Moisturising creams are often marketed for daytime or evening use, but are they really any different and should you use them? Typically, night creams have a richer texture which can deeply nourish tired skin and target a range of skin concerns from wrinkles to acne scars. By using an overnight cream, you can wake up with a glowing and rejuvenated complexion that you just wouldn’t get if you only used lightweight skincare.
We’ve compiled our favourite night creams which have been tried and tested by hundreds of happy Meaghers customers. Find the perfect evening moisturiser whether you have dry skin or oily skin, acne-prone skin or dark spots. Explore our range of anti-ageing treatments, radiance creams and skin-soothing action.
Click on one of the links below to learn more:
- Day vs Night Cream – Which is Better?
- Firming, retinol & anti-wrinkle skincare
- Night creams for all skin types
- Night cream for sensitive skin
- The Best Night Cream for Glowing Skin
- Which Night Cream Ingredients are Most Effective?
Day vs Night Cream – Which is Better?
Unlike their namesakes, day and night creams aren’t vastly different. However, each has their unique benefits, and you may want to use one of each to optimise your skincare routine. Compare day and night creams in our handy guide.
Benefits of a day cream:
Day creams are specifically formulated to be comfortable for all-day wear and for layering underneath makeup. The texture can differ quite significantly to night creams.
- Usually contains SPF: many daily moisturisers contain SPF to protect from the damaging effects of UV radiation. Not only is it redundant to use a sunscreen at night but we also recommend you wash off an SPF before sleeping to avoid acne or clogged pores.
- Can be used underneath makeup: if you wear makeup daily, you want a silky-smooth base ensuring your flawless complexion lasts all day. Day creams often contain hyaluronic acid and niacinamide for a smooth and plump base for cosmetics.
- Lightweight and non-greasy: there’s nothing worse than your morning skincare leaving your skin looking greasy. That’s why day creams tend to be more lightweight and water-based (containing ingredients like glycerin and glycolic acid) to quickly hydrate and smooth skin without leaving an oily residue.
- Fast absorption: we don’t all have the luxury of ample time in the morning. Waiting for your skincare to absorb before applying makeup or sunscreen can be frustrating. Day creams usually absorb quickly into the skin for a rapid hydration boost without leaving a sticky residue.
Benefits of a night cream
Night creams have a richer texture to nourish deeper layers of the skin while your sleep. Explore some of the unique benefits of night creams:
- Doesn’t contain SPF: night creams don’t need to contain sunscreen for obvious reasons. This also means they tend to be better tolerated by a range of skin types and aren’t as prone to clogging your pores.
- Usually thicker texture: the thicker texture helps to hydrate and lock in moisture while you sleep and when you don’t have to worry about a fast-absorbing formula. To avoid your night cream being pasted all over your bedding while you sleep, apply an hour before sleeping.
- Can be used during the day for deeper nourishment: there is no reason why you can’t use a night cream during the day; they can be especially helpful for very dry or troublesome skin.
- Usually more oily texture for gradual hydration: night creams tend to have a higher oil/fat content which can feel greasier than your daily face cream but this helps to deliver fat-based skincare ingredients to deeper layers of the skin and maintain healthy skin moisture levels while you sleep.
- Deep penetration of active ingredients into the skin: Oil-based skincare can penetrate deeper layers of the skin and also deliver fat-soluble ingredients where they’re needed. However, to avoid oily residues during the day, many brands specifically formulate more potent products for evening use.
In most cases, you’ll want to avoid using a night cream during the day unless you can tolerate the rich cream. Dry to very dry skin usually absorbs thicker textured cream or balm more easily. Meanwhile, oily or combination skin may feel excessively greasy during the day.
The Best Night Creams for Glowing Skin
Firming, Retinol, & Anti-Ageing Creams
Rich night creams are ideal for mature skin as they deliver much-needed fatty acids. Discover the best anti-wrinkle creams to use at night, including some of the most potent skincare ingredients. Explore retinol creams and peptide creams.
Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Firming Night Cream 50ml
Caudalie's Resveratrol Lift Firming Night Cream is a luxurious, rejuvenating cream that harnesses the antioxidant power of grapevines to deliver visible firming and lifting results. This cream works overnight to smooth wrinkles, and restore the skin's youthful glow, offering a more defined and toned appearance by morning. 98% said this cream smoothed their skin and clinical trials saw 5x increase in skin collagen production. The cream also doubled hyaluronic acid levels in the skin.
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Vichy Liftactiv Collagen Specialist Night Cream 50ml
Vichy Liftactiv Collagen Specialist Night Cream is a targeted night cream that boosts collagen production to help restore skin's firmness and reduce the visible signs of ageing. Enriched with powerful peptides resveratrol and vitamin C, this cream works overnight to correct wrinkles, fine lines, and a loss of elasticity. Benefit from radiant and smooth skin when you wake up.
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Vichy LiftActiv B3 Pure Retinol Night Cream 50ml
Vichy LiftActiv B3 Pure Retinol Night Cream is an advanced anti-ageing treatment that combines pure retinol with niacinamide (Vitamin B3) to target deep wrinkles and uneven skin tone. This powerful formula renews skin overnight, visibly reducing the signs of ageing and revealing a smoother, more even complexion by morning.
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Night Creams for All Skin Types
Ella & Jo Relax & Renew Night Cream 50ml
Ella & Jo Relax & Renew Night Cream is a soothing and nourishing treatment designed to rejuvenate your skin while you sleep. With a blend of hydrating and anti-ageing ingredients, this soothing moisturiser calms the skin, reduces redness, and locks in moisture, ensuring you wake up with soft, refreshed skin.
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Clarins Multi-Active Night Cream - All Skin Types 50ml
Clarins Multi-Active Night Cream is a revitalising treatment that targets the first signs of ageing, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines, acne, scars, marks and signs of fatigue. This cream is packed with powerful antioxidants and plant extracts that work to repair and renew your skin overnight, leaving it fresh and radiant by morning.
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La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Night Cream 40ml
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Night Cream is a soothing and restorative treatment specifically formulated for sensitive and allergy-prone skin. This cream is enriched with neurosensine and thermal spring water to calm irritation and reduce redness, providing deep hydration without causing discomfort.
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Which Night Cream Ingredient is Most Effective?
Every person will respond to skincare differently and the ingredients you need should tailor to your specific needs. However, there are some popular ingredients which are particularly effective in your nighttime routine. Some ingredients need more time to absorb. Oil-soluble ingredients tend to work better in heavier formulations. Explore some of the best evening skincare ingredients.
- Retinol: this ingredient is a fat-soluble derivative of vitamin A and helps resurface the skin, smooth out wrinkles and treat acne and hyperpigmentation. It increases sun sensitivity and can contribute to dryness or flaking, so it’s best used at night, using sunscreen during the day.
- Peptides: hydrolysed proteins are useful for drawing in moisture and boosting skin firmness. However, peptides are slow to penetrate the skin so can benefit from a nighttime formula where they have a longer contact time with the skin.
- Hyaluronic acid: this ingredient is a holy grail for dehydrated skin and fine lines. It draws and holds moisture in the epidermis, smoothing fine lines, plumping tired skin and fighting free radical damage. Hydrolysed hyaluronic acid penetrates more deeply into the skin for a ‘filler’ effect.
- Coq10: one of the more underrated antioxidants is also a powerful anti-ageing ingredient which speeds up cellular regeneration. It is water-soluble and well-tolerated in overnight or day creams.
- Colloidal oatmeal: the ultimate skin soothing and barrier-boosting ingredient can feel quite heavy, particularly for oilier skin types. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you could use colloidal oatmeal during the day but for most, an overnight formula is preferable.
- Vitamin C: while vitamin C has a brightening effect and is usually applied in the morning, it can help you wake up with a radiant and even complexion when used at night. Pair with peptides, retinol and niacinamide for the ultimate morning skin glow.
- Antioxidants: similarly to vitamin C, including antioxidants in your nighttime routine helps repair and rejuvenate your skin while you sleep and fight environmental stress. Some great ingredients to include are vitamin E, or botanical extracts.
- Niacinamide: one of the most versatile skincare ingredients helps reduce pores and sebum production, helps brighten the skin and reduce acne flare-ups. By including it in your evening routine you can wake up with smooth and radiant skin.
- Shea butter: Although this ingredient is comedogenic, it is an excellent addition to night creams for drier skin as it softens and reduces water loss.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to see results from night creams?
Usually, a night cream works to rejuvenate your complexion and to boost hydration and radiance while you sleep. However, if you’re using a night cream with retinol, bakuchiol, coenzyme Q10 or peptides, it could take several weeks to months to see visible reduction in wrinkles and sagging skin.
What should I avoid when picking a night cream?
Always check the ingredients list when buying a new moisturiser. Avoid skincare products where filler or stabilising ingredients make up a large portion of the ingredients label. Use an ingredient checker to understand which ingredients are beneficial in your skincare routine.
Can you use a night cream during the day?
There’s no reason you can’t use a night cream during the day but the formula could be a bit heavy, especially if you have combination or oily skin. A night cream may help to nourish dry skin whether it’s day or night.
