The Blissful Nighttime Routines Of 12 (Mostly Well-Rested) R29 Editors

Skincare routines and fitness journeys get a whole lot of love, but what about our precious nighttime rituals? We're talking about those crucial moments in between, say, brushing your teeth and fully closing your eyes for the evening. It's the very last sequence of motions we go through, all to make sure we're keeping our minds and bodies in decent form — in preparation for the bright-eyed, bushy-tailed morning ahead, of course.

And, as many of us can attest, a solid nighttime routine can be a make-or-break sequence — between whether you'll have a chipper morning or a wrong-side-of-the-bed wake. So, for Sleep Week, we thought it'd be worth uncovering the right-before-bed processes of R29's editors (whether they're well-rested or doing whatever they can to get as many winks as possible).

As you'll see, there's some overlap in clear-eyed favorites ahead — from a preference in Quince and Brooklinen bedding to Kindles to an overwhelming use of white noise sound machines. You'll also find a curation of the best room and pillow sprays, fan-favorite comfy pajamas, and a roundup of holy grail skincare products. There's also plenty of under-cover MVP products that get us giddy for snuggling up with ourselves. (Think: An aromatic body oil; a trusty vibrator, or a round-boi stuffed animal even an adult can't deny.) We hope some of our top sleep-aid picks drift their way into your own nighttime routine as well. Here's to having a good night's rest.

Type of sleeper: The early riser

"I try to get 8 hours of rest, but that doesn't always happen because I usually have a really hard time falling asleep and I also like to wake up pretty early in the morning."

"I usually start to wind down around 8 or 9 p.m. I'll do some light stretching and tend to any extra stiff muscles with my Theragun Mini. I'll then make myself up a cup of Sakara Sleep Tea, roll on some calming Tata Harper essential oil, and sit on my bed to read a book on my Kindle or watch a show on my laptop until I feel tired enough to go to bed between 10 and 11 p.m. I also just recently got a Nolah Mattress Topper — because I've been trying to make my sleep space as cloud-like as possible — and it has completely changed the feeling of my 5-year-old mattress (it's also currently on sale!). It feels both squishy and supportive and I find that my body relaxes and settles easier while trying to fall asleep too!"

Type of sleeper: The early riser

"I get between 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night."

"For as long as I can remember, I've never had problems getting good quality sleep — and lots of it. While this is probably partially due to luck/genetics, I also take my nighttime routine very seriously and am usually in bed by 10 p.m. at the latest. I'm a nighttime shower-er, so I usually add a few drops of aromatherapy oil (my favorite is Deep Relax by Aromatherapy Associates) to help me calm down after a day of work. If I haven't done laundry, I'll sleep in undies and a T-shirt, but I also live for cute pajamas. I just got a ribbed Parade set that I love!

I minimize phone time as much as possible before bed, so around 8 p.m. or so I always, always, ALWAYS change my iPhone screen brightness to Night Shift. I seriously can't remember the last time I didn't do that, and I feel like it actually has helped me relax since blue light can be disruptive to your circadian rhythm. Around the time I do that, I also try to dim the lights in my bedroom or living room, depending on where I'm posted up at. I have those Philips smart bulbs that allow me to adjust the brightness (and turn them on/off) from my phone — a total game-changer. I think I remember a sleep specialist telling me that dimming the lights helps your brain signal that it's time for bed, and I feel like it's made a pretty big difference!

I drink tea 24/7 — okay, not really, but for all the waking hours of the day, I'm very likely with a warm bevy. I'm not much of a coffee drinker. At night, I love herbal tea to help me relax. My favorites are mint or Japanese roasted green tea that I get in Tokyo. There's also a David's Tea called Serenity Now that I half-bought because of the name (Seinfeld hive, assemble), but it is actually SO delicious. I brew it in a loose-leaf teapot that I also bought in Japan.

