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The Best Night Creams

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At the end of a long day, the last thing I want to do is do a multistep skin-care routine. But I recently started using retinol, and because I’m deeply fearful of damaging my skin, I started building out a nighttime routine. That includes a night cream. I don’t use retinol nightly, so on the days I’m not applying an active I go into full reparative mode and layer as much moisture and as many healing ingredients as I can. According to dermatologist Dr. Michele Green, “Nighttime is the restorative time for your skin, so you should give your skin the extra TLC by using a night cream.” She says night creams “address different concerns than daytime moisturizers. Typically, they provide intense hydration and concentrated ingredients to fight signs of aging and other issues.” I heard similar things from Dr. Noelani González, the director of cosmetic dermatology at Mount Sinai West, who points out that night creams tend to be thicker than daytime moisturizers, use exfoliators to improve skin texture, and contain more hydrators to replenish moisture lost during the day (so you wake up looking less tired and puffy). Some also contain retinol, which shouldn’t be used during the day.

To suss out the best, I incorporated a few different options into my routine and asked 11 dermatologists and facialists for their recommendations. Below, the night creams that are worth the money, the ones that fight acne, and the ones that might help slow down early signs of aging, as well as options for every skin type.

What we’re looking for

Active ingredients

Because your skin does so much reparative work while you sleep, the ingredients you go for are key. Generally speaking, González suggests looking for a night cream with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides for hydration; retinol as an acne fighter and anti-ager; or antioxidants such as resveratrol for protecting against environmental stress. “Glycolic acid also helps exfoliate and renew, and niacinamide helps with redness for those with conditions like rosacea and acne,” she says. We’ve noted the standout ingredients in each formula as well as the concentration when available.

Consistency

Depending on your skin type, some consistencies might be better for your skin than others. Lightweight creams are ideal if you have oily skin, while richer, thicker formulations are great if you struggle with dryness. Then there are those middle-of-the-road ones, which could go either way.

Price

Night creams range widely in price (our most expensive pick is over $150, and our cheapest is under $20), so we’ve noted the cost per ounce.

Best night cream overall

Active ingredients: Ceramides, peptides, hyaluronic acid | Consistency: Rich cream | Price: 1.7 ounces (Approx. $8 per ounce)

With night creams, I looked for a few things — a rich texture, nourishing ingredients, and lots of moisture. This night cream from drugstore staple CeraVe ticks all the boxes and isn’t expensive. I used this one for a few weeks, and in that time I noticed that I woke up with soft, hydrated skin. It’s thicker than my go-to CeraVe cream, but the added weight doesn’t make it feel heavy on the skin. I also like the ingredients. A combination of brightening niacinamide and ceramides both support and brighten skin over time, augmenting my retinol’s effects. It also doesn’t contain any exfoliating acids or retinols, so it can be used nightly without worrying about doubling up. Ceramides and peptides also offer key skin-barrier support, which helps to offset negative side effects from strong actives. Overall, it’s a good, functional cream for normal and combination skin types, and because it doesn’t have a strong fragrance, it could work well for sensitive skin. It’s also a skin-care expert favorite. Four recommend it: González, Dr. Debra Jaliman, Dr. Britt Craiglow, and facialist Jordana Mattioli. Jaliman says it delivers comparable results to much more expensive options, calls out its ceramides and hyaluronic acid for being excellent hydrators, and says the niacinamide is a trusted redness reducer that also helps “replenish the skin’s barrier.”

Best night cream for sensitive skin

Active ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Consistency: Gel cream | Price: 1.7 ounces (Approx. $12 per ounce)

This cream is something of a cult favorite among dermatologists: It has made appearances on our lists of the best moisturizers for dry skin, best moisturizers for mature skin, and best moisturizers for oily skin. Despite its lightweight gel-cream texture, it’s impressively hydrating and works well if you worry about a heavier cream clogging your pores. When I tried it, it sank into my skin a few minutes after application. I like it for sensitive skin in particular because it’s fragrance free; fragrances can cause irritation and dermatitis. Dr. Anna Karp, dermatologist at the Skin Institute New York, agrees that it’s a good options for sensitive skin, adding that it “has a cool-on-contact feel and contains hyaluronic acid, which provides extra moisturization (due to its ability to hold 1,000 times its weight in water).” Craiglow calls it a truly “versatile” (and affordable) night cream that would work for a lot of skin types — including sensitive skin, because it’s gentle and free of fragrances.

