The Ultimate Mom’s Night In Skincare Guide for Solo Moms 35+

Being a solo mom can be a lot. You’re the chef, the chauffeur, the therapist, the nurse, the bedtime negotiator, and about 14 other titles depending on the day.

But when it comes to pouring into ourselves, especially for us over 35 mamas, our efforts tend to fall flat.

So this post is your official permission slip to 🛑 stop what you’re doing, 🔑lock your bedroom door (yes, I said LOCK it), and claim ONE evening as your Mom’s Night In.

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🕯️ Step 1: Set the Mood

Before you even reach for your cleanser, set the tone for the night:

• Put the kids to bed (or pass them off to Memom if you can).

• Light your favorite candle or get that essential oil diffuser going. Lavender, eucalyptus, and vanilla are all calming faves.

• Turn on some chill R&B, jazz, or your “grown & sexy” playlist. Toni Braxton, H.E.R., Sade—whatever feels like self-love in music form.

• Grab a glass of wine, mocktail, or that bougie herbal tea you’ve been meaning to try.

✨ We want to make this more than just skincare. We want to make it a ritual.

🧼 Step 2: Cleanse Away the Chaos

Start with a gentle, nourishing cleanser to wash off everything your skin has been through. Debris, stress, or even somebody’s trifling grown son.

Recommended:

• CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleanser

As you rinse, take a breath. Imagine everything that doesn’t serve you—self-doubt, mom guilt, exhaustion—going right down the drain.

🧽 Step 3: Exfoliate Like You’re Scrubbing Away The Drama

Once or twice a week, your skin deserves a refresh. Exfoliating removes dead skin, unclogs pores, and brings back that “I got 8 hours of sleep” look (even if you didn’t).

Recommended:

• Paula’s Choice BHA Liquid Exfoliant (gentle but powerful)

• DRMTLGY Microdermabrasion Facial Scrub and Face Mask

Now don’t go scrubbing like you’re scrubbing leftover meatloaf off your dishes. We want soft, loving circles and let the scrub do the rest. Your face is precious real estate, not a countertop, chile.

💆🏾‍♀️ Step 4: Mask + Marinate

Now comes the part where you do absolutely nothing—on purpose.

Slather on a detoxifying clay mask or a hydrating sheet mask, then sit your tail down.

• Catch up on that show you’ve been too tired to finish.

• Read two pages of that book you’ve been meaning to start (yes, two is enough).

• Scroll Pinterest for dream vacations and bathroom remodels.

• Or just… sit in silence.

Recommended:

• Aztec Secret Clay Mask (mix with ACV)

• The Crème Shop Sheet Masks (tons of options for every skin need)

• DRMTLGY Microdermabrasion Facial Scrub and Face Mask

💦 Step 5: Treat + Hydrate That Grown-Woman Skin

This is where you really finna glow. Apply a serum that speaks to your current skin needs (oily, dry, or combo) because our 35+ skin is not what it used to be, honey.

Common Must Haves:

• Vitamin C – for brightening and fading dark spots

• Hyaluronic Acid – for hydration and plumpness

• Retinol – for fine lines and texture

Recommended:

• The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

• Olay Retinol 24 Night Serum

• Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Serum

Pat it in gently and let that magic soak in.

🧴 Step 6: Moisturize Like It’s a Love Language

Seal in all that goodness with a rich, hydrating moisturizer. Your skin is grown, your bills are definitely grown, and your moisturizer should reflect that.

Don’t forget to moisturize your neck, chest, and hands as well. Those areas are often neglected but need just as much love because they age too.

Recommended:

• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream

• Drunk Elephant Protini Cream

• E.l.f. Holy Hydration Face Cream

💋 Bonus: Eye Cream & Lip Love

Because no mom got time to be looking as tired as she feels.

• Tap in a little under-eye cream to de-puff and smooth

• Swipe on a lip mask or balm so you wake up soft and smooch-ready

Recommended:

• e.l.f. Holy Hydration Eye Cream

• Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

🧘🏾‍♀️ Step 7: Reflect, Release & Rest

Then you want to end your night with a moment for you:

• Write down 3 things you’re grateful for

• Stretch or do some deep breathing for five minutes

• Speak this over yourself:

“I am still beautiful. Still worthy. Still HER.”

Then slide into bed glowing like your love life, finances, and co-parenting situation are all thriving (whether they are or not. SPEAK IT!)

Final Thoughts: You Deserve This, Mama

It’s a honor to show up for your babies. But it’s even more of a right to show up for yourself. Show yourself, like you do everyone else, “I matter too damn it!”

And at our age, neglecting your skincare is an absolute no no!

So don’t wait for a birthday, a man, or a vacation to feel good in your skin.

Create your peace.

Claim your glow.

And take care of the skin you’re in.