I like to sleep with a white noise machine on to help me ignore background noise from the street or neighbors on my apartment floor. Mine is by LectroFan and it works great. I usually don't take any melatonin or sleep aids (unless I'm jetlagged and feel like 0% tired), but when I do, I love the Hims & Hers Melatonin gummies. They are so fucking yummy, I could probably eat a whole bottle. (Writer's note: DO NOT DO THIS!) Another thing I sometimes do is wear a silk eye mask (I have a Slip one that I love) to help me block out light. It also just feels nice! I also sleep with a silk pillowcase, which I think has also helped me feel extra comfy and cozy in bed. Bliss."

Type of sleeper: The early riser

"I try to get 8 hours of sleep a night, but usually get 6."

"What do I do other than have a glass of wine, wash my face, and PTFO? I like to have a cup of caffeine-free Numi Honeybush Organic Tea — it helps me stay hydrated throughout the night and keeps me warm in my chilly apartment. Then, I wrap my 'fro up into a satin scarf from Amazon and put on my matching plaid winter pajamas and socks. (YES, I wear socks to bed; it's called having poor circulation.)

FYI, while this prep is all happening, my Amazon heated blanket is cooking up to its highest temp. Then, post-skincare and oral hygiene, I hop into my Quince linen bedding with my plushie Cheesecake and spritz my pillow with a This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray just for a little extra lavender pizzazz."

Type of Sleeper: The bad sleeper

"I struggle with insomnia, nightmares, and general anxiety that makes me particularly aware of my senses. So, I have to work really hard to descend into sleep every night. Based on years of trial and error (and copious amounts of therapy), I have figured out a few things that work to combat my poor sleep habits to get some rest.”

“First and foremost, I make sure that my room feels zen and peaceful. And that starts with my bedding. I like it to feel clean and breathable (since I often get hot flashes), and I’m currently obsessed with Brooklinen’s Luxe Hardcore Sheet Set. It’s so soft, 100% cotton for maximum breathability, and it still feels brand new after months of wash and wear.

I know a lot of people have a lengthy nighttime routine of skin care, meditation, and relaxation, but after taking my dog out for her final potty walk, I pretty much just take my contacts out, get into bed, and read. Yes, that’s right. I’m a reader. But because my partner is an amazing sleeper (I’m not jealous at all, I swear), I read on my Kindle, so as not to bother her with a light on. I’m a fan of the Paperwhite model, which you can adjust to use during the day or night.

Once my eyes are sufficiently exhausted, I turn on my Lasko Oscillating Tower Fan. It’s remote-controlled, so I barely have to move to turn it on, and I leave it on the lowest setting (even in the winter) for the perfect level of constant white noise and a light breeze. Then, finally, I reach for my eye mask. Because, obviously, I need a fully blacked-out room to go to sleep. The only eye mask that works for me is this 100% cotton one from Cottonique. Other eye masks (especially ones made from silk), aren’t breathable enough for my skin and can cause styes, which then actively prevent me from sleeping well. This is my be-all-end all to send me into the best sleep I can get on that particular night.”

Type of sleeper: The night owl

"I try to get at least 7 hours, but it's probably anything from 5 to 7."

"My nighttime routine consists of eating dinner probably too late in the night, showering (if I didn't do it earlier in the night), doing my skincare (if I feel like it, I’m usually too lazy unfortunately), taking my meds, and then going to be — but definitely not going to sleep quite yet. The real key to my routine is my sheets and duvet cover. My favorite sheets of all time — which are the softest, most cooling ones I’ve ever owned and I’m literally obsessed with — are my Ettitude Signature Sateen Duvet Cover and Sheets.

So at least I'm super comfy when I spend half an hour overwhelmed with anxiety and overthinking. Love it. Afterward, I enjoy myself for like an hour with my trusty LELO Sona Cruise and Dame Arousal Serum. Finally, I spray my room with my Milk + Honey lavender eucalyptus spray and the DedCool Milk Room Spray, then I'm on my phone watching TikTok or reading fanfiction until like 1:30 or 2 a.m. depending on how tired I am."

Type of sleeper: The restless goblin

"Most of the time, I simply don't have the strength to remove myself from my warm and cocooning bed. It also doesn't help that my hours of deep work usually fall between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. – it's when I feel the most clear-headed and creative as a writer. But I now find myself needing an hour minimum to switch off my mind."

