult classic.

Tip: Be extremely delicate removing your make-up, especially in the eye areas. Being too rough leads to micro tears of the skin which can over time lead to premature aging of the skin. Avoid tugging or stretching skin as much as possible.

Gentle Cleansers

After removing all make-up (and we mean no traces left), it’s time to cleanse. Choose a gentle cleanser suitable for your skin-type. With one pump of cleaner in one hand, emulsify it with a couple of drops of water with the other. Once foamy, apply onto your face in circular motions for about 30 seconds. Focus on any problem areas you might have, such as the skin, nose, or forehead. Thoroughly rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel.

• For acne prone skin: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser with 4% Benzoyl Peroxide
• For dry/sensitive skin: Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser
• For oily skin: Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser

Tip: Choose a budget option when it comes to cleanser. It only stays on your face for a couple of seconds so there’s no time for any fancy ingredients to work, you’ll just wash them down the drain. Plus, there’s many great and affordable options available.

Double Cleansing

For a doubly clean face, try double cleansing. Double cleansing is made up of two steps. First you use an oil-based cleanser which gets rid of oil based product build-up. Apply a dime sized amount of the oil cleanser to dry skin and massage for 30 seconds. Add a couple of drops of water to emulsify then wash your face thoroughly. 

That’s followed by a water-based cleanser which gets off any remaining residues and leaves your squeaky clean. We’ve found this technique particularly helpful for clearing up all kinds of skin texture like blackheads or small bumps under the skin. 

Our favorite oil and balm cleansers

• Naturium Camellia Creamy Cleansing Oil
• Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil 
• CeraVe Cleansing Balm

Targeted Treatments

The second part of any affordable nighttime skincare routine for women in their 20s is targeted treatments. This step is completely optional based on your skin, goals, and budget. 

Targeted treatments are products that contain higher percentages of actives, powerful ingredients that treat specific concerns. In your 20s, the main ingredients to look for are:

Exfoliants

Gentle acids that help loosen the bond between old skin cells (exfoliation) and lead to skin renewal.

• Good for acne, skin texture, dry and flakey skin 
• Use once a week or as spot treatment
• Our favorites:
  • COSRX Original Clear Pads
  • Versed Weekend Glow Daily Brightening Face Toner Treatment
  • Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment

Note: Avoid scrubs and products with physical exfoliants. These products cause microtears which actually damage the skin over time.

Retinols

A type of vitamin A that promotes skin cell turnover therefore improving acne, skin texture, and can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

• Good for acne and skin texture
• Slowly incorporate starting with once a week, work up to daily
• Our favorites:
  • CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
  • Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream
  • COSRX Retinol 0.1 Cream
  • Differin Gel (Differin is composed of adapalene which is similar to retinol and can be very effective for acne)

Note: Ask your dermatologist if prescription retinol could be a good option for you. It’s much less expensive and more effective than typical skincare.

Niacinamide

A form of vitamin B3 that enhances skin hydration, tone, and elasticity.

• Good for dryness and hyperpigmentation
• Use daily in the morning or night
• Our favorites:
  • Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum
  • Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence
  • Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum

Hyaluronic Acid

A natural ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture and makes the skin look more plump.

• Good for dryness
• Use daily in the morning or night
• Our favorites:
  • L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Vitamin C Serum
  • Naturium Vitamin C Complex Face Serum
  • COSRX Pure Vitamin C Serum

Note: For most people it’s not necessary to use a specific Hyaluronic Acid Serum as it’s found in most moisturizers.

Vitamin C

A potent antioxidant that protects from free-radical damage and brightens the complexion.

• Good for hyperpigmentation
• Use daily mostly in the morning but can also be used at night
• Our favorites:
  • L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Vitamin C Serum
  • Naturium Vitamin C Complex Face Serum
  • COSRX Pure Vitamin C Serum

Tip: In your 20s, choose one active ingredient at a time that addresses your primary concern. It’s not necessary to use too many at once. Experiment and find what works for you but don’t switch products too often as it can cause sensitivity.

Hydration and Nourishment

The second critical set to every nighttime skincare routine is hydration. Keeping skin hydrated is key to skin health and will leave you with a soft radiant glow. But everyone’s skins has different needs.

The Difference Between Hydration and Moisturization

Hydration and moisturization are both key components of skincare and can often be used interchangeably. But they are in fact quite different and it’s useful to understand how. Hydration is the water content within the skills cells and the overall level of moisture in the skin. It’s essential for maintaining your glow and overall skin health. Drinking enough water and using hydrating products keep the skin hydrated.

Moisturization refers more to the barrier that seals in the hydration and prevents water loss. Moisturizers are made up of three main moisturizing ingredients: occlusives, emollients, and humectants. All of them help to lock in the skin’s water content and protect it from external elements. Moisturization is essential for all skin types, as it helps maintain the skin’s barrier function, prevents dryness, and keeps the skin soft, smooth, and supple.

• Occlusives create a barrier on the skin’s surface, sealing in moisture and preventing water loss
• Emollients are ingredients that help to soften and smooth the skin by forming a protective later to trap in moisture
• Humectants draw moisture from the environment and pull it into your skin helping to maintain its moisture balance

To keep it simple, we recommend layering two moisturizers. The first rich in humectants will bring water into the skin while the second richer cream will create a protective layer on the skin’s surface to keep the moisture in.

However, if you find that you have oily skin, you may just need a light moisturizer such as a gel formulation.

Lightweight Moisturizers

Start with a lightweight moisturizer that provides hydration without feeling heavy on the skin.

Apply a pea-sized amount of moisturizer and massage it onto your face and neck.

Our favorites:

• Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Facial Moisturizer
• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizer Gel-Cream
• The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer

Heavier Moisturizers

After the first moisturizer sinks in, apple a pea sized amount of a heavier options in the same way covering face and neck. 

Our favorites:

• CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
• CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream
• La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume

Eye Creams

Eye creams are often just face creams without fragrance in smaller containers for higher prices. They are not a necessary part of your routine especially if you are using high quality moisturizers. However, if it makes you feel fancy, by all means, go for it. 

Sample Routines

Most simple:

1. Remove make-up
2. Cleanse (choose based on skin type)
3. Moisturize (choose based on skin type)

Recommended:

1. Remove make-up
2. Cleanse (choose based on skin type)
3. Active (choose based on skin concern)
4. Moisturize (choose based on skin type)

The works: 

1. Remove make-up
2. Double cleanse
   1. Oil-based cleanser
   2. Water-based cleanser
3. Active (choose based on skin concern)
4. Double moisturize
   1. Light moisturizer 
   2. Heavier moisturizer

Brands We Love for Affordable Nighttime Skincare Routine for Women in Their 20s:

• Cerave
• Inkey List
• CosRX
• Naturium
• Good Molecules

You’ve just graduated to expert level skin genius! Next step, assemble your dream affordable nighttime skincare routine!

Let me know how it goes in the comment below! 

Posted By: Victoria · In: beauty