36 relaxation-inducing products that help our editors wind down before bed

CNN

18 hours ago

The products that help us wind down at the end of the day are an important part of our bedtime routines, which is why our team of editors wanted to share some of the beauty, home, tech and wellness products we rely on for a good night's sleep. From a luxe pillow spray to a white noise machine, these products prep us for bed and add a sense of calmness to our night.
Looking for some inspiration for your own bedtime routine? Keep reading on to see our editors' picks.
Smell House Work From Home Candle
I reach for this candle whenever I need to wind down. The scent is subtle but soothing, and it instantly makes me feel more relaxed. It fills my entire apartment with a warm and inviting scent. I love pairing it with a nice warm bath after a long day. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator
The Laundress Beauty Sleep Fabric Spray
I'm all about scents when creating my sleep routine. There's nothing like laying my head down on a luxe-smelling pillow to help lull me to sleep. I love The Laundress' Beauty Sleep line, which includes this spray I keep on my nightstand, along with a laundry detergent made just for your bedding. It has notes of lavender, jasmine and sandalwood, just to name a few of the soothing smells. — Tamara Kraus, senior lifestyle editor
Honeywell HYF260 Quiet Set Whole Room Tower Fan
I initially bought this affordable tower fan a few years back to stay cool during a brutal summer, but it's since doubled as a handy white noise machine to help me doze off at night. Its five speed settings include Sleep, Calm and White Noise; the latter two do a great job lulling me into a restful state while also drowning out the ever-unpleasant sounds of my dog licking herself. — Mike Andronico, senior tech editor
Aura Cacia Essential Oil in Uplifting Vanilla
I'm a big proponent of the scent-memory connection, so much so that I have a self-care scent in my nighttime routine. As I wind down for the night, I put a little bit of this vanilla essential oil on the pulse points on my wrists and neck. Is this completely unnecessary? Yes. But the warm, sweet and familiar vanilla scent helps calm my mind and cue my body that it's time to settle down for the night. My theory is that over time, my brain will link the comforting vanilla scent with the comforting sensation of curling up in my beloved bed and help me instantly relax as soon as I catch a whiff. And if nothing else, it's a nice act of self-love to smell something delightful before I close my eyes. — Jillian Tracy, associate editor
Naturepedic Organic Travel Pillow
While it's technically a travel pillow, I sleep with this pillow every night. For as long as I've remembered, I've needed to hold a small pillow while sleeping for comfort and support. And since I've been using this one for a year, I'm not looking back. — Tamara Kraus, senior lifestyle editor
Muji Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser
While lighting a candle can set the mood, keeping a flame burning at bedtime is not the safest choice. Instead, I use this aroma diffuser for a hit of aromatherapy to help me unwind at night. It has several timer settings so you can choose how long it runs for, and then you don't have to worry about turning it off. It also has a built-in light so you can use it as a night light. I love using it with a couple of drops of Muji's French Lavender Pure Essential Oil for a relaxing, spa-like effect. — Sophie Shaw, beauty and fashion editor
Casper Dream Hybrid Mattress
Winding down is one thing, but staying there is a whole different problem, so I must give credit to my evening MVP, Casper's hybrid Dream mattress. It basically killed off my lower back pain late last year, and it's been a great enabler of my side sleeping ever since I unboxed it. Its three-section design means it's supportive of my head but provides enough sink for my body for me to relax. — Henry T. Casey, electronics writer
Mrs. Meyer's Daisy Room Freshener
Since I spend most of the day working at my desk — which just so happens to be located 18 inches from my bed — I find that winding down at the end of the day requires a more intentional vibe shift. Mrs. Meyer's products have long been staples in my kitchen and bathroom, but now I've found an essential for my bedroom too. I like to spritz my sheets and pillows a few times before getting under the covers. Words cannot express how good this room spray smells (I highly recommend the Geranium scent too), and the scent lasts without being overly potent or perfumey. — Caroline Curran, former deals editor
Vitruvi Stone Ceramic Diffuser
