Which moisturizer is best for face at night?
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Ask any skincare lover, and they'll tell you there's no better feeling than coming home after a long day, removing all your makeup, and applying your nighttime skincare routine. While you can use the same cleansers, toners, and serums that you applied in the AM, if you're looking to really transform your skin, you should be using a night cream as the last step in your PM routine instead of your regular face moisturizer. Show
But with so many night creams on the market, it can be tricky figuring out which ones are actually worth buying. We spoke with dermatologists about what to look for when purchasing a night cream, and evaluated formulas based on ingredients and benefits for all skin types. From a retinol-infused night cream to a soothing hydrator, keep reading to shop them all. These are the best night creams to buy now. Our Top Picks
Best Overall: CeraVe Skin Renewing Night CreamCourtesyWhat We Love: It's a no frills night cream that is packed with all of the hardworking ingredients you would want in a night cream — without a hefty price tag. What We Don't Love: It can feel a little heavy on the skin. If TikTok hasn't already convinced you to try CeraVe's affordable yet effective products, now's the time. This popular night cream is packed with ceramides and peptides that work together to soften and rejuvenate your skin overnight, so you'll wake up with a refreshed and glowing complexion. Even better, it's also infused with hyaluronic acid to retain moisture and niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation and shrink the appearance of pores. Good For: All Skin Types | Size: 1.7 oz | Fragrance Free: Yes Best Value: L'Oreal Revitalift Night CreamCourtesyWhat We Like: This affordable cream packs powerful anti-aging ingredients. What We Don't Like: It may not be moisturizing enough for dry skin. If you're looking for an effective night cream that won't break the bank, thousands of shoppers recommend L'Oreal's Revitalift version. The products three main ingredients (pro-retinol, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C) hydrate and smooth skin while evening out your complexion. According to the brand, you'll see brighter and firmer skin with just one week's use, and tons of customers agree. Good For: Aging Skin | Size: 1.7-2.55 oz | Fragrance Free: No Best Splurge: Shiseido Future Solution LX Total Regenerating Moisturizer Night CreamCourtesyWhat We Like: This luxe cream has a high concentration of anti-aging ingredients. What We Don't Like: It takes a while to see results. If you're willing to splurge on a top-of-the-line night cream, Nordstrom shoppers say to make it this Shiseido option. The rich and hydrating formula features the brand's signature SkingenecellEnmei complex, which "slows down the appearance of visible signs of aging and helps restore and prolong a youthful look." The cream is also infused with Brunet extract and Japanese botanicals that make your skin look and feel more supple. A high concentration of these anti-aging ingredients ensure you will see the results. Good For: Aging Skin | Size: 1.7 oz | Fragrance Free: No Dermatologist Favorite: Senté Dermal Repair CreamCourtesyWhat We Love: It calms redness, smooths lines and wrinkles, and repairs the skin barrier. What We Don't Love: It's not the right fit for all budgets. Senté's night cream may be pricey, but board-certified dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman says it's worth every penny. It's one of her top picks because "it contains green tea and hyaluronic acid and has an ingredient called Heparin Sulfate Analog (HSA) that works to deeply hydrate and maintain your skin's health. It helps lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles." In addition to hydrating skin and reducing redness, Dr. Jaliman says it's a great option "for those who need to repair the skin barrier." Good For: Aging Skin | Size: 1.7 oz | Fragrance Free: Yes Best for Dry Skin: L'Occitane Ultra-Rich Shea Butter CreamCourtesyWhat We Love: The formula is extremely rich, and can heal dry patches and flaky skin. What We Don't Love: Shea butter can feel heavy on the skin and cause breakouts for those who are prone to acne. This L'Occitane night cream uses shea butter and glycerin as its active ingredients, which makes it a great deeply moisturizing treatment. "People with dry skin would benefit the most from using shea butter, as it not only replenishes moisture to the skin but seals it in, keeping the skin hydrated for longer periods of time," Dr. Shuting Hu, cosmetic chemist and founder of Acaderma, once told InStyle. "Anyone who struggles with eczema, inflammation, or cracked skin can use shea butter to soothe irritation, which tends to flare up during the fall and winter." Shoppers with extremely dry skin said this product is the only thing that finally got rid of their dry patches and flaky skin. Plus, they love that the night cream left their skin looking fresh and dewy and not greasy. That being said, for those with acne-prone skin, shea butter can trigger breakouts, so you might want to look for a night cream with lighter ingredients. Good For: Dry Skin | Size: 1.7 oz | Fragrance Free: No Best for Dull Skin: Clarins Extra-Firming Wrinkle Control Regenerating Night CreamCourtesyWhat We Like: It plumps up the look of your skin overnight. What We Don't Like: It's not the right fit for all budgets. Clarins' overnight cream will revive lackluster skin and give you a more youthful appearance. