Boost your beauty sleep with these nourishing formulas.
Whether you’re just starting your skincare journey or you have a multi-step routine that you never go a day without, you’ve likely heard of the importance of using the best night creams. Let’s just say that there’s a reason why it’s the final step in your skincare routine order—the cream helps lock in all of your other products making it a must.
You might be wondering why the product needs to be applied in the evening. Well, at night when you’re resting, your skin is busy working. “During sleep is when the skin regenerates itself. There is increased blood flow to the skin at night which delivers more nutrients, [and] the extra nutrient supply aids skin repair,” explains Carmen Castilla, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor at Mount Sinai in New York. “This is a great time to enhance the repair process with your skincare routine.”
The skincare products are especially powerful because they tend to be formulated with active ingredients which aid in the skin repair process and help repair the skin barrier, according to Dr. Castilla. “Typically they also have skin calming ingredients that help soothe skin from the stressors of the day,” she continues. “Unlike day creams, they won’t have SPF or other sunscreens included.”
From retinol-infused options that soften fine lines and wrinkles to hydrating, hyaluronic acid-powered formulas, night creams are a staple in any evening skincare routine—no matter your goals or concerns.
So whether you’re in the market for a formula suited for your skin type or simply one of the best anti-aging creams made for nighttime, we’ve rounded up some of the best options on the market.
1
BEST OVERALL NIGHT CREAM
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream
“This is a great product at a very reasonable price point,” explains Dr. Castilla. “It contains ceramides which can help repair the skin barrier and also hyaluronic acid which boosts skin hydration.” Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., double board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ also recommends this product for all skin types thanks to its stellar ingredient list.
2
BEST VALUE NIGHT CREAM
Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream
This hydrating face cream earned an expert seal of approval in our round-up of the best moisturizers for sensitive skin for its skin-quenching, ultra-gentle formula that is packed with powerful ceramides. Bonus: the product has even earned a stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association as it is free from dyes, fragrance, lanolin, formaldehyde, and parabens.
3
BEST NIGHT CREAM FOR AGING SKIN
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Moisturizer
“This is a very gentle retinol formulation good for people just introducing retinols into their skin care routine,” explains Dr. Castilla. “It can give you the anti-aging benefits of a retinol while also maintaining skin hydration.” Dr. Lal also recommends this formula as it is good for all skin types and helps hydrate the skin with hyaluronic acid. Did we mention it’s a favorite of Jennifer Garner’s, too?
4
BEST NIGHT CREAM WITH RAVE REVIEWS
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
There’s a reason reviewers rave about Olay’s Micro-Sculpting Cream (with more than 2,700 five-star Amazon reviews): It contains plumping hyaluronic acid, firming amino-peptides, and redness-reducing niacinamide to deeply sink into the skin and work its magic while you snooze. Named one of our favorite anti-aging creams to fight wrinkles, this one also gets a stamp of approval from dermatologists.
5
BEST RETINOL NIGHT CREAM
RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream
Dr. Lal is a fan of this simple, fragrance-free, retinol-based cream. It’s a great pick for people who have very dry skin and are in need of a night cream, but who also want an effective retinol formula. “It contains hyaluronic acid and other great ingredients that hydrate your skin for 48 hours,” Dr. Lal says.
6
Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream + Pro-Retinol
If you’re looking for a night cream for sensitive skin that includes retinol, this drugstore buy is a great buy. In addition to retinol, this cream contains coenzyme q10, a powerful antioxidant, as well as hydrators like glycerin and vitamin E. Plus, one Amazon reviewer who gave it five-stars calls it “shockingly good,” while another wrote: “This product has done more to reduce the appearance of wrinkles than any expensive product I’ve used. My face looks much more youthful.”
7
BEST NIGHT CREAM FOR OILY SKIN
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
If you have oily skin, you might stray from night creams due to their reputation for having a bit of a thicker texture. However, “The lightweight formulation with niacinamide is great for oily and acne-prone skin types,” explains Dr. Castilla. “It also includes ceramides which help repair the skin barrier.”