Best night cream for ultrasensitive, compromised skin

Active ingredients: Heparan-sulfate analog, green-tea extract, sodium hyaluronate | Consistency: Rich cream | Price: 1.7 ounces (Approx. $96 per ounce)

If you’ve accidentally overexfoliated with acids or physical scrubs that compromised your moisture barrier, or if you’ve recently undergone chemical or laser treatments, celebrity facialist Candace Marino recommends that you use this night cream from Senté. “It hits heavy with moisture without the weight you feel with most creams,” she says. Its biggest draw is its use of heparan sulfate, a sugar molecule that occurs naturally in the skin and is important for maintaining its health. “It promotes deep hydration, decreases inflammation, and stimulates collagen and elastin production,” she says, adding that it’s also noncomedogenic (meaning it won’t clog your pores).

Best night cream for acne-prone skin

Active ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate | Consistency: Cream | Price: 1.7 ounces (Approx. $24 per ounce)

Thanks to how finicky acne-prone skin can be, finding a moisturizer that will heal it instead of contribute to the problem can be tough. And if you’re using strong acne-preventing topicals, you’ll need a strong moisturizer to match. Ferzli says that this night cream is actually paraben free and noncomedogenic, “meaning it’s safe for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin.” And it’s water-based, which, as I’ve mentioned before, is the best option for those struggling with acne. “It’s thick without being occlusive, hydrating, and feels almost whipped and fluffy when going on,” Ferzli says.

Best night cream for extremely dry skin

Active ingredients: TFC8, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B5, hydrolyzed rice protein | Consistency: Lightweight cream | Price: 1.7 ounces (Approx. $168 per ounce)

For those with hard-to-manage dry skin, Augustinus Bader’s fancy cream is a good option. I like its plush, pillowy texture, which goes on smooth and gives skin a layer of moisture. I also like that it contains actives, which makes it an all-in-one option. There’s two formulas to choose from, one for normal to oily skin and one for dry skin, so you can choose based on skin type. Zimmerman is also a fan. He recommends it for “the laziest nights when you don’t have time to slather on a million serums but you still want all the anti-aging benefits.” Aesthetician Joanna Czech also likes it, calling it “super-repairing,” and noting that it “stimulates skin’s natural process of rejuvenation.” The price tag is high, but as Rio once pointed out, it’s a very coveted cream, and the Cut’s former beauty director, Kathleen Hou, wrote that when she tried the cream it made her skin look “healthier, sort of like there was a good bra holding things up under it.”

Best (less expensive) night cream for extremely dry skin

Active ingredients: Glycerin, sodium PCA, urea, trehalose, hexylene glycol, polyquaternium-51, triacetin, caprylyl glycol and sodium hyaluronate, dipalmityl hydroxylproline, ceramides | Consistency: Rich cream | Price: 1.6 ounces (Approx. $28 per ounce)

I’m a big fan of Dieux’s Instant Angel moisturizer, which has become my go-to for everyday use. It’s formulated by the same cosmetic chemist behind Skinceuticals’s cult-favorite Triple Lipid moisturizer but for a fraction of the cost. It’s marketed as a barrier-repair treatment due to ingredients like fatty acids, ceramides, glycerin, and sodium hyaluronate, which support the skin and also deeply hydrate. It’s a very thick formula, so it could work well as a night cream for anyone who’s looking for something cheaper than Augustinus Bader but wants a similar level of moisturizing.

Best night cream for combination skin

Active ingredients: Green-tea extract, peptide-B3 complex | Consistency: Cream | Price: 1.7 ounces (Approx. $15 per ounce)

Just like the SkinCeuticals cream, this one will properly hydrate the dry areas of your skin while the exfoliating properties will keep your oily patches at bay. González and New York City–based dermatologist Hadley King — a clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University — suggests this one for its hydrating elements. “It has antioxidants, green-tea extract, and a peptide-B3 complex, which helps hydrate and exfoliate skin,” González says.

Best firming night cream

Active ingredients: Vitamin E, amino acids | Consistency: Balm | Price: 1.7 ounces (Approx. $115 per ounce)

Formulated with royal jelly, which can help with inflammation and wound healing, this night cream is a favorite of dermatologist Jessie Cheun because it’s lightweight but delivers hydration and repair with amino acids and anti-inflammatories. It also contains vitamin E, which helps with the skin’s overall firmness and elasticity.

Best (less expensive) firming night cream

Active ingredients: Vitamin C, glycerin, rhamnose | Consistency: Balm | Price: 1.7 ounces (Approx. $24 per ounce)

If the Guerlain night cream is too big of a splurge, this one from Vichy is a good alternative. It features all the expected ingredients, like vitamin C and glycerin for hydrated, brighter-looking skin. Dr. Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, owner of Dallas-based practice Houshmand Dermatology is also a fan. According to her, it’s great for those “with sensitive skin who are looking for effective anti-aging solutions at a reasonable price point.” The inclusion of rhamnose, a naturally derived plant sugar, is particularly notable because it plumps and firms the skin extremely well. “With continued use, the cream visibly reduces wrinkles” and creates a more even texture and tone over time, Houshmand adds.

