These Worth-the-Money Night Creams Practically Transform My Skin Overnight
I'll preface this by saying that I'm a complete fiend for night cream. I love the fact that whatever your concerns may be, there's a night cream for that. Now, I know you all enjoy drugstore contenders (and so do I), but today, I'm here to make a case for the higher-end options. Why? Simple—they really work.
Thankfully, as a beauty editor, I've had the opportunity to try plenty and can confidently say I've found a few that I think are 100% worth the money. If my skin could actually talk, she (yes, she's a she) would tell you just how much she appreciates these creams for restoring her radiance, plumping those fine lines, and providing extra hydration for those drier months. If you're willing to make room in your budget for one of these babies, scroll through below for all my picks.
Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore
Pros: Contains ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids that nourish dry skin and help replenish cellular lipids
Cons: Expensive
If the beauty world had something equivalent to the Oscars, SkinCeuticals' Triple Lipid Restore would win in every category. It's incredible for mature skin types, but it's equally as amazing for those in their younger years who are looking to do some preventative care. At first, I thought this moisturizer would be too heavy for my particular skin type, but after checking my handy-dandy pore-clogging-ingredient checker, I was pleasantly surprised to learn it has zero potential triggers. Let me tell you, once I got my hands on it, I noticed just how quickly the potent formula works. My smile lines and crow's-feet have softened significantly, and my overall complexion looks a lot brighter and more even.
Customer Review: "Just began using [this] product a couple of weeks ago. Skin feels softer, especially after using it with the HA Intensifier."
Maya Chia Advanced Response Complex Firming Face & Neck Moisture Cream
Pros: Contains antioxidants, fermented minerals, and peptides to restore skin's youthful glow
Cons: Expensive
This product is a more recent favorite, as the brand was kind enough to send a sample my way. To give you the CliffsNotes version: I love it. You can tell a lot of research was put into this formula based on how quickly it works. It's packed with antioxidants, peptides, and fermented minerals to help restore skin to its youthful glow and even works well on the neck area. I do have to say it does contain beeswax and shea butter—two ingredients you might want to avoid if you're oily or highly acne-prone. Personally, I haven't had too much of an issue, but to be on the safe side, I don't think I'll be using this every single night.
Customer Review: "I have enjoyed using the Advanced Response Complex Cream. It feels hydrating and appears to plump the skin, leaving a natural glow. I have dry skin with rosacea and this cream does not seem to cause irritation."
Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Super Lotus Night Recovery
Pros: Helps repair the skin barrier, rich in antioxidants to help prevent skin aging
Cons: May not be hydrating enough for dry skin
I know a full eight to eight and a half hours of sleep is hard to come by these days. But with this night cream, you can at least look like you got a full night's rest. It has ingredients like super lotus and peach leaf extract that help mend your skin's barrier overnight. Any time I use it, I wake up with skin that looks fresh and rejuvenated before I've even started cleansing—definitely a rare occurrence for me.
Customer Review: "This product smells amazing. That was the first thing I noticed about it. It goes on smooth and does not leave you feeling or looking oily. I would totally recommend this product if you are looking for something new to add to your skincare routine. Gifted by Fresh."
Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream
Pros: Developed specifically for darker skin tones, contains potent soothing extracts that also help control oil production, helps to even out skin tone
Cons: Expensive, may not be hydrating enough for dry skin
I've used this cream on and off over the years, and honestly, it's something I'll always continue to stock up on. It features a host of soothing botanical extracts that aren't necessarily nighttime specific, but I like using it at night to give my skin an extra boost. It also helps reduce sebum production, which I've noticed is extremely helpful at clearing breakouts overnight.
Customer Review: "Love this product! Hydrates my skin very well!"
IS Clinical Youth Intensive Cream
Pros: Contains vitamin C to brighten, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and copper tripeptide growth factors to help reduce wrinkles
Cons: Expensive
Whew, I know this one is a splurge, but I'll always vouch for it anyway. As soon as I was introduced to IS Clinical way back when I got my first facial, I started buying every product I could get my hands on. I was completely obsessed with the way the products made my skin look and feel after the aesthetician used a few on my face. I eventually worked up to this cream, which feels so pillow-soft on your skin that you'll never want to use another moisturizer again. Okay, that's a bit extreme, but it does deliver a more-than-luminous complexion in the a.m. that you'll definitely want to maintain.
Customer Review: "This cream is really rich and dense. A little goes a long way. It keeps my skin moisturized, smooth, and supple. Helps with wrinkle prevention too. I don't use it every day because it's so rich and exfoliating. 1-2 times a week is enough."
Tata Harper Crème Rich Anti-Aging Night Cream
Pros: Contains antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamin F to give skin a youthful glow
Cons: May be too heavy for combination skin types
I don't use this one all the time because, as you can tell by the name of the product, it's extra rich. And if you're like me and have combination skin (thank you, prescription retinoids), you'll want to use this lightly. I still think it's a great option for those who have dry skin and want a high dose of plant magic courtesy of Harper's potent formula.
Customer Review: "I absolutely love this cream. It’s moisturizing and absorbs beautifully! I wear it day and night and it has taken care of my eczema and I have patches of discoloration that I think are fading. My skin looks so good, I feel like I can wear less makeup. I ordered one product to start and now I have stopped using my SkinCeuticals and only use Tata Harper products. It is pricy, but for what it does for your skin, it is worth every penny. It smells like you are in a spa and even the cleansers make you happy to use. Amazing products!"
Doctor Rogers Restore Face Cream
Pros: Contains niacinamide to help reduce breakouts, fine lines, and irritation; adenosine helps improve skin smoothness and the appearance of wrinkles
Cons: May be too heavy for some skin types
I love this restorative cream because it contains niacinamide, a star ingredient I always make sure is in my routine. I dealt with some pretty bad acne as a teenager and into my early 20s, which left me with a few dark spots and uneven patches of skin. Using products with niacinamide has really upped my skincare game and improved my entire complexion. This moisturizer also has Centella asiatica extract, which is great for soothing inflammation and mending your skin's barrier.
Customer Review: "This face cream glides on easily and doesn't feel too heavy. It keeps my skin well hydrated and minimizes the redness."
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream
Pros: Contains retinol to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles, supports the skin's protective barrier
Cons: May not be suitable for hypersensitive skin
This is a great option for those who may not be able to tolerate prescription-strength retinoids. It helps firm the skin and boosts radiance while also containing my favorite superstar ingredient, niacinamide.
Customer Review: "I am purchasing my fourth one. This cream is fantastic! I love the way it dispenses. The eye serum works nice also."
Osea Advanced Protective Cream
Pros: Firms skin; reduces wrinkles; promotes a radiant, even complexion; contains bakuchiol, a natural retinol alternative; sensitive-skin friendly
Cons: Expensive
Osea's cream is deeply hydrating and protects against environmental stress. It's not specifically a night cream, but I like to use it at night sometimes (especially during the winter) if my skin is feeling extra parched.
Customer Review: "[I] layer this over all my other Osea products [at] night. Works amazing! Super hydrating."
A few budget-friendlier favorites:
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Shawna Hudson is a beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and travel writer with over 10 years of experience. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in journalism and has written for other publications such as Bustle, The Zoe Report, Byrdie, Elite Daily, and more. She is currently a beauty writer at Who What Wear and hopes to continue feeding her (completely out-of-control) beauty obsession as long as she can. Stay up to date on her latest finds on Instagram @shawnasimonee.