8
BEST DAY AND NIGHT CREAM
Kiehl’s Since 1851 Ultra Facial Moisturizing Cream
While not a night cream by name, Good Housekeeping Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn uses this product nightly for smooth, healthy skin. “This moisturizer is my desert island product, my holy grail, the one skincare item I can’t live without,” she says. “It deeply hydrates my skin, which used to be oily but has now turned more combination/dry (read: this is good for all skin types!), without leaving any yucky or heavy residue; I love the light, cloud-like texture. My skin is noticeably drier and flakier in the morning if I don’t apply it the night before.”
9
BEST NIGHT CREAM FOR DRY SKIN
Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Night Cream
This ultra-hydrating night cream from Cetaphil maintains an overall 4.5 out of five stars on Amazon, with over 1,600 five-star reviews attesting to its superiority. “I’ve seriously never been impressed with a product until this one. I started using it and within a week I noticed how shiny and flawless my skin was,” one reviewer wrote.“It feels light and moisturizing, and keeps my face actually hydrated through the entire day. I’ve literally never been so happy with a product before.”
10
BEST NIGHT CREAM FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Night Cream for Sensitive Skin
“This is a very moisturizing formulation good for sensitive or mature skin types,” says Dr. Castilla. This formula is fragrance-free and contains comforting ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, and vitamin E. It helps restore the skin barrier, aiding in overnight repair of the skin.
11
BEST LUXURY NIGHT CREAM
Caudalie Premier Cru Anti Aging Cream Moisturizer
This elegant cream calms and hydrates the skin while fighting the signs of aging, according to Heidi Waldorf, M.D., a clinical associate professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine of Mount Sinai in New York. That’s because it’s rich in antioxidants (like vitamins C and E), peptides, niacinamide, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid. Pro tip: Make sure you apply the product down your neck, an often-neglected area.
12
BEST REPARATIVE NIGHT CREAM
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
This luxurious cream is ideal for mature, normal, and dry skin types. “The lipids in this cream are great for skin hydration and repairing the skin barrier while not being too thick or occlusive,” explains Dr. Castilla. The antioxidant-rich, moisturizing cream aids in improved elasticity and radiance, as well.
13
BEST NIGHT CREAM FOR WRINKLES
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5
Another great retinol-based option, this concentrated formula helps address a variety of skin concerns from visible signs of aging to large pores and beyond. “It has packaging that preserves the potency of the retinol, so it’s not going to get degraded and it’s very good to use at nighttime,” notes Dr. Lal.
14
BEST NIGHT EYE CREAM
RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Under Eye Cream
Looking for a night cream dedicated to the under-eye area? Dr. Zeichner previously recommended this moisturizing option as one of the best eye creams for wrinkles because it minimizes dark circles, puffiness, crow’s feet, and wrinkles with retinol without being too harsh on the delicate under-eye skin.
15
EDITOR-FAVORITE NIGHT CREAM
REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm
Ever wondered what a Beauty Director opts for in terms of evening skincare? Enter this skin-boosting overnight balm by REN Clean Skincare, a go-to for April Franzino Beauty Director for Prevention, Woman’s Day, and Good Housekeeping . “I used this rich balm packed with plant oils as a last step in my nighttime routine after my retinol treatment, and it felt so soothing on my parched skin and left no flakes or traces of dryness behind in the morning,” she explains.
16
BEST FIRMING NIGHT CREAM
Revision Skincare Firming Night Treatment
“This is more of a luxury product but it is a good one,” says Dr. Lal. “It has peptides in it, and it’s great for dry, sensitive, normal, or mature skin.” Not only does this ultra-moisturizing cream contain peptides, it also contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to help hydrate, brighten, and smooth the complexion.
