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From rich balms to lightweight lotions and hydrating gels, moisturisers are at the heart of any good beauty regime, helping to hydrate, repair, soothe and plump the skin. However, with different options for day and night available, you might be wondering if you really need two separate products. What is it night creams can do that their daytime equivalents can’t? I went straight to the experts to get some answers.
Dr Sophie Shotter, aesthetic doctor and founder of Illuminate Skin Clinic, explains that our skin’s needs are different at night: “It’s the only time our body, including our skin, really rests and restores. Skin is also prone to transepidermal water loss whilst we sleep, and this means it is losing water and can become dehydrated. For this reason, our skin often benefits from a richer night cream, whereas, in the daytime, our skin often needs less rich hydration but does need more protection from the sun and from pollution.”
Dr Shotter recommends using humectants such as hyaluronic acids, along with lipids and ceramides to help lock in moisture overnight. “Squalene is another good night-time ingredient which can help lock in moisture. Acids (PHAs, BHAs or PHAs) can also be an excellent inclusion.”
Dr Sina Ghadiri, a consultant dermatologist and aesthetic doctor, believes a dedicated night-time routine is essential for skin health. If your skin is dry or dehydrated, he advises seeking out moisturisers that feature ceramides, while oilier skin types should look for lightweight textures and avoid occlusive practices such as slugging (applying petroleum jelly to your face).
“Many products, such as retinoids, require night-time application, both from a position of lessening the risk of photosensitivity but also providing an environment where absorption can be enhanced,” says Dr Ghadiri. “The sleep cycle, or circadian rhythm, brings with it hormonal variations within a 24-hour period (particularly cortisol and melatonin) and these can impact inflammatory processes within the skin, so, having a night-time routine is essential to allow the skin to renew and fight oxidative damage.”
That said, you don’t need to only look for creams with the word ‘night’ in them, says Dr Shotter: “Many night creams on the market are simply richer and more hydrating, rather than addressing the skin’s needs beyond that. So, does it need to be a cream with ‘night’ on the bottle? No, but it does need to consider the needs of your skin overnight.”
With that in mind, I’ve spent weeks testing moisturising products to narrow down our list of the best night creams. Following Dr Shotter’s advice, they’re not strictly night products but are hydrating lotions, balms and creams that are suitable for an evening skincare routine. Keep scrolling to discover my favourite formulas.
How I tested
I incorporated each product into my evening skincare routine over many weeks. I assessed the formulas’ texture and absorption, if there was any residue left on the skin, and if any differences could be spotted the morning after (with continued use).
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Louise Whibread has spent years working in the beauty industry and has tested countless skincare products and solutions. From an expert-led feature on minimising acne scarring to my pick of the best body scrubs, she knows what to look for when it comes to finding skin solutions that actually work.
The best night creams for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Naturium multi-peptide rich cream: £27, Spacenk.com
- Best budget buy – Simple age-resisting night cream: £8, Ocado.com
- Best for sensitive skin – SOS night cream: £14.84, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for acne-prone skin – La Roche-Posay effaclar A.Z. gel-cream: £26.40, Boots.com
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