The quest for a good night's sleep seems never-ending. Whether you need nine hours or can survive on a mere five [1], there is a constant debate about how much we need to wake up feeling refreshed. For World Sleep Day (March 15) [2] we can't promise you uninterrupted slumber, but with our expert round-up of the best night creams, we can help you wake up with your best skin ever. Over the last few years night creams have had a serious update, and now there is something for every skin care concern and goal. From beating dark circles to banishing fine lines there is an overnight product to suit your needs.
Not only do these products help boost your beauty sleep, a regular nighttime routine can help us develop healthy sleeping habits by signally to your body that it's time to wind down and go to bed. Personally, we can't go to sleep without first completing our nightly skin-care regime [3], and you shouldn't either. Whether you follow a quick and effective three-step routine or a complex eight-step routine, it doesn't matter. The idea is that it gives you a few moments at the end of the day to reset, and look after yourself before you get under the sheets.
But what makes these products night-time specific? Night creams or overnight masks are moisturisers or creams formulated specifically for nightly use. This can be because they contain ingredients that are only intended for use in the evening, for example a night cream which contains retinol or exfoliating AHA's, which can be sensitive to environmental factors like UVA and UVB rays. Or they may simply be a thicker formula, meant to absorb slowly while you rest. Night creams can target a variety of skin-care concerns — dryness, discolouration, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne, and dullness — and work for all skin types, depending on the type you use.
Your skin enters repair mode while you sleep, which is why it's great to incorporate a night cream formulated to help you achieve your skin-care goals. Keep scrolling to shop the best night creams on the market.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream
If you're a fan of the pro-collagen range, but looking for something even more nourishing then Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream [5] (£110) is for you. It contains red algae to help maintain an optimum skin condition as well as sesame and avocado oils to deeply nourish the skin and make sure you wake up glowing.
Laneige Sleeping Mask
If you love the lip mask then you will adore Laneiage Sleeping Mask [6] (£32), this light texture mask is so smooth as it goes on to your skin. It is deeply moisturising, yet doesn't feel too heavy or over-powering.
Bubble Overnight Hydrating Sleep Mask
If you're looking for a night cream that feels rich and soothing, without it clogging your pores then Bubble Over Night Hydrating Sleep Mask [7] (£18) is for you. It gently exfoliates as it absorbs into the skin thanks to acid combination, and soothes with the added arnica, known for its healing properties. The pump bottle is ideal if you struggle to measure the right amount of product needed for each application.
Eve Lom Time Retreat Intensive Night Cream
While the Eve Lom Time Retreat Intensive Night Cream [8] (£72) falls on the pricer side, it's truly a treat to use. The nourishing, thick face cream diminishes any signs of irritation and dryness upon contact with the skin and leaves you glowing.
No 7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream
Infused with a specific fragrance to help you relax and unwind, No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream [9] (£24.95) contains vitamin a, c, and e, to ensure it protects and soothes skin, as well as a collagen peptide to help reduce signs of ageing.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Night Cream
The First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Night Cream [10] (£37) is deeply hydrating but still suitable for acne-prone skin. It contains colloidal oatmeal, which helps soothe irritation and leaves skin feeling comforted.
Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cocoon
The Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cocoon [11] (£89) is as dreamy as it sounds. The gel-cream texture coats your skin in a cocoon of soothing moisture while it improves dullness, fine lines, and inflammation.
Skin Proud Sleep Hero
We love the dual use of Skin Proud Sleep Hero [12] (£14.95) it can either be applied in a thick layer for 15 minutes as an intense mask or used overnight and washed off in the morning. For night use apply a thin layer and let the niacinamide balance out and even your skin tone, whilst the raspberry extract moisturises.
Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Dream Night Cream
The Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Dream Night Cream [13] (£52) feels like a burst of water on the skin. It has a superlight, whipped consistency that covers the skin in a blanket of hydration.
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Max
If you've struggled to get along with retinol serums before, due to them drying out your skin, and you don't want to add multiple steps to your night time skin regime then Olay Regenerise Retinol 24 Max [14] (£44) could be for you. This night cream contains retinol, as well as 40 percent moisturising ingredients like hyaluronic acid, to help your skin absorb the potent ingredient without causing to much harm to your skin barrier.
It Cosmetics Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep Night Cream
This It Cosmetics Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep Night Cream [15] (£50) feels bouncy as it touches your skin thanks to its pillowy texture. The lavender-tinted cream targets fine lines, wrinkles, dryness, dullness, and loss of firmness, and as a bonus, it's transfer-proof so it won't get on your pillowcase.
Cetaphil Rich Night Cream
If you're looking for a thick, rich night cream to hydrate dry or dehydrated skin then this is for you. Cetaphil Rich Night Cream [16] (£8) is ideal for those who like a thicker texture, but find other options clog up or irritate very sensitive skin.
L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Filler Night
If you're after plumped skin then this L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Filler Night [17] (£24.99) is for you. As well as hyaluronic acid, it contains glycerin and plant extract to help firm and moisturise the skin to give your skin barrier a boost come morning.
Clarins Hydra-Essential Night
You might be aware that your skin regenerates itself at night, but did you know this process peaks at 1 am? Which means you need to switch off netflix and slather yourself in Clarins Hydra-Essential Night Cream [18] (£42) even earlier! This night cream was added to its hyaluronic acid-based range last year and is designed to lock moisture into the skin. If you like the original cream for its lightweight texture you will love this.
Elf Skin Holy Hydration Nourishing Night Cream
This Elf Nourishing Night Cream [19] (£12) is packed full of moisturising jojoba and shea butter to ensure you wake up with hydrated skin come morning. Think of it as a big blanket of nourishment that's ideal for anyone that has dry or dehydrated skin.
Lauren Ezekiel [20] is an associate editor at POPSUGAR UK, where she writes about all things beauty and wellness. With a degree in journalism and 12 years' experience as a beauty editor at a leading Sunday supplement, she is obsessed with skincare, hair and makeup, and is often found offering advice to innocent bystanders. Her work has been published in Grazia, OK, Health and Beauty, The Sun, ASDA, Dare and Metro.