17
BEST EXFOLIATING NIGHT CREAM
NEOSTRATA Skin Active Cellular Restoration
Even though this cream is packed with alpha hydroxy acids (chemicals that exfoliate the skin), peptides, and antioxidants, it’s tolerated even by the most sensitive and rosacea-prone skin, says Dr. Waldorf. The fragrance-free formula also includes shea butter for a healthy dose of moisture—and a little bit goes a long way. Simply apply one pump before bed to reduce fine lines, tighten pores, and plump the skin.
18
BEST DRUGSTORE NIGHT CREAM
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Nourishing Night Cream
If you have a reactive complexion, Aveeno has you covered with this nourishing night cream for sensitive skin. “This fragrance-free formula hydrates the skin, while feverfew extract calms inflammation,” says board-certified dermatologist, Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Plus, it contains oat extract, an ingredient with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that have been proven to soothe itchy, red skin.
19
Sisley Paris Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream
Also named one of our best moisturizers for dry skin by Dr. Zeichner, this luxurious cream from Sisley utilizes botanical ingredients—like black rose extract and magnolia, camelina, geranium, and shea oils—to hydrate, soften, and brighten the complexion. The lightweight, gel-like cream easily absorbs into skin, smells like a spa in the best way, and feels like a true pampering product for those nights you feel like treating yourself.
20
EltaMD PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer
This nighttime moisturizer from EltaMD is all about simplicity and moisture. It’s a no-frills, yet highly effective formula containing hyaluronic acid, helping to restore, repair, and moisturize the driest of skin. It’s also rich in peptides to aid in collagen production and improve skin elasticity. “This is my go-to nighttime moisturizer,” one Dermstore reviewer wrote. “I have dry, sensitive, mature skin, and this product is not too heavy or too light. It moisturizes perfectly.”
How to choose the best night cream
Below, find a few tips from Dr. Lal and Dr. Castilla for selecting the best night cream for your needs.
✔️ Consider retinol. “The good night creams are the ones that have retinol,” Dr. Lal says. “It’s best to use at nighttime, so it does not get degraded by the sun.” Retinol is a powerful, multitasking ingredient that “helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles, increases skin thickness, and improves collagen production,” continues Dr. Lal. Retinol can be irritating, though, so start gradually by applying the cream a couple of times a week, to every other day, to nightly use. Always use face sunscreen the morning after you apply a retinol product.
✔️ Try a formula with peptides. “Peptides are really important, essentially helping repair your skin barrier,” explains Dr. Lal. “Think of peptides as fertilizer for your skin’—helping your skin heal, building collagen, softening fine lines, and overall nourishing your skin.
✔️ Go fragrance-free. Dr. Lal suggests looking for products without fragrance as a general rule of thumb, but notes that for a night cream, this is especially important as the product will be on your skin overnight, for a long period of time. “Don’t just look for unscented, make sure the packaging says ‘fragrance-free,’” explains Dr. Lal.
✔️ Stick with hydration. While Dr. Castilla suggests avoiding “very occlusive” night creams (think: heavy oils or petrolatum), which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts, there are a number of hydrating and moisturizing ingredients to look for. “I recommend everyone look for products that have things like ceramides, squalene, dimethicone, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid,” explains Dr. Lal. “These are ingredients that are going to help your skin barrier stay hydrated even if you are using other ingredients like retinol which can dry you out.”
✔️ Consider your skin type. “Dry or mature skin types should look for thicker creams, while oily skin types can consider a thinner, light-weight formulation,” explains Dr. Castilla. You also may want to tailor your night cream to the time of year, as Dr. Castilla notes that thicker formulations are best suited in cold, winter months while thinner formulations are often needed during humid, summer months.
How we chose the best night creams
Our team conducted extensive research and consulted Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., double board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ, Carmen Castilla, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor at Mount Sinai in New York, Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, and Heidi Waldorf, M.D., a clinical associate professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine of Mount Sinai in New York. We also poured through countless user ratings and reviews to find the best night creams for various needs and preferences.
