Any skincare aficionado knows that a nighttime routine is key to glowing skin. Sleeping is the time when your complexion is healing, restoring, and repairing so you can wake up with glass skin. And the best way to take advantage of this nighttime magic is by finding the best night cream for your skin type.
“Think of a night cream as an all-in-one of treatment that repairs your skin barrier after a long day,” says dermatologist Lauren Penzi, MD. “Many night creams can address whatever kind concern you have—and a lot of them have antioxidants properties that repair the damage of the day from UV and pollutants.”
Most of the best night creams can be used every single night as the last step of your skincare routine. And, in this case, consistency is key: “Sticking with a night cream can result in long term results like firmness and smoothness, so it’s definitely worth adding to your regimen, says David Petrillo, a Nevada-based cosmetic chemist and founder of the product line Perfect Image.
What to look for in a night cream
TBH, skincare in general can get pretty pricey. Before you make the investment, here are few things to keep in mind as you consider which night cream is best for you.
Ingredients
Think about your skin’s needs and what ingredients might help you achieve the results you’re after, says Dr. Penzi. For example, peptides and retinol can both help you minimize the appearance of aging. Meanwhile, something like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide can help hydrate and repair the skin barrier.
Skin type
Really think about your skin type before you search for products. Are you oily, dry, or combination? Do you have textured skin or an uneven tone? Getting familiar with your skin type can be a true guiding light in the process. For example, someone who has drier skin may want a richer cream to nourish while a person with oily skin may gravitate toward a lighter gel formula.
Price
You should always think about the price and what you’re comfortable with. “There’s a lot of good products at higher price points and a lot at lower price points,” says Dr. Penzi. “So it’s about putting your budget and your skincare goals into one to make the best decision.” In other words, don’t break your bank account for a night cream if it’s not doable—there are plenty of high-quality options at an affordable cost.
How our team chose the best night creams
For the past two years, Health AI Expert editors, including editorial assistants Olivia Evans and Sabrina Talbert, have been researching the most popular and top-rated night creams. Our team also consulted with WH Beauty Director Brian Underwood, cosmetic chemist David Petrillo, and five tip dermatologists to get their recommendations. Then, we put the list to the test, landing of this edited selection as the best-of-the-best.
So, without further ado, these are the best night creams for every skin type—we swatched, we swiped, we polled the pros, and we know there’s one on this list for you.
Pros
- Calms skin and reduces irritation
- Good for sensitive or very dry skin
Cons
- Thick texture means oily types can use too much
CeraVe’s cream is nourishing, rich, and thick without being greasy—bascially the holy grail of qualities for a night cream. But on top of that, it’s also non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores and cause breakouts. The icing on this cake is that it’s a great drugstore option: You get a pretty large jar for less than $30.
“This night cream is a fantastic investment for anyone seeking effective skincare at an affordable price,” says David Petrillo, a Nevada-based cosmetic beauty chemist and founder of Perfect Image. “It contains essential ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, which helps hydrate and repair the skin’s barrier. ”
It’s particularly suited for dry skin, says Underwood, but can even be used on combination or oily types—just use a smaller amount. “I’ve used this cream on and off for years and I’m always happy with how hydrated my skin feels in the morning,” he says. “I never feel too slicked-up, but I make sure to use just a small dollop—a little goes a long way with this one.”
Read more: Best Skin-Tightening Creams
| Active ingredients | Niacinamide, Peptides, Hyaluronic Acid |
|---|---|
| Consistency | Non-greasy cream |
| Benefits | Reduces appearance of fine lines, improves skin elasticity |
CeraVe’s cream is nourishing, rich, and thick without being greasy—bascially the holy grail of qualities for a night cream. But on top of that, it’s also non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores and cause breakouts. The icing on this cake is that it’s a great drugstore option: You get a pretty large jar for less than $30.
“This night cream is a fantastic investment for anyone seeking effective skincare at an affordable price,” says David Petrillo, a Nevada-based cosmetic beauty chemist and founder of Perfect Image. “It contains essential ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, which helps hydrate and repair the skin’s barrier. ”
It’s particularly suited for dry skin, says Underwood, but can even be used on combination or oily types—just use a smaller amount. “I’ve used this cream on and off for years and I’m always happy with how hydrated my skin feels in the morning,” he says. “I never feel too slicked-up, but I make sure to use just a small dollop—a little goes a long way with this one.”