I'm not really a candle person, so I love firing up my gorgeous ceramic stone diffuser from Vitruvi each night before bed. I rotate between the brand's signature essential oil kit (Sleep is my favorite), and while it actually works to help me fall asleep faster, it also just doubles as a chic-looking piece of decor when I'm not using it. — Stephanie Griffin, director of social
Disney Lotso Scented Plush
Yes, it's a kid's stuffed animal, but winding down sometimes means leaning into comfort. This Lotso bear from Disney is super soft, weighted just enough and smells like strawberries, which always helps me relax before bed. I sleep with this every night. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator
Nodpod Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask
I have bouts of insomnia sometimes, especially when my brain is still active a couple of hours before bed, so I always need a proper wind-down routine. When I don't get around to that, however, this weighted sleep mask from Nodpod is the first thing I grab. There's something about the gentle pressure it applies to my head and eyes that's so relaxing. The first few times I used this, I didn't even realize I was falling asleep. Next thing I knew, it was daytime. — Michelle Rae Uy, testing and updates writer
Intelligent Change 'The Five-Minute Journal'
When my mind is racing or I feel like I'm in a rut, I reach for this journal to help me wind down. Writing down the highlights of my day and what I'm grateful for really helps me relax right before bed. You're also supposed to take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts in the morning, but sometimes I forget. I keep it on my nightstand so it's always in my line of sight, but the pages are undated, so I don't have to stress about missing any days. — Amina Lake Patel, home and gifts editor
L'Beauxtique Aromatic Eye Pillow
This lavender-scented eye pillow feels like heaven after a long day. I try to avoid looking at my phone or electronics right before I go to sleep, and this pre-bedtime eye mask helps me unwind. You can put it in the microwave if you want a heated mask or pop it in the fridge for some cooling/depuffing action. — Hayley Saltzman, former social lead
Vicks VapoShower Soothing Vapors Tablets
I've been using Vicks VapoRub for years and recently discovered that the brand offers non-medicated shower steamer tablets. Needless to say, I've been using them at night to unwind and always feel extra refreshed after hopping out of the shower, thanks to the amazing blend of eucalyptus and menthol. It's such an easy way to create a spa-like feel in my bathroom, and I only wish I'd discovered them sooner. To get the most out of the tablet and prevent it from dissolving too quickly, I make sure to place it in a spot where the water is not directly hitting it. — Rachel Dennis, associate editor
Alo Reset Magnesium Body Spray
I've been struggling with staying asleep since I've gotten older and have tried just about every sleep gummy and hack in the book. While some gummies work, I have to wait to brush my teeth until I take them. Enter: Alo's Reset Magnesium Body Spray. I recently got a mini sample at an Alo workout event, and the two times I used it (I sprayed it on the bottom of my feet before bed), I had some of the highest Oura sleep scores I've ever seen. — Tamara Kraus, senior lifestyle editor
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
I always reach for this when I want my skin to feel deeply moisturized before bed. The texture is rich but not too heavy, and it absorbs surprisingly well for how moisturizing it is. I notice the glow right away, but it's not greasy, making my skin feel cared for after a long day. It's become a staple in my nighttime routine, especially when I want to wake up looking refreshed. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator
Dermal Collagen Essence Face Masks, 16-Pack
I love winding down at night with one of these face masks, which are not only soothing to the skin but also frequently on sale — even at full price, it works out to just 75 cents per mask! As someone with sensitive skin, I've never had any problems with these, whether I wash my face after removing the mask or not. Plus, they're great to throw on the pillow of any guests who stay with you. — Daniel Toy, copy chief
RéVive Melting Cleanser/Makeup-Removing Wash
There's no better feeling than taking off your makeup after a long day. It feels a lot less like a chore with this remover. It's gentle, doesn't sting my eyes and actually leaves my skin feeling soft instead of stripped. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator
Thisworks Deep Sleep Body Whip
