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18 Best Night Creams Of 2023 For Every Skin Type, According To Dermatologists

Hello, sleeping beauty.

By Jacqueline Tempera, Neha Tandon and Olivia Evans
cerave tatcha first aid beauty night cream
Women's Health

Any skincare aficionado knows that a nighttime routine is key to glowing skin. And it's different for everyone–so it's important you equip yourself with the very best products for your skin.

And if you're older than your mid-20's, that means adding a night cream to the mix. "Night creams are going to help with wrinkles, fine lines, and exfoliation," says Kelly Swanson, a physician's assistant based in Clarkson, Michigan who oversees care of clinical dermatology patients.

Peep a few of the best night creams below:

  • 1
    Resist Intensive Repair Cream

    Best Retinol Night Cream For Beginners

    Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Repair Cream

    $37 at Amazon
    Read more
  • 2
     Ultra Repair Cream

    Best Night Cream For Acne-Prone Skin

    First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

    Read more
  • 3
    Skin Renewing Night Cream

    Best Drugstore Night Cream

    CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream

    Read more
  • 4
    Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Moisturizer

    Best Night Cream For Wrinkle-Repair

    Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Moisturizer

    Read more
  • 5
    Dermal Repair Cream

    Best Night Cream For Protecting Skin

    SkinMedica Dermal Repair Cream

    Read more

When it comes to finding the perfect night cream for your skin type, you should pay special attention to ingredients and the consistency of the cream (more on that below!).

What should I look for in a night cream?

Active Ingredients

Here are a few ingredients to keep an eye out for in your night cream, according to dermatology expert Maria Tempera, DO, and Swanson:

  • Retinol: stimulates collagen and fights acne
  • Peptides: helps with skin’s elasticity
  • Chemical exfoliants: includes alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) that help with cell turnover, skin tone, and texture to help promote collagen production and get you glowing skin
  • Ceramides: lipids (aka fats) to help lock in moisture by forming a protective layer
  • Glycerin: helps with hydration and brings water into the skin
  • Hyaluronic acid: holds 1,000 times its weight in water to help lock in moisture. However, Swanson recommends this ingredient only if you feel your skin lacks a lot of moisture.
  • Bakuchiol: this alternative to retinol is safe to use while pregnant

Consistency

According to Swanson, the consistency of your night cream totally depends on your skin type.

"If someone has sensitive skin, they're going to want more of a cream or a lotion," she says. "If someone has oily skin, probably more of a gel."

If you aren't sure of your skin type, a lotion is probably the best choice, Swanson says."If you don't know your skin type, chances are you probably have normal or combination skin so a lotion is a pretty safe bet."

Price

When it comes to night creams, the prices swing from high to low. Luckily, Swanson says that pricey night creams aren't necessary for protecting your skin. "I would recommend affordable, effective skincare options. Typically I'll stick with [recommending] brands, like CeraVe or Neutrogena." These are both a little more budget-friendly.

Of course, sometimes a more luxury product is worth the price, Swanson concedes. But she'd never recommend using anything that cost more than $60—unless you just really want to.

Got that all down? Time to shop.

Below, find the 18 best night creams for every skin type, per skin experts and reviews.

1
Best Retinol Night Cream For Beginners

Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Repair Cream

Resist Intensive Repair Cream
1
Best Retinol Night Cream For Beginners

Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Repair Cream

$37 at Amazon$37 at paulaschoice.com$37 at Dermstore

Like anything, there is a learning curve with skincare. That’s why Dr. Tempera recommends a lower-strength retinol (.01%) for entry-level users. It also has hyaluronic acid in it to help plump skin and lock in moisture, she says.

Rave Review: "If you have sensitive and extremely dry skin, this stuff is amazing. It also makes my makeup look so much better due to how moisturized my skin is now...Absolutely love it."

Active IngredientsRetinol (vitamin A), hyaluronic acid, antioxidant blend
ConsistencyRich cream
Price 1.7 ounces, about $21.76/fl. oz
2
Best Night Cream For Acne-Prone Skin

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

 Ultra Repair Cream
2
Best Night Cream For Acne-Prone Skin

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

Now 21% Off

This cream feature colloidal oatmeal, which can help calm any acne flare-ups. It helps to hydrate dry skin and provides a barrier for the “slugging” concept that's all over TikTok, says Tempera.

Rave Review: "This cream is the only cream that helped my skin restore to normal. I was suffering from eczema and this cream worked for my skin. My eczema has reduced to very mild. It's actually almost gone. "

Active ingredients Colloidial oatmeal, shea butter, allantoin
ConsistencyThicker cream
Price 6 ounces, about $4.98/oz
3
Best Drugstore Night Cream

CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream

Skin Renewing Night Cream
3
Best Drugstore Night Cream

CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream

CeraVe's cream is rich and thick without being greasy. And it contains the hydrating ceramides, peptides, and hyaluronic acid experts recommend. It’s a great drugstore option: You get a pretty large jar for less than $30, says Tempera.

