The best night cream is one that suits your individual needs and skin type. A hard-working essential and one of the best ways to seal in moisture, hydrate and restore skin with minimal effort, it’s well worth adding one into your nightly regime. We consulted the experts to find out what to look for in a good night cream, plus here’s British Vogue’s pick of the best night creams to invest in now.
Best night creams at a glance:
- Best all-rounder: Elemis Pro Collagen Night Cream, £108
- Best for repairing damage overnight: 111SKIN Repair Night Cream NAC Y²™, £185
- Best night cream for dry skin: Medik8 Advanced Night Restore, £59
- Best night cream for calming skin: Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair, £86
- Best night cream for hyperpigmentation: Eucerin Anti-Pigment Night Cream,
£34£30 - Best night cream for ageing skin: Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Multi-Intensive Night Cream, £39
- Best night cream for acne-prone skin: Bioderma Sébium Serum For Adult Acne, £32
- Best night cream for sensitive skin: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Moisturiser, £21
- Best retinol night cream: Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturiser,
£38£20 - Best night cream for oily skin: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment,
£36£28 - Best night cream for a brighter complexion: NEOM Perfect Night's Sleep Overnight Facial Cream, £45
- Best night cream for a damaged skin barrier: CeraVe Healing Ointment, £11
- Best night cream for morning-after rejuvenation: Dr Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Night Cream, £270
- Best night cream for a moisture boost: Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Omega Rich Cloud Cream, £48
- Best night cream for a lifting effect: Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Firming Night Cream, £49
- Best night cream for menopausal skin: Clarins Super Restorative Night Cream, £86
In this article:
- Does everyone need a night cream?
- How we chose the best night creams
- How does night cream differ from day cream?
- What protection does night cream offer?
- What ingredients should you look for in a night cream?
- When should you apply a night cream?
- Meet the experts
Best all-rounder: Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream
- Size: 50ml
- Key ingredients: Red algae, Padina Pavonica, collagen amino acids, avocado oil and zinc
- Benefits: smooths and softens skin for a supple complexion on waking
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
This night cream from Elemis has won many fans for its supremely silky consistency, which quickly sinks into skin and keeps it cushion-soft all night long. Nourishing and rich without sitting heavily on the skin, it’s clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and has earned holy grail status in our editors’ books for its indulgent texture and feel-good scent. A little goes a very long way to deliver firmer, more luminous skin, so while it might be pricey, it’s an investment that gets you many radiant returns.
Best for repairing damage overnight: 111SKIN Repair Night Cream NAC Y²™
- Size: 50ml
- Key ingredients: NAC Y²™, pink rock rose extract, hyaluronic acid
- Benefits: improves laxity, boosts hydration, reduces redness and sensitivity
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Helping to repair skin as you sleep, this doctor-formulated night cream features the brand’s signature complex NAC Y²™, which repairs oxidative damage and helps renew cellular strength. It also contains pink rock rose extract which is famed for soothing redness while hyaluronic acid keeps hydration levels topped up.
Best for flaky, damaged skin: Murad Cellular Hydration Repair Cream
- Size: 50ml
- Key ingredients: squalane, omega rich bilberry seed oil, allantoin, niacinamide, amino acids
- Benefits: restores a damaged skin barrier, relieves irritation and increases skin resilience
Why we love it:
Designed to reinforce a broken skin barrier, this gel cream contains all the essential building blocks for a healthy complexion. Among them is squalane, a constituent of sebum that softens rough patches, as well as glycerin, urea and fatty acids to keep skin intact. With an airless pump that dispenses the exact dose needed, it takes the guesswork out of repairing your skin – simply press and massage in for a soothed barrier come morning.
“I’m partial to a chemical peel every now and then, and this moisturiser is an absolute godsend. Free from irritating actives, its light gel texture is like a cooling salve, absorbing quickly and working just as fast to calm redness and heal flaking skin. Full of antioxidants, hydrators and emollient, it makes fragile skin feel strengthened after use, and though it nourishes deeply, it’s light enough to be called on for protection in the day time too. Plus, one pump is sufficient to plump thirsty dry skin, so the tub lasts you a good while. I can’t recommend it enough.” — Tracy Achonwa, beauty shopping writer
Best for calming skin: Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair
- Size: 50ml
- Key ingredients: Japanese indigo extract, biomimetic ceramide blend, mondo grass root
- Benefits: hydrates and visibly calms irritation, while strengthening the moisture barrier
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
Formulated for sensitive skin, this fragrance-free night cream promises deep skin hydration and will visibly calm irritation caused by everyday environmental stressors. Rich in key skincare ingredients like lipids and ceramides, it works hard to repair and strengthen the moisture barrier to keep hydration in – and irritants out.
