Ever wonder why your skin feels tired, dull, or even dry in the morning? The answer may lie in what you're missing at night! While you sleep, your skin enters repair mode, making it the perfect time to give it a little extra help with a night cream. These creams are designed to deeply nourish, hydrate, and rejuvenate your skin while you rest, so you wake up with a fresher, more radiant complexion. Keep reading as we explain why exactly it is that you should introduce a night cream to your routine if you haven’t already, and the best ones for your skin.
Why you need a night cream
During the day, our skin battles environmental stressors like pollution, UV rays, blue light damage from our digital devices and for many of us makeup too, which can lead to premature ageing and other skin issues over time. But at night, while you sleep, your skin’s natural repair process kicks in, working to heal any damage and regenerate cells. Amazing right? Well a night cream can boost this process, leaving you with a smoother, more radiant complexion by morning.
But why not simply use your day moisturiser instead of a night cream you might ask?
Unlike daytime moisturisers, which mainly focus on hydration and protection, night creams are packed with a multitude of richer, more potent ingredients from hyaluronic acid, to peptides, ceramides, niacinamide and more, that work together to enhance skin renewal and elasticity, target fine lines, as well as restore moisture levels. They are also formulated with active ingredients like retinol that works best when you’re sleeping. These ingredients promote cell turnover, smooth fine lines, and prevent early signs of ageing. Therefore if you skip this imperative step in your routine at night, you’re missing out on some of the most intense repair and hydration your skin can get!
Night creams are also formulated to penetrate deeper into your skin providing intense hydration that lasts throughout the night!
How to choose the best night cream?
Not all night creams are created equal! Just with your day creams, the best one for you depends on your skin type and concerns.
If you’re battling dryness, look for rich, creamy formulations rich in hyaluronic acid or ceramides for deep hydration.
For anti-ageing, opt for formulas with retinol or peptides to firm and smooth your skin.
If brightening is your goal, night creams with vitamin C or niacinamide work wonders for evening out your complexion and reducing dark spots.
And if you are worried about blemishes and acne marks, choose something with niacinamide and tea tree oil.
How often should you use a night cream?
For the best results, you should be using a night cream every night after cleansing your skin. You can also use it over one or more serums as a night cream will lock in the benefits while retaining moisture in the skin.
Our top night cream recommendations;
Best for Dry Skin
Phytomer Hydrasea Night Plumping Rich Cream
This gorgeously nourishing comfort cream literally envelopes the skin immediately restoring the skin barrier and locking in moisture leaving your skin feeling soft and supple by morning. Night after night, skin appears more plumped and revitalised. 1 review
Best for dull skin
Vie Collection Night Peel Progressive Resurfacing Cream
This ultra-soft night version of the chemical peel is a modern balm with a creamy texture that offers complete exfoliation to the skin, helping to brighten, refine and improve smoothness for a younger-looking complexion. Its formula is enriched with benchmark acids and has a progressive diffusion to act continuously all through the night. Each morning the complexion appears more luminous and even. After one month the skin looks renewed. Seriously.
Best for ageing skin
Pevonia Micro Retinol Essential Moisturiser
This light and gentle moisturiser increases cell turnover, stimulates collagen and elastin production (essential for youthful, plump skin), fades hyperpigmentation and helps skin stay hydrated and glowing without irritation. It’s a multi-tasking wonder! You should introduce it slowly though. This is because retinol makes your skin more sensitive to UV rays and sunlight decreases the efficacy of the product, hence why its such an essential night cream. To find out more about retinol and this Pevonia’s Micro Retinol range click here.
Best for hyperpigmented skin
Hubislab Derma Max Brightening Clinic
This deeply moisturising night cream formulated with tranexamic acid, antioxidants and vitamins, nourishes the skin whilst soothing irritation, improving elasticity, correcting pigmentation and brightening the complexion all whilst you sleep!
Remember, consistency is key! A great night cream will give you maximum benefits when used regularly, so don't skip out on this essential step. With the right night cream, you will wake up to healthier, plumper, nourished and glowing skin every morning!