"A rigorous spa-like routine really helps ease me into slumber. I swear by this Anatome Japanese Seaweed Essential Oil, which contains 22 kinds of essential oils. This blend smells like a tranquil forest and has the power to make me feel relaxed even just from sniffing the bottle. I usually open it up, get a nice whiff, and massage two or three drops across my wrists and my back shoulders. The smell of the oil changes once it interacts with your skin – becoming more oceany – and my shoulder muscles are instantly less tense. I'm now on my third bottle, so I wholeheartedly recommend this for every one who struggles with intense thoughts.

Aromatherapy Associates is another brand I love for my bedtime routines: I use the De-Stress Muscle Gel when I have been straining my neck sitting at the desk; I also apply it all over my calves if I've been walking a lot. When I am particularly tired or stressed, I try to get into the zone by taking a hot shower with REN's Anti-Fatigue Body Wash. I love the essential oils in it and the product makes my skin feel so clean and hydrated. I wear lipstick almost every day, so I try to mask up overnight to avoid waking up with wrinkly, flaky lips. Laneige's Lip Sleeping Mask is the best in the game, IMO.

Another important thing for me is what I'm slipping into when I'm trying to fall asleep. Bedding with a bamboo-cotton blend material, like this Sunday Citizen sheet set, is my go-to since it is thermoregulating and so cozy at the same time. I also exclusively wear matching PJ sets and gravitate towards soft fabrics like modal, jersey, or bamboo. I've had these Uniqlo Airism Cotton Pajamas for years – they still hold up and I'd like to collect them in every color. Finally, since I'm such an overthinker at night, I like having a spiral notebook at my side so I can jot down notes before bed, or document any weird dreams as soon as I open my eyes. This starry Papier notebook is cute and super on-theme."

Type of Sleeper: The night owl by nature but early riser by necessity

"I also love a little nap. Basically, I’m tired all the time. Also, I spend a lot of post-work hours doing work in bed, which makes it harder for me to fall asleep."

"The first thing I do when I get into my bedroom at night is turn on my ColourNoise Sound Machine. Even if I don’t plan to actually go to sleep for another few hours, I find that it helps me get in a calmer, more relaxed state as I wind down for the evening. And while there are tons of white noise machines on the market, I’ve found that ColourNoise’s array of sound options, which runs the gamut from traditional white noise (that kind of soft, wind-like whooshing sound, if you’re unfamiliar) to rain and other pleasant nature sounds. One of the things I like most about this particular white noise machine is that it also functions as a night light because while I may be, nominally, an adult, my eyes adjust poorly to the dark (leaving me unable to see in even a relatively dark room) and making a bedroom nightlight a non-negotiable for me. 

Once I’m winding down (before I start my skincare routine), I like to spray my pillows with the Muse Apothecary Pillow Ritual Calming Mist and give it a few minutes to completely dry before getting into bed. I’m very sensitive to scents and wouldn’t be able to sleep if my pillows smelled like a department store perfume counter, but this spray’s scent is extremely light and pleasant to the point that it’s virtually unnoticeable, even when my face is, quite literally, pressed up against it. 

When I’ve finished my skincare routine (which, for someone as vain as I am, is a pretty low-effort process), I get into bed and put on the finishing touch: Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin ™ Eye Cream with Niacinamide. While I don’t usually believe it when people tout certain beauty treatments as 'holy grail' products, this cream is literally so good I can tell when I go even a single day without it. It has kept my under eye area looking super smooth and effectively hiding any dark circles for years and on the rare occasion I’ve left it at home while traveling, I’ve found myself truly, and embarrassingly, bereft." 

Type of sleeper: The vampire or, possibly, zombie? 

"My regular bedtime is anywhere from 3 to 4 a.m. The night is my time of the day. I will sleep for hours if you let me, but I survive as a loyal member of Team No Sleep. (You’d be surprised to know that I only have two alarms to wake up to despite my minimal amount of sleep.)"

