Shopping for night creams? This is the most important thing to remember

There’s a reason it’s called ‘beauty sleep’—some of the most powerful skincare products work their magic best when you’re catching up on shut-eye. While you might be using the moisturiser you have lying on your bedside table whenever your skin feels dry or irritated, a moisturiser specially engineered for the PM is a non-negotiable inclusion in your routine.

Night creams are generally thicker in consistency than their daytime counterparts, and tend to have a higher concentration of ingredients that boost cell turnover, hydration and circulation. Not only does a night cream soothe and hydrate skin after a long day, it can also help induce repair by amplifying cell turnover. While moisturisers for the day usually protect against the elements—pollution, dryness, cold, heat and UV rays—night creams are better focused on the reconstruction process of the skin. Collagen production and the fight against free radicals both take place while you sleep, so including ingredients that fortify this is important. “Most good night creams are retinol-based or equivalent. They may also include ingredients like Co-enzyme Q10 and hyaluronic acid, for example. The main mechanism of action is to improve epidermal cell renewal. Plus, a good night cream will have a humectant property to re-stabilise the cutaneous barrier by promoting hydration. It’s also important to use a good sunscreen the following morning, especially if you are using exfoliating agents like retinol or acids,” says dermatologist Dr Abhijit Desai.

How should you apply night cream?

Dermatologists suggest that you apply night creams after cleansing your skin (and not just before you hit the bed) to ensure that the skincare ingredients sink in well. In fact, cell regeneration is supposed to be at its maximum during 10pm and 2am, so applying night cream before this is ideal. After cleansing, toning and applying a serum or essence, warm a dime-sized amount of the cream in your palms, and massage it on the face in upward, circular motions.

How do you pick the best night cream for your skin type?

Night creams are not a one-size-fits-all product, and while figuring out your skin type can be confusing (because skin goes through phases sometimes), it’s important that you take it into consideration when picking your product.

Dry skin

Dry skin types usually have flaky skin that feels tight and can look dull. While it might seem counterintuitive, using gentle non-abrasive ingredients to promote cell turnover is necessary. Without the additional layer of dead skin, hydrating serums and treatments will be absorbed better. The best night creams for dry skin will include humectants like hyaluronic acid as well as emollients like squalene or oils to help smooth, hydrate and even out skin texture. This will help to maintain a supple, flexible complexion. To ward off the tightness in the morning, smooth on a cream like the Glamglow Good In Bed Passionfruit Softening Night Cream, which contains hyaluronic acid to moisturise along with a blend of AHA, BHA and PHA acids, softly exfoliating dead skin at the surface. The Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Night Cream contains emollients and humectants that bind water to the skin and prevent moisture loss too.

Oily, acne-prone skin

Those with oily, acne-prone skin are more likely to have congested pores, and can feel greasy in the morning. To prevent clogging pores further, choose a light gel-cream textured product that can supplement the skin’s moisture levels. Stripping the skin of too much oil, especially if your skincare routine includes mattifying or anti-acne products, can cause overcompensation and create even more oil. Ingredients like glycolic or lactic acid can gently exfoliate and unclog pores, and are ideal in a night cream for oily skin. Reach for the Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Overnight Cream that brightens dark spots, acne spots and hyperpigmentation through the night. The Laneige Water Sleeping Mask is super light and sinks in quickly without leaving a greasy imprint behind on the face or the sheets.

Sensitive skin

For skin that is prone to redness, irritation, allergies or excessive dryness, using a night cream that coddles and repairs the skin barrier is most important. The Ren Skincare EverCalm Overnight Recovery Balm uses enzymatically activated oils to feed and moisturise while strengthening the lipid barrier and relieving irritation. The Forest Essentials Night Treatment Cream boasts sandalwood and saffron to hydrate skin and protect it from inflammation.

Mature skin

While skin prone to wrinkles, fine lines or dark spots can be considered as ageing skin, many dermatologists believe that women in their mid-20s can also benefit from using a night cream with anti-ageing ingredients. Look for variants that boost collagen productions like peptides or Vitamin A. Further, fight free radical damage with antioxidants like Vitamin A, Vitamin C and beta carotene. If loss of elasticity is your main concern, the Guerlain Abeille Royale Night Cream contains the brand’s signature royal jelly, which uses honey to sooth and lift the contours of the skin. Retinol-based night creams like RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream are ideal to use at night, as they amplify cell turnover and reduce visible signs of ageing and photo damage.

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