Night creams are designed to repair and recover your skin while your whole body is at rest. With a few days of using a good night cream, you will soon wake up every day to healthy and youthful skin that is soft to the touch. Ingredients such as antioxidants, retinol, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid, are commonly used in night creams to aid the process of skin repair, renewal, and regeneration.
Curious about what makes a good night cream? Scroll down to our buying guide at the end to find out! To help you with your search, we've also compiled a list of the 10 best night creams currently sold online. Our favorite is RoC's Retinol Correxion. This night cream effectively fights wrinkles while deeply moisturizing the skin. For more options, read on!
Quick List - Top Anti-Aging Night Creams
CeraVe
Best for Dry Skin or Winter Use
Olay
Best for Plumping up Sensitive Skin
Dr. Levy is a board certified dermatologist practicing in NYC and Westport, Connecticut. She has expertise in treating inflammatory skin conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. She has an interest in skincare and takes a personalized approach to all of her patients.
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If you're seeking one good reason to invest in a good night cream, here it is. The skin cells that are exposed to various elements during the day need regeneration at night to properly recover.
Skin repair, restoration, and regeneration happen when you sleep. This ascertains the demand for a regular night care routine for your face while you take a deep slumber. Night creams are available for all skin types and a range of needs of your skin including but not limited to protecting, firming, refining, and reducing aging spots.
While most people follow a normal moisturizing skin routine at night, it is best to invest in a good night cream that can accelerate the repair of tissues and promote the renewal of skin cells no matter what your skin type is. They're not meant to just deal with aging issues; they can also repair sun damage and revitalize dry or irritated skin.
Everyone needs a night cream in their skin routine. It doesn't matter if you have dry, oily, sensitive or acne-prone skin. A night cream can give moisture and hydration to the skin and has a significant antiaging benefit. Applying a moisturizing night cream or one with antiaging ingredients on a freshly washed face is a simple way to improve your skin texture and tone.
Here are some important points to look out for when looking for an anti-aging cream on your own. You'll want to know your skin type, some key ingredients, and more.
There are four major skin types - oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, and combination skin. This part of the guide will go over the basics of identifying each type. Keep in mind that your skin type can change according to seasonal changes and other factors!
Night creams that can mattify acne-prone skin and those containing oil-fighting ingredients such as these will be effective on oily skin. They can help regulate your sebum secretion, reduce oil excess, and leave your skin feeling more refreshed. Look for:
If you’re using a night cream as a follow-up to your present acne treatment, look for lightweight moisturizers like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. They will provide moisture without clogging your pores. Avoid heavy oils like avocado oil or wheat germ oil. They might be ultra-moisturizing to dry skin but will aggravate the condition of oily skin.
If you're on a skincare regimen for acne, adding a hydrating night cream over your acne treatment can make a huge difference in your ability to tolerate your regimen. You may even be able to tolerate stronger strength retinoids with an emollient cream-based night cream.
Avoid occlusive ingredients and coconut oil in the night cream. If the creams feel too heavy for your skin, a gel-based night cream can be used instead.
Dry skin can turn dull and flaky, especially during dry and cold months. Those with dry skin should find products that can extend hydration and nourishment to their skin. Night creams containing ingredients with strong moisturizing properties such as these will work well:
Those with skin conditions such as eczema or facial dermatitis will have painful dry patches. If you suffer from one or both of these, products containing soothing ingredients like almond oil, chamomile extract, and aloe vera can alleviate your irritation while providing some extra moisture.
Combination skin might not be that easy to deal with; your cheeks could dry while your forehead and nose are oily, for example. To address both issues, we recommend going for products that offer gentle exfoliation and hydration. Look for:
They won't worsen the state of your oily areas and can still provide enough moisture for your dry parts.
Non-comedogenic plant oils like grapeseed oil and almond oil can be great for this type of skin as well. Besides keeping your skin hydrated, those ingredients contain fatty acids to soften your skin effectively. Alternatively, you can use two products on the face – one for oily areas and the other for dry areas.
Those with combination skin may benefit from alternating night creams depending on the condition of the skin at a particular time. Additionally, using a humectant-based night cream, like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, is beneficial for dry areas and will not be occlusive enough to cause problems in the oily areas of the face.
Along with your skin type, it's important to understand which ingredients can make your skin appear younger. Read on to know about some important ingredients to have and what concerns they can address.
Retinols are vitamin A derivatives that can address a number of concerns related to aging skin such as reducing the appearance of wrinkles and lightening dark spots. They do this by promoting rapid skin cell turnover, which reveals new skin underneath more quickly.
This ingredient is rather strong on the scale of skincare ingredients, though, so we recommend consulting with a dermatologist before starting a retinol regimen. You'll likely be advised to only use retinol-containing night creams once or twice a week and then gradually move up to three or four times a week.