"Anyway, my beloved part of the long night ahead is winding down, and I'll actually get ready pretty early — by my standards. You can count on me to already be cozy in my matching long sleeve, Cozy Earth Bamboo Pajama set, or Eberjey Gisele co-ords. Around 10 p.m., I have a  green tea with lemon and honey to relax. Then 11 p.m., after brushing my teeth, is when I start my extensive skincare routine. Get ready, everyone. Putting on my skincare is a deep joy in the mornings and nights, and I cherish every minute. Once I put on a calming playlist on Spotify, my nightly skincare routine begins. I go in with Hanskin's Pore Cleansing Oil, cleanser, toner, sheet mask, essence, serum, and an ampoule if needed. Then I seal everything in with a hydrating sleeping mask or Sulwhasoo's Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream, and eye cream. Depending on the day of the week, an exfoliator and Murad's Retinol Youth Renewal Serum will be added to the mix. 

Finally, I'll spritz Jo Malone London's Wild Bluebell above me once I'm out of the bathroom and do a little stretching or meditation with my secret balletcore playlist softly playing. At this point, my fiancé will already have our Muji Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser on with a few drops of our go-to essential oil. I'm big on subtle scents. For the rest of the night until I go to sleep, I lounge in bed rotating between watching Molly Yeh's cooking show, Girl On The Farm on YouTube TV, reading a new or old worn-in book, and vlogs from my favorite Toronto ballerina."

Type of sleeper: The skincare-adoring night owl

"My biggest issue is getting to bed at a reasonable hour; if I can make myself turn the lights off before 11:00 p.m. that’s a win and I can usually zonk out pretty fast. If I’m up later, it’s because I’m reading a book, scrolling TikTok, or catching up on the archives of my favorite advice column."

The biggest part of my routine before bed is skin-care focused. I really vary what I use based on my mood and what I’ve collected from sales and subscription boxes, but I almost always go back to the Paula’s Choice BHA liquid exfoliant. I also try not to buy it all the time, but its hard to overstate what a difference the Augustinus Bader Rich Cream can make. If I’m feeling extra, I usually throw in a few serums and essences on top of all that. Then I brush my teeth, which is far less about indulgent self-care and more fear of cavities. My dentist recently sold me on a funky brush that is supposed to get plaque off from hard-to-reach spots like the back of your molars, so I try to use that a few times a week.

My husband tends to go to bed a bit earlier than I do, and we found that my fancy Loftie lamp provides a soft enough light that he can get to sleep easier while I read. He also turns on our white noise machine. There are obviously endless options on the market, but I like that ours is an actual fan. If I know I'm listening to a recording of waves or rainfall I find it weirdly distracting. If he’s really lucky, I’m reading a library book on my Kindle, which means I can read with all the lights off thanks to the Kindle’s frontlight, which is strong enough even in the new base model to read in the dark. Right now, I’m reading How To Sell A Haunted House, which is hard to put down but also starting to affect my dreams.

We don’t wear pajamas to bed, though I have an extensive collection of PJs I wear almost any time I’m at home but not actually between the covers. My current favorite set is from LL Bean, maybe we can say they’re secretly cottagecore? They definitely aren’t cool but they’re classics, and so soft without being too heavy or sweaty. Either way, once it's actually time to get between the covers, I’m fine just snuggling up against my Brooklinen sheets. Honestly, the only thing that makes me have a bad night’s sleep (apart from our demonic cat) is if we haven’t changed the sheets in a while — I make my husband observe a once-weekly holiday I call Clean Sheet Day, and getting between clean sheets with a good book, fresh from the shower? Nothing better. 

Type of sleeper: Just doing my best

"Although I wish for 8 hours of sleep a night, my Health app reveals I'm averaging a solid 6."

"About an hour before I hit the hay, I'll turn off all my main lights and just turn on the sconce that is right above my bed. I'm truly obsessed with my Gantri wall light because it's fully dimmable and it gives off this warm, natural glow that gets me all excited for bed — the light that I have is an older model that isn't available anymore but honestly, all of the lights from Gantri are so beautifully designed and easy to install. Highly recommend. Because it's wintertime and the air is quite dry, my face needs more hydration than normal — so as a part of my face-washing routine, I'll pat on a good helping of The Ordinary hyaluronic acid and B5 serum after cleansing, immediately followed by a slug of First Aid Beauty's Ultra Repair Cream. Yum. On nights that I need it, I'll also turn on my trusty Crane humidifier that looks like a cute, oversized raindrop!

