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I never go to sleep without applying a night cream. Dermatologists agree that it's a crucial step in your skincare routine. "Night is the best time to treat skin and repair concerns such as water loss, skin aging and dark spots," says Howard Sobel, M.D., clinical attending dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City and founder of Sobel Skin. "This uninterrupted state is the optimum time for ‘rest and repair’ since you don’t have to protect skin against daily assaults such as UV damage, blue light exposure and pollutants, and skin is free of makeup and other pore-clogging residue that disrupts the repair process."
Night creams are now made with specific ingredients and formulas to address the needs all different skin types, from dry to oily to anti-aging concerns like wrinkles and hyperpigmentation (more on that below). But they don't all live up to their claims. To find out which night creams really work, Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists test their efficacy both in the Lab using technical instruments that can measure skin hydration and changes in wrinkles and dark spots, as well as on consumers at home, who evaluate them on ease of use and cosmetic factors.
In the GH Beauty Lab's night cream tests, our scientists tallied 26,552 skin measurements and consumer feedback data points total to identify the best formulas on the market, from luxury splurges to bargain drugstore buys.
Pros
Top performer in Lab tests
Firmed skin by 27%
Makes skin look brighter and feel softer
Cons
A few users noted it took time to absorb
The winner of the GH Beauty Lab's most recent night cream test, Olay's light formula featuring gold-standard anti-aging ingredients retinol, niacinamide and peptides outperformed the rest at making skin look brighter and feel softer. It increased skin firmness by 27% according to measurements with the Lab’s Cutometer device, which measures skin laxity.
Testers said: This cream was a tester favorite, with an impressive 100% of users agreeing it made skin feel softer, although a handful said it didn't soak in quickly. “This seemed to work as well as my prescription retinoid,” a tester marveled. “My face was firmer and smoother when I woke up each morning,” a second said.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Line
Key Ingredients | Retinol, niacinamide, peptides |
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Main Benefits | Firming, brightening, softening |
Best For | Aging skin |
Size | 1.7 oz. |
2
Best Value
Roc Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Anti-Aging Crème
Pros
Reduces wrinkles, including on the eye area
Minimizes dark spots and boosts radiance
Can be used night and day
Affordably-priced
Cons
Could irritate sensitive skin
This retinol-packed drugstore cream from Roc, a GH Beauty Award winner, is perfect for overnight use, even around the eye area. It made skin look 32% smoother and more radiant after just one week of use — after four weeks, users reported fewer fine lines and eye wrinkles, and after eight weeks, lessened deep wrinkles and dark spots.
GH Beauty Lab note: Some users reported reactions to the product, so GH Beauty Lab pros suggest using it every other night to start to mitigate any irritation.
Key Ingredients | Retinol, hyaluronic acid, caffeine |
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Main Benefits | Line smoothing, brightening |
Best For | Dull, aging skin |
Size | 1.7 oz. |
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3
Best Anti-Aging
No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Cream
Pros
Contains cutting edge anti-aging ingredients
Effectively moisturizes skin
Smooths wrinkles
Cons
Scent could be polarizing
Counteract skin damage as you sleep with the next-level No7 anti-aging night cream, a GH Beauty Award winner that's ideal for mature skin. It contains rare peptides found through advanced screening to have better penetration and efficacy. GH Beauty Lab scientists praised the robust research behind the formula: It raised hydration 85% in eight hours and reduced lines over time.
Expert says: "The cream is light and silky, allowing you to go straight to bed without waiting for it to absorb," reports GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann. "My skin was plump and bouncier with no dryness and my wrinkles looked softer after two weeks of use." Though she found the scent "comforting and relaxing," some may find it lingers too long.
