Best night creams
When you sleep, your skin goes into repair and rejuvenate 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 and help heal any sun damage that may have happened 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.
Moisturizers are generally lighter than night creams and are perfect for daily use to hydrate and protect the skin. Some moisturizers even have SPF to protect you from the first few hours of the morning sun.
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 massage it on your skin with 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-$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 extremely effective. For example, many night creams have ingredients like 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 skin types of all kinds. It helps your skin repair as you sleep.
Best night creams
Best overall night cream
Clinique Turnaround Overnight Revitalizing Moisturizer: available at Ulta Beauty
This revitalizing cream works overnight to give you more plump and luminous skin in the morning. It is free of oil, parabens, phthalates and fragrance.
Best night cream for normal skin
Rich in antioxidants like super lotus and cucumber extract, this lightweight night cream can brighten and even your skin tone as you sleep.
Best night cream for dry skin
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Night Cream: available at Amazon, Sephora, SkinStore and Ulta Beauty
This hydrating night cream fights skin damage and ensures you wake up with firm, moisturized skin.
Best night cream for oily skin
This fast-acting cream has an amino acid complex that smooths and plumps the skin without the greasy feel.
Best night cream for sensitive skin
La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra Night Cream for Sensitive Skin: available at Amazon, LovelySkin and Ulta Beauty
Formulated especially for sensitive skin, this has neurosensine and an antioxidant complex to hydrate and soothe. It is free of parabens, fragrances and alcohol.
Best night cream for acne-prone skin
Origins High-Potency Night-a-Mins Resurfacing Cream with Fruit-Derived AHAs: available at Sephora and Ulta Beauty
Made with plant-derived AHAs, this oil-free cream can hydrate and exfoliate your skin, resulting in fewer breakouts.
Best night cream for beginners
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream: available at Amazon and Ulta Beauty
This night cream has hyaluronic acid that retains moisture and keeps your skin feeling healthy and smooth.
Best night cream for dry skin
Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream Enriched: available at Sephora, SpaceNK and Ulta Beauty
Dry skin always needs a little extra hydration. This has a KOMBU-Bounce Complex that locks hydration into the skin.
Best night cream for fine lines and wrinkles
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream: available at LovelySkin, Murad, Sephora, SpaceNK and Ulta Beauty
This night cream has retinol and peptides, which keep your skin looking bright, smooth and boosts collagen production.
Best night cream for brightening
Philosophy Renewed Hope in A Jar Night Moisturizer: available at Amazon, Sephora and Ulta Beauty
This overnight moisturizer improves skin’s nightly cell renewal cycle and fights dullness and rough texture to give you glowing skin.
Best night cream for firming
Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Firming Night Cream: available at Amazon, LovelySkin, Sephora, SkinStore and SpaceNK
This nourishing night cream uses resveratrol and vegan collagen alternatives that tighten the skin.
Best night cream for sagging skin
This healing cream has alguronic acid for cell renewal and peptides to tighten and firm the skin.
Best drugstore night cream
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Nourishing Night Cream: available at Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond and Ulta Beauty
This drugstore cream uses feverfew and oats to nourish and calm the skin after a hot day. It also has been clinically proven to reduce dry, irritated skin in just one week.
Best splurge night cream
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream: available at Sephora, SpaceNK and Violet Grey
While supporting cell renewal, this rich cream has hyaluronic acid to give you plump and hydrated skin. It also has hydrolyzed rice protein to improve skin texture.
Best clean night cream
Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Overnight Cream: available at Credo Beauty, SkinStore and Ulta Beauty
Made with evening primrose and sacred lily, this hydrating cream utilizes resveratrol to firm skin. It is also vegan and cruelty-free.