13 Overnight Beauty Tips to Help Your Skin Look Better By Morning

It’s called beauty sleep and all, but how many of you actually wake up feeling beautiful? If you’re graced with raccoon eyes—the result of last night’s mascara pooling under your eyelashes—dark circles, dry skin, and an overall cruddy complexion in the A.M., you’re probably not alone. Assuming fresh, glowing, and hydrated skin is what you’re after (let’s face it, who isn’t?), we’ve got the beauty tips to help get you there. Ahead, discover how to give your beauty sleep a hand with these easy-to-follow rituals. Wake up looking gorgeous from head to toe? Yes, please! 

1. CLEANSE GENTLY

Cleansing your skin at night is a non-negotiable for the overall look of your skin. Reach for a gentle cleanser that can help rid your skin of makeup, dirt, impurities, and excess oil without causing over-drying. Rinse with lukewarm water (if your formula of choice calls for rinsing) and gently pat—don’t rub—dry with a clean washcloth. If you use a dirty washcloth, you’re simply adding filth back onto your newly-cleansed skin. Big no-no.

2. APPLY A SLEEPING MASK

Sleeping masks are worn the same way as a night cream and applied onto the skin as a last step in an evening routine. They stay on your skin overnight and work while you’re deep in REM. We love sleeping masks because they are nourishing and hydrating and help achieve a healthy-looking complexion. Try Lancôme Énergie De Vie Night Mask or Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque.

3. MOISTURIZE YOUR BODY SKIN

Your body skin needs some attention, too! After showering at night, layer on a body butter or cream while your skin is still slightly damp to add back any moisture loss. We recommend The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter. It’s rich, indulgent, and deliciously scented—what more can you ask for?

4. HYDRATE YOUR EYE CONTOUR

The delicate skin around your eyes is one of the first areas to show visible signs of skin aging. If your eye contour is dry, wrinkles and fine lines can appear more noticeable. Smooth on some eye cream before bed to not only hydrate the area but to also help target any of your eye-related skin concerns, be it dark circles, puffiness, or crow’s feet.

5. SPOT TREAT PIMPLES

Your zits aren’t going to disappear overnight (try using concealer to camouflage in a pinch!), but applying the right spot treatment consistently can help reduce their appearance. Dab a little bit of La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo before bed and after applying your night cream to help reduce the number and severity of acne blemishes.

6. SMOOTH DRY, CRACKED FEET

Whether it’s sandal season or not, our feet deserve a little TLC every now and again. Start by dipping your feet in a warm soak with Epsom salts, aloe, and your favorite essential oil. Next, slough off rough, callused skin with The Body Shop’s Peppermint Reviving Pumice Foot Scrub. Follow up with heavy-duty moisturizer while your feet are slightly damp. Pull on some socks and wear overnight for smoother, softer feet come morning!

7. SOFTEN HANDS & CUTICLES

Your hands are often neglected in a skin care routine, but it’s time to change that. First, exfoliate your hands with your favorite scrub—we love these microbead-free body scrubs from Kiehl’s—followed by a heaping amount of hand cream. As a last step, rub Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil over your cuticles for nourishing moisture. To help seal it all in, wear a pair of gloves and hit the sack. Hydrated paws not only feel good but can look younger too.

8. SOOTHE PARCHED LIPS

Why wake up to a dry pout when you can have smooth, kissable lips? Apply your favorite lip balm, emollient, or conditioner before going to bed for a soft pucker upon waking. Try Kiehl’s Lip Relief.

9. TURN ON THE HUMIDIFIER

Dry air paired with harsh winds and brutal cold temps can cause severe skin dryness. In addition to moisturizing daily, sleep with a humidifier in your bedroom. Humidifiers add moisture back into the environment and can help your skin retain hydration. But don’t just use them in the winter. Humidifiers can be beneficial in the summertime too when air conditioners are cranked to high, causing the moisture levels to decline in the air.

10. SLEEP ON YOUR BACK

Are you a stomach or side sleeper? You’re more likely to get unwanted compression lines, chest creases, and under-eye bags while sleeping in this position. To add insult to injury, these lines can become permanent over time. Switch to a position on your back.

11. ELEVATE YOUR HEAD

Gravity can cause blood to pool underneath your eyes making the look puffy and even dark circles to look more pronounced. A simple way to help with this problem is by propping your head up with two pillows while snoozing. In the morning, apply a cold spoon, compress, or cucumber to help vasoconstrict the area even further.

12. WASH YOUR PILLOWCASES REGULARLY

Dirty pillowcases can transfer acne-causing bacteria, dirt, and oil onto your skin while you sleep. To keep overnight breakouts at bay, wash your pillowcase every other week at a minimum. If you took a nap with product in your hair and on your face, switch your pillowcase (or flip it over) before going to bed that evening.

13. GET PLENTY OF SLEEP

It’s during deep sleep that our surface skin cells undergo repair from the day’s aggressors. If you strip that time away—or simply don’t get enough of Zzz’s night after night—your skin can look dull, tired, and fatigued. Since dry skin can exacerbate the appearance of wrinkles, dark circles, fine lines, and visible signs of aging, it’s especially crucial to get the recommended amount of shut-eye per night.

Have trouble getting a good night’s rest? Here are some tips and tricks that may help you fall asleep easier.