Best vegan night cream: Naturium Barrier Balm
- Size: 50g
- Key ingredients: marshmallow root, arnica, lactic acid, Centella Asiatica, colloidal oatmeal, shea butter and chamomile
- Benefits: creates a occlusive layer to fend off moisture loss, calms and balances reactive skin
Why we love it:
Naturium’s barrier balm gets its blue tint from a blend of antioxidant botanical extracts, and each works hard to soothe, hydrate and protect your skin. The all-star ingredient is marshmallow root: a super-powered extract with proven antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Used in traditional medicine to heal burns and mosquito bites, consider this cream a saviour for skin irritation. Alongside other calming skincare heroes such as chamomile and arnica, there’s also lactic acid to gently exfoliate dull skin, and all are combined in a melting balm consistency that locks moisture in – what’s not to love? All in all, a great pick to bed down with for bouncy, robust skin.
Best night cream for dry skin: Medik8 Advanced Night Restore
- Size: 50ml
- Key ingredients: multi-ceramide complex, cell-repairing peptides, N-acetylglucosamine, antioxidant-rich botanical extracts
- Benefits: restores the skin’s lipid barrier, promotes hyaluronic acid production and neutralises free radicals to prevent skin damage
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
“As so much repair happens during the night, it is exceptionally important that our skin cells are protected and supported during this time of work. A key role of Advanced Night Restore within your skincare regime is to recuperate the skin after a long day of exposure to the environment,” shares Daniel Isaacs, director of research at Medik8.
Best night cream for a brighter complexion: NEOM Perfect Night's Sleep Overnight Facial Cream
- Size: 50ml
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, cica, magnesium, ceramides
- Benefits: strengthens skin barrier, boosts hydration, refreshes and brightens
Why it’s Vogue-approved: The concept of beauty sleep might not seem unrealistic with this on your bedside table. Packed with plenty of plumping, firming actives to strengthen the skin barrier and reinstate hydration as you sleep, the dreamy essential oil blended fragrance is an added soporific bonus.
Best night cream for acne-prone skin: Bioderma Sébium Serum For Adult Acne
- Size: 30ml
- Key ingredients: salicylic acid, acetyl glucosamine and hyaluronic acid
- Benefits: hydrates skin without clogging pores, gently exfoliates to reduce the appearance of fine lines and blemishes
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
Addressing a slew of skin concerns related to over-productive oil glands, this serum is a saviour for those with acne-prone skin. There’s salicylic acid to slough off dead cells and shrink dilated pores; acetyl glucosamine to brighten discolouration and reduce inflammation and last but by no means least, hyaluronic acid is on hand to keep skin sufficiently hydrated and soothed. Perfect for complexions that break out with heavier night creams, if you struggle with troubled skin, this is the product for you.
Best night cream for sluggish skin: This Works Deep Sleep Overnight Cream
- Size: 60ml
- Key ingredients: ceramides, brightening Persian silk tree extract, copper PCA
- Benefits: smooths, firms and brightens skin, has a sleep-inducing fragrance
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
Infused with therapeutic botanical ingredients, the lavender scent soothes the senses while hardworking ceramides protect skin against dryness and moisture loss.
Best night cream for hyperpigmentation: Eucerin Anti-Pigment Night Cream
- Size: 50ml
- Key ingredients: Thiamidol, dexpanthenol
- Benefits: reduces dark spots and discolouration, regenerates skin and leaves it feeling moisturised come morning
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
Nighttime is the best time to target stubborn skin concerns like dark spots, and this cream from Eucerin is well poised to support the body’s natural process of nightly repair. For starters, it accelerates cell healing and regeneration with the active dexpanthenol, which absorbs quickly in this formula thanks to its light velvet texture. It is Thiamidol, however, that is the star ingredient: Eucerin’s proprietary tyrosinase inhibitor which suppresses melanin production for brighter, clearer skin.
Best retinol night cream: Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturiser
- Size: 50ml
- Key ingredients: vitamin B3 (niacinamide) and retinoid complex
- Benefits: rejuvenates skin, increasing cell turnover to improve tone, texture and pore size
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
Arriving on this list to much fanfare, we can attest that Olay’s night cream warrants the many rave reviews. Not only does it keep skin hydrated for 24 hours, but its high retinoid content stimulates collagen production to remodel lax skin. Firming, brightening and regenerating, it effectively accelerates cell turnover to reveal smoother, fresh-faced skin. A winning retinol night cream for all skin types and a supple, youthful complexion at any age.
