These Drugstore Night Creams Are Actually Just as Good as the Expensive Ones
There's no denying that night creams are one of the more expensive skincare products out there. Some can even set you back over £100, which some people might deem a worthy investment, and others might freak out at the number. One thing's for certain, though: A night cream is an important beauty product.
"A night cream hydrates the skin," explains board-certified dermatologist Elyse Love, MD, who practices at GlamDerm in New York City. "Nighttime moisturizers are important because we typically use drying ingredients, like retinols, at night. Night creams help restore the skin's balance so that these active ingredients don't dry out the skin."
So, yes, a night cream is an essential skincare step for most, but that doesn't mean you have to splurge on one. Luckily, there are plenty of affordable options out there. And because it's important to do your research before you buy (whether it's a drugstore or "designer" brand), I asked the experts for their tips on how to choose a night cream.
How to Choose a Night Cream
Overall, you're going to want to look at the ingredient label when you're shopping around for a night cream. "For nighttime, I like products that are corrective and restorative," says dermatologist Karen Chinonso Kagha, MD, who looks for ingredients like retinol or retinoids, antioxidants, and gentle acids.
Makeup artist and VaultBeauty app founder Courtney Summers adds that she prefers night creams with ingredients like vitamins A, C, and E; retinol; and AHA, which are perfect for anti-aging and hydration. "Nighttime is when your skin prepares and regenerates itself, so night creams tend to be a richer moisturizer with a higher concentration of anti-aging ingredients," she explains. "The key to flawless makeup is great skin, which should be attended to both day and night."
Night Creams for Specific Skin Types
Your skin type might also factor in to your night cream choices, especially if you have acne-prone or dry skin. For oily or acne-prone skin, Kagha recommends choosing a product that has chemical exfoliants and other corrective active ingredients that target acne. And you'll want to pay attention to the formula. "Acne-prone skin tends to benefit from oil-free and gel-cream formulations, especially in the summer, as these products are hydrating but light," adds Love.
If you're dealing with dry or sensitive skin, you might be better off with heavier creams, according to Love. Look for creams that have ultra-hydrating ingredients since that's probably your main skin concern.
How to Shop for a Drugstore Night Cream
It's possible to find a quality night cream at any price, Summers says, adding that she has drugstore and name brands that she uses daily. The main difference between a cheaper brand and a more expensive option is that the latter might include more good-for-the-skin ingredients. "Typically, more expensive night creams also contain active ingredients such as retinoid and/or AHA in addition to moisturising ingredients," Love says.
When going down the drugstore aisle, Kagha says to pay attention to what your particular skin needs are. "Always check the active ingredients to see what the product is targeting," she explains. "Avoid products with fragrance or other potential allergens, especially for sensitive skin."
Drugstore Night Creams to Try
Ready to shop for drugstore night creams? See below for some of our editors' and the experts' favorites.
Lisa Franklin's award-winning skincare line includes this moisturising cream, which hydrates, repairs and protects the skin from ageing. One of its key ingredients is peptides, which help stimulate collagen production.
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Beauty Pie's formula is equivalent to that of a £100+ moisturiser. It's packed with hydrating hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to help repair and fortify skin overnight.
"Nighttime is also a great time to apply a topical retinol or retinoid to help with cell turnover and hyperpigmentation," says Kagha. Medik8's Crystal Retinal is considered as one of the best retinals (a gentle form of retinoids) out there. Start on this lower strength and then work up to the stronger concentrations as your skin adjusts.
Love recommends La Roche-Posay's moisturiser, which she says is hydrating and soothing to sensitive skin.
Love says Neutrogena's Hydro Boost gel-cream is ideal for those with oily skin. And Kagha says it's good for drier skin types, too, as it "provides overnight hydration with its hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring component of our skin."
L'Oréal's night cream is formulated with soy seed protein to firm, even skin, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It absorbs quickly and doesn't leave a greasy finish.
No7's night creams have gained iconic status. The formula contains hydrating hyaluronic acid and a peptide complex.
Formulated for mature skin, this night cream works to reduce fine lines and dark spots and refresh dehydrated skin. It has ingredients like shea butter, peptides, ceramides, and titanium dioxide.
For smoother skin, try Vichy's night cream. It works to promote collagen production and cellular turnover. Reviewers say it absorbs quickly and doesn't leave a greasy, oily finish.
Summers also picks Cetaphil's night cream, which contains niacinamide and vitamin E to hydrate the face and strengthen the skin's moisture barrier. It's fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.
For those with sensitive skin, this night cream might be your best bet since it's allergy-tested. It's fragrance-free and contains rice extracts and aloe, leaving skin calm.
This is another pick for sensitive skin because of its gentle formula. The cream soothes, repairs free radical damage, and hydrates thanks to ingredients like thermal spring water, Neurosensine, and vitamin E.
Kagha also recommends adding a retinoid to your nighttime routine. Skin + Me offers personalised treatments from skin experts, without having to fork out on an expensive dermatologist appointment.
Up Next: Drugstore BB Creams That Will Trick Everyone Into Thinking You Have Perfect Skin.
Sarah is lifestyle writer and editor with over 10 years of experience covering health and wellness, interior design, food, beauty, and tech. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she attended New York University and lived in New York for 12 years before returning to L.A. in 2019. In addition to her work on THE/THIRTY andBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , she held editor roles at Apartment Therapy, Real Simple, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, and The Bump (sister site of The Knot). She has a passion for health and wellness, but she especially loves writing about mental health. Her self-care routine consists of five things: a good workout, “me” time on the regular, an intriguing book/podcast/playlist to unwind after a long day, naps, and decorating her home.
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