The 15 Best Night Creams of 2024

Best Overall Night Cream

EltaMD PM Restore Moisturizer

$44 at Amazon $39 at Dermstore View on Eltamd.com

No matter your skin concerns, you can’t go wrong with the EltaMD PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer. This moisturizing lotion is restorative, lightweight, and fragrance-free, making it ideal for people with sensitive or uneven skin tones, though nearly everyone can reap the benefits of this nourishing formula.

This night cream is particularly great for hydrating dry skin by strengthening the skin’s moisture barrier, as well as for restoring elasticity and diminishing flakiness and inflammation. It contains fast-acting and effective ingredients like niacinamide (which helps reduce redness) and vitamin E, as well as a blend of antioxidants, peptides, and ceramides that can reduce signs of aging. Its packaging promotes hygienic use thanks to its airless pump. 

One downside of this product is that the lotion doesn’t always absorb into the skin seamlessly. Still, with a bit of massaging, it can sink into your face for impressive hydration and nourishment. There’s so much to love about this fantastic night cream—it can easily become an essential step in your evening skincare.

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hydrolyzed rice protein, thioctic acid, hyaluronic acid, linoleic acid | Formulation: Cream | Size: 1.7 ounces

Best Drugstore Night Cream

CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream

$18 at Amazon $20 at Target $12 at Walmart

This bestselling night cream from CeraVe easily earned this illustrious award for its affordable, tried-and-true formula that works to soften and hydrate skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and lock in moisture as you sleep. The formula includes peptides, ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, which freshens tired-looking skin and reduces redness. Ultimately, this is a rich, fragrance-free formula that won’t irritate your skin.

For best use, apply the cream in small dots around your face and smooth it in until totally absorbed. It won’t leave your face feeling greasy or dry, and you’ll wake up with refreshed, hydrated skin. It’s not the largest container, so you may need to repurchase it semi-frequently, but the price point makes it affordable enough to do so.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, niacinamide | Formulation: Cream | Size: 1.7 ounces

Best Splurge Night Cream

Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair

$92 at Amazon $25 at Sephora View on Tatcha.com

If you’re willing to splurge on a luxurious night cream, the Tatcha Overnight Repair Serum is an obvious pick. The serum-in-cream treatment is suitable for many skin types (normal, dry, combination, and oily) and powerfully addresses concerns like dryness, redness, and anti-aging with its nourishing, high-quality formula.

The formula consists of Japanese indigo extract to soothe irritated skin, hyaluronic acid and ceramides to add hydration and strengthen the skin barrier, and mondo grass root to create a healthy, glowing finish. All of the ingredients are cruelty-free, and as a bonus, the package is recyclable.

To get the most out of this serum-moisturizer combo, gently massage a small amount of the product onto your face (and/or your neck and decolletage) after completing your skincare routine. While we like this night cream-meets-serum for most skin types, people with oily may want to opt for another selection, as it can leave an oily feel.

Key Ingredients: Japanese indigo extract, ceramides, mondo grass root | Formulation: Serum-in-cream | Size: 1.7 ounces

Best Natural Night Cream

Three Ships Dream Night Cream

View on The Detox Market View on Credo Beauty View on Threeshipsbeauty.com

Night creams formulated with natural ingredients are ideal for sensitive skin, and this option from Three Ships is a top-notch pick. With Shorea butter, murumuru, vegan squalane, bio-retinol, and more, this cream is a gentle and hydrating plant-based formula that can nourish and soothe your skin overnight.

This hypoallergenic and fragrance-free lotion has a thick, creamy consistency that traps moisture in your skin and prevents dryness. It’s great at evening out skin tone and soothing red spots as they appear. And with the addition of retinol, this pick can also reduce signs of aging and smooth out fine lines. Using this night cream is simple—just dispense a small amount of the product from the pump and massage it on your skin after cleansing. It’s safe for use around your eyes, too, and has a reasonable price tag. 

Key Ingredients: Vegan squalane, Shorea butter | Formulation: Cream | Size: 1.8 ounces

Best Firming Night Cream

Olay Total Effects Night Firming Cream

$17 at Amazon $17 at Walmart $28 at Walgreens

If you want a night cream that firms the skin while promoting a hydrated, radiant finish, opt for the Olay Total Effects Night Firming Cream. It moisturizes and brightens skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines, dark spots, and wrinkles for a fresh, rejuvenated look.

This oil-free cream features vitamins C and E, as well as VitaNiacin Complex II, which work to refresh and nourish your skin as you sleep. In addition to firming and hydrating the skin, it reduces the look of pores and doesn’t leave them clogged. The formula is also quick-absorbing and won't leave you feeling greasy.