Rave Review: "This night cream is a product I use year round. Not only is it amazing as a night cream, but if you're a particularly dry individual (like me) or experience dryness in winter, this saves your skin [when used] as a daytime moisturizer."

Active ingredients Niacinamide, peptide complex, hyaluronic acid
ConsistencyNon-greasy cream
Price 1.7 ounces, about $9.34/oz
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4
Best Night Cream For Wrinkle-Repair

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Moisturizer

Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Moisturizer
4
Best Night Cream For Wrinkle-Repair

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Moisturizer

Now 29% Off

Neutrogena's moisturizer contains retinol and hyaluronic acid, so you get acne-fighting and collagen-stimulating properties while hydrating the skin overnight.

Rave Review: "The formula is lightweight and absorbs quickly, leaving my skin feeling hydrated and refreshed. I love that it contains retinol, which is known to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. My skin has a more youthful, radiant look and I couldn't be happier with the results."

Active ingredients Pure retinol, hyaluronic acid
Consistency Light cream
Price 1 fl. oz, about 20.99/oz
5
Best Night Cream For Protecting Skin

SkinMedica Dermal Repair Cream

Dermal Repair Cream
5
Best Night Cream For Protecting Skin

SkinMedica Dermal Repair Cream

Now 10% Off

This night cream intensely hydrates skin with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalene while strengthening and repairing the skin barrier with panthenol and allantoin, says double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Tiffany Libby, MD. It also has vitamins C and E to help protect the skin against free radical damage and environmental stressors.

Rave Review: "I have used SkinMedica's Dermal Repair Cream for years and would not consider changing or going without it...It has kept my aging skin soft without as many wrinkles as I might have had and it does NOT have an annoying scent. I love this product."

Active ingredients Vitamins C and E
Consistency Ultra-rich cream
Price 1.7 ounces, about $70.94/oz
6
Best Night Cream For All Over The Body

Gold Bond Age Renew Retinol Overnight Body & Face Lotion

Age Renew Retinol Overnight Body & Face Lotion
6
Best Night Cream For All Over The Body

Gold Bond Age Renew Retinol Overnight Body & Face Lotion

Now 20% Off

Gold Bond's option includes the hero ingredient retinol, which helps lighten dark spots, improve cellular turnover, and stimulate collagen production, says Dr. Libby. It can also be applied all over the body, which is great for pesky back-ne, dark spots on the legs, and more.

Rave Review: "I am very happy to have a thoughtful product that seems to work well for my skin, which is sensitive and aging, although still in good condition."

Active ingredients Retinol, peptide complex
Consistency Lotion
Price 7 fl. ounces, about $1.71/oz.
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7
Best Night Cream For Oily Skin

Cetaphil Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Night Cream

Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Night Cream
7
Best Night Cream For Oily Skin

Cetaphil Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Night Cream

Night creams don’t need to be expensive, and Cetaphil’s Rich Hydrating Night Cream is a prime example. Dr. Libby touts it as an ultra-hydrating cream because it contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Both of these deliver the moisture skin needs overnight to strengthen and repair the skin’s barrier.

Rave Review: "A really good, lightweight moisturizer for those with oily-combo skin—decent ingredients, very nice texture, and overall a good option."

Active ingredientsVitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid
ConsistencyLightweight cream
Price1.7 ounces, about $10.87/oz.
8
Best Night Cream For Long-Term Hydration

It Cosmetics Confidence In A Cream

Confidence In A Cream
8
Best Night Cream For Long-Term Hydration

It Cosmetics Confidence In A Cream

Dr. Libby says this is a top-selling favorite with her patients. The nourishing cream absorbs quickly and provides continuous 24-hour hydration. Its formula includes hyaluronic acid and ceramides to keep skin so moisturized overnight that it'll feel soft and supple all throughout the next day.

Rave Review: "First moisturizer I've found that keeps my skin moisturized. I have very dry skin, and this works perfect for me! No heavy scent is a plus!!!"

Active ingredientsHyaluronic acid, ceramides, collagen, and peptides
ConsistencyThick cream
Price2 fl. oz, about $14/oz
9
Best Night Cream For Oily Skin

The Inkey List Omega Water Cream Moisturizer

Omega Water Cream Moisturizer
9
Best Night Cream For Oily Skin

The Inkey List Omega Water Cream Moisturizer

Dr. Jenny Liu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, puts INKEY’s cream at the top of her list of recommendations for its lightweight formula. It's perfect for combination and oily skin because it locks in moisture to keep skin hydrated without adding a greasy feel or look to the skin.

