Right now, at age 25, my skin looks pretty good. I try to take really good care of it, and I get a few preventative treatments here and there (perks of being a beauty editor), but for the most part, I know I don't have to mess with it too much. I'd love for my skin to look like this forever, but I also welcome aging. The older you get, the wiser you get, and there's nothing to be scared of when it comes to aging gracefully!
If you're in your 20s like me, it might seem a bit early to start paying attention to heavy-duty skincare products. "In our 20s is when we may start to see some early signs of aging such as fine lines and hyperpigmentation," says Jenny Liu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Minneapolis. "In our late 20s, skin starts to make less collagen and hyaluronic acid."
One of the best ways to begin taking better care of your skin is to start using a night cream. "Night cream in the 20s can include ingredients such as retinol that helps to repair sun-exposed skin, clogged pores, and acne-prone skin," says Cheryl Burgess, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Center for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery in Washington, DC. Burgess recommends looking for a thicker cream that can help repair the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss.
Other key ingredients to search for in a night cream are vitamin C, ceramides, fatty acids, peptides, niacinamide, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. And don't just stop at night cream. Purvisha Patel, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare, says you should consider layering a retinol underneath and make sure to wear sunscreen every morning to prevent sun damage.
Below, I've rounded up the best night creams for people in their 20s. These creams will help your skin retain its volume and moisture while you sleep.
"For oily to combination skin, I recommend The Inkey List Omega Water Cream, which is a great gel-cream that's hydrating but fast absorbing, non-sticky, and oil-free," says Liu.
This year is all about barrier repair, and this bouncy gel moisturizer from OleHenriksen is no exception. Packed with amino acid, peptides, ceramides, and collagen, it strengthens your skin barrier while leaving skin impossibly smooth.
If you'd like a richer cream, Liu recommends this moisturizer. It's infused with omega fatty acids and hyaluronic acid to plump skin and help repair the skin's barrier.
Somehow, this moisturizer is thick and emollient without feeling heavy at all on the skin. Take it from me—I've gone through two jars of this cream. I love it so much. Japanese purple rice acts as an antioxidant to protect skin, and algae and hyaluronic acid prevent moisture loss.
In this potent night cream, fermented tea and green coffee extract work to fight free radical damage and slough off dead skin cells. It also helps smooth your skin's texture.
When I test-drove some of SkinCeuticals' hero products, this moisturizer came out on top for me. Hydroxy acid helps refine and exfoliate the skin, while botanical extracts help nourish dry skin.
If you struggle with redness and enlarged pores, this night mask is a major game changer. Ten percent niacinamide works to refine skin's texture and calm inflammation.
Patel says this moisturizer is a great choice for a boost of vitamin C and peptides.
If you're a skincare minimalist, this cream is for you. Tatcha combines a serum and a moisturizer with this innovative product, and the result is a plumping, calming cream that give skin a dreamy glow.
You might not be able to go to a French pharmacy for your skincare, but you can use this night cream, which is pretty damn close. It's ultra-soothing and hydrating.
This is another face cream that I will always come back to. It does such a good job at moisturizing and repairing skin thanks to ceramides and a blend of nourishing oils.
Squalane, vitamin E, and algae are blended together in this rich cream to provide deep hydration.
"Visha Skincare Rejuvenating Moisturizer has unicorn-root extract to help with collagen and estrogen loss," says Patel.
Talk about a multitasking product. This night cream reduces discoloration, firms and hydrates skin, adds radiance, and works to smooth fine lines.
Your night cream doesn't have to be complicated. This pick from CeraVe soothes, hydrates, and plumps skin while you sleep.
Glycolic acid, viniferine (vine sap), and papaya enzymes work together to brighten skin.
This cream is always on lists of top night creams, and for good reason. It's packed with lipids such as ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to nourish skin.
Colloidal oatmeal makes this rich night cream so soothing.
This Kiehl's night mask is really gentle, so it is a good pick for even the most sensitive skin. It imparts tons of moisture.
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