Best night cream with retinol

Active ingredients: Lactic acid, retinoid | Consistency: Cream | Price: 1 ounce (Approx. $125 per ounce)

If you want to try a night cream with retinol, I recommend this one from Skinbetter, which I use on alternating nights. While prescription retinoids like tretinoin don’t tend to offer much in the way of moisturizing, there are lots of over-the-counter products that utilize vitamin A but balance it with moisturizing ingredients and complementary actives to improve the overall look of skin. In addition to retinol, this cream contains exfoliating lactic and glycolic acid. I’ve been using it for a little over three months, and in that time I’ve noticed a brighter and clearer complexion. The stubborn hyperpigmentation on my chin has lightened considerably, and I’ve observed fewer breakouts overall. It’s not incredibly moisturizing, but it does work nicely on its own and isn’t the least bit irritating. According to Green, it’s also useful for those with oily skin. Along with facilitating cell turnover to unclog your pores, she says, it tightens them, making oily skin look less shiny. Mattioli says the cream has “an amazing combo of retinol and glycolic acid in a mix of moisturizing antioxidants, and it’s hydrating enough for almost any skin type … perfect for mature skin to firm and soften wrinkles.” Dr. Jeremy Brauer is a fan as well. “Retinol is key to evening moisturizing,” he says, mentioning that the AlphaRet Overnight Cream works especially well. Marino also likes AlphaRet and says it is as effective as tretinoin without the side effects.

Best drugstore night cream with retinol

Active ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid | Consistency: Cream | Price: 1.7 ounces (Approx. $14 per ounce)

For a less-expensive alternative, Neutrogena makes a good retinol that contains moisturizing hyaluronic acid to help offset the drying effects of the ingredient. At $29, it’s cheaper than most retinols but still effective. Karp often suggests it to her patients because of the hydrating ingredients. “It’s a built-in defense,” she says.

Best night cream for wrinkles (without retinol)

Active ingredients: Pro-xylane, glycerin, shea butter | Consistency: Cream | Price: 1.7 ounces (Approx. $44 per ounce)

If you’d rather not use a retinol — maybe it’s already in your routine or you aren’t ready for the commitment that comes with incorporating one — you can still address skin issues like wrinkles and hyperpigmentation with other ingredients. Lal recommends this night cream from La Roche Posay for all of those things. Its main active ingredient is pro-xylane, a sugar-protein hybrid derived from beech trees that helps to support skin and attract moisture. It also contains moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and glycerin as well as dimethicone, which also gives it a silky feel.

Best night cream for hyperpigmentation

Active ingredients: Retinol, glycerin, retinol, peptides | Consistency: Cream | Price: 1.7 ounces (Approx. $19 per ounce)

To take it a step further, add some peptides to your routine. The anti-aging ingredient is oft recommended here at The Strategist because it can help to stimulate collagen. This, paired with retinol, is a powerful combo for fighting fine lines and wrinkles. We like this face cream from Olay, which comes recommended by Dr. Karan Lal and is fairly affordable. “It’s well tolerated by most,” says Lal, noting that it’s also fragrance free. In addition to peptides and retinol, the cream contains niacinamide, a form of vitamin B-3 that helps to protect skin from environmental stressors by minimizing moisture loss and evening out skin tone.

Additional reporting by Lori Keong.

Some more night creams we’ve written about

Our experts

• Dr. Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, owner of Dallas-based practice Houshmand Dermatology
• Dr. Jeremy Brauer, dermatologist
• Dr. Jessie Cheung, dermatologist
• Dr. Annie Chiu, dermatologist and founder of the Derm Institute
• Dr. Britt Craiglow, dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut
Dr. Georgina Ferzli of Sadick Dermatology
• Dr. Francesca Fusco, dermatologist at Mount Sinai
• Dr. Noelani González, director of cosmetic dermatology at Mount Sinai West
• Dr. Michele Green, dermatologist
• Dr. Debra Jaliman, assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine
• Dr. Anna Karp, dermatologist at the Skin Institute New York
Dr. Hadley King, dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University
• Dr. Karan Lal, dermatologist
• Candace Marino, celebrity facialist
Jordana Mattioli, facialist

Additional reporting by Hilary Reid and Chloe Anello

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The 13 Very Best Night Creams