Rave Review: "This moisturizer is going to be a new staple in my skincare routine. It leaves my face feeling fresh and looking dewy without looking oily. It’s super lightweight and goes on smooth. Definitely a great moisturizer for spring and summer!"

Active ingredientsGlycerin, niacinamide, betaine
ConsistencyWater-based gel
Price1.7 ounces, about $6.40/oz
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10
Best Night Cream For Fine Lines

Olay Regenerist Retinol 24

Regenerist Retinol 24
10
Best Night Cream For Fine Lines

Olay Regenerist Retinol 24

Now 26% Off

Dr. Liu rates this as one of the best night creams to smooth out fine lines. It has superstar plumping ingredient retinol, but also packs in 24 hours of hydration, too.

Rave Review: "My skin is smoother, and the small wrinkles are not as noticeable. The dark sunspots are lightening up also."

Active ingredientsNiacinamide, glycerin, retinol
ConsistencyCream
Price1.7 ounces, about $17.61/oz
11
Best Night Cream For Irritated Skin

Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair

Indigo Overnight Repair
11
Best Night Cream For Irritated Skin

Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair

This sleep mask is like a night cream on steroids. Not only is it super nourishing and suitable for irritated and sensitive skin, but it's packed with tons of antioxidants, says Dr. Liu. This way your skin can really rest and restore overnight.

Rave Review: "This is the best night cream I have ever used!!! I’m on my third jar and will never use anything else. It literally is so smooth. It feels like butter on my skin. It’s not greasy at all."

Active ingredientsPalmitic acid
Consistency Cushiony cream
Price1.7 ounces, about $54.41/oz
12
Best Night Cream Worth The Splurge

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore

Triple Lipid Restore
12
Best Night Cream Worth The Splurge

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore

While this product comes in at a bit of a higher price point, Dr. Liu says it's worth every penny if you can afford it. She likes that it has a unique formula with fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides that are all specially formulated to help with dry and mature skin.

Rave Review: "The best moisturizer on the planet! Beware—once you start using it, you can’t go back. I have severe dry skin and this is the only thing that actually helps! I buy this every month!"

Active ingredientsVitamin E, ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids
ConsistencySilky cream
Price1.6 ounces, about $93/oz
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13
Most Affordable Night Cream For Combination Skin

Olay Regenerist Night Cream

Regenerist Night Cream
13
Most Affordable Night Cream For Combination Skin

Olay Regenerist Night Cream

Dr. Chacon recommends this one for those with combination skin who don’t want to break the bank on a cream. Like SkinCeuticals' cream, it’ll moisturize, exfoliate, and keep oily spots at bay. It also includes green tea extracts and a peptide-B3 combination to hydrate and exfoliate the skin.

Rave Review: "I love the Olay 3 point night cream. It makes your skin feel so good. It helps with my fine lines and wrinkles."

Active ingredientsPeptide, Vitamin B3
ConsistencyCream
Price1.6 ounces, about $14.66/oz
14
Best Night Cream To Reduce Signs Of Aging

Jan Marini Skin Research Transformation Face Cream

Transformation Face Cream
14
Best Night Cream To Reduce Signs Of Aging

Jan Marini Skin Research Transformation Face Cream

This Jan Marini Transformation Face Cream comes highly recommended by Dr. Chacoan. “It goes beyond your typical hydration cream by including amino acids to heal skin damage, promote collagen, and reduce face aging, as well as AHAs for gentle exfoliation.” It also includes aloe vera and antioxidants, which can aid in reducing any existing irritation.

Rave Review: "I absolutely love this face moisturizer in every way. I am 50-years-old and I have pretty good skin, but since I started using this face cream (and some of the other Jan Marini products) my skin is really in great shape!"

Active ingredientshyaluronic acid, peptides, antioxidants
ConsistencyCream
Price 1 ounce, $120/oz
15
Most Brightening Night Cream

Stamina Intention Moisturizer

Intention Moisturizer
15
Most Brightening Night Cream

Stamina Intention Moisturizer

This great brightening, hydrating formula is great for any skin type, whether you're oily, dry, combo type, pigmented, or anything else, says dermatologist Dr. Marianna Blyumin Karasik. “Adaptogens such as Rheum rhaponticum, cordyceps, and gotu kola help to improve skin resilience via antioxidant and skin barrier strengthening powers," she says. Skin brighteners such as niacinamide and gluconolactone (PHA polyhydroxy acids) also help to improve skin complexion and enhance skin brilliance, she adds.

