No matter the season, night cream is the hard-working essential our skin needs, and one of the best ways to seal in moisture, hydrate and restore skin with minimal effort. We consulted the experts to find out what to look for in a good night cream, plus their pick of the best night creams to invest in now.
Meet the experts:
- Daniel Isaacs is a qualified chemist and director of research at Medik8.
- Professor Gaby Badre MD PhD is associate professor neuroscientist, medical doctor and advisor for This Works.
We are often told about the importance of maintaining a healthy skin barrier with the use of topical products, so some may question why we need to use different creams from day to night. Professor Gaby Badre MD PhD, associate professor neuroscientist, medical doctor and advisor for This Works, explains our contrasting skin needs and the importance of keeping up with our skin’s natural nightly rhythms.
Read more: 44 Best Moisturisers For Every Skin Type
How does night cream differ from day cream?
“During the day our skin acts as a shield against environmental aggressors, and it is during this time that there is the highest skin barrier protection, thickness and sebum production,” explains Professor Badre. “Conversely, evenings and nights are the time for intense cleansing and regeneration, so it is during this time that you experience the highest DNA repair and cell proliferation.” As skin barrier function is at its very lowest during this time, it is important to protect it as much as possible.
Read more: 11 Best Sheet Masks To Achieve Glowing, Plump Skin
What protection does night cream offer?
“The skin is a barrier defending the body against microorganisms and environmental factors, many with widely diurnal variations (pollutants, light, solar ultraviolet radiation, humidity, temperature),” shares Professor Badre.
As moisture loss is typically higher during the night than day, a moisturiser with high ceramides, like the Medik8 Advanced Night Restore, is ideal. Daniel Isaacs, director of research for Medik8 shares: “Skin-supporting ceramides that are carefully optimised into a ratio with other skin lipids to help deeply restore the skin’s barrier boosts the skin’s natural protection against ageing, whilst visibly firming and nourishing the complexion.”
How we chose the best night creams:
To help you find the best night cream, we consulted the skincare experts for their advice on the most effective formulas, plus assembled the tried-and-tested picks Vogue beauty editors love. Assessing night creams on how well they absorb – because nobody wants a greasy pillow – as well as their ability to give hydration that lasts until morning, only the best formulations made our shortlist. From rich, emollient formulas suited to drier complexions to the lightweight serums and lotions that work best for oily skin, scroll to shop our edit of the best night creams for every skin type.
Best night creams at a glance:
Best all-rounder: Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream
- Size: 50ml
- Key ingredients: Red algae, Padina Pavonica, collagen amino acids, avocado oil and zinc
- Benefits: smooths and softens skin for a supple complexion on waking
