5 Products That Make My Skin Look Better Overnight

When time is of the essence or I'm feeling particularly lazy—usually both—these exfoliating pads are immensely handy. They're infused with glycolic and salicylic acids to instantly tone and resurface the skin like an expensive peel would but in a matter of seconds. And thanks to calming ingredients like chamomile and lavender, they're sensitive skin–friendly.

I like to whip these out when I have stubborn acne scars and an event on my calendar. One thing to keep in mind: They're pretty powerful, so I'd advise against using them with another exfoliant. I use these up to three times a week and exfoliate with other methods on the in-between days.

I reach for the formula that glowy individuals like Jessica Alba, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Chrissy Teigen all swear by. Celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden's Retinol Reform has earned a devout following for good reason: This shit delivers, and you see results the following morning—the kind of results that inspire people to write glowing internet reviews even though they "never write reviews, I swear!"

The secret to this particular retinol is that it's stabilised in a way that allows it to penetrate the deepest layers of the skin, bringing new meaning to the oh so aspirational lit-from-within glow.

This is a common occurrence with my perpetually dehydrated skin. Sometimes I slather on what seems like a paycheck's worth of creams and serums only to wake up with a patchy and dull complexion. Exfoliation is essential in combatting this, but a hydrating oil is also a key player. I've recently become hooked on this Kypris formula, which is a cocktail of Bulgarian rose oil, CoQ10, and vitamins C and E. These ingredients all work in tandem to correct sun damage and boost collagen in the long term. But the instant gratification is in the petal-soft texture it imparts on my skin. It's my new favourite product to layer underneath tinted moisturiser for a truly dewy finish.

I am incredibly skeptical of the eye cream category as a whole, but when facialist James Vivian insisted on sending me home with this serum during a recent appointment, I figured it was worth a shot because my under-eye bags are a permanent fixture on my face at this point. I was hooked within a single use. It melted into my skin and immediately smoothed out those stubborn folds, finally allowing my concealer to glide on without creasing.

One of the starring ingredients is copper peptides—a buzzy compound that some dermatologists describe as "topical Botox" (say no more). But I also have to shout out the serum's holographic colour, which is a nice touch. 

I've tried a lot of really amazing moisturisers that get the job done but also leave a weird film on my skin. This formula is my go-to when I need a kick of hydration but also want a velvety texture. Better yet, the high dosage of vitamins C and E visibly brightens my skin, leaving the kind of luminosity that I usually obtain with the help of CC cream and highlighter. It's my weekend moisturiser for this reason—perfect for Saturday mornings when I'm hanging around my neighborhood but don't necessarily want to don a full face of makeup.