Read more: Best Skin-Tightening Creams
Pros
- Contains retinol peptides
- No fragrance for those with sensitivity to scent
Cons
- Jojoba oil may clog pores for some
Like anything, there is a learning curve with skincare. When it comes to retinol, an anti-aging ingredient that can be harsh on sensitive skin, the lower the strength the better for entry-level users. This one also has hyaluronic acid in it to help plump skin and lock in moisture.
“It’s more affordable and a lower strength retinol, so it’s good for beginners,” says Dr. Penzi “It has peptides, antioxidants, and other ingredients that help minimize the appearance of aging around the face and neck.”
This cream is thick and nourishing but not too heavy or oily on the skin. The bottle is small, but a little bit of product goes a long way (experts generally recommend using a pea-sized amount of retinol on your face).
| Active Ingredients | Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, Antioxidants |
|---|---|
| Consistency | Rich cream |
| Benefits | Hydrates and renews dry skin, reduces appearance of wrinkles and fine lines |
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Irritant free to keep sensitive skin soothed
Cons
- May be too thick for very oily skin
This cream features colloidal oatmeal, a soothing superstar that can help calm any redness or dry, itchy patches. It also delivers on hydration while soothing minor irritation. It’s a good choice for all skin types and is free of alcohol mineral oil, parabens, and sulfates.
“As someone with classic combination skin who can be prone to breakouts, I’ve always worried about slathering my skin in a thick, occlusive cream,” says Brian Underwood, Women’s Health beauty director. “This cream has a rich texture, but it won’t leave your complexion feeling slick. It’s also fragrance-free, so you can be sure it won’t irritate your skin if you’re sensitive.”
Because the cream is so gentle, it’s perfect for eczema-prone complexions or those with just generally sensitive skin. Plus, it absorbs quickly without leaving a sticky residue.
| Active ingredients | Colloidial Oatmeal, Shea Butter, Allantoin |
|---|---|
| Consistency | Thicker cream |
| Benefits | Hydrates dry skin, provides relief for eczema |
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Moisturizer
Neutrogena’s moisturizer contains retinol and hyaluronic acid, so you get acne-fighting and collagen-stimulating properties while hydrating the skin overnight.
“The formula is lightweight and absorbs quickly, leaving my skin feeling hydrated and refreshed,” says Underwood, who has tested the product. “I love that it contains a powerful but gentle dose of retinol, which is known to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. My skin has a more youthful, radiant look and I couldn’t be happier with the results.”
| Active ingredients | Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid |
|---|---|
| Consistency | Light cream |
| Benefits | Smooths lines and wrinkles, firms skin, hydrates |
Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair Serum in Cream Treatment
“This has to be one of my all-time favorite night creams,” says Underwood, who loves the blend of hylauronic acid, ceramides, and Japanese plant extracts. “It hits just the right spot for me—not too thick as to be greasy on my combination skin, but nourishing enough to really hydrate.”
The product is perfect for those with sensitive or highly reactive skin—it’s fragrance free and contains skin barrier-repairing ingredients that will keep irritation at bay. “I test a lot of products regularly, and I can say that I’ve never had even the slightest bit of irritation from using this cream,” Underwood adds.
A great all-around hydrator, the one drawback is that this one is light on age-fighting ingredients, so if you’re looking for something powerful to help with lines, wrinkles, and discoloration, you may want to opt for something else.
| Active Ingredients | Hyaluronic Acid |
|---|---|
| Consistency | Rich Cream |
| Benefits | Hydrates, reduces redness, enhances radiance |
Pros
- Nourishes and hydrates deeply but doesn’t clog pores
- Fragrance-free so good for sensitive skin
Cons
- May have a strong scent to some
This night cream intensely hydrates skin with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalene while strengthening and repairing the skin barrier with panthenol and allantoin, says dermatologist Tiffany Libby, MD.
It also has vitamins C and E to help protect the skin against free radical damage and environmental stressors.”It’s good for people with really dry skin and has really effective moisturizers that are very good at providing hydration,” adds Dr. Penzi.
What else is of note: It’s fragrance-free, making it great for those with sensitive skin. And while it’s on the pricey side, the formula does a good job at reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while providing skin with ample moisture.
| Active ingredients | Vitamins C and E |
|---|---|
| Consistency | Ultra-rich cream |
| Benefits | Prevents moisture loss, improves skin texture |
