There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep. Aside from feeling fantastic, getting enough shut-eye is great for your body—and, in particular, your skin. Overnight, your skin works hard to neutralize free radicals and repair itself from damage (however minor) incurred during the daytime. However, we don’t recommend shutting your eyes and planning to wake up with skin that looks clear, smooth, and glowy with zero effort on your part. Some things are too good to be true.

While you snooze, at the same time as those beneficial things are occurring, sebum production is reduced. And this may cause moisture loss overnight. Without proper care (i.e., a dedicated nighttime skincare routine), skin can end up dry and flakey by morning. Utilizing products designed to complement and enhance your body’s natural nighttime processes—such as those featured in our Midnight Recovery line—is one of the easiest ways to keep your skin looking its best.

For this edition of Kiehl’s Test Lab, we’re talking about Midnight Recovery Concentrate and Midnight Recovery Omega-Rich Cloud Cream. Ahead, discover what we have to say about the luxurious line and learn how you can incorporate our best nighttime skincare products into your routine.

Background: Midnight Recovery Line

First, a crash course on our Midnight Recovery Line is in order. The nighttime skincare collection features four products—a cleanser, a face oil, an eye cream, and a moisturizer— designed to work in harmony with your body’s natural nighttime processes. The collection is suitable for all skin types and features a carefully-curated collection of soothing, skin-replenishing ingredients, including olive-derived squalane and evening primrose oil.

Also used throughout the collection is lavender essential oil—not just because it’s beneficial for the skin but also because of its fragrance: Lavender is known for its calming properties. In our Midnight Recovery Line, it’s used as a natural fragrance to help calm your senses and prepare you for rest and relaxation. The essential oil is incorporated thoughtfully to maximize benefits and skin reparation while maintaining the soothing properties of the remainder of the formula.

Test Subject: Midnight Recovery Concentrate and Cloud Cream

Longtime Kiehl’s fans are probably already familiar with Midnight Recovery Concentrate Face Oil. This luxurious, moisturizing face oil is a staple in nighttime skincare routines. It helps replenish skin at night when it’s most susceptible to repairing itself from the daily onslaught of stressors like air pollution. It also boosts essential moisture and helps smooth the skin.

As for Midnight Recovery Omega-Rich Cloud Cream, even Kiehl’s devotees may not be acquainted with this moisturizer just yet. Inspired by the aforementioned oil, it’s a newer addition to the Kiehl’s lineup. The light-as-air formula contains 10 carefully chosen botanical extracts, plus omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It helps plump the skin and strengthens the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Used together, the face oil and the moisturizer are intended to be the ultimate night skincare dream team—more on that next.

The Results:

Midnight Recovery Concentrate Face Oil is a definite favorite when it comes to night skin treatments (including for many of our editors!), and it’s especially perfect anytime skin feels dry or tight. It leaves skin looking firmer, more radiant, and more youthful over time. The immediate experience is great, too: The oil is lightweight and absorbs easily to make skin feel super smooth.

The texture of Midnight Recovery Omega-Rich Cloud Cream is just as notable. It has a unique, almost whipped formula that feels really pleasant on the skin and absorbs beautifully, without any heaviness. The moisturizer instantly makes skin feel more hydrated, and, with time, it helps reveal a more rejuvenated, refined appearance.

While both products are powerhouses on their own, it’s an especially relaxing experience to use them together. Skin feels (and looks) great—both right away and when you wake up in the morning. In consumer studies, they were shown to help nourish and visibly restore the skin, leaving it baby-soft and smooth.*

*Based on consumer and clinical studies.

Put This Nighttime Skincare Routine To The Test

If you’re interested in adding our favorite skincare products for night into your evening skincare routine, you’re in luck. Ahead, discover a simple four-step routine for replenished, rejuvenated skin.

Step 1:

Cleanse With Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil

Washing your face before heading to bed is important for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it helps remove all of the dirt and grime that may have accumulated on your face throughout the day. Secondly, a thorough cleanse can help ensure the rest of the products in your routine work as they should.

At night, we recommend using a gentle oil-based cleanser, like Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil. The ultra-nourishing formula gently dissolves dirt and debris (even waterproof makeup) without over-drying. To use it, dispense three to four pumps of the nighttime cleanser onto your palms, then massage the oil over your dry face. Then, add lukewarm water. The oil will transform into a light, silky cleansing milk that rinses away easily, leaving your skin feeling soft, smooth, and replenished. Pat your skin dry with a clean, soft towel, then proceed on to step two.

Kiehl’s Tip: If desired, you can do a double cleanse by washing your face with a foaming cleanser after using your oil cleanser. Learn more in our article What Is Double Cleansing and Why Should You Try It?

Step 2:

Nourish Your Eye Area With Midnight Recovery Eye

Help keep the delicate area hydrated by smoothing on Midnight Recovery Eye, which contains butcher’s broom extract and sunflower seed oil in addition to the collection’s signature lavender oil and evening primrose oil. The anti-aging formula helps smooth and restore the eye area, diminishing the appearance of puffiness and dark under-eye circles with consistent use. It’s suitable for all skin types and can be used nightly for fresher, younger-looking eyes come sunrise. Simply tap a small amount of the formula around your entire eye area (lids included). Avoid rubbing or pulling at the skin to prevent unnecessary stress in the area.

Step 4:

Complete Your Routine With Midnight Recovery Concentrate Face Oil

Last but most certainly not least, reach for Midnight Recovery Concentrate Face Oil. Dispense a few drops of the lightweight, non-comedogenic oil onto clean palms, then press your hands onto your face to trap in moisture and replenish your skin. If you want to end your nighttime skincare routine on an extra-indulgent note, you can reach for a skincare tool, like a jade roller, to give yourself a quick end-of-day facial massage.

Next: Overnight skincare products can also be a great way to replenish your skin while you sleep. Learn more in our article Why You Need an Overnight Face Mask.