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide | Formulation: Cream | Size: 1.7 ounces

Best Night Cream for Oily Skin

CosRx Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Mask

$14 at Amazon View on Cosrx.com

Similar to moisturizers for oily skin, you'll want to look for a lightweight night cream that nourishes your skin without clogging pores or leaving behind a greasy residue. The Cosrx Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask is a great option—the majority of the formula is comprised of rice extract, which can absorb oil as well as reduce inflammation and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. While we like its lightweight formula, it might not be the best option for dry skin, as the formula doesn’t have the lasting moisturizing effect of a thicker cream.

A great thing about this product is that it provides decent bang for your buck. It’s a bit larger than most night creams, and comes at one of the most affordable price points on our list. Use it as the final step in your nighttime skincare routine, and you should see fast-acting results in terms of brightening, smoothing, and oil-absorption.

Key Ingredients: Rice extract | Formulation: Mask | Size: 2.02 ounces

Best Night Cream for Acne-Prone Skin

Differin Restorative Night Moisturizer

$12 at Amazon $12 at Target $16 at Walmart

If you’re more concerned about acne than aging, look for a night cream that targets blemishes and reduces the appearance of clogged pores while you sleep. The Differin Night Cream does just this, although you don’t need acne-prone skin to enjoy the formula’s impressive effects.

With hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and allantoin, this night cream adds instant hydration to your skin and can smooth texture when used regularly. Its gentle, fragrance-free formula reduces irritation and is suitable for many skin types, including sensitive, oily, and dry skin—though if you have sensitive skin, you might find the product a little too harsh.

To use this night cream, apply it to your entire face at the end of your evening skincare routine. It comes in a large container at a low cost, making it a budget-friendly option as well. 

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, allantoin, shea butter | Formulation: Cream | Size: 2.5 ounces

Best Night Cream for Dry Skin

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Night Cream

$60 at Amazon $44 at Nordstrom $44 at Target

If you suffer from extra dry skin, you need an effective night cream that locks in lasting hydration. This stellar option from First Aid Beauty is known for its gentle, nourishing formula ideal for those with notably dry skin.

This cream has a rich, smooth texture to add plenty of moisture and hydration to your skin. Its powerful formula combines ingredients like glutaline-in-tense (to increase firmness), niacinamide (to even out tone and texture), flower wax (to condition skin), and much more. While it's our top recommendation for severely dry skin, it's also great for aging skin, as it can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Apply this cream by itself or with a serum before bed, as it works overnight. On the downside, it can cause some irritation for people with acne-prone skin and is also slightly pricier than most other night creams of the same size. But if reducing dryness is your goal, this product won’t disappoint.

Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, sodium hyaluronate, glutaline-in-tense, niacinamide | Formulation: Cream | Size: 1.7 ounces

Best Night Cream for Sensitive Skin

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Night Moisturizer

$32 at Amazon $32 at Target $33 at Ulta

For those with sensitive skin, opt for a gentle night cream that hydrates without irritating, like this bestselling pick from La Roche-Posay. This night cream soothes, smoothes, and hydrates sensitive skin and allergy-prone skin. It has a light, gel-cream texture that targets dry, itchy, and irritated skin throughout the night. 

This allergy-tested night cream is fragrance-free, oil-free, and paraben-free, and the airtight packaging ensures that no outside contaminants get in. The formula doesn't include any preservatives or alcohol, which can cause irritation. Instead, it features soothing ingredients like thermal spring water, shea butter, and antioxidants (like vitamin E).

Key Ingredients: Neurosensine, vitamin E, shea butter | Formulation: Cream | Size: 1.35 ounces

Best Anti-Aging Night Cream

Fresh Lotus Antioxidant Night Moisturizer

$58 at Nordstrom $24 at Nordstrom $24 at Sephora

The Fresh Lotus Anti-Aging Night Moisturizer has a lightweight, soothing formula that targets signs of aging while combating dryness and brightening the skin. Plus, it works equally well on normal, dry, oily, or combination skin, with nourishing ingredients like super lotus, which helps strengthen the skin barrier, and peach leaf extract, which purifies and revives skin while you sleep. 

You can use this cream every evening as the last step in your nighttime skincare and wake up with hydrated, nourished skin in the morning. This cream does have a strong peach scent, and the formula can feel stickier than other night creams. Due to these factors, this might not be the best night cream for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin. But for those who want to minimize signs of aging, this cream is an excellent choice.

Key Ingredients: Super lotus, peach leaf extract, vitamin E | Formulation: Cream | Size: 1.6 ounces

Best Brightening Night Cream

Caudalie Vinoperfect Night Cream

$69 at Amazon $69 at Sephora $69 at Dermstore

Looking for a night cream that can reduce the look of dark spots and brighten your skin? Take a peek at this option from Caudalie, which targets dark spots, dullness, and uneven texture, among other skincare concerns. Its gentle formula exfoliates with papaya enzymes, while glycolic acid (AHA) refines texture, and the vine sap-derived viniferine lightens dark areas for an even skin tone.