Key Ingredients | Peptides, niacinamide, vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid |
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Main Benefits | Line smoothing, hydrating |
Best For | Mature, aging and dry skin |
Size | 1.69 oz. |
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4
Best for Hyperpigmentation
Avon Anew Ultimate Multi-Performance Night Cream
Pros
Reduced dark spots by 12% in Lab imaging tests
Raised skin firmness 39% and moisturization 46% in Lab measurements
Luxurious formula
Cons
Some testers didn't like the powerful scent
Avon's night cream proved to be one of the best products the GH Beauty Lab has ever tested for minimizing stubborn hyperpigmentation. In Lab tests with the Visia Complexion Analyzer, it reduced the look of dark spots by 12% after four weeks of use. And that's not all: The formula was also impressive at increasing skin firmness (by 39%) and hydration (by 46%) in Cutometer and Corneometer measurements, respectively.
Testers said: Although some users didn't like the "strong perfume scent," overall they liked the "thick," "luxe" feel of the cream. "It really diminished the look of age spots and kept skin well moisturized at night," a tester raved. Another commented that it "tightened and brightened" skin.
RELATED: Best Dark Spot Correctors
Key Ingredients | Glycolic acid, peptides |
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Main Benefits | Minimizing dark spots, firming, hydrating |
Best for | Hyperpigmentation, aging and dry skin |
Size | 1.7 oz. |
Pros
Increased skin hydration levels by 37% and firmness by 29% in Lab testing
Non-irritating
Cons
Not as strong wrinkle reduction
Smooth on this "creamy" Clarins formula to wake up to more hydrated skin. In GH Beauty Lab Corneometer testing, it raised skin moisture levels by 37% over six hours, one of the highest measurements in the Lab's most recent test. Though it didn't perform as well at reducing wrinkles, the night cream upped skin firmness by 29% over four weeks in Lab Cutometer readings. It also ranked at the top among users for not causing redness or irritation.
Testers said: "It made my skin so soft and hydrated that I stopped using my daytime product," a tester noted. Another said: "Family and friends told me I looked younger and more rested and wanted to know what I was doing differently."
RELATED: 13 Best Face Moisturizers for Dry Skin, According to Testing
Key Ingredients | Glycerin, vitamin E, plant extracts |
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Main Benefits | Moisturizing, firming |
Best For | Dry and sensitive skin |
Size | 1.6 oz. |
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6
Best for Glowing Skin
Dior Capture Totale Intensive Restorative Night Crème
Pros
Highest score for brightening skin
Raised skin hydration 35% and firmness 33% in Lab tests
Reduced wrinkles by 7%
Cons
Expensive
Counteract dull skin and much more with this indulgent Dior night cream, made with exotic plant extracts. Although it's a splurge, it excelled in GH Beauty Lab testing at brightening, hydrating, smoothing and firming. In calculations with the Corneometer and Cutometer, respectively, it boosted skin moisturization by 35% in six hours and firmness by 33% in four weeks of use. Visia Complexion Analyzer measures found it reduced wrinkles by 7% in the same time period.
Testers said: Consumer testers gave it the best score for brightening skin and improving tone. "After a week or so, I noticed my skin seemed brighter when I looked in the mirror in the morning," one marveled. Another agreed: "In the morning, my skin looked much more radiant and plump, like baby skin."
Key Ingredients | Glycerin, vitamin E, plant butters and extracts |
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Main Benefits | Brightening, hydrating, firming |
Best For | Dull skin, uneven tone |
Size | 2 oz. |
Pros
Measurably smoothed skin texture
Increased firmness by 28% in Lab testing
Soaks in fast
Cons
Not as moisturizing as other night creams tested
SkinBetter Science's night treatment, a GH Beauty Award-winner, is supercharged with age-fighting actives including retinol, glycolic and lactic acids, and peptides to smooth skin's surface. GH Beauty Lab testing with the Cutometer machine showed that it increased skin firmness by 28% in four weeks. It also earned the top score for smoothing texture in Visia Complexion Analyzer measurements, however it was not very hydrating compared to other formulas.