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner is a fan because it's "a rich, hydrating cream that contains a blend of botanical extracts to help firm and improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles." Kangaroo flower extract and mitracarpus visibly boost elasticity and firmness while desert date extract targets dark spots to even skin tone. Reviewers say that it made their skin look firmer and smoother in just one use. The organic cream is also free from any parabens, sulfates, and mineral oil. Good For: Dry, Dull Skin | Size: 1.6 oz | Fragrance Free: No Best Brightening: Korres Apothecary Wild Rose Night Brightening Sleeping FacialCourtesyWhat We Like: It's rich in antioxidants and can help fade the look of dark spots over time. What We Don't Like: It can irritate sensitive skin. Using vitamin C and wild rose extract, this brightening night cream by Korres will visibly improve the appearance of dark spots while also evening out your skin tone and smoothing and plumping your skin. In a self-assessment study, 97 percent of users said their skin looked more radiant, and 100 percent of users said their skin looked more nourished after using the night cream for just 14 days. Whether you are trying to fade scars and sunspots or prevent future sun damage, an antioxidant heavy cream like this will work hard for you. Like the name suggests, using it is like getting a mini facial every night. Talk about beauty sleep. Good For: Dull Skin, Dark Spots | Size: 1.35 oz | Fragrance Free: No Best Firming: StriVectin Advanced Retinol Intensive Night MoisturizerCourtesyWhat We Like: It harnesses the power of retinol in a gentle, non-irritating formula. What We Don't Like: It's expensive. To start off their day with firmer and smoother skin, slather on this StriVectin night cream before sleep. It's loaded with powerful ingredients like copper tripeptide and retinol to minimize the look for wrinkles, tighten crepey skin, and increase your skin's elasticity. If you are worried that using retinol may irritate your skin, rest assured that this formula pairs retinol with skin-barrier strengthening NIA-114™ and a skin-soothing complex to help reduce the look of redness. Based on the brand's studies, users did not find irritation after using this cream for eight weeks. For those that want the anti-aging power of retinol in a gentle dose, try this one out. Good For: Firming | Size: 1.7 oz | Fragrance Free: No Best Retinol: Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night CreamCourtesyWhat We Like: Retinol is the main ingredient, so you can expect it to help reduce signs of aging. What We Don't Like: If you have dry skin, it might not be moisturizing enough. Retinol is the main ingredient in this Murad night cream, meaning it will boost skin's natural collagen production and help reverse prominent signs of aging. The cream's ultra-hydrating formula also features niacinamide and picolinamide, which help even out skin tone and leave you with a glowing complexion. They also protect your skin's protective barrier so that the retinol isn't too harsh. In a four-week clinical trial, 83 percent of users said they "noticed firmer, more supple skin," while 80 percent said they "saw increased radiance and glow." Good For: Aging Skin | Size: 1.7 oz | Fragrance Free: No Best for Wrinkles: No. 7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Night CreamCourtesyWhat We Like: It visibly reduces lines and dark spots. What We Don't Like: Shea butter can cause breakouts. Customers say their wrinkles have met their match with this night cream by No. 7. According to the brand, your fine lines will be reduced and skin will appear firmer with just two weeks of use. The product also targets dark spots and scarring at the same time, leaving you with a brighter and smoother complexion. The ingredients include peptides, vitamin C and E, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter. It does have a pre-sleep fragrance to help you unwind, though some may prefer it was unscented. The best part? If you're not happy with the results after four weeks of use, you can get a refund. Good For: Wrinkles | Size: 1.6 oz | Fragrance Free: No Best with Collagen: Maryann Organics Collagen Night CreamCourtesyWhat We Like: Thanks to the inclusion of collagen, this cream helps reduce the look of lines and wrinkles. What We Don't Like: The dispenser can be hard to use. This night cream by Maryann Organics is infused with collagen to help reverse prominent signs of aging. The multitasking product smoothes