Buying guide for Best night creams
The key to glowing, dewy, youthful skin is moisture. A daytime moisturizer is very helpful, but you also need a night cream to help replenish the moisture your face loses throughout the day. With the help of a moisturizing night cream, you can wake up to supple skin in the morning.
There are multiple types of night cream to choose from, and the right type for you depends on your particular skin issues. Are you looking to relieve dry skin? Combat aging? Do you have sensitive skin? If so, you’ll want to pay particular attention to the ingredients. Other factors to consider include fragrance, consistency, quantity, and the price of night cream.
The heavy night creams of yesteryear are outdated. Today’s night creams are lighter, and rest assured, you can find the right night cream for your skin. Sleeping is crucial for your skin’s rejuvenation, but with the right night cream, your sleep cycle won’t have to do all the heavy lifting.
Types of night creams
Anti-aging night cream
Every day, the skin makes and breaks down collagen. As we age, our collagen production decreases, which accounts for the appearance of fine lines, aging spots, and wrinkles. Anti-aging night creams reduce signs of aging and help even the skin’s color and texture. These creams often contain retinol, which increases collagen production. Other common active ingredients are salicylic acid and glycolic acid, which help your skin rejuvenate quicker.
Notably, retinol increases sun sensitivity. This is all the more reason to put it in a night cream: your body can rest while retinol does the work.
Moisturizing cream
A moisturising night cream is suited for those who have year-round dry skin or skin that becomes dry in cold weather. These creams have more emollients than their daytime counterparts. Active ingredients are humectants — substances that retain moisture — such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and PHAs.
However, in cold months, humectants pull moisture from your skin. In this case, you may want to look for a moisturizing night cream with butter or oil (such as shea or jojoba) to seal in moisture.
Night creams for different skin types
During the day, your skin’s main function is to protect itself from harmful UV rays, air pollution, weather, and bacteria. While you sleep, your skin regenerates itself. A lack of sleep may increase cortisol levels, which can increase existing skin conditions like psoriasis and acne.
Along with getting enough sleep, you’ll help your largest organ by finding a suitable night cream. Luckily, there’s a night cream for practically every skin type.
Night creams for sensitive skin
If you have sensitive skin, you may be dealing with eczema or psoriasis. If so, you’ll want a night cream that’s fragrance-free and lightweight. With sensitive skin, less is more. Search for simplified ingredients and a hypoallergenic label. You may want to avoid creams that are heavy on both glycolic acid and retinol, which would irritate your skin further.
Night creams for oily skin
If you end the day with a slick sheen on your face, the thought of applying cream at night may sound unappealing. But your skin’s extra sebum production doesn’t mean it’s adequately hydrated. Keep an eye out for a night cream with salicylic acid and gentle astringents. It should also be lightweight and non-comedogenic (i.e., it doesn’t clog pores).
Night creams for acne-prone skin
As acne doesn’t discriminate, acne sufferers may have dry, oily, or combination skin. Regardless of skin type, find a non-comedogenic night cream with bacteria-killing agents. Incidentally, night creams for oily skin are often suitable for the acne-prone.
Night cream features
Scent
The majority of night creams have at least a subtle fragrance; some are highly perfumed. There are even some night creams are specifically formulated with a fragrance to help you sleep. But if you have a fragrance allergy, sensitive skin, or a skin condition that necessitates an avoidance of fragrance, you can find fragrance-free night creams on today’s market as well.
Consistency
Though technology has helped manufacture lighter night creams than those of yesteryear, night creams are still generally thicker than day creams. This is largely due to the high concentration of substances like retinol and hyaluronic acid in them. If you have acne-prone skin, look for a night cream that’s lighter.
Application mechanism
Night creams may come in small jars, lotion tubes, or pump dispensers. Some people prefer pump dispensers because they find them less messy. Regardless of the container, however, the way you apply night cream is straightforward: rub a small dollop into your hands to warm it. Then, apply the cream evenly to all parts of your face and neck.
Caution
Night cream shouldn’t have any side effects. There’s a chance that the concentration of substances could cause minor skin irritation for some. If you experience a burning or stinging sensation with your night cream, stop using it.
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Night cream prices
Night creams vary in price. In general, if you want a quality night cream, you can expect to spend upwards of $30 and less than $140. Several factors impact the price you’ll pay.
Mid-range
Between $30 and $50 should be enough to buy an efficient hydrating cream. Night creams typically come in 1.7-ounce jars, and while that may not sound like much, a little goes a long way with night cream. The nice thing is, even at this lower price, you can find night creams that contain no parabens, sulfates, or phthalates.
High-end
At the $50+ price point, you’re largely paying for well-known luxury brands. Heavy hitters may run you more than $100. If you feel like splurging on your skincare routine, go for a high-end brand. Otherwise, we doubt you’d be disappointed with a no-frills jar of night cream for a lower price.
Tips
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If you’re using night cream in combination with a serum, be sure to apply the serum first.
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A light night cream without retinoids may be suitable for daytime use, but make sure it includes SPF.
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Night cream should be stored in a cool, dry place. If it’s particularly warm where you are, try storing the cream in your refrigerator.
FAQ
Q. At what age should I start using night cream?
A. Your skin needs will vary with age, but night cream is actually suitable for all ages. Therefore, beginning your night cream regimen while in your twenties is not a bad idea.
Q. When should I apply night cream?
A. Apply night cream as you wind down to prepare for bed. We recommend washing your face at night and applying the cream immediately afterward.
Q. Do I need to rinse my night cream off?
A. It depends on the cream. Some formulas may be meant to be rinsed off in the morning, but for the standard night cream, you don’t need to, as you’d strip your skin of rejuvenating moisture by washing your face in the morning.