Read more: Looking for the best retinol cream for acne, wrinkles and more? Shop Vogue’s top retinol serums & creams
Best night cream for normal skin: Liz Earle Superskin Nourishing Night Cream
- Size: 50ml
- Key ingredients: rosehip oil, cranberry seed oil, Persian silk tree extract, chamomile and neroli essential oil
- Benefits: oil-rich to seal in moisture, smooth fine lines and boost radiance. Contains relaxing, aromatherapeutic essential oils to help you unwind
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
Powered by smoothing pomegranate flower and restorative buriti fruit, rosehip and cranberry seed oils, this botanical blend helps rehydrate and nourish skin locking in moisture overnight. “The amount you apply is totally dependent on your skin type, but I use a 20 pence piece size and build up layers from there until my skin feels hydrated,” recommends Sarah Carr, Liz Earle ambassador and facialist.
Best night cream for oily skin: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment
- Size: 60ml
- Key ingredients: 2.5 per cent pH balanced alpha hydroxy acid, quinoa peptides, niacinamide hyaluronic acid and watermelon enzymes
- Benefits: gently exfoliates, hydrates, brightens and firms skin
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
Packed with plant-based actives that refine skin tone and texture, this weightless cream is the ultimate pick for regulating oily skin. Super refreshing, it has a water gel texture that absorbs immediately and confers plumper skin come morning, while niacinamide, AHAs and peptides work to soften wrinkles and fade dark spots over time. Prepare to glow.
Best night cream for dull skin: Lumene Nordic C [Valo] Overnight Bright Sleeping Cream
- Size: 50ml
- Key ingredients: brightening cloudberry seed extract and vitamin C, Arctic spring water and hyaluronic acid
- Benefits: brightens skin and provides antioxidant protection
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
“This revitalising cream works to boost radiance and support the skin’s nightly renewal process, for a softer, dewy and brighter-looking complexion. It’s packed with our iconic antioxidant-rich Arctic cloudberry seed oil – plus, vitamins A, B3, C and E and Hyaluronic acid help to restore skin’s radiance,” says Kristofer Vänttinen R&D Manager at Lumene.
Best night cream for a damaged skin barrier: CeraVe Healing Ointment
- Size: 144g
- Key ingredients: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, petrolatum
- Benefits: soothes dry, chapped and cracked skin, locks in moisture and protects wounds from external irritants
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
Slugging aficionados will be familiar with CeraVe’s viral ointment, which did the rounds for giving those who slathered it on glass skin. You need not follow a heavy-handed approach to see the same results, though: it’s very effective in small quantities. Dermatologists approve its ceramide-rich formula for soothing severely dry skin conditions (including psoriasis and eczema) thanks to the fact it forms an occlusive film to prevent transepidermal water loss, bolstering skin’s moisture barrier. One to keep stocked in every bathroom cabinet, a thin layer as the final step in your nighttime skincare routine helps remedy all kinds of skin emergencies. Use it to alleviate over-exfoliated skin, heal wounds or simply seal in moisture.
Best night cream for skin repair: Olivanna Intense Repair Night Cream
- Size: 50ml
- Key ingredients: shea butter, squalane, glycerin
- Benefits: boosts skin elasticity, hydration and firmness
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
“I chose omega-rich seed oils, ceramides and hydrating hyaluronic acid, glycerin and squalene to feature in our Intense Repair Night Cream formulation. It works hard to strengthen the skin barrier and boost your moisture levels, so you can wake up with a plump and supple complexion,” shares Janine Summers, founder of Olivanna.
Best night cream for dehydrated skin: Paula’s Choice Calm Rescue & Repair Intensive Moisturiser
- Size: 60ml
- Key ingredients: hexpeptide-8, glycogen
- Benefits: smooths skin, reduces redness and soothes irritation
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
“A nighttime moisturiser that helps target a wide array of concerns, clinically proven to improve skin’s barrier and hydrate the skin for 24 hours. With ingredients such as Northern truffle, which instantly soothes irritated skin whilst suppressing skin reddening; Glycogen, a humectant that helps maintain the skin’s barrier-strengthening ceramides, and Hexapeptide-8, a skin-restoring ingredient that helps target signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles,” shares Heather Wish, education manager at Paula's Choice. “A unique mix of antioxidants, smoothing emollients and skin-replenishing ingredients leaves a supple, radiant finish. Gentle enough even for skin prone to rosacea.”
