Ever wonder if your nighttime routine is secretly messing with your skin? We asked a beauty professional the five before-bed habits she always avoids and thinks you should too.

Toni Miller has spent more than two decades helping clients feel confident in their skin. As the owner of Bliss Skin Care in Neutral Bay, she combines advanced treatments with a warm, personalised approach that keeps clients coming back year after year.

After more than 20 years in the beauty industry, I know how important your nighttime routine is.

While we sleep, our skin goes into repair mode, which makes our evening habits just as important as the morning skincare routine we’d never think about skipping. Over the years, I’ve found a few rules I always stick to when it comes to looking after my skin.

Never, ever sleep in makeup

It might sound obvious, but even skipping one night of cleansing can cause problems. Makeup clogs pores, traps bacteria and stops your skin from breathing properly. It also gets in the way of your skin’s natural repair process while you sleep.

I always cleanse thoroughly, no matter how tired I am. A few minutes at the sink makes all the difference. Using the right cleanser for your skin type is also important. If you use a face cleanser that is too harsh for your skin, it can damage your skin’s natural barrier and leave it feeling tight and dry, leading to irritation and breakouts.

Don’t over-exfoliate

I love how exfoliating makes skin feel fresh and smooth, but too much can do more harm than good. I avoid using strong acids or scrubs right before bed, especially if my skin is feeling dry or sensitive. Instead, I stick to gentle exfoliation once or twice a week and always follow up with a hydrating serum and moisturiser.

Never skip moisturiser

Even if my skin feels oily, I never go to bed without moisturising. At night, your skin loses more moisture than during the day. A good moisturiser helps to keep the skin barrier strong and locks in hydration and nutrients from your serums. I adjust my routine based on the season or how my skin is feeling, but moisturiser is non-negotiable.

When applying my evening moisturiser, I always make sure to use a specially formulated night cream. Night creams are formulated to support the skin’s repair process while you sleep, whereas day creams are lighter and often include SPF, which you don’t need at night. Using the right formula helps lock in hydration and nutrients, keeping the skin barrier healthy.

Don’t risk trying a new product

Nighttime is not the time to experiment. If your skin reacts to something new while you sleep, you might not notice until it has already caused irritation. I always test new products in the morning so I can keep an eye on how my skin responds. If there is any stinging, redness or discomfort, I can remove it straight away.

Avoid sharing tools – and keep yours clean!

This is a rule I stick to day and night. Sharing makeup brushes, applicators, or skincare tools can easily transfer bacteria, viruses and fungi between people. This can lead to breakouts, eye infections, cold sores and other skin irritations. I always keep my own tools clean and separate. It is a simple habit that helps protect skin health and prevent avoidable issues.

I get it. After a long, busy day, it’s tempting to just fall into bed and skip the skincare. But those few extra minutes at night really do make a difference.

While you sleep, your skin is repairing itself from the stress, pollution and sun exposure it has faced during the day. Giving it a proper cleanse, the right treatments and applying a high-quality night moisturiser helps that process along, so you wake up with skin that looks fresher, feels smoother and stays healthier in the long run.

What does your evening beauty routine look like? Leave us a comment below!