Although I have an extensive facial skin care routine, I'm not so diligent when it comes to body care. Usually, I slather on some body lotion after a shower and that's it, but in the dry winter months, my skin is flaky and parched by the end of the day. This light yet creamy body whip helps keep my skin soft, all while promoting relaxation. Thanks to its calming lavender fragrance and a formula made with hemp seed extract and magnesium (which is supposed to improve your sleep quality), this body lotion has become integral to my bedtime routine. — Sophie Shaw, beauty and fashion editor
O'Keefe's Working Hands and Healthy Feet Night Treatment
I usually have the driest hands and feet in the world — itchy, cracked, you name it. But applying O'Keefe's Working Hands and Healthy Feet Night Treatments when I get into bed has made a huge difference. My skin feels softer and smoother, and is visibly more hydrated when I wake up. Not only that but the lavender scent is calming and helps me relax as I try to fall asleep. — Danielle Poiesz, copy editor
Amika Frizz-Me-Not Hydrating Anti-Frizz Treatment
Before bed, I love putting in a leave-in treatment so that my hair can transform overnight. This leave-in treatment from Amika is one of my favorites. It leaves my hair frizz-free without weighing it down and also smells amazing. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator
Clearstem Hydraglow Stem Cell Moisturizer
Packed with stem cells, squalane and bakuchiol (a nontoxic and natural alternative to retinol), my favorite moisturizer, Hydraglow, quite literally trains my skin to look younger while I sleep. It's hands down my No. 1 secret sleep weapon to waking up with ultra-hydrated, plumped, youthful-looking skin. — Stephanie Griffin, social director
Biossance Squalane and Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum
When my skin feels tired or dull, I reach for this. It sinks in fast and gives a noticeable hydration boost. I apply it every night before bed to get that glowy look the next morning. The formula combines squalane and copper peptides, which help smooth and strengthen the skin over time, but what I love most is how fast it works. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
A lot has changed about my sleep schedule over the past few years, but one thing that's remained consistent is using the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask every single night. I swipe it on before I get under the covers, and it signals to my brain that it's time for bed. As a bonus, I wake up with super-soft and hydrated lips. A little goes a long way, so the jar lasts so much longer than you'd think. — Amina Lake Patel, home and gifts editor
Aesop Rind Concentrate Body Balm
I swear by Aesop skin products, and this body balm is no exception. I love this rind concentrate scent. It's the perfect combination of fresh, citrus smell with nourishing powers for softer hands. One small dollop, and I feel immediately relaxed. — Emily McNutt, former senior travel editor
Clearstem Sulfur Spot&Mask
Given that this spot treatment is bright purple in color, I only ever use it at night. It's packed with clay, zinc, sulfur and glycolic [acid] that actually zap whiteheads and bacteria while I sleep. Oh, and to all my acne-prone girlies out there looking for affordable yet effective overnight skin care, I've tried every single spot treatment under the sun, and let me tell you, this one is hands down the best! —Stephanie Griffin, social director
Starface Hydro-Stars
I love a beauty product that works overnight, and these cute pimple patches help banish breakouts by the morning. The star-shaped hydrocolloid stickers absorb the fluid and gunk within the pimples, reducing the inflammation and size of the zits. While I've tried several brands of pimple patches, I always come back to these because they're honestly a joy to put on, they come with a fun case that has a compact mirror inside and there are limited-edition drops of the stickers, so you can mix it up with new colors. — Sophie Shaw, beauty and fashion editor
CosRX Low-pH Good Morning Gel Face Cleanser
More often than not, my best sleep starts with my evening skin care routine, which doesn't happen unless I use CosRX's gel face cleanser. It's so neutral and cleansing that my skin is left feeling and looking great, which is a neat little part of my path to sleep. So don't interpret its 'Good Morning' name as a sign that you should use it when waking up but, instead, as a sign that using it at night will enable you to wake up well rested. — Henry T. Casey, electronics writer
Amazon Kindle
This got me through major jet lag when I was in the Philippines for a two-week vacation. I'm a purist when it comes to books, but the need to travel light outweighed my desire to smell the pages of a book. This one is so thin and lightweight that it is truly the best travel accessory. I love that its glare-free display still makes everything readable even when the lights are off but not too bright that it disrupts my wind down. It also handles better than a book when you're reading in bed. — Michelle Rae Uy, testing and updates writer
Headspace
I have a hard time falling asleep. On those nights when I'm tossing and turning and I just can't turn my brain off, I love turning on the sleepcasts on the Headspace app. They have a short meditation exercise, where you either focus on your breathing or 'turning off' your muscles one by one, then they launch into a cute and relaxing story. They've definitely helped me calm down at night and get better sleep when I'm stressed. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainable living and pets editor
Sony WH-1000XM6 Over-Ear Headphones
We're in that busy part of the early summer, which means I can always hear partiers in my building and neighborhood, regardless of how much I don't want to be involved. This is why I'm thankful to have tested and reviewed the new best noise-canceling headphones: Sony's new XM6 over-ear cans. From that moment on the couch when I'm just trying to focus on my book and I use their superior noise cancellation to block out the world, to later in bed when I finally remember to do my evening guided meditation, these super-comfortable headphones stop me from getting distracted and allow me to actually focus on the things that help me sleep. — Henry T. Casey, electronics writer Read our review
Soundcore Sleep A20 Wireless Earbuds
I don't mind some noise like the faraway sound of cars on the freeway or people talking on the street. In fact, I prefer it over total silence. But the obnoxious sound of a plane engine or the loud chatter of passengers on an early-morning ferry ride vex me. Good thing I discovered the Sleep A20 from Soundcore. These sleep earbuds don't offer active noise cancellation, which I prefer, but they do offer a library of relaxing white noise sounds that help put me in a stress-free space so my brain and body can relax enough to sleep. — Michelle Rae Uy, testing and updates writer
Hatch Restore 3
When I'm not using the Headspace app, I'm using my Hatch Restore, which offers a plethora of meditations, sounds and sunrise/sunset calming lighting options to help me fall asleep (and wake up). It's simple to set a routine, and the brand even makes similar models designed for kids as well as an on-the-go, AirTag-shaped device for babies called the Rest Go. — Daniel Toy, copy chief
Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe
I can't remember the last time I went to sleep without this 3-in-1 Apple device charger by my side. The Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe has all the nice little touches like vegan leather and a slim profile, so it fits onto my slightly small bedside table. And its multi-device charging lets my phone show the time in a warm, lulling red in the evening on Standby mode, makes it easy to find my charged Apple Watch when it's time to track my sleep and puts my AirPods within reach in the morning when it's time to go to the gym. — Henry T. Casey, electronics writerRead our review
Philips Hue Smart Light Starter Kit
Getting out of bed early in the morning is so hard when it's still dark out. These smart lights are the only reason I'm able to wake up on time, especially in the winter! I have them set on a schedule so that the lights gradually turn on in the morning and automatically dim when it's time for bed at night. And if I get under the covers without flipping the light switch, I can just ask Alexa to 'turn off all lights.' They also come in handy when I'm on vacation — I can set a schedule so it looks like someone's home. — Amina Lake Patel, home and gifts editor
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
When my dog inevitably wakes me up too early to go outside and I need to catch some extra zzz's, I hop back in bed, pop in my AirPods Pro 2, play my trusty aircraft noises from the Calm app and usually manage to get a bit of bonus sleep. Their fantastic active noise cancellation helps block out my dog's aforementioned mouth noises and also works great when I'm trying to snooze a bit on airplanes. — Mike Andronico, senior tech editorRead our review CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when it makes sense to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this article, associate editor Rachel Dennis rounded up some of our editors' favorite products to use before bed.