Have you been stressed out, waking up tired, or even struggling to fall asleep? It may be time to rethink your night rituals. We can all relate to that ‘running on empty’ feeling, and it’s no secret a good night’s sleep is essential to replenish the body and mind. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to establish a restful night ritual. These simple strategies and nourishing practices will help you wake refreshed, ready to tackle the day ahead.

What is a nighttime ritual?

It’s basically a routine you follow in the leadup to bedtime. For this article, we’re specifically looking at ideas to help you feel more relaxed before your head hits the pillow.

Start decompressing early

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. As women, we often feel pressure to excel in all areas of our lives, leaving little time for relaxation and self-care. However, it's important to take time to decompress before bed to help our brains transition from an active state to a peaceful one. Try calming activities such as:

• Spending screen-free time with loved ones
• Reading or listening to music
• Meditation or breathwork
• Taking a gentle walk
• Practicing yoga or stretching 
• Watching TV

That’s right, even though many sleep experts don’t encourage screens in the bedroom, relaxing on the couch with Netflix can be a great way to unwind.

And remember, don’t rush through a routine: start your evening rituals early so you can savour the moments and still be in bed at a reasonable hour.

Take a warm bath 2-3 hours before bedtime

For many, a warm bath is the perfect antidote to a busy day. Studies from Cornell University Medical College agree, showing a decrease in core body temperature at night can help you fall asleep faster and achieve deeper sleep. Take a warm bath two to three hours before bed and add lavender-infused bath bombs or muscle-soothing magnesium salts for an extra-relaxing experience.

Massage in a body oil that relaxes body & mind 

Step out of your bath or shower and massage in an aromatic body oil. Choose a formula that both nourishes your skin and helps calm your mind. We specifically created Indagare's Relax & Nourish Body Oil for before bed as it’s fast-absorbing and the scents of Rose and Neroli are known for their anxiety-reducing properties while Sandalwood and Vetiver promote relaxation and grounding. For optimal results, warm the oil in your hands and take three deep breaths before massaging it into slightly damp skin. This simple ritual can help you unwind and prepare for dreamland.

Find out more about the power of body oils

Help your mind unwind with herbal tea
Sip a herbal tea with ingredients that promote relaxation and ease anxiety (think Chamomile, Lavender, Lemon Balm and Passionflower). And be sure to stop caffeine intake by midday. Try incorporating our Tranquility Herbal Tea into your routine from late afternoon.

Write it down

Head swirling with ideas and worries? Try journaling or writing a list (keep a paper and pen beside the bed to jot down thoughts). This kind of ‘brain dump’ can really help you switch off and sleep soundly.

Create a sleep sanctuary

Limiting screens is a no-brainer but you can also mindfully create a soothing mood in your bedroom. Think plush linens, block-out blinds, low ambient lighting, and soothing scents. Add essential oils that help you relax (such as Lavender, Chamomile and Ylang Ylang) to your diffuser or spritz your pillow with lavender spray.

Nighttime Skincare Routine: what you need to know

“Should my night skincare be different from my day skincare?” is a question we’re often asked. Your nighttime routine should be different as it prioritises regeneration and repair over defense against UV rays, pollution and other stressors. At night, your skin is also more receptive to topical ingredients, so it's the perfect time to address any specific concerns. Follow these steps nightly, and your skin will benefit — while your mind will look forward to the 'me-time' you carve out.

Discover the incredible life of your skin at night

Cleanse
Cleanse the day away (literally and figuratively) using a product suited to your skin type. And remember, this may change depending on the season. We like to up our cleansing game with a Konjac sponge for a soothing massage experience and gentle but effective exfoliation and cleansing.

Use a toner or spritz
Trying to cut costs? You could skip the spritz, but keep in mind it does help with absorption so be sure to apply your face oil to slightly damp skin (you need the blend of oil and water for best results). If you’re using a toner, ensure it’s alcohol-free to avoid irritation.

Discover how to save money without skimping on self-care

Choose a face oil formulated for regeneration at night

While a face oil is beneficial at any time of day, using it at night can help support your skin's natural renewal and repair processes while you sleep. Because who doesn’t want to wake up with a nourished, glowing complexion? We were honoured when Indagare's Signature Night Recovery Oil won Best Overnight Facial Oil 2023 at the prestigious Beauty Shortlist Awards for its blend of 18 botanicals including Prickly Pear Seed Oil, Sea Buckthorn, Rose, Jasmine and Immortelle.

Our tip? Combining the power of a face and a body oil as part of your nighttime routine will enhance the benefits of each product. This is why we created our Night Rituals bundle features two bestsellers — Signature Night Recovery Oil and Relax & Nourish Body Oil — to help you unwind, replenish, and drift into a peaceful slumber.

Does face oil go before or after moisturiser?
As a rule of thumb, dermatologists suggest starting with a thinner consistency formula and layering thicker products on top. Because our Signature Night Recovery oil is potent yet fast-absorbing it sits beautifully under a heavier moisturizing cream.

Love your locks

Not only will brushing your hair before bed prevent breakage and knots, it can double as a relaxing nighttime ritual. Then, elevate your hair care game with a twice-weekly hair oiling ritual. Take your time with this ancient Ayurvedic practice and use a high-performance formula such as our multi-award winning Indagare's Organic Hair Renewal Oil.

Mask (sometimes)

Incorporating a face mask into your skincare routine can be both indulgent and beneficial for your skin. Indagare's Atonement Superfood Masque (awarded Best Clay Mask – Superfood at the 2023 Beauty Shortlist Awards) simplifies your routine with its 4-in-1 benefits. You can also make a DIY face mask using ingredients you have at home, like turmeric, yoghurt and honey.

Take care of your eyes

Whether or not you spend your days staring at a computer screen, taking care of the delicate skin around your eyes is important. We love our super affordable Prickly Pear Seed Eye Roller as it's 100% natural and organic — and it really works! The rollerball application promotes relaxation while the precious formula helps nourish skin and lighten dark circles thanks to high levels of Vitamin K. A perfect final step before you slip into slumber.

Nighttime sorted? Here's a few ideas for your morning routine