fine lines and wrinkles, diminishes the look of dark spots, and hydrates skin at the same time. Customers love how the cream is made in the U.S. from organic materials and that it doesn't leave behind a sticky or tacky feel. Good For: Aging Skin | Size: 1.7 oz | Fragrance Free: Yes Best Multitasker: RoC Multi Correxion 5-in-1 Restoring Night CreamCourtesyWhat We Like: This one cream offers five different anti-aging benefits. What We Don't Like: The smell can be overpowering. The best beauty products can tackle more than one issue at once, so it's no wonder this multitasking RoC night cream is so popular. The five-in-one product smooths wrinkles, reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation, tightens and hydrates skin, and evens out skin tones at the same time. This is thanks to the hexyl-R complex, which after seven years of self-conducted research, RoC developed to tackle signs of aging caused by biological stress. Plus, the product is non-comedogenic, so you never have to worry about it clogging your pores or causing breakouts. Good For: Aging Skin | Size: 1.7-2.55 oz | Fragrance Free: No Best Cruelty-Free: Kleem Organics Anti-Aging Retinol CreamCourtesyWhat We Like: It features a long list of organic ingredients. What We Don't Like: The pump jar is finicky. If shopping for cruelty-free products is important to you, check out this night cream from Kleem Organics. Along with toning and firming your skin, the paraben-free product also works to improve the look and feel of your skin's overall texture. Its organic ingredient list includes line-smoothing retinol, ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid and jojoba oil, antioxidant-rich vitamin E, and redness-soothing green tea. It's also lightweight and non-greasy. Good For: Aging Skin | Size: 1.7 oz | Fragrance Free: Yes Best Strengthening: Lancome Bienfait Multi-Vital Overnight MoisturizerCourtesyWhat We Like: This cream uses omega fatty acids and vitamins to strengthen the skin. What We Don't Like: It can cause breaks on acne-prone skin. This Lancome night cream is a favorite of shoppers who love how well it hydrates their skin and improves their complexion. The popular skincare essential uses a unique strengthening complex made up of omegas 3 and 6 and vitamins E and C, which work together to hydrate skin and protect it from external aggressors. However, it does contain mineral oil, which can aggravate acne, so it's best to skip if you are prone to breakouts. Good For: Normal Skin | Size: 1.7 oz | Fragrance Free: Yes Best Fast-Acting: It Cosmetics Confidence In Your Beauty Sleep Night CreamCourtesyWhat We Like: This cream revitalizes your skin in seven days. What We Don't Like: It can irritate sensitive skin. While most skincare products can take weeks or months to work, It Cosmetics says you'll see results from its night cream in just seven days. The fast-acting formula is full of hyaluronic acid, adenosine, and ceramides that smooth out fine lines, wrinkles, as well as revive dull, dry, and saggy skin, all while you sleep. Shoppers also love the soothing lavender scent that's perfect for creating a relaxing sleep atmosphere. Good For: Aging Skin | Size: 2-4 oz | Fragrance Free: No Best with Probiotics: Tula 24-7 Hydrating Day & Night CreamCourtesyWhat We Like: This cream is light enough to use during the day as well. What We Don't Like: Some may think it has a funky smell. Looking for a super hydrating night cream that's also lightweight enough to be used during the day? Check out this option from Tula. The moisturizing treatment gives your skin a dose of olive oil squalane, shea butter, grape seed oil, and vitamin C to increase skin hydration and target dark spots, fine lines, and more. Meanwhile, the probiotics in the cream work to calm skin and reduce inflammation. "Besides traditional hydrating ingredients, this moisturizer helps support the skin's microbiome," Dr. Zeichner previously shared with InStyle. "It contains probiotic extracts and prebiotics to encourage growth of healthy bacteria on the skin." Good For: All Skin Types, Especially Those With Redness | Size: 0.5-3.4 oz | Fragrance Free: No Best Vitamin C Cream: Derma E Vitamin C Intense Night CreamCourtesyWhat We Like: It includes stabilized vitamin C which brightens your skin. What We Don't Like: If you have really dry skin, it might not be moisturizing enough. This Derma E night cream is loved because it uses vitamin C to make dark spots and hyperpigmentation much less noticeable. The vegan face cream also helps smooth wrinkles, improve skin texture, and even out skin tone with antioxidant rooibos. Dermatologist Dr. Kavita Mariwalla once told InStyle that rooibos is a highly underrated ingredient. "It has been used in pediatric populations for eczema and is a natural plant-derived ingredient that repairs the skin barrier and makes it feel more hydrated. It is also a very good antioxidant," she notes. Hyaluronic acid and probiotics further keep the skin moisturized and protect it from environmental stressors. Good For: Hyperpigmentation | Size: 2 oz | Fragrance Free: No Related: The Best Vitamin C Serums Best for Sensitive Skin: Clinique Smart Night Custom-Repair Moisturizer CreamCourtesyWhat We Like: It's free of fragrances, parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. What We Don't Like: It can feel heavy on the skin. If you suffer from sensitive skin and need a night cream that won't cause any outbreaks or irritations, consider this Clinique option. Along with being oil-free, non-acnegenic, and allergy-tested, the cream is also free from any fragrances, parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. Shoppers love the skincare product because it revived their dull and dry complexions and left them with smoother, firmer, and plumper skin. Good For: Sensitive Skin | Size: 1.7 oz | Fragrance Free: Yes Best Mask: Glow Recipe Watermelon + AHA Glow Sleeping MaskCourtesyWhat We Like: Your skin will feel extremely smooth come morning. What We Don't Like: The sweet smell can be too strong for some. This Glow Recipe Sleeping Mask constantly sells out, so we tested it to see if it's worth the hype. Like the other night creams on this list, the nighttime product should be applied to your face before you go to sleep. The hyaluronic acid and AHAs in the formula to exfoliate dead skin cells and shrink the look of pores, while the watermelon extract and peony root work together to hydrate and brighten the skin. Two InStyle staffers put it to the test in two different ways. One editor, who has reactionary skin, used it as a regular mask and said her skin felt incredibly smooth and soft afterwards. She also mentioned her skin tone overall seemed brighter and more even. The other editor road-tested it as a sleeping mask and said her skin felt very smooth come morning. The testers said the mask smells like a watermelon jolly rancher, which sounds lovely in our book, but could be a con if you are sensitive to smells. Good For: Dry, Dull Skin | Size: 1-2.7 oz | Fragrance Free: No What to Keep in MindKey IngredientsWhen it comes to choosing the right night cream for your skin, Dr. Zeichner recommends looking for creams that are "designed for nighttime use, usually containing ingredients that stimulate collagen production to address fine lines and wrinkles, such as retinol, hydroxy acids, peptides, or specialized botanical ingredients." Meanwhile, Dr. Jaliman says that in addition to formulas that will stimulate skin cell renewal, the best night creams should also feature moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and ceramides. That's because "improving our skin's hydration as we sleep is very important." ConsistencyDepending on your skin type, you may prefer a lighter or thicker night cream. Those with dry skin probably won't mind a cream with heavy emollients to lock in moisture. For those with oily skin, you can use a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer that still leaves your skin moisturized, not greasy. It's best to look for creams that are non-comedogenic, meaning they won't clog your pores. FragranceWhile some creams have relaxing scents that can make you feel like you are at a luxurious spa, it's best to stick to fragrance-free formulas if you are sensitive to heavy scents. Your Questions, AnsweredWhy should I use a night cream?If you're looking to really transform your skin, you should be using a night cream as the last step in your PM routine instead of your regular face moisturizer. According to Dr. Jaliman, that's because "night creams are more nourishing and hydrating than your daytime moisturizer. Generally, night creams contain more moisturizing ingredients and are thicker in texture." Dr. Zeichner agrees on the importance of having a night cream in your beauty arsenal, telling InStyle, "We know that skin goes through circadian rhythms, where specific activities occur in the morning and others in the evening. Skin hydration levels start to decline in the afternoon and continue into the evening, and skin cell turnover increases while we sleep. So a night cream is important to address the specific issues that the skin faces in the evening — offering hydrating and enhancing skin repair and collagen production." Is it good to moisturize my face at night?Meanwhile, "nighttime is the best time to rejuvenate the skin while you sleep," says Dr. Rita Linkner, board-certified dermatologist and founder of RVL Skincare. So using a thicker moisturizer with more reparative ingredients at night would be the best for replenishing your skin's needs, she notes.
Is moisturizer necessary at night?The answer is yes — and no. While some people may stand to benefit from both daytime and nighttime moisturizers, it may not be a necessary step for everyone. Whether or not you need a night cream really depends on what you're looking for in a moisturizer and your overall skincare needs.
How can I moisturize my skin at night?7 Ways To Moisturize Your Skin While You Sleep. Use Coconut Oil.. Remember A Lip Treatment.. Use A Humidifier.. Try Face Oil.. Consider A Face Mask.. Use Vaseline & Gloves.. |
