Top "5 Best" Night Creams On The Market
Top "5 Best" Night Creams
On The Market
In Search of the Best Night Cream for Face? Dive right in!
The end of a long day signals the start of our skin's natural recovery process, which is why the right night moisturiser becomes crucial. As we navigate through our 40s or even earlier, our skin craves that nighttime boost to maintain its glow and elasticity. With countless night creams promising rejuvenated mornings, the task of finding the best night cream for face — be it for dry, oily, or ageing skin — can be daunting. Our passionate skincare team has meticulously tested over 20 brands in our quest for the ultimate night cream for women. We sought a cream that not only hydrates deeply but also supports the skin’s natural rejuvenation process. Whether it's the allure of the best anti-ageing night cream or the best night cream for glowing skin that you're after, our curated list is tailored to cater to your needs.
The cornerstone of an effective night cream is the fusion of intense hydration with robust, skin-loving ingredients. Our extensive evaluations revealed that the best night moisturiser, irrespective of its endorsements, must demonstrate tangible results — from supporting skin's natural elasticity to keeping it supple and radiant.
So, if you're eager to treat your skin to the best night cream that truly understands its nocturnal needs, continue exploring. Here are our top 5 selections, handpicked based on rigorous research, experience, and real-world feedback.
In Search of the Best Night Cream for Face? Dive right in!
The end of a long day signals the start of our skin's natural recovery process, which is why the right night moisturiser becomes crucial. As we navigate through our 40s or even earlier, our skin craves that nighttime boost to maintain its glow and elasticity. With countless night creams promising rejuvenated mornings, the task of finding the best night cream for face — be it for dry, oily, or ageing skin — can be daunting. Our passionate skincare team has meticulously tested over 20 brands in our quest for the ultimate night cream for women. We sought a cream that not only hydrates deeply but also supports the skin’s natural rejuvenation process. Whether it's the allure of the best anti-ageing night cream or the best night cream for glowing skin that you're after, our curated list is tailored to cater to your needs.
The cornerstone of an effective night cream is the fusion of intense hydration with robust, skin-loving ingredients. Our extensive evaluations revealed that the best night moisturiser, irrespective of its endorsements, must demonstrate tangible results — from supporting skin's natural elasticity to keeping it supple and radiant.
So, if you're eager to treat your skin to the best night cream that truly understands its nocturnal needs, continue exploring. Here are our top 5 selections, handpicked based on rigorous research, experience, and real-world feedback.
Key Ingredients in the Best Night Creams
Peptides
In the realm of night creams, peptides are a revered ingredient. These chains of amino acids play a pivotal role in skin’s nocturnal repair process. Integral to our skin’s protein makeup, they encourage the production of collagen and elastin, promoting a youthful complexion. Beyond this, peptides also help protect against daily environmental stressors, reducing redness and enhancing the skin’s natural resilience.
Hyaluronic Acid
When seeking the best night cream for face, the presence of hyaluronic acid is indispensable. Renowned for its unparalleled moisture-retention capabilities, this star ingredient ensures deep, lasting hydration throughout the night. This is crucial for rejuvenating skin that’s been exposed to daily wear and tear. Its role in repairing the skin barrier and preserving hydration addresses concerns like dryness and dullness.
Anti-oxidants
An essential component in the best night moisturisers, antioxidants play a dual role. They shield the skin from potential damage by harmful free radicals and support the skin’s natural rejuvenation process. Vitamins B and E, in particular, are noteworthy. They ensure the skin stays hydrated, refreshed, and radiant, making them indispensable in top-tier night creams.
Best night cream: At a glance
- Best Overall Night Cream: Habitual Skin Peptide Face & Neck Cream 50ml
- Best Splurge: Augustinus Bader the Cream 50ml
- Best Acne Prone: Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream 50ml
Choosing the Right Skincare
Selecting the right skincare products can be daunting. It’s easy to gravitate towards the most affordable options, but quality often correlates with price. Higher-priced products typically offer superior results due to their quality ingredients and formulation. With a myriad of brands and products to sift through, it can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve done the legwork for you, researching, testing, and curating this concise list of five top-rated products.