Rave Review: "I am a skincare geek and this moisturizer is something special! Its silky, light, and gentle aroma is so nice. I see immediate glow boost and smoothness and the best part is it keeps my skin hydrated for the whole day! Yay!"

Active ingredientsHyaluronic acid complex, niacinamide, resveratrol
Consistency Light cream
Price.5 fl. ounce, about $114/oz
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16
Best Night Cream For Menopause

Emepelle Emepelle Night Cream

Emepelle Night Cream
16
Best Night Cream For Menopause

Emepelle Emepelle Night Cream

Dr. Karasik says this product is excellent for those who need an extra boost on their skin because of an estrogen deficiency. Yes, it's pricey, but it has niacinamide to help minimize sun spots and retinol for smoothing out signs of aging while reversing skin damage.

Rave Review: "I was skeptical about buying another lotion that claimed to make my skin look better, but this really worked! I use the serum during the day and the cream at night and I noticed a difference in probably about two weeks of doing that regularly! Definitely worth it!!"

Active ingredientsMEP technology (an ingredient that "rejuvenates menopausal skin," retinol, peptides, niacinamide, emollients, and humectants
ConsistencyNon-greasy cream
Price 1.7 fl ounce, about $114.71/oz
17
Best Night Cream With Retinol

AlphaRet Overnight Cream

Overnight Cream
17
Best Night Cream With Retinol

AlphaRet Overnight Cream

Tempera ranks this as her “ultimate favorite night cream,” and for good reason. It has prescription-strength retinoids (which, as mentioned, are great for collagen growth and fighting acne). It's also infused with moisture-boosting properties like ceramides, squalene, and hyaluronic acid to minimize dryness and irritation.

Rave Review: "I’ve only been using it for a week, but my skin looks so smooth and healthy. No peeling or redness at all!"

Active ingredientsAlphaRet (retinoid and lactic acid),
ConsistencyCream
Price 1 fl. ounce, $135/oz
18
Best Night Cream For Sensitive Skin

Eau Thermale Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream

Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream
18
Best Night Cream For Sensitive Skin

Eau Thermale Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream

Now 25% Off

Dr. Karasik says this cream is ideal for reactive or sensitive skin types prone to eczema and rosacea. It has ingredients to calm irritated skin and glycerin to soothe and hydrate dry skin. This is also the brand Swanson uses.

Rave Review: "I've been using this product as a moisturizer because it's the only thing that actually works for my dry patches of skin and keeps my face moisturized throughout the day."

Active ingredientsCitric acid, glycerin, beeswax
Consistency Milky lotion
Price1.3 fl. ounces, about $27.69/oz
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What's the point of applying a night cream?

squiggle

Sleeping is a time during which your skin is healing, restoring, repairing, and providing the dewy glazed doughnut look all of us are after.

“The goal of an evening skincare regimen is to treat and restore, whereas a morning skincare regimen’s goal is to protect and prevent damage,” says Tempera. “An effective night cream will have a more thick, rich consistency and contain active ingredients like retinol or AHAs to increase cell turnover, treat and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve texture and tone, and more.”

How often should you apply a night cream?

squiggle

Eventually, you should apply your night cream every night–but you should start off slow, especially if your night cream has retinol in it.

"I usually recommend starting every two nights because dryness and irritation are going to be your top side effects," Swanson says. "The first six weeks [of using a night cream] isn't about the effects of it, but getting your skin used to using it."

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Jacqueline Tempera

Jacqueline Tempera is an award-winning writer and reporter living in New Jersey with her many pets. She is a business owner and a double Scorpio who loves all things astrology and reality television. She is passionate about body diversity and representation, mental health, and the fight to end sexual assault and harassment. To learn more about Jackie, follow her on Instagram @jacktemp or visit her website at jackietempera.com

Headshot of Neha Tandon
Senior Commerce Editor

Neha Tandon is the senior commerce editor of Women's Health—she's an expert in discovering the best products and services you can buy and giving recommendations. She discovered her love for magazines when as a teen, she started stealing her mother's magazines. Determined to see more women who look like her and her family members on the glossy covers of magazines, she was guided by seasoned editors and mentors to write for brands including New York Magazine, Cosmopolitan, BRIDES, Harper's Bazaar, Business Insider, Byrdie, and Well+Good. When she’s not grilling dermatologists about the latest skincare trends, she’s doing candlelit yoga or watching Humphrey Bogart movies over vegan pizza. Follow her on Instagram

Headshot of Olivia Evans
News Editorial Assistant

Olivia Evans (she/her) is an editorial assistant at Women’s Health. Her work has previously appeared in The Cut and Teen Vogue. She loves covering topics where culture and wellness intersect. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, running, and watching rom-coms. 

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