I've been pretty tired on my own lately so I haven't had to take a sleep aid in a minute, but on days that I do need a little help, these Beauty zzZz melatonin supplements from HUM Nutrition work in a pinch and don't leave me groggy in the morning. I know I shouldn't be on screens before bedtime, but I really can't help it — I love watching movies before I doze off, and for that I gotta have my Criterion Channel. My friend Ellen is the designer of a very colorful, very graphic-heavy home goods line called Dusen Dusen and I have to say that these gauzy coverlets are my favorite bedding products ever (there are quite a few patterns to choose from and they're all amazing) — the coverlet is somewhere between a plush quilt and a lightweight duvet. As a hot sleeper, it's just fluffy enough to satiate my need for a blanket but it's not so thick that it'll sweat me out. Pure bliss!"

Type of sleeper: The low-maintenance night owl

"I am the type of sleeper who can fall asleep anywhere if I’m sleepy, and then shortly take a nap for a few hours after I wake up."

"The first step for me is always setting my alarms for the next morning and putting my phone down so the blue-light doesn’t further keep me awake, then I turn off my lights and flip my little LED clip-on bedside lamp on for a moodier vibe – I especially love how it has different light tones and intensities so I don’t always need my overhead room light on. 

When I want to begin getting ready for bed, I don’t have a specific routine, but at some point during the night before brushing my teeth/flossing, I always make sure to put CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizer on after either washing my face with CeraVe Foaming Face Wash (I buy the largest bottle because face washing is never a bad idea) or using a cotton round with whatever Garnier micellar water I have at the time.  Once my face is taken care of, I brush through my hair and apply some Davine’s OI Oil to my ends. I first tried Davine’s products at my friend’s house and never went back, their products just feel so luxurious and smell amazing.

Finally making it to my bed for the final rest, I get into my luxe sateen sheet-encased bed. Once I got Brooklinen’s Luxe Sateen Sheet Core Set, I don’t know if I can ever go back to other types of sheets. I am a hot sleeper and can’t use certain sheets or they’ll just end up on the floor, but Brooklinen’s sheets are nice and cool to allow me to breathe during the night. The sheets are so comfortable that I almost don’t want to get out of bed in the morning and are perfect for snuggling into at night with my puppy, Nugget. I highly recommend you drop the coin on these sheets for an A+ sleep. Blankets are the other sleep equipment that make my bed super cozy (and they’re my favorite things ever). After being gifted a ModernThreads blanket two holiday seasons ago, I (and Nugget) never sleep without it!

During the summer, I’m a whore for my Dyson Pure Cool fan, it’s sleek, sexy, and keeps me oh so cool during hot Texas summers and, more recently, steaming New York summers. I’ll leave you with one last note, the one consistent sleep routine product is a full 32oz Nalgene water bottle, I’m not saying you gotta get a Nalgene, but hydration is before bed and first thing in the morning is key!"

Type of Sleeper: The low-maintenance bad sleeper

"I’ll be honest, I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in months. I don’t do much prep beforehand to ensure a restful night, so I can only blame myself. But I'm working on it!"

"I usually finish my night with a hot shower, where I’ll scrub down in Dove’s lavender and chamomile body wash that, when mixed with the steam, immediately opens up my sinuses and calms me down. I unfortunately haven’t nailed down a standardized skincare routine that I do every night. But at the very least, I’ll slab the celebrity-approved Laneige sleeping lip mask onto my lips (which I also use as the perfect gloss for days and nights out) and slather on an Aveeno lotion on my hands, elbows, knees, and feet. 

Once I’m in bed, I lay back onto my satin pillowcases, of which I have quite a few, but my newest addition is a discounted set from Amazon. I find that they keep me cool, are gentle on my skin (allowing me to wake up sans any facial creases), and keep my hair frizz-free. I also always have a fan running in my bedroom for extra coolness and the noise factor to help me fall and stay asleep. But my restless nights have also recently brought me to a sound machine for extra help. I’ve only tried the brown noise setting so far, but am looking forward to trying more sounds."