Best night cream for mature skin: Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Multi-Intensive Night Cream
- Size: 40ml
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, antioxidant Haritaki extract and retinaldehyde
- Benefits: skin resurfacing with soothing ingredients that minimise irritation
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
“Our new Hyaluron Activ B3 Night cream is a deeply soothing cream containing pure hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, Haritaki (also known as Chebula) and retinaldehyde. Research has shown that retinaldehyde is 10 times more active than retinol. Retinaldehyde is the ideal compromise between the tolerance of retinol and the efficacy of retinoic acid. In fact, it is even more effective as it can be used consistently without compromising the barrier function,” says Melanie Black, scientific communication and training manager at Avène.
Best night cream for fatigued skin: Meder Circa Night Biohack Cream
- Size: 50ml
- Key ingredients: soy peptides, collagen-stimulating probiotics, shea butter and vitamin B5
- Benefits: firms, plumps and lifts skin, increasing radiance and imparting a well-rested look
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
“New probiotics and metabiotics discovered in the ice of the Swiss glaciers and the Indian Ocean are restoring skin structure and healthy energy metabolism in the skin. Circa-Night doesn’t help you sleep better, but helps you look much better even if you didn’t sleep well. It compensates for the effect of sleep deprivation and postpones the appearance of wrinkles helping the skin to maintain firmness and elasticity despite lack of sleep,” shares Dr Tiina Meder, dermatologist and founder of Meder Beauty.
Best night cream for replenishing skin: Olehenriksen Dewtopia 5% Acid Firming Night Crème
- Size: 50ml
- Key ingredients: glycolic acid, lactic acid, shea butter and radish root ferment
- Benefits: fast-acting firming and nourishing cream which refines texture
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
“Knowing skin texture, such as wrinkles and fine lines, are at the forefront of consumers’ skincare concerns, the clinicals on my Dewtopia 5 per cent acid Firming Night Crème show a 30 per cent improvement in skins firmness in just seven nights,” says Ole Henriksen, founder of Olehenriksen.
Best night cream for deep moisture: No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream
- Size: 50ml
- Key ingredients: Matrixyl 3000+™ peptide complex, vitamins A, C and E
- Benefits: increases radiance, accelerates wound healing and reduces fine lines in up to four weeks
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
“I recommend looking for a moisturiser that’s rich in antioxidants to seal-in moisture and protect the skin’s barrier,” says Dr Mike Bell, head of science research at No7. This nourishing night cream may just about have it all – scientifically proven to provide 24-hour moisturisation, each jar is infused with an exceptional pre-sleep fragrance to help you drift off with ease.
Best night cream for skin-cell turnover: StriVectin Advanced Retinol Nightly Renewal Moisturiser
- Size: 30ml
- Key ingredients: retinol, retinaldehyde and NIA-114™ (a patented form of niacin which reduces sensitivity)
- Benefits: reduces the appearance of deep wrinkles, refines texture and calms redness
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
“Clinically proven to deliver the transformative benefits of Retinaldehyde without irritation or a visit to the dermatologist. Retinaldehyde is the most potent retinoid available without a prescription but it’s also extremely fragile,” says Jennifer Masci, director of product development at StriVectin. “Our unique microsponge delivery system preserves the integrity of Retinaldehyde in porous microspheres that slowly release into skin for maximum impact. We also use a state-of-the-art manufacturing process that bottles every formula in a light and oxygen-free environment to preserve potency.”
Best night cream for morning-after rejuvenation: Dr Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Night Cream
- Size: 50ml
- Key ingredients: polyglutamic acid, hyaluronic acid, avocado peptides, purslane
- Benefits: provides intensive hydration, plumps fine lines and wrinkles, strengthens the skin barrier and soothes inflammation
Why it’s Vogue-approved: The main purpose of a night cream is to support the skin’s nocturnal processes so that it can effectively repair itself overnight. Containing an exclusive DBS Night System™, a three-fold, advanced science system along with a host of powerful rejuvenation actives, this rich cream works with the skin to help regenerate proteins, lipids and cells affected by oxidisation during the day so that you can wake with healthy, glowing skin.
Best night cream for a moisture boost: Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Omega Rich Cloud Cream
- Size: 50ml
- Key ingredients: shea butter, squalane, botanical oil complex incusing rose, lavender, coriander seed and jojoba seed oil
- Benefits: intensely hydrated, soothing and plumping for a brighter, more refreshed appearance overnight
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Overnight skin can easily become dehydrated which can exacerbate fine lines and wrinkles. Packed with a host of rejuvenating plant oils, this whipped textured cream is formulated with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to restore and strengthen the skin’s protective lipid layer and keep the skin barrier in optimum health.
