Nourishing night creams for intense rejuvenation
Meet the science-backed formulas promising to have you waking up to great skin every day
All products are chosen independently by our editors. Luxury London may earn commission on items purchased.
Cleanse, tone, moisturise – a good skincare regime is as simple as that, right? Well, it’s a good start but, as even the most ardent skin streamer will tell you, it’s not quite that easy. “The skin follows the body’s circadian rhythm, which means that it has distinct functions at night and day,” explains Tule Park, founder of epigenetic skincare barn Skin Diligent. In other words, the vitamin C serum and SPF-infused moisturiser that do wonders for your skin during the day won’t be nearly as effective at night, when skin enters its rest, reset and rejuvenate mode. Enter: night cream.
“While we sleep, our body temperature drops and the skin temperature rises making the skin lose more hydration. The skin also sheds more at night, has a different pH [acidity] level, repairs and regenerates, and it carries out cellular detoxification,” continues Park. A great night cream, then, should support these functions, packing in hydrating actives alongside a blend of water- and oil-based ingredients to prevent water loss, penetrate deep into the skin and restore the dermal barrier.
Of course, as with most skincare, not all night creams are created equal, and you will likely find a specific set of ingredients that work best for your skin concerns. In general, however, Park advises steering away from more traditional, overly thick formulations. “Most night creams do more damage than good,” she says, bluntly. “The problem with thick creams is that they prevent the skin from carrying out its night functions. They ’stick’ back dead skin cells that need to be shed, they perpetuate dry skin problems by preventing the skin from regulating its own oil production, they prevent regulation of skin hydration, and they deregulate skin microbiome.”
So, while our mothers and grandmothers may have been content with slathering on the cold cream before bed, we don’t have to be. Modern night creams come in a range of textures, from super-lightweight gels to deeply nourishing balms, all packed with cutting-edge active ingredients designed to target fine lines, dryness, dullness and more (see below for our favourites). If you’re in need of a little extra boost? Simply apply a few drops of your favourite serum first.
“Everyone’s skin is different, so learning to tune in to how the skin feels on a particular day or period is an asset,” says Park. “For dry skin, hydration needs to be boosted with electrolytes and humectants, so opt for hydrating serums that include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, electrolytes like magnesium, probiotics, and prebiotics. During cold or harsh winter periods, a serum rich in light oils can be helpful, followed by a light night cream. This combination will add to the prevention of hydration loss without suffocating the skin.”
Best all-rounder: Sarah Chapman Digital Rest Night Cream
If you don’t have any specific issues to address, but want a solid night cream that’s going to leave your skin radiant every morning, Sarah Chapman’s Digital Rest is a great place to start. As the name suggests, it’s formulated to reverse the damage digital pollution does to our skin and features patented complexes, such as Lumicrease and B-Circadian, that work in tandem with the body’s circadian rhythm and defends against the oxidative stress caused by the blue light from our phones, tablets and computers. Think of it as one less reason to feel guilty about your bedtime TikTok scroll.
Best hydrating night cream: Skin Diligent Exosome Advanced Night Cream
The secret to Skin Diligent’s lightweight night cream is exosomes: minuscule carriers naturally secreted by cells which deliver proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. The additional dose of exosomes delivered by Skin Diligent’s night cream means your skin receives the actives it needs, when it needs them, improving the longevity of individual cells, minimising water loss and aiding the natural detoxification and repair processes. The result? Densely hydrated skin that appears firm, smooth and youthful.
Best anti-aging night cream: Elemis Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix
The most powerful anti-aging night cream in Elemis’ hugely popular Pro-Collagen range, in independent trials 100 per cent of people saw a dramatic improvement in fine lines and wrinkles and a more youthful complexion after one month of using the Overnight Matrix. Hard to argue with that. Formulated with moisture-boosting microalgae and a unique ‘Smart Drone’ peptide delivery system, apply daily for improved skin tone, plumpness and a fresh, de-stressed complexion.
Best firming night cream: Shiseido Total Regenerating Cream
Okay, the price tag of Shiseido’s Total Regenerating Cream is hardly pocket change but, if your skin is starting to show the signs of fatigue and sagging that naturally come with age, we argue it’s worth the investment. The star of the show here is Shiseido’s exclusive Skingenecell Enmei complex, which utilises the longevity-boosting properties of the Japanese Enmei herb to energise the skin’s natural regeneration systems and leave it firm, healthy and sculpted.
Best night cream for sensitive skin: Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Omega-Rich Cloud Cream
If you think having to stay away from powerful, but often irritating, ingredients like retinol means you’re going to be short-changed in the night cream department, Kiehl’s is here to prove you wrong. Its Midnight Recovery Cloud Cream promises a super-light, breathable texture that relies on 98.6 per cent naturally-derived ingredients, including omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and seed, plant and flower oils, to strengthen the skin’s lipid layer, tackle dryness and reduce fine lines – without triggering sensitivities.
Best night cream for oily skin: Fenty Skin Instant Reset Overnight Recovery Gel-Cream
If your skin is naturally oily or blemish prone, making sure you find a night cream with a light, comfortable texture that won’t clog pores is going to be even more important. Landing somewhere between a gel and a traditional cream, Fenty Skin’s Instant Reset is packed with hyaluronic acid, baobab, niacinamide and melon oil for a formula rich in nourishing antioxidants and bursting with hydrating, firming and mattifying properties.
Best vegan night cream: Inlight Night Balm
Great skin should never mean having to compromise on your morals – so you’ll be pleased to hear that Inlight’s night balm is not only vegan, it’s also cruelty-free, paraben-free, 100 per cent organic, and petro-chemical free. Doing away with synthetic ingredients, it derives its nourishing and moisturising properties from vitamin-rich carrot, sesame, sunflower, jojoba and macadamia oils, combined with anti-inflammatory marigold and lavender, for a delightful smelling balm that soothes, heals and hydrates.
Best overnight mask: Perricone MD Multi-Action Overnight Intensive Firming Mask
As we head into autumn, chances are the combined effects of chilly winds, sudden downpours, and central heating are going to leave your skin crying out for an extra dose of hydration. If your schedule doesn’t allow for regular facials or lengthy masking rituals, the easiest way to do this is to swap out your usual night cream for an intensive overnight mask a couple of times a week. Perricone MD’s multi-tasking offering utilises coconut oil and alpha lipoic acid to create a rich, velvety formula that promises soothed, smoothed and supple skin.
Best night eye cream: Murad Retinal ReSculpt Overnight Eye Lift Treatment
Eye cream might seem like just the icing on the cake of a good night-time skincare routine but, find one that really works, and you’ll be surprised what a difference it can make. After all, the delicate under-eye area is the first place to give away signs of tiredness so taking proper care of it can reap dividends for the appearance of your overall complexion. Centred around a unqiue form of retinal that promises 2.5x better efficacy than the standard ingredient, Murad’s eye treatment is gentle enough to use every night while promising to banish crow’s feet, discolouration and drooping lids.
