Best Night Creams for All Skin Types, According to Our Testing
I never go to sleep without applying a night cream. Dermatologists agree that it’s a crucial step in your skincare routine. “Night is the best time to treat skin and repair concerns such as water loss, skin aging, and dark spots,” says Howard Sobel, M.D., clinical attending dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City and founder of Sobel Skin. “Because you don’t have to protect your skin from daily assaults like UV damage, blue light exposure, and pollutants, and your skin is free of makeup and other pore-clogging residue that disrupts the repair process, this uninterrupted state is the best time for “rest and repair.” Night creams are now made with specific ingredients and formulas to address the needs of all different skin types, from dry to oily to anti-aging concerns like wrinkles and hyperpigmentation (more on that below). But they don’t all live up to their claims. To find out which night creams work, Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists test their efficacy both in the Lab using technical instruments that can measure skin hydration and changes in wrinkles and dark spots, as well as on consumers at home, who evaluate them on ease of use and cosmetic factors.
In the GH Beauty Lab’s night cream tests, our scientists tallied 26,552 skin measurements and consumer feedback data points total to identify the best formulas on the market, from luxury splurges to bargain drugstore buys.
Counteract skin damage as you sleep with the next-level No7 anti-aging night cream, a GH Beauty Award winner that’s ideal for mature skin. It contains rare peptides found through advanced screening to have better penetration and efficacy. GH Beauty Lab scientists praised the robust research behind the formula: It raised hydration 85% in eight hours and reduced lines over time.
Avon’s night cream proved to be one of the best products the GH Beauty Lab has ever tested for minimizing stubborn hyperpigmentation. In Lab tests with the Visa Complexion Analyzer, it reduced the look of dark spots by 12% after four weeks of use. And that’s not all: The formula was also impressive at increasing skin firmness (by 39%) and hydration (by 46%) in Cutometer and Craniometer measurements, respectively.
Testers said: Although some users didn’t like the “strong perfume scent,” overall they liked the “thick,” “luxe” feel of the cream. “It diminished the look of age spots and kept skin well moisturized at night,” a tester raved. Another commented that it “tightened and brightened” skin.
Apply this “creamy” Clarins formula to your skin and wake up with hydrated skin. In GH Beauty Lab Craniometer testing, it raised skin moisture levels by 37% over six hours, one of the highest measurements in the Lab’s most recent test. Though it didn’t perform as well at reducing wrinkles, the night cream upped skin firmness by 29% over four weeks in Lab Cutometer readings. It also ranked at the top among users for not causing redness or irritation.
Testers said: “It made my skin so soft and hydrated that I stopped using my daytime product,” a tester noted. Another said: “Family and friends told me I looked younger and more rested and wanted to know what I was doing differently.”
Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin
An oil-free, gel-like formula infused with soothing chamomile and antioxidants makes GH Seal Star Mary Kay’s night treatment the perfect match for oily skin types. GH Beauty Lab data evaluation confirmed that it is non-comedogenic (not pore-clogging) and doesn’t cause skin irritation, while significantly decreasing wrinkles, including on the forehead, starting at two weeks of use.
GH Beauty Lab note: Be aware that the lightweight texture may not feel hydrating enough for those with dry skin.
best anti-aging day creams to tighten, brighten, and lift
If you’re shopping for the best anti-aging day creams for mature skin, you’ve come to the right place. The term “anti-ageing” is ironically, quite a dated one. After all, aging is a privilege and should be embraced as such.
Yet, whether we like it or not, it’s become a skincare label that is still widely used to represent the products that minimize the look of common signs of aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and loss of firmness.
You should be looking for the following ingredients if you want to see rejuvenating benefits from your day cream. Retinoids (retinol is part of the retinoid family) are the gold standard in anti-aging, as they can stimulate collagen and elastin production and promote cell turnover, addressing all the major signs of aging. Peptides, meanwhile, are the building blocks of the proteins (collagen, elastin, and keratin) that keep your skin strong, smooth, and full of bounce. Then there are ceramides – fats that strengthen the skin barrier, keeping it firm and well-hydrated. Lastly, hyaluronic acid is one of the best humectants around that can draw moisture to the skin.
Of course, prevention is key, says Ada Aoi, skin and wellness expert and founder of 001 skincare: “To prevent lines from forming, volume loss, and pigmentation, use protective measures from as early on as possible and try to be consistent. Therefore, look for antioxidants in your formula to neutralize free radicals and protect the skin from UV rays, pollution, and other environmental damage.”
Aoi adds: “Dermatologists rave about antioxidant vitamin C, with good reason – it’s a real multi-tasking skincare superstar. It not only helps shield the skin but also stimulates collagen production and brightens uneven skin tone.” Applying SPF should be applied next if your chosen cream does not. If you want to combat the signs of aging, our comprehensive list of the best anti-aging day creams has you covered.