For fine lines and wrinkles and loose skin, look for a night cream with retinol in it. Retinol, a vitamin A derivative, is a powerful antiaging ingredient that can help rebuild collagen and expedite skin cell turnover.
Sun-damaged skin often appears thin and wrinkled because UV rays degrade collagen. Retinols can help rebuild collagen, while humectants can provide water and moisture to the skin to correct that sagging wrinkled look.
Skin-tightening and anti-aging creams can stimulate the growth of new skin cells and prevent collagen loss. They can also improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Some ingredients to look for are:
Aging can also cause dark spots and blemishes to appear on your face. Skin brightening night creams with ingredients like these can exfoliate the skin and lighten the dark spots, giving it a brighter appearance over time. Look for:
Peptides can also help stimulate collagen and give a great antiaging benefit. They are usually less drying than retinols and do not make you sun sensitive.
One of the major natural factors that can speed up the aging of the skin is sun damage. The result can be wrinkles, dark spots, and even sagging skin. So if you've been catching a fair amount of rays lately, you could benefit from products containing a bunch of vitamins, antioxidants, and peptides. They get your skin into healing mode, targeting the sunspots and patches while you sleep.
And if you're dealing with active sun damage like sunburns, your skin will be severely lacking in moisture. If you think your skin is dehydrated, go for an antioxidant-rich and water-based gel-cream. For extra moisture, try a product with hyaluronic acid.
Vitamin C and other antioxidants can help reduce pigmentation and result in brighter appearing skin. It's fine to use a vitamin C-based cream at night, but it should also be used in the morning since this antioxidant has a photoprotection benefit and can help prevent UV damage.
Those with sensitive or sensitized skin might experience burning, stinging, or redness on their skin while using normal skincare products. If your skin type is sensitive - as in, you have a long-standing reaction to certain ingredients - you should go for night creams that contain soothing ingredients like:
Stay away from products that contain potential irritants such as fragrance ingredients. Although they are safe to use for the general public, they're a common trigger for contact dermatitis and eczema.
You should also check with your dermatologist if your skin is currently sensitized (temporarily sensitive) or being treated for other skin conditions like acne using salicylic acid. These shouldn't be used in combination with retinols, for example. It’s always a good idea to read labels or do a patch test to make sure the ingredients don't cause any adverse reactions on your skin.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | RoC Retinol Moisturizer | ![]() | Best for Reducing Wrinkles With Retinol | |
2 | CeraVe Advanced Retinol Moisturizer | ![]() | Currently unavailable | Best for Dry Skin or Winter Use |
3 | Olay Night Cream Intense Hydration with Clary Sage | ![]() | Currently unavailable | Best for Plumping up Sensitive Skin |
4 | L'Oreal Paris Rest & Repair Night Cream | ![]() | Best for Soothing and Moisturizing Dry, Sensitive Skin | |
5 | Lancôme Water Boost Skin Quench Sleeping Cream | ![]() | Best for Minimizing Wrinkles and Lines | |
6 | Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Face Night Cream | ![]() | Best for Rejuvenating Dull and Tired Skin | |
7 | Fresh Anti-Wrinkle Cream Deep Wrinkle Night Moisturizer | ![]() | Best for Protecting the Skin Against Free Radical Damage | |
8 | Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Restorative Night Cream | ![]() | Best for Enhancing the Skin's Elasticity | |
9 | Derma-E Vitamin C Night Repair Cream | ![]() | Best for Lightening Hyperpigmentation | |
10 | Clarins Radically Rejuvenating Whipped Night Cream | ![]() | Best for Reducing the Appearance of Age Spots |
Pros:
RoC's night cream is retinol-based and clinically proven to effectively target wrinkles and fine lines, leaving you with more youthful skin. The addition of minerals like magnesium, copper, and zinc helps hydrate and refresh the skin's appearance.
There are some reports that this night cream caused rashes and itching on sensitive skin, so do a patch test beforehand to make sure it's suitable for you. But overall, this lightweight and non-comedogenic night cream is a good choice for oily and acne-prone skin.
Pros:
Cons:
CeraVe's option is infused with three types of ceramides and hyaluronic acid to deliver the needed moisture to the skin. What's more, retinol and niacinamide help smooth out blemishes and brighten up your complexion.
There are some reports that this night cream is too thick and leaves the skin feeling greasy. But as a whole, CeraVe's product is praised for how well it smooths out wrinkles and fine lines. The ultra-moisturizing formula is especially great for those with dry skin or for winter use.