The Good - What to Look For
Selecting the ideal Night Cream amidst the vast options can be daunting. To streamline your decision, we’ve conducted thorough research and pinpointed the following key factors:
- Active Ingredients – Beyond catchy marketing phrases, the efficacy of a product largely hinges on its active ingredients. These are compounds scientifically demonstrated to exert a specific benefit on the skin. They’re the powerhouses ensuring the product’s claims align with actual outcomes.
- Optimal Concentrations – It isn’t just about having the right ingredients but having them in correct concentrations. Effective skincare requires ingredients at their research-determined optimal levels—potent enough to target specific skin concerns without inducing irritation. Eliminating unnecessary fillers ensures undiluted effectiveness.
- Ingredient Integrity – The origin and processing of ingredients play crucial roles in a product’s safety and efficacy. Natural or lab-synthesised, the key is purity. Ingredients derived through meticulous methods ensure both safety and maximum benefit, while those from questionable processes can be detrimental.
The Bad - What to Avoid
When choosing a Night Cream, it’s essential to be discerning for both your skin’s health and broader ethical considerations. Here’s what to avoid:
- Inadequate Concentrations – Comprehensive ingredient lists can be deceiving. Too many components might mean that the active, beneficial ingredients are present in sub-optimal amounts, limiting their ability to deliver tangible skin improvements.
- Redundant Additives – Terms like fillers or carrier ingredients denote substances that might not directly benefit the skin. Their presence can dilute the core active ingredients, reducing the product’s efficacy and potentially affecting skin health.
- Animal Testing – Simply put, ethical skincare avoids products tested on animals. Their well-being is paramount.
- Fragrances – Though a pleasant aroma can enhance product experience, the vague term “fragrance” can encompass a myriad of potentially harmful substances that remain largely unregulated.
- Unjustified Price Tags – A steep price doesn’t always equate to superior quality. While some premium products merit their cost due to high-quality ingredients, others might be pricey due to marketing, fancy packaging, or unverified proprietary components. Always cross-check the ingredient efficacy with its price point.
The System - Our 10 Step, Research Backed Ranking Method
There is so much more to choosing a Night Cream, than just taking marketing and labels at face value. That simply isn’t enough. Instead, we choose to test and compare each Night Cream against our 10-point ranking system:
- 1 The purity and quality of ingredients and sourcing.
- 2 The presence or lack of artificial fillers, preservatives and additives.
- 3 Regulated manufacturing facilities and high-quality processes.
- 4 The information behind the product - science, research and development.
- 5 Level of Active Ingredient availability, digestibility and absorption.
- 6 Manufacturer governing bodies registrations and certifications.
- 7 Third-party testing to determine validity and accuracy of label information.
- 8 Filtering customer reviews to remove paid/fake reviews to highlight truthful customer experience.
- 9 Price and value for money.
- 10 Return and money-back guarantee policies.
Save on our favourite night cream
Right now at Habitual Skin, you can save up to 10% on best sellers and up to 35% off bundles. This includes the Habitual Skin Peptide Face & Neck Cream 50ml from our roundup – a night cream infused with peptides, working to visibly diminish creases, lines, and crepiness, promoting a tighter and more youthful appearance. Use code JULY24 at checkout to bring the price down to just £49.50.
Habitual Skin | Was £55.00 | Now £49.50
The Guide - How We Evaluated the Top 5
- 20 Hours Researched
- 5 Expert Evaluations
- 60 Customer Experience Interviews
Our Top 5 Night Creams were chosen based on studious research that dove deep into the quality of each individual product; consultation with leading skin care clinicians to gain their expert opinions; and a multitude of user experience interviews, to ensure the products you find below are the best on the market and most beneficial for your skin.