Best night cream for a lifting effect: Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Firming Night Cream
- Size: 50ml
- Key ingredients: resveratrol complex, hyaluronic acid, olive squalane, grapeseed oil
- Benefits: smoother, plumper, more refined skin with boosted hydration and brightness
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Caudalie’s patented resveratrol complex is well known for its potent antioxidant power, which can help combat the effects of oxidative stress that occurs during the day. As well as repairing and protecting skin against future damage, the formula is clinically proven to double the skin’s natural production of hyaluronic acid and boost collagen by five times.
Best for menopausal skin: Clarins Super Restorative Night Cream
- Size: 50ml
- Key ingredients: organic harungana, organic gorse extract, organic desert date extract, organic sea lily, vitamin C derivative
- Benefits: reinforces skin’s hydration and skin barrier, boosts microcirculation, reduces visible signs of ageing
Why it’s Vogue-approved: A change in hormones can cause disruption to the skin, leaving it less able to protect itself during the day and repair itself overnight. This targeted formula is enriched with actives designed to reinforce skin’s natural reparative systems and reduce the signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles and slackening skin, that can be exacerbated as a result of disruption.
Best night cream for value for money: Curél Replenishing Night Cream for Dry, Sensitive Skin
- Size: 40ml
- Key ingredients: ceramide complex, glycerin, allantoin
- Benefits: strengthens skin barrier, boost hydration, prevents overnight moisture loss
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Vulnerable skin can lose essential moisture overnight but this ceramide-packed night cream helps negate that by reinstating vital hydration, locking in moisture and strengthening the skin barrier to ensure skin stays plump, supple and healthy.
Meet the experts:
- Daniel Isaacs is a qualified chemist and director of research at Medik8.
- Professor Gaby Badre MD PhD is associate professor neuroscientist, medical doctor and advisor for This Works.
- Dr Anjali Mahto is a medical and cosmetic consultant dermatologist and the author of The Skincare Bible
FAQs
Does everyone need a night cream?
As with all skincare routines, it’s important to judge what’s right for you based on your individual skin needs; what is right for someone may not work for you and vice versa. “Not everyone needs a night cream; it largely depends on your skin type, concerns and your overall skincare routine,” agrees Dr Mahto. “For those with dry or mature skin, a night cream can provide great hydration while you sleep. However, individuals with oily or sensitive skin might benefit from lighter alternatives, like a gel-based serum or moisturiser, instead of a night cream which tends to be on the heavier side.”
How we chose the best night creams
To help you find the best night cream, we consulted the skincare experts for their advice on the most effective formulas, plus assembled the tried-and-tested picks that British Vogue beauty editors love. Assessing night creams on how well they absorb – nobody wants a greasy pillow – as well as their ability to give hydration that lasts until morning, only the best formulations made our shortlist. From rich, emollient formulas suited to drier complexions to the lightweight serums and lotions that work best for oily skin, scroll to shop our edit of the best night creams for every skin type.
How does night cream differ from day cream?
“During the day our skin acts as a shield against environmental aggressors, and it is during this time that there is the highest skin barrier protection, thickness and sebum production,” explains Professor Badre. “Conversely, evenings and nights are the time for intense cleansing and regeneration, so it is during this time that you experience the highest DNA repair and cell proliferation.” As skin barrier function is at its very lowest during this time, it is important to protect it as much as possible.
Read more: 11 Best Sheet Masks To Achieve Glowing, Plump Skin
What protection does night cream offer?
“The skin is a barrier defending the body against microorganisms and environmental factors, many with widely diurnal variations (pollutants, light, solar ultraviolet radiation, humidity, temperature),” shares Professor Badre.
As moisture loss is typically higher during the night than day, a moisturiser with high ceramides, like the Medik8 Advanced Night Restore, is ideal. Daniel Isaacs, director of research for Medik8 shares: “Skin-supporting ceramides that are carefully optimised into a ratio with other skin lipids to help deeply restore the skin’s barrier boosts the skin’s natural protection against ageing, whilst visibly firming and nourishing the complexion.”
What ingredients should you look for in a night cream?
“It largely depends on your skin type, but generally, ceramides are excellent as they help restore the skin barrier and lock in moisture,” says Dr Mahto. “Additionally, ingredients like hyaluronic acid can provide deep hydration, which benefits most skin types by keeping the skin plump and smooth. For specific concerns, you could consider options like retinoids for anti-ageing or niacinamide for calming and balancing.”
When should you apply a night cream?
“Apply as the final step in your evening skincare routine, after cleansing and applying any serums of using,” suggests Dr Mahto. “Ideally, it should be applied about 30 minutes before bedtime to allow for better absorption without it rubbing off on your pillow.”