Testers said: They gave the formula high marks for absorbing quickly. Two testers reported that their "fine lines were diminished." Another echoed that it "minimized some fine forehead lines."
Key Ingredients | Retinol, glycolic and lactic acids, peptides |
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Main Benefits | Firming, smoothing |
Best For | Aging skin |
Size | 1 oz. |
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8
Best for Oily Skin
Mary Kay TimeWise Nighttime Recovery
Pros
Oil-free, lightweight gel
Doesn't clog pores or irritate skin
Reduces wrinkles
Cons
May not be moisturizing enough for dry skin types
An oil-free, gel-like formula infused with soothing chamomile and antioxidants makes GH Seal Star Mary Kay's night treatment the perfect match for oily skin types. GH Beauty Lab data evaluation confirmed that it is non-comedogenic (not pore-clogging) and doesn't cause skin irritation, while significantly decreasing wrinkles, including on the forehead, starting at two weeks of use.
GH Beauty Lab note: Be aware that the lightweight texture may not feel hydrating enough for those with dry skin.
RELATED: Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin
Key Ingredients | Glycerin, niacinamide, vitamin C, resveratrol, peptides |
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Main Benefits | Soothing, line-smoothing |
Best For | Oily, combination or acne-prone skin |
Size | 1 oz. |
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Pros
2-in-1 retinol treatment and night moisturizer
Contains ingredients to minimize irritation
Cons
Expensive
Malini Fowler, M.D., a dermatologist in San Antonio, Texas, recommends this Revision Skincare formula, which acts like an anti-aging retinol treatment (with a 0.25% concentration) and night cream in one. (The hefty price tag is a drawback, however.)
Expert says: "It's a true retinol that's formulated with moisturizers and antioxidants to help with irritation," Dr. Fowler explains.
Key Ingredients | Retinol, peptides, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid |
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Main Benefits | Anti-aging |
Best For | Aging skin |
Size | 1.7 oz. |
Pros
Raised skin hydration levels by 36% in Lab tests
Rich formula to nourish dry skin
Cons
May be too heavy for oily skin
This Origins mask, applied like a night cream as a last step in your skincare routine, was a winner in the GH Beauty Lab's overnight masks test. In Lab moisturization measurements with the Corneometer machine, it improved skin hydration by 36% over a course of six hours. Ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid help moisturize skin and niacinamide can improve skin discoloration and elasticity.
Expert says: "I really noticed a difference the next morning in my super dehydrated skin when I used it; it felt soothed and much softer," notes GH's beauty director, who is a personal fan of the product. The thick formula may be too heavy for oily skin, though.
RELATED: Best Overnight Face Masks
Key Ingredients | Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin |
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Main Benefits | Moisturizing, hydrating |
Best For | Normal to dry skin |
Size | 2.5 fl. oz. |
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11
Best for Sensitive Skin
Philosophy Anti-Wrinkle Miracle Worker+ Line-Correcting Overnight Cream
Pros
Deeply hydrates and effectively firms skin
Doesn't irritate or cause redness
Cons
May take time to absorb
The Philosophy formula, packed with skin-softening, nourishing hyaluronic acid, glycerin and squalane, was a GH Beauty Lab night cream test winner thanks to strong moisturization without irritation. It raised hydration by 34% over six hours, and it upped firmness by 29% in four weeks in Lab assessment.
Testers said: The cream rated best with testers for smoothing texture and being gentle on skin; it also earned high marks for firming. Almost 100% of testers said the fragrance-free formulation didn’t irritate or cause redness, however some said it didn't soak in quickly. “My skin looked better after the first night,” one remarked.
RELATED: Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin
Key Ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, squalane, glycerin |
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Main Benefits | Moisturizing, firming |
Best For | Sensitive, dry skin |
Size | 2 oz. |
12
Best for Wrinkles
No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream
Pros
Minimized wrinkles by 13% in Lab tests
Increased skin firmness 34% and hydration 