This gluten-free, cruelty-free, and vegan night cream is ideal for people with skin issues like sunspots, melasma, or acne scars. Take note that it is a heavier cream, so if you prefer a lighter feel you may want to opt for another option. It also has a high price tag considering its small size, although its effectiveness may be worth the cost.

Key Ingredients: AHA (glycolic acid), vine sap viniferine, papaya enzymes | Formulation: Cream | Size: 1.6 ounces

Best Night Cream with Retinol

RoC Retinol Correxion Night Cream

$21 at Amazon $22 at Target View on Instacart.com

Retinol is a go-to skincare ingredient for many people dealing with pesky anti-aging concerns like wrinkles, crow’s feet, or fine lines. This product from RoC contains retinol and a mineral complex to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and firm skin overnight. 

In addition to reducing the appearance of fine wrinkles and dark circles, this night cream hydrates the skin, leading to a brighter and glowing look in users after just a few weeks of regular use. Its smooth, soft, and non-greasy formula is easy to apply and can be used daily without redness or irritation. While it's a reasonably-priced product, it's not in the biggest tube, so you may need to restock it semi-frequently. Just be careful if you have sensitive skin or are new to retinol—as with all retinol products, this cream could irritate your face if used too frequently.

Key Ingredients: Retinol, glycerin | Formulation: Cream | Size: 1 ounce

Best Night Cream for Redness

Cetaphil Redness Relieving Night Moisturizer

$12 at Amazon $12 at Target $13 at Walmart

If you struggle with reducing redness and want a night cream that can soothe inflamed skin, we recommend this soothing option from Cetaphil. The moisturizer is designed for redness-prone and sensitive skin, with effective yet gentle ingredients to nourish your face.

The Cetaphil Redness-Relieving Night Cream is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic, so it won’t irritate skin or cause clogged pores. The formula includes powerhouse ingredients like allantoin, vitamin E, licorice extract, and more that add hydration and prevent dryness from occurring overnight. This relatively rich, creamy lotion absorbs well into the skin, and the product notably boasts a low price tag, making it an affordable option.

One downside of this night cream is the pump tube, which doesn't always allow you to finish the last dollop of the product. But thanks to the cream’s budget-friendly price, you can restock it often to ensure you never run low on this effective skincare essential.

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, vitamin E | Formulation: Cream | Size: 1.7 ounces

Best Night Serum

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Face Oil

$135 at Amazon $30 at Nordstrom $30 at Sephora

If you prefer a night serum instead of (or in addition to) a traditional night cream, you'll love Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate. The product has natural ingredients, botanicals, and essential oils that hydrate and soothe skin overnight, so you can wake up with healthy, refreshed skin. 

This moisturizing face oil is suitable for normal, dry, combination, or oily skin types, and the lightweight formula absorbs into the skin before bed, leaving it smooth and supple. The oil formula can also address signs of aging, reducing fine lines and dark spots while improving firmness, elasticity, and texture. The formula includes lavender essential oil and evening primrose oil, which can improve your skin’s radiance, according to the brand.

This is a small bottle with a high price tag, and the botanicals give it a floral scent that might not be suitable for sensitive skin or users with fragrance aversions. But all in all, this is a worthwhile serum that delivers impressive results for many skin types.

Key Ingredients: Botanical oil blend | Formulation: Oil | Size: 1 ounce

Best Night Mask

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment

$39 at Amazon $55 at Walmart $21 at Sephora

If you want a sumptuous self-care product more than a traditional night cream, opt for an overnight mask like the Glow Recipe Watermelon AHA Night Treatment. The watermelon-scented overnight mask seals in your evening skincare routine, absorbing into your skin so you can wake up with a smooth, hydrated face.

The powerful, vegan formula includes an AHA exfoliation complex that helps gently replenish skin, hyaluronic acid for added brightness and long-lasting hydration, niacinamide to tighten pores and reduce discoloration, and quinoa peptides for added firmness. After a few weeks of regular use, your skin should feel substantially bouncier, smoother, and more glowy than before, according to the brand.

While we like the formula's tacky feel, not every user will love the slightly sticky texture of this mask. The fragrant watermelon scent may not be suitable for sensitive skin, either. That said, the mask contains many tried-and-true ingredients that can give you refreshed, plump skin. 

Key Ingredients: Glycolic and lactic acid complex, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, watermelon enzymes | Formulation: Mask | Size: 2 ounces