Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a day cream and a night cream?
The biggest difference between a night cream and a day cream usually comes down to texture and moisture. “The biggest difference when you see something marketed as a night cream is that it’s thicker,” says Dr. Saedi. “Thicker creams are designed to be very hydrating and are often more occlusive, helping to prevent water loss from your skin as you sleep.” That matters because transepidermal water loss can increase overnight. “We lose water in the skin at night, so nighttime is all about locking in moisture,” says Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Hamden, Connecticut.
Day creams, on the other hand, tend to be lighter so they layer comfortably beneath sunscreen and makeup—and some contain SPF themselves. That said, there’s no rule that says a moisturizer labeled “night cream” can only be used after dark; unless it contains an ingredient better reserved for nighttime, such as a retinoid, the distinction is often more about how the formula feels and fits into your routine.
What ingredients should I look for in a night cream?
A good night cream should first and foremost keep skin hydrated and reinforce its protective barrier. “Ceramides are great for barrier repair,” says Dr. Saedi. “They help strengthen the bonds between the cells in the top layer of your skin, which prevent moisture loss.” She also recommends looking for humectants such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which attract moisture to the skin.
From there, you can tailor your night cream to whatever else you want to tackle while you sleep. “Night moisturizers sometimes also include ingredients for mature skin,” Dr. Saedi says. That might mean retinoids and peptides for fine lines and wrinkles, or gentle exfoliating acids for uneven tone and texture—just be mindful of piling too many potentially irritating actives into the same nighttime routine.
Meet the experts
- Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Hamden, Connecticut
- Jenny Liu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota based in Minneapolis
- Anetta Reszko, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Nazanin Saedi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Plymouth Meeting Dermatology based in East Norriton, Pennsylvania
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best night creams, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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