All products featured on Honest Reviews are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Top 5 Night Creams 2024
Habitual Skin #1
Habitual Skin Peptide Face & Neck Cream 50ml
- Quality Rating: 10/10
- Expert Rating: 9.9/10
- Users Rating: 9.8/10
In our quest for the best night cream, Habitual Skin Peptide Night Cream for Face & Neck continually impressed. It’s not just another night cream for mature skin; it serves as a definitive solution to skin elasticity concerns.
What makes this night moisturiser so captivating is its sumptuous texture. It’s formulated with superior ingredients, notably peptides, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter. These ingredients synergistically nourish the skin, addressing concerns like facial sagging and ensuring a firmer, revitalised appearance.
Hyaluronic acid stands out among these. Esteemed for its hydration retention capabilities, it guarantees the skin remains plump and youthful, making this the best anti-ageing night cream for those wanting to tackle signs of ageing like crepey skin.
Testers’ feedback was unambiguous. Following their use of Habitual Skin Peptide Night Cream for Face & Neck, many reported enhanced skin texture and elasticity. Waking up to a visibly healthier complexion became the norm. What’s more, its dual-action formulation means it tackles facial sagging and neck concerns with equal efficacy, positioning it as a night cream staple for many.
Its non-comedogenic nature further boosts its allure, ensuring it’s suitable for all skin types. Whether you have dry face concerns or are searching for potent anti-ageing solutions, this cream caters to you.
In summary, if you’re in search of the best night cream for glowing skin that also revitalises the neck area, Habitual Skin Peptide Night Cream for Face & Neck stands out. Both skincare experts and regular users have praised its noticeable benefits.
Pros
- Potent Actives: Formulated with rejuvenating Peptides and moisture-locking Hyaluronic Acid, ensuring targeted skin repair and hydration.
- Luxurious Feel: Praised by testers for its indulgent texture that pampers the skin.
- Dual Action: Not just a Skin Tightening solution; it can be used to revitalise the neck cream as well.
- Gentle on Skin: Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, making it suitable for all skin types without pore-clogging worries.
- Tested and Trusted: Trialed by a diverse group of users, many reported significant Skin Tightening results, smoother skin texture, and increased elasticity after consistent use.
- Ethically Crafted: Cruelty-free, vegan, and devoid of harmful chemicals like parabens and phthalates.
- Made by Experts: Formulated and endorsed by leading UK dermatologists, ensuring top-tier quality and effectiveness.
- Trustworthy Brand Promise: Comes with a risk-free 90-day money-back guarantee and the perk of free shipping on orders over £40.
Cons
- Currently, it is only available for purchase on the official company website.
- Stock issues may occur due to the high demand for the product.
The Final Word
The best night cream from all of the ones we tested was Habitual Skin’s Face & Neck Night Cream. Combining dermatologist-approved ingredients and a host of others, including antioxidants and peptides to protect against environmental harm, this product produces fantastic results in just days thanks to features like hyaluronic acid. Alongside free shipping on orders over £40 and special discount sales regularly – getting this product is easy. As if that weren’t enough though, they offer a 90-day money-back guarantee too which means you can purchase without worrying about wasting your money since you’ll be able to decide within three months whether or not it works for you. This kind gesture demonstrates what good faith they have in their products; something confirmed by my experience testing it out myself!
Why Habitual Skin Is Our #1 Pick
Drunk Elephant #2
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
- Quality Rating: 9.1/10
- Expert Rating: 9.0/10
- Users Rating: 8.9/10
Drunk Elephant is well known for its products and innovative take on “smoothies”. The Protini Polypeptide Cream is a tried and clinically tested cream that combines 9 signal peptides, growth factors, supportive amino acids, and pygmy waterlily for immediate improvement in the appearance of skin’s tone, texture, and firmness.
Our researchers praised the cream mainly for its use of active ingredients such as the Pygmy Waterlily which is a potent antioxidant and 9 Signal Peptides which help plump up the skin and firm the skin. However, they also noticed that due to the use of SH-Oligopeptide-1 (EGF) it is not recommended to use if you have psoriasis or high skin cancer risk factors.
