My 10-Minute Night Glow Routine (LED Mask + Collagen & Retinoid)

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Quick Product Links From This Routine

If you just want to see the products I use, here they are:

Cleanser tool:
EZBASICS Facial Cleansing Brush
Gentle exfoliant (used 1–3x/week, not nightly):
Paula’s Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
LED mask:
wavytalk Glow Time Red Light Therapy Mask
Moisturizer with retinol, collagen & HA:
Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer with Retinol, Collagen & Hyaluronic Acid

If you’re too tired at night for a long skincare routine—but still want smoother, brighter skin—this is for you.

I used to overcomplicate my evenings with too many steps. Now I follow a 10-minute night glow routine built around just a few key tools:

An LED light therapy mask
A collagen + retinol moisturizer
Very simple cleansing and optional exfoliation

It’s realistic for busy nights and doesn’t require a 12-step routine.

The Core Products in My Night Glow Routine

1. Gentle Cleansing Tool

EZBASICS Facial Cleansing Brush
I don’t scrub, but this sonic brush helps me:

Properly remove sunscreen and makeup
Get a deeper clean without being harsh
Stick to a 1–2 minute cleanse instead of rushing

2. LED Light Therapy Mask

wavytalk Glow Time Red Light Therapy Mask for Face

This mask uses:

Red + near-infrared light for fine lines and firmness
Blue light for breakouts
Amber light for overall radiance

I use it for 10–15 minutes to support collagen, help with texture, and give my skin a more “awake” look over time.

3. Collagen + Retinol Moisturizer

Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer with Retinol, Collagen & Hyaluronic Acid (1.7 fl oz)

This cream combines:

Retinol – gentle cell turnover and smoothing
Collagen-supporting ingredients – for firmness
Hyaluronic acid – for hydration

I use it after LED as my main night cream, on face and neck.

(Always pair nighttime retinol with SPF 30+ in the morning.)

4. Optional Exfoliant (1–3x per Week, Not Nightly)

Paula’s Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

I don’t use this every night—just 1–3 times per week.

It helps:

Clear out pores
Smooth texture
Reduce the look of blackheads and fine lines

Note: Because this is an acid exfoliant, I avoid using it on the same nights I’m pushing my skin with a lot of actives—listen to your skin and adjust.

My 10-Minute Night Glow Routine (Exactly What I Do)

This is the full routine on a typical night:

Step 1: Gentle Cleanse (1–2 minutes)

Wet face with lukewarm water.
Use a gentle cleanser (with the EZBASICS brush if you like).
Move in light circular motions—no harsh scrubbing.
Rinse and pat dry with a soft towel.

On 1–3 nights per week:
After cleansing and drying, I’ll use Paula’s Choice 2% BHA on a cotton pad, let it absorb, then move on to LED. On other nights, I skip this step.

Step 2: LED Mask Session (10 minutes)

Put on the wavytalk Glow Time LED mask according to the instructions.
Choose a mode that fits your goals (e.g., red + near-infrared for anti-aging, red + blue for breakouts).
Use it for about 10 minutes while you sit, read, or just breathe.

This is my built‑in “no phone” window if I can manage it.

Step 3: Apply Collagen + Retinol Moisturizer (1–2 minutes)

After the LED session:

Apply a thin layer of the Anti-Aging Retinol, Collagen & HA moisturizer to face and neck.
Smooth gently upward—no tugging.
Let it sit for a minute so it can sink in.

If your skin is dry or sensitive, you can sandwich it with a simple hydrating serum or add another moisturizer layer on top.

How Often I Do This

My realistic schedule:

LED mask + retinol moisturizer:
- 3–4 nights per week
Paula’s Choice BHA:
- 1–3 nights per week (often not the same nights as very active routines if my skin feels sensitive)
Other nights:
- Cleanse + basic moisturizer only

The point is consistency, not perfection. I aim to hit this most weeks, even if not every single night.

What I Noticed After Sticking With It

Over several weeks, I noticed:

Smoother texture (especially cheeks and forehead)
Fine lines looking slightly softer
Makeup sitting better on the skin
Less feeling of “I should be doing more” at night

Most importantly:
My routine finally felt doable, not like a chore.

Want to Try This 10-Minute Glow Routine?

Here’s the simple version again:

Cleanse: EZBASICS brush
Optional: Paula’s Choice 2% BHA 1–3 nights per week
10 minutes with wavytalk Glow Time LED mask
Apply retinol + collagen + HA moisturizer

Then give it 4–8 weeks of consistent use and see how your skin—and your evenings—feel different.

If you want to compare different LED masks before committing, I break down the pros and cons of my top picks in this guide: Best LED Light Therapy Masks for Every Budget.