I believe that a great night’s beauty sleep is essential to good health. So, I have adjusted my bedtime ritual, getting to bed at 10:45 PM to be asleep by 11:00. My bedtime beauty regimen can get pretty lengthy, but these days I’ve narrowed it down to these essential products so that Mr. Geeks can stop complaining that my bedtime routine is too long. 
Biotherm Blue Therapy Eye Cream / SkinCeuticals Emollience
Rich and hydrating skincare is important, of course. I like my nighttime skincare deeply hydrating and soothing, and these two products fit the bill.
SkinCeuticals Emollience* ($68 for 60 ml, availability listed at www.skinceuticals.com/canada) is a luxurious, gentle and effective night cream formula. My skin has become a bit sensitive from winter dryness, and this soothes my skin wonderfully. What’s in it, you ask? Brazilian sea algae nourishes, while natural oils — grape seed, rose hip and macadamia — lock in moisture. You know I love my oils (especially rose hip), and my skin just loves this cream. Sadness will be the day that I run out.
Biotherm has extracted ingredients from the sea and brought them to Biotherm Blue Therapy Eye Cream* ($55 for 15 ml, available in April 2013). The main ingredients — AFA, Laminaria ochroleuca and pure thermal plankton extracts — promise to restructure, strengthen and soothe the eye zone. Biotherm extends the very definition of the eye zone; it targets:
- Wrinkles: the crow’s feet, vertical lion’s wrinkle between the eyebrows, fine lines around the eye contour,
- Darkness: areas of pigmentation under the eyes and the upper cheeks,
- Lack of Firmness: the upper and lower eyelids area with under eye bags.
Instructions for application of Biotherm Blue Therapy Eye Cream
Now, that’s a lot of promises. I’ll tell you my skin concern: I have developed itchy eczema patches on my eyelids over the winter months. I need my eye cream to be gentle and effective at eliminating this problem area. I found that a tiny amount of Biotherm Blue Therapy Eye Cream melted into my skin immediately and smoothed out the surface. I tried this during the day before makeup, but found it too creamy for that purpose; my eye makeup was creasing more than normal. For night time however, it is perfect. I notice that my fine lines have been smoothed out; flaking and irritation have disappeared. That to me, makes this a winner.
NUXE Rêve de Miel Lip Balm / Aveda Stress-Fix Concentrate
I didn’t love NUXE Rêve de Miel® Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm ($17 for 15 ml, at Murale, Shoppers Drugmart, The Bay) on my first try. I found it thick and gritty. But this is my lip saver this winter. When I have dry chapped lips, I put this thick yellow lip balm on before bed and wake up with smooth supple lips. This is an overnight miracle worker. Love.
Lastly, a little bit of aromatherapy with Aveda Stress-Fix Concentrate ($22 for 7 ml at Aveda). I bought this one on a whim on an especially stressful week at work. The aroma of French lavender, lavandin and clary sage instantly calms me down. I roll it on my pulse points and right under my nose and take a niiiice, deeeeep, breath. Ahhhhhh, heaven.
What about you: what is your bedtime regimen?
Available at Pure + simple spas in the Greater Toronto area and 