The cream has a creamy texture and is not sticky but it’s important to note that it does leave a slightly greasy feeling, especially for our testers with oily combination skin types. On the other hand, our testers with dry skin type didn’t have an issue with no balling up or layering issues. If these are things you can look past, then Protini Polypeptide Cream will be perfect for you to try as it comes in 15ml and 50ml.
Pros
- Multipurpose cream containing 9 Signal Peptides, Pygmy Waterlily Extract, and Soybean Folic Acid Ferment Extract.
- Fragrance-free.
- Cruelty-free and vegan formula.
- Free of artificial fragrances.
- Offers a 30-day return policy.
Cons
- Does not absorb well into oily combination skin types.
- Contains SH-Oligopeptide-1 (EGF) which is not recommended to use if you have psoriasis or high skin cancer risk factors.
- 15ml packaging does not dispense the product, but instead is in a jar which you will have to scoop using your fingers to get the product.
The Final Word
Drunk Elephant products are well known for their trendy products and skin “smoothies” which can be seen all over social media. Its products are formulated using a high percentage of active ingredients at skin-friendly pH levels and are made with ingredients that are recognised by the skin and easily absorbed. Drunk Elephant states that using their products exclusively is the best way to get maximum results, however, we found that it doesn’t work for everyone. While it may be fun to act like a chemist mixing their products, it does come with a price and fear of skin reaction due to the high percentage of active ingredients. And while one product may work, there’s a chance that the skin won’t yield the same results. Luckily enough, they offer a 30-day return policy, so better get on with the product as soon as they arrive to fully test and check for results before your 30 days are up. Unfortunately, the return policy may differ from one retailer to another.
Augustinus Bader #3
Augustinus Bader The Cream
- Quality Rating: 8.7/10
- Expert Rating: 8.8/10
- Users Rating: 8.5/10
This is a brand backed by 30 years of research by Augustinus Bader, a biomedical scientist. The Cream offers two formulas – one for normal to oily skin, and one for dry skin and is a light, refreshing, deeply hydrating daily moisturiser that supports skin renewal and dramatically improves the skin’s appearance.
Our researchers praised this clinically proven cream by its hero ingredient TFC8, an exclusive patented technology comprised of over 40 ingredients and inspired by over 30 years of research, innovation and clinical study. TFC8 guides key nutrients and powerful natural ingredients to the skin, turns potent base formulations into smarter, adaptive skincare capable of addressing individualised concerns, and nourishes and protects, training the skin for the long term.
Due to the high price point of this product starting at ￡69 for 15ml, our panel had high expectations – to which they didn’t fail! Our panel had almost the same comments about the moisturiser spreading easily and lightly which makes applying makeup easy. They also noticed an immediate difference in the skin with just one use. The only drawback for this product is that it is a luxury product and priced like one too.
Pros
- Augustinus Bader is known for their clinically proven products.
- Contains patented TFC8® technology, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C.
- Testers felt it Deeply hydrates the skin
- Subscription available.
- Offers free delivery worldwide and a 30-day return policy.
Cons
- Very Expensive
- Some reviews show that this product has caused drying instead of hydration.
The Final Word
Professor Augustinus Bader is a globally recognised biomedical scientist and physician and one of the foremost experts in his field. He has developed technologies that activate and harness the human body’s capacity to heal, with a focus on the reawakening of the skin that becomes dormant due to ageing or trauma. This brand is regarded as one of the best, safest, and most convenient brands to try as they offer free shipping worldwide with a 30-day return policy. Their formulas are supported and verified by extensive research and clinical studies. The only thing that will hold you back from purchasing is that with a plethora of studies and great reviews, comes a high price point.
IT Cosmetics #4
IT Cosmetics Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep Night Cream
- Quality Rating: 8.1/10
- Expert Rating: 8.0/10
- Users Rating: 8.0/10
The Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep Night Cream uses MemoryBounce Technology which incorporates ceramides, adenosine, and hyaluronic acid, which is a noteworthy feature. It is designed to retain moisture, improve elasticity, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles by reinforcing the skin barrier. This cream is the result of the collaborative efforts of plastic surgeons and dermatologists who used their knowledge to create problem-solving, skin-loving formulas that deliver visible results.