Pros:
Cons:
Olay's night cream combines amino peptides, glycerin, vitamin B, and vitamin E to minimize the look of blemishes and give your skin a radiant glow. Glycerin and peptides, in particular, help to make skin look plump and youthful. It's free from fragrance and works great for people with fragrance sensitivity.
Although a few complaints have been voiced that the texture feels greasy, this anti-aging night cream is still loved for its moisturizing and gentle formula. After using this cream, the skin becomes smooth and soft to the touch.
Pros:
Cons:
L'Oreal Paris' night cream is infused with many plant-based oils and butters like shea butter and apricot kernel oil to leave your skin smooth and plump! Another key ingredient is manuka honey, which can calm irritation, moisturize the skin, and lighten dark spots.
Although the thick and creamy texture can be a problem for oily skin, this nourishing cream is highly recommended for those with sensitive or extremely dry skin. It's said to diminish aging spots and plumping up the skin without causing any allergic reactions.
Pros:
Cons:
Lancôme's night cream is formulated with black tea ferment, which has strong antioxidant properties to fight blemishes like lines and wrinkles as well as to brighten your complexion. The infusion of hyaluronic acid and shea butter also helps fight signs of dehydration including dryness, tightness, and dullness.
However, this cream can cause allergic reactions in some buyers with sensitive skin. Still, it's said to effectively target dryness and aging spots without leaving the skin greasy, making it a great choice for both dry and oily skin. After using this cream, the skin looks smooth and silky.
Pros:
Eucerin's night cream is a great choice for sensitive skin since it doesn't contain fragrance and alcohol, all of which might cause irritation and inflammation. It's also crafted with coenzyme Q10 and pro-retinol, a fat-soluble form of retinol, to brighten dull skin and fade age spots.
Pro-retinol is milder than regular retinol and less likely to irritate sensitive skin, too! Some buyers mention the cream is thick and takes a while to fully absorb into the skin. However, there are reports that the product really works to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. The formula keeps the skin dewy and soft to the touch, too!
Pros:
This night cream from Fresh helps fix mature skin issues such as wrinkles, dark spots, and fine lines with the presence of lotus and peach leaf extract. The inclusion of cucumber fruit extract further hydrates and firms the skin as you sleep. It also contains antioxidants to neutralize free radical damage.
The strong fragrance is one major complaint about this night cream. Nonetheless, the formula offers the feeling of moisturizing without heaviness and is great for oily, combination, and dry skin. There are many reports noting that the cream works well in minimizing wrinkles and lines as well.
Pros:
Cons:
Aveeno offers this non-greasy night cream made with ingredients like blackberry complex, shea butter, and dill extract that help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, brighten dull skin, and even out your complexion. This cream can help improve your skin's elasticity and is suitable for those with sagging skin.
A few buyers find the fragrance too strong. Still, this night cream is lauded for its effectiveness in smoothing out blemishes and moisturizing the skin.
Pros:
Derma-E's night cream is antioxidant-rich and helps reduce wrinkles, lines, and dark circles around the eyes. The dominance of Vitamin C evens skin tone, fades sunspots, and fights free radicals caused by exposure to the sun's UV rays.
Some buyers with sensitive skin warn that the application of the cream causes a burning sensation. Nonetheless, the formula includes a host of moisturizing ingredients like olive oil, apricot kernel oil, and shea butter to give rough skin a supple look. It's said the cream is lightweight and doesn't clog pores.
Pros:
Clarins' night cream comes with the goodness of ginkgo biloba, harungana leaf extract, and Montpellier rock-rose extract to correct your age spots and improve your complexion.
Some buyers say the formula is moisturizing, but not enough for winter. On the other hand, it's mentioned that this night cream visibly makes the skin more supple. It reduces the appearance of wrinkles and lines as well.
Check out the answer below if you want to know a bit more about how day and night creams are different!
If you're a skincare minimalist, you may be tempted to use just one face cream for both day and night, but day creams and night creams are different for a reason! Day creams are often lighter in texture and contain hydrating ingredients that can support you throughout the day. They may also contain some much-needed sun protection.
Night creams, on the other hand, do the repairing and moisturizing work while you sleep. This gives them a typically richer texture than day creams, and they're much more helpful at fighting visible signs of aging.
Stress, diet, and environmental aggressors such as pollution and excessive heat exposure can take a toll on your skin. So don't forget to care for your skin to keep it feeling good all the time. Check out our articles for some great skincare products that will help rejuvenate your skin.
No. 1: RoC|Retinol Moisturizer
No. 2: CeraVe|Advanced Retinol Moisturizer
No. 3: Olay |Night Cream Intense Hydration with Clary Sage
No. 4: L'Oreal Paris |Rest & Repair Night Cream
No. 5: Lancôme|Water Boost Skin Quench Sleeping Cream
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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