Best Night Creams for Summer
- Anjana Rajbhandary
- Jul 30
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 31
Your Skin Works the Night Shift — This Night Cream Makes Sure It Gets Paid!

When you sleep, your skin goes into repair and rejuvenation mode. Having a night cream to help repair any damage sustained during the day will support your skin cell renewal process. And using night creams during the summer is even more important since they keep your skin hydrated. Even in a humid climate, night creams are a must for summer skin.
You’ll typically want to use a lighter night cream in the summertime to help restore your skin’s elasticity and increase blood circulation. It will smooth and firm your skin, helping to heal any sun damage that may have occurred throughout the day.
Night creams vs. moisturizer
Night creams are different from moisturizers because they're more hydrating. It’s best to apply a night cream in the evening since it’s formulated to repair and restore the skin. It may contain retinol and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which you should not use during the day. Many people prefer lighter or gel-based night creams for summer.
Moisturizers are generally lighter than night creams and are perfect for daily use to hydrate and protect the skin. Some moisturizers even contain SPF to protect you from the morning sun's first few hours.
How to use a night cream
After cleansing your face, apply a toner and a nighttime serum if you wish. Then, take a small amount of night cream and gently massage it onto your skin in an upward motion. Be sure to rub some on your neck and into the back of your hands.
Cost of night cream
Most night creams have a higher price tag than moisturizers. Drugstore brands make formulas in the $20-$39 price range. If you want to use a premium brand with stronger ingredients, you can expect to pay anywhere between $40 and $265. If you don’t mind splurging, there are luxury brand moisturizers for $265 or more.
Night cream FAQ
When should I start using night cream?
A. Whenever you like! You can start using a night cream as a teenager or in your 30s and beyond. Truthfully, you should start using night cream when you decide you want additional products to help smooth and firm your skin.
Do night creams work?
A. Depending on your skin and what result you're looking for, night creams can be highly effective. For example, many night creams contain ingredients such as retinol, peptides, and AHAs, which help keep your skin looking and feeling bright and healthy. They can also increase collagen production and act as a protective barrier against damage.
Can I use a night cream every night?
A. Yes, you can use a night cream every night. Creating a sustainable skincare routine is an essential practice for all skin types. It helps your skin repair as you sleep.
Best night creams for summer
Best overall night cream
This revitalizing cream helps de-stress the skin while boosting its resilience to prevent premature aging. You will notice a reduction in dryness, fine lines, sagging, and dullness after just one use. This is probably the best night cream for summer overall.
Best night cream for normal skin
Rich in antioxidants like green tea, calming jojoba seed oil, moisturizing provitamin B5, and firming peptides, this multitasking cream moisturizes and fades fine lines as you sleep
Best night cream for dry skin
This nourishing night cream feels light and has a rich, balmy texture that's perfect for dry skin. It contains plant-derived triglycerides, so you wake up with hydrated, plumper skin.
Best night cream for oily skin
This transformative gel-cream speeds up skin repair while you sleep, so you wake up with soft, radiant, and hydrated skin.
Best night cream for sensitive skin
Formulated especially for sensitive skin, this J-Beauty cream has Japanese indigo and red sage root to calm irritation, reduce redness, and dry skin.
Best night cream for acne-prone skin
Made with niacinamide, this night cream helps refine pores and improve texture while panthenol strengthens your skin barrier.
Best night cream for beginners
This night cream features three types of vitamin C, reishi, and shea butter to brighten the skin while reducing the appearance of wrinkles. It's packed with antioxidants and is also very hydrating.
Best night cream for dry skin
Dry skin always needs a little extra hydration. This moisturizing cream contains squalane and ectoin, which lock hydration into the skin.
Best night cream for fine lines and wrinkles
This night cream contains retinol and peptides, which help keep your skin looking bright, smooth, and youthful, while boosting collagen production.
Best night cream for brightening
This overnight moisturizer enhances the skin’s nightly cell renewal cycle and helps combat dullness and rough texture, resulting in glowing skin.
Best night cream for firming
This nourishing night cream utilizes resveratrol and vegan collagen alternatives to help tighten the skin.
Best night cream for sagging skin
This moisturizing cream contains ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier and peptides to help tighten the skin, reducing sagging.
Best drugstore night cream
This drugstore cream combines melatonin and lavender to support your skin's recovery process while you sleep, along with a gentle retinoid that helps minimize typical irritation.
Best splurge night cream
While supporting cell renewal, this rich cream contains hyaluronic acid to provide you with plump and hydrated skin. It also has hydrolyzed rice protein to improve skin texture.
Best clean night cream
Made with the benefits of probiotics and superfoods, this lightweight gel cream absorbs quickly into your skin while providing hydration that lasts.
*This article was originally published on Best Reviews in 2021. Some products have been updated and replaced from the original list.







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