Our testing revealed mixed results for this cream despite its Proprietary Rest & Restore Technology that aims to improve signs of ageing skin. We found that some users saw little to no improvement on deeper lines even after using it for 2 weeks. Our panel also found the strong lavender fragrance to be problematic for night creams and sensitive skin, and we always recommend avoiding fragrances when possible to prevent skin irritation. In addition, some testers reported clogged pores, despite the product being non-comedogenic, so it may not be suitable for those with acne-prone or oily skin types.
Pros
- Contains Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, and Adenosine.
- Non-comedogenic
- Before and after testimonials on their website.
- Cruelty-free formula.
- Subscription available.
- Offers a 60-day return policy.
Cons
- Uses fragrance which caused irritation for a few testers
- Non-vegan formula.
The Final Word
Skinceuticals #5
Skinceuticals Renew Overnight Dry
- Quality Rating: 8.1/10
- Expert Rating: 7.9/10
- Users Rating: 7.5/10
SkinCeuticals’ Renew Overnight Dry is a nighttime skin-refining face moisturiser enhanced with a hydroxy acid blend for gentle exfoliation and hydration that works best with dry and normal skin types. This night cream is formulated with potent active ingredients such as a mixed 10% hydroxy acid blend of naturally derived acids such as malic, lactic, tartaric, citric, and glycolic that help removes dead skin through gentle exfoliation. It also contains botanical extracts which are nutrient-rich such as aloe, chamomile, and rose oil which helps soothe and nourish dry skin.
Our panel with dry and normal skin types praised the hydrating element of this cream that has helped reduce the appearance of minimal fine lines and wrinkles and provided a radiant complexion. However, due to the lack of anti-ageing active ingredients such as Retinol and Peptides, this cream didn’t reduce the deep lines and wrinkles of our testers with mature skin. A few testers felt like their pores were clogged which caused skin blemishes so we would recommend avoiding it if you have large pores or oily skin.
If you need something more powerful to get rid of those lines, we would recommend looking for another product as SkinCeuticals offer a wide range of products for your specific skin concerns.
Pros
- SkinCeuticals is well known for its advanced skincare backed by science.
- Contains Mixed hydroxy acid blend and Botanical Extracts.
- Gently exfoliates and boosts hydration of the skin.
- Clinically proven tested formula with positive reviews and recommendations online.
- Fragrance-free.
- Readily available across online & in-store retailers
Cons
- A few testers experienced clogged pores and blemishes
- Not designed for mature/ageing skin
- Uses parabens.
- Not a cruelty-free formula.
- Only offers a 28-day return policy.
The Final Word
Honourable Mentions
Paula’s Choice Peptide Booster
The Ordinary “Buffet”
Neocutis Bio Cream Firm
NeoStrata Cellular Restoration
SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex
Final Thoughts
From reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to protective hydration levels by locking in moisture to the promise of nourishing effects, and to improving skin elasticity and tightening the skin; face creams can be full of popular and proven ingredients that hold beneficial skin properties when it comes to anti-ageing.
There are many advantages of using night creams in your daily skincare routine, but it can be quite challenging to find the right product with a plethora of options on the market.
After putting a multitude of brands up against our 10-point ranking system that takes into account the science, packaging, marketing and consumer experience, it is clear that Habitual Skin’s Face & Neck Night Cream is the best on the market.
Citations
Global periorbital skin rejuvenation by a topical eye cream containing low molecular weight heparan sulfate (LMW‐HS) and a blend of naturally derived extracts.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6850077/
Topical vitamins, minerals and botanical ingredients as modulators of environmental and chronological skin damage.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1365-2133.2003.05540.x
Systemic and topical drugs for aging skin.
https://europepmc.org/article/med/12884471