It is one thing to have a specialty moisturizer - one of the most important skin care products with cleanser and exfoliating. But having a special night cream and using it in place of your day cream is an entirely different matter.
The reasoning is simple: you may not need the same defenses at night as you would during the day (against UV rays and pollution), but your sleep is also the best time to recharge your skin and treat it with targeted ingredients. This is because your body regenerates itself while you sleep and your skin cells turn over quickly. This means that when you use the right products for your specific needs, you will maximize and speed their benefits, especially when you get 7 to 8 hours of sleep and stay hydrated and healthy.
Night creams tend to be denser than their day counterparts, both physically and in terms of ingredient concentration. This is also because you don't have to worry about excessive sweating as much as you are not exerting any energy.
But no two night creams are alike, as they typically target specific needs like dryness, acne, signs of aging, and more. Browse our favorites below that should include something that suits your own goals or skin type.
For oily skin:
Neutrogena Gel Moisturizer Courtesy Image
1. Neutrogena Gel Moisturizer
For oily skin types, it's still important to use a night cream as it delivers a proactive, skin-penetrating, corrective punch - and since oily skin can also become dehydrated (especially in colder / drier months and climates, or after a night of drinking). While this Neutrogena gel hydrator is touted for people with dry skin, its oil-free recipe makes it great for men with more oily conditions. It's filled with hyaluronic acid, which greatly improves your skin's moisture retention and wears away easily on the skin so your oil-loving pores don't choke or clog.
($ 14; amazon.com)
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For dry skin:
Clinique Turnaround Overnight Moisturizer Courtesy Image
2. Clinique Turnaround Overnight Moisturizer
Dry skin is particularly prone to rough spots, discoloration, dullness, and flaking. This Clinique moisturizer is made from stearic acid to prevent moisture loss and squalane to significantly increase that moisture level. Salicylic acid keeps pores clear and loosens dead / flaking surface cells, while a variety of extracts from fruits, seeds and herbs nourish and restore your skin.
($ 43; sephora.com)
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For acne prone skin:
Origins Resurfacing Cream with AHAs Courtesy Image
3. Origins Resurfacing Cream with AHAs
If your skin likes to sabotage you in the form of frequent pimples and persistent dark spots, choose a night cream with gentle exfoliating hydroxy acids (Alpha or Beta, AHA / BHA). This Origins cream specializes in "resurfacing," which means it helps remove dead, problematic skin cells from your skin, making way for your pores and healthier cells. The result is more frequent, healthy turnover (so that annoying dark spots disappear faster) and even better, fewer pimples at first.
($ 47; sephora.com)
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For sensitive skin:
Dr. Jart + Cicapair Tiger Grass Mask Courtesy Image
4. Dr. Jart + Cicapair Tiger Grass Mask
If your skin is fussy about active ingredients, the light night mask from Dr. Jart + a gentle, calming solution. It prompts cica / tiger grass to soothe and moisturize the skin, while niacinamide carefully soothes inflammation and improves surface texture. A "night mask" is not that different from a night cream. Sometimes they can be felt a little more on your skin and may have to be removed the next morning (but you would still do that). These masks support the regeneration cycle of your cells even more.
($ 39; sephora.com)
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For all-encompassing strength:
Vichy LiftActiv night cream Courtesy Image
5. Vichy LiftActiv night cream
Rhamnose sugar from plant sources is the main ingredient in this skin-firming, collagen-boosting night cream from Vichy. It also uses vitamin C to lighten your complexion overall (which takes it from dull or hyperpigmented to a smoother, sunnier finish). It's even great for a little neck lift if you feel any sagging there.
($ 50; amazon.com)
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For close-ups ready for zoom:
Adipeau Active Face Cream Courtesy Image
6. Adipeau Active Face Cream
This is one of my favorite products lately. I wear it 24/7 in winter, but see the biggest gains overnight - although Adipeau is the first to remind you that your long-term skin care goals can't be met in one sleep. Even so, I wake up with a real radiance on my face and see constant progress in terms of my overall tone, texture, brightness, and anything that suits my goals. Adipeau primarily uses oils made from safflower and sunflower seeds (which are extremely nutritious, anti-inflammatory, and rich in antioxidants) and collagen-stimulating extract from black ginger.
($ 75; adipeau.com)
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For long-term correction:
Clark & # 39; s Botanicals Retinol Overnight Cream Courtesy Image
7. Clark & # 39; s Botanicals Retinol Overnight Cream
Retinol is the ideal ingredient for anyone wanting a proactive, long-term antiaging or anti-acne regimen. The vitamin A derivative minimizes and prevents fine lines, breakouts, the appearance of enlarged pores, discoloration and much more. w is the time to consult a certified dermatologist for a prescription retinol if you are about to go to court with it. However, you can find smaller doses in certain night creams and serums, like this great one from Clark & # 39; s Botanicals. It combines retinol with skin-lightening vitamin C, soothes colloidal oatmeal and jasmine, as well as collagen-repellent algae extract.
($ 105; dermstore.com)
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For one-time rebounds:
Aesop refill night mask Courtesy Image
8. Aesop refill night mask
Here is an outstanding high performance product that can be used for dehydration. It's so good that it's best kept for special occasions that need you to wake up really alert, restored, and rested. .
(125 USD; nordstrom.com)
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For wrinkles and fine lines:
Paula's Choice Anti-Aging Eye Cream Courtesy Image
9. Paula's Choice Anti-Aging Eye Cream
It's not a bad idea to treat your eyes with your own night cream (even during the day). That's because the skin around your eyes is the most delicate and thinnest on your face. It wrinkles faster and quickly shows signs of dehydration, fatigue, stress, and the like. Eye creams therefore tend to contain even higher concentrations of nourishing ingredients, as is the case with this shea butter-based eye cream from Paual & # 39; s Choice. It fills and tightens the area with peptides (which stimulate collagen production), while vitamin C promotes lighter, more even skin tone.
($ 34; amazon.com)
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