A Beauty of Joseon night routine focuses on three things: removing sunscreen and makeup properly, hydrating, and giving treatment products time to work. A typical evening routine is a double cleanse, an optional essence, one serum, an eye serum if you use one, and a moisturizer. Exfoliation is added only a couple of times a week.
Here is how to put it together, with clear rules on what to use every night and what to use occasionally.
The night routine at a glance
| Step | Frequency | Beauty of Joseon option |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Oil or balm cleanse | Nightly if you wore SPF or makeup | Radiance Cleansing Balm or Ginseng Cleansing Oil |
| 2. Water-based cleanse | Nightly | Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser |
| 3. Exfoliate | 1 to 2 times a week | Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel |
| 4. Essence | Optional | Ginseng Essence Water |
| 5. Serum | Nightly | Revive Serum, Glow Deep Serum or Calming Barrier Serum |
| 6. Eye serum | Nightly or a few times a week | Revive Eye Serum |
| 7. Moisturize | Nightly | Dynasty Cream or Red Bean Water Gel |
Step 1 and 2: Double cleanse
Sunscreen and makeup are designed to stay on skin, so a single wash may not remove them fully. Start with a cleansing balm or oil on dry skin, massage for about a minute, emulsify with a little water and rinse. Follow with a gentle gel cleanser. Our double cleansing guide covers the technique in detail, and our balm vs oil comparison helps you choose.
If you wore no sunscreen or makeup, a single gentle cleanse is fine.
Step 3: Exfoliate (not every night)
Exfoliation helps with rough texture and dullness, but overdoing it can damage the skin barrier. Use the Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel once or twice a week on nights when you are not using other strong actives. See our guide on how to use Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel.
Step 4: Essence (optional)
Pat Ginseng Essence Water onto damp skin with your palms. It adds a layer of hydration and helps the next steps spread easily. Skip it if your routine feels heavy.
Step 5: Pick one serum for the night
- Hydration and bounce: Revive Serum (ginseng and snail mucin).
- Uneven tone or dark marks: Glow Deep Serum (rice and alpha-arbutin).
- Redness or irritation: Calming Barrier Serum (green tea and panthenol).
Stick with one serum for a few weeks so you can see how your skin responds.
Step 6: Eye serum
The Revive Eye Serum contains retinal, a retinoid. Start slowly, such as every second or third night, and apply a small amount around the orbital bone rather than on the eyelid. Retinoids can increase sensitivity, so daily sunscreen is essential. Read our full Revive Eye Serum review before you start. If you are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding, ask your doctor before using any retinoid.
Step 7: Moisturize
Use Dynasty Cream if your skin is normal to dry or if the indoor air is dry, which is common during Canadian winters. Choose Red Bean Water Gel if you are oily or dislike rich textures. Apply to face and neck.
Sample weekly schedule
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: double cleanse, essence, Revive Serum, Revive Eye Serum, moisturizer.
- Tuesday, Thursday: double cleanse, Glow Deep Serum, moisturizer.
- Saturday: double cleanse, Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel, Calming Barrier Serum, moisturizer.
- Sunday: keep it simple: cleanse, Calming Barrier Serum, moisturizer.
Adjust based on how your skin feels. If you notice stinging, redness or flaking, cut back on exfoliation and retinal.
Night routine mistakes to avoid
- Exfoliating on the same night as starting a new retinoid.
- Going to bed with sunscreen still on your skin.
- Using several new products in the same week.
- Forgetting your neck.
Why nighttime is the right time for treatments
Evenings are a practical time for treatment products for a few reasons. You are not about to step into sunlight, which matters for retinoids, since they can make skin more sensitive to UV. You are also not layering makeup or sunscreen on top, so serums and creams can stay on undisturbed for several hours. Finally, many people simply have more time at night to cleanse thoroughly.
That does not mean you should use every active product at night. A calm, consistent routine with one treatment step is easier for your skin to tolerate and easier for you to evaluate. If your skin starts to feel tight, itchy or stingy, scale back to cleanser, Calming Barrier Serum and moisturizer for a few nights, then reintroduce products one by one.
Keep your pillowcase clean and tie long hair back if you use rich creams, since hair products and oils can transfer onto the face overnight.
Where to buy in Canada
Our product pages list details and current Canadian buying options: Radiance Cleansing Balm, Revive Serum, Revive Eye Serum and Dynasty Cream. Pair this with our morning routine for a complete day.
FAQ
Do I need to double cleanse every night?
Only if you wore sunscreen, makeup or heavy products. Otherwise, one gentle cleanse is enough.
Can I use the Revive Eye Serum and exfoliate on the same night?
It is better to separate them, especially when you are new to retinal, to reduce the chance of irritation.
Is Dynasty Cream too heavy for night use?
Many people with normal to dry skin like it at night. If you are oily, a thin layer or the Red Bean Water Gel may feel better.
How long until I see results from a night routine?
Hydration can feel better within days, while changes in tone or texture usually take several weeks of consistent use.