As you may be aware, I have really sensitive skin. What you may not know about me, however, is that I also suffer from insomnia. So for me, it's not enough to just have a good nighttime skincare routine: I need a full, relaxing bedtime routine in general. It's simply the number one rule for practicing good sleep hygiene. And since I'm already oversharing, I'll just say that I hate routines. Call me a typical Gemini; I don't care. It takes something really special to get me to commit to anything. That's where Moonlit Skincare comes in. My old roommate turned me on to this overnight skincare brand knowing my issues with sleep.
Born out of the concept that night is the best time to apply skincare products, Moonlit aims to maximize the benefits of restorative sleep. In fact, it's so committed to good sleep, it doesn't only sell facial skincare products. From bath salts and bedtime tea to silk eye masks and pillowcases, Moonlit has thought of everything for creating the perfect relaxing environment to unwind before bed. I know the brand has made it easier for me to build out a bedtime routine—featuring calming tea, soothing bedside smells, topical oils, and books—that helps me get to sleep faster.
Moonlit's products are effectively soothing or cleansing and sometimes both. They're gentle enough to be layered together, too. When I pat the Midnight Shift facial oil on to my skin and slide the silk mask over my eyes, I know I'm going to sleep well and wake up looking refreshed. Want to discover the full Moonlit treatment for yourself? Keep scrolling.
This is not the kind of toner that is going to tingle upon application. Trust me when I say it's super gentle because I don't risk putting anything on my face that may cause a flare-up. The directions say to spray it on a cotton pad and apply it to your face and neck, but this, as the name implies, genuinely comes out as a fine mist, so it's kind of luxurious to just spritz it on your skin after cleansing.
Moonlit's holy-grail product, the Midnight Shift Overnight Oil, is instantly relaxing. I love rubbing a couple of droplets between my hands and patting it into my face and neck, then curling up into bed. Of course, you'll immediately have a glow because you've just applied oil to your skin, but I promise you'll still be glowing in the morning. My boyfriend actually said, "Wow, your skin is so soft," the morning after I first used this product.
I don't know about you, but wearing a mask every time I go outside is taking a toll on my skin. I've been breaking out a little bit on my chin and nose, and this two-in-one detox treatment has been working wonders on my skin. I like to make a mask using water (you can also use honey or yogurt) and apply it all over my face for a full cleansing. It also worked really well as a spot treatment on a pesky chin pimple I had last week.
There's something really extra about having a dedicated bedtime lip balm, but I'm here for it, especially when it's as moisturizing as this one. It could just be the passionfruit, but this product smells like absolute heaven
A little goes a long way with these fragrant bath salts. Soaking in a combination of lavender, geranium, and frankincense is so restorative and relaxing. My skin feels so soft after I bathe with these, I wish I could take a bath with these salts every night, but that wouldn't be fair to my Los Angeles habitat.
Silk pillowcases are the secret to waking up with smooth skin and hair. And did you know cotton pillowcases absorb the creams and oils you put on your skin before bed? Now I do, and I'm going to invest in a full silk set because the last thing I want to do is waste my money.
You don't have to be an insomniac to be sensitive to light. Darkness actually increases melatonin production, helping you get to sleep faster. And the silk material? You know it won't hog that facial oil you applied before sliding into bed.
This tea is a two-for-one elixir: It has hibiscus and butterfly pea flower to help you wind down and destress, as well as vitamin C and anthocyanin to help skin cell regeneration and collagen production, both of which aid in the quest for plump, radiant skin. The only downside to the tea's beautiful purple hue is that you're definitely going to need to get out of bed and brush your teeth after drinking a cup.
Big enough for all your Moonlit products and a few extras. Cute enough for all your (future) TSA checks.
These are the other products that round out my bedtime routine:
Unless my hair is wet, I have to sleep with it pulled away from my face. I've noticed a huge difference in the quality of my hair since I switched to silk scrunchies a couple of years ago.
All of my co-workers rave about these pajamas, and since I'm a lifelong wearer of pajama sets, I have to buy a pair for myself.
Chrissy Teigen might live in silk robes, but I'm all about the big plush sort. Chenille, terry cloth, velour—you name it; I probably have it.
I love slippers that let my feet breathe. Open toes and genuine shearing do the trick.
This jasmine-scented candle immediately takes me back to my childhood, which is a super-nice feeling when you're soaking in a bath.
The perfect mug for steeping Moonlit's Beauty Sleep tea at your bedside.
When my insomnia peaked a couple of years ago, my mom kept sending me everything she could think of to help. I don't know how much I buy into essential oils, but diffusing this blend of lavender, cedarwood, and chamomile (among other extracts) is a peaceful experience if nothing else.
For all your oil-diffusing wants and needs.
Okay, the most important part of my bedtime routine will always be putting away my phone and reading a tangible book. Nothing else can clear my overactive brain of its (typically unnecessary) thoughts. I just finished this brilliant collection of stories from Mimi Lok, who beautifully captures the emotions that arise from our interactions with others—family, lovers, schoolmates, strangers, and no one at all.
Up Next: 10-Step K-Beauty Routines Gave Me Perioral Dermatitis—Here's How I Saved My Skin
