What’s in my bag as a nightshift girly
▫️eos Coconut Waters body mist: I always like to retouch my perfume throughout the night at least once, just because the hospital smells like alcohol and CHG doesn’t mean I have to!
▫️eos Coconut Waters hand lotion and scented hand sanitizer: as a NICU nurse, my hands are constantly dry due to constant hand washing and hand sanitizer. Every time I sit down to chart I moisturize first and then carry on; I’ve seen that it’s also helped with my nail strength as well so that’s a pro! As far as scented hand sanitizer, I think we’ve established I love smelling fresh lol
▫️Magic Molecule Hypochlorus Acid: holy grail; my on-the-go “cleanser”. Helps reduce acne-causing bacteria, calm redness and irritation, and soothe inflamed breakouts while supporting faster healing without compromising the skin barrier.
▫️Prequel Multi-Quench: delivers lightweight hydration with humectants like glycerin to help skin retain moisture, support the skin barrier, and relieve dryness and dehydration caused by environments like hospital air conditioning.
▫️Aquaphor Chapstick: I hate having dry cracked lips, and this chapstick is my holy grail. I love this brand, their chapsticks deeply hydrate and protect dry, chapped lips by locking in moisture.
▫️Rohto eye drops: Lumify dupe! These eye drops help relieve dryness and irritation from hospital air conditioning, reduce eye strain from prolonged screen time, and ease the redness and gritty, heavy feeling that can develop during long night shifts.
▫️Tula Eye-Balm: By 2am my eyes would be SUPER puffy; this balm did the trick; it cools, hydrates, depuffs, and brightens the under-eye area to help you look and feel more refreshed during long shifts.
▫️Oral care: Shift handoff breath is a thing! You’ve spent 12 hrs drinking coffee, snacking, talking, wearing a mask, etc; brushing your teeth helps freshen out your breath and prevent cavities and gum disease as well.
☁️ Skin type: Sensitive, Dry, Redness prone
#nurseessentials #nurseselfcare #hygienetips #nightshiftnurses #whatsinmybag
🛍Brand: EOS, Prequel, Magic Molecule, Aquaphor, Tula
Working night shifts as a nurse, especially in a NICU setting, can be incredibly taxing—not only emotionally and physically but also on your skin and overall well-being. I’ve found that creating a reliable nightshift bag with the right hygiene and skincare products can truly make a difference in feeling energized and looking refreshed throughout those long, often draining hours. One of the first things I always pack is a good body mist like the eos Coconut Waters scent. Hospitals have a distinctive smell dominated by alcohol and cleaning agents like CHG, which can be overwhelming. Spritzing a light, coconut-scented mist helps me feel more myself and freshen up amid the clinical environment. Constant handwashing and sanitizer use, which are essential for infection control, inevitably leave my hands dry and cracked. Using eos hand lotion paired with a scented hand sanitizer that smells pleasant rather than clinical helps maintain my skin moisture and even strengthens my nails. It’s a small but satisfying self-care routine during shift breaks. Additionally, for my face, I swear by the Magic Molecule Hypochlorus Acid spray. It serves as a gentle yet effective cleanser that I can use on the go to reduce bacteria and calm irritated, acne-prone skin—a common issue due to masks and stress during shifts. To counteract the dry, air-conditioned hospital atmosphere, I rely on Prequel Multi-Quench moisturizer. It’s lightweight with hydrating ingredients like glycerin that keep my skin barrier intact and prevent redness and dryness. Lip care is equally important to me. I dislike dry, chapped lips, especially during night shifts when hydration can be neglected. Aquaphor Chapstick has become my go-to as it locks in moisture and protects lips from cracking. Working in front of screens and under harsh lighting can cause eye strain and puffiness. Rohto eye drops, a Lumify dupe, help alleviate redness and refresh tired eyes, while Tula Eye Balm cools and depuffs, making those late or early hours more bearable. Lastly, oral care is a must. After many hours of coffee and talking while wearing a mask, brushing my teeth during breaks helps me maintain fresh breath and oral health, essential when transitioning between shifts. All these items combined create a mini self-care routine in my nightshift bag, tailored specifically to combat sensitivity, dryness, and redness prone skin types, common in healthcare workers. Sharing what’s in my bag helps others discover practical and effective products to boost confidence and comfort during demanding hospital nights.
