6 Editors on the Bedtime Beauty Step They Will Never Skip

When you're so tired that you can barely keep your eyes open, going through your entire nighttime routine quickly loses its appeal. Yet even on those extra-sleepy nights, there's probably one beauty-related step you rarely skip.

Whether it's something like double-cleansing your skin or spritzing on a pillow spray before lying down, you might even swear that completing the task helps you drift off to sleep a little faster, too.

Ahead, six editors reveal the beauty step they believe to be nonnegotiable before heading to bed.

"I do not, and will not, get into bed without spritzing my favorite chamomile pillow spray onto my sheets and pillows. It's been years since I incorporated this step into my routine, and I still don't know if it's a placebo effect or not — all that matters is that it puts me into a cozy sleep within minutes."

"Every night, I make sure to brush the base of my eyelashes with lash serum. It's my favorite trick for strong, lush lashes with amazing length. Putting it on before bed means it won't interfere with my mascara and makeup routine, which is crucial."

"I'm a night owl who always stays up way too late and can get lazy with my evening beauty routine since I'm nearly nodding off (or, let's be honest, sometimes snoring) in front of the TV. Usually I can muster a quick face wash, but sometimes, even the bathroom feels too far from my bed. That's why I keep a tube of petroleum-jelly-based ointment right on my nightstand. My cuticles are a natural disaster, and it's genetic, I think. But once I started doing this bedtime trick, my hands started looking well-manicured 24/7. I'll slather some on my fingertips and work any excess into my knuckles, palms, even my elbows before dozing off."

"I live in a state of permanently chapped lips and have my entire life (I probably don't drink enough water, but that's a story for another day), so I always need to wear a lip balm to bed — something nourishing that can help do the work while I sleep and reverse some of the damage by morning. I literally can't sleep if my lips are dry when my head hits the pillow!"

"After MUCH trial and error, I finally discovered a prescription retinol that doesn't fry my face off. (My dermatologist is actually owed all of the credit here.) After getting past the initial irritation, I was able to work up to using a dollop every night, and the results have been amazing. My skin is significantly clearer and smoother. Unless I'm dealing with some sensitivity, abnormal dryness, or a dermatitis flare-up, I do not skip this game-changing step!"

"Since 'wash my face' is a little obvious, I'll share the slightly weirder (but just as consistent) next step in my pre-bedtime routine: apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to my lips, eyelids, and anywhere else that feels a little dry. I experience eczema that flares up often, so the ointment not only adds hydration but also provides an extra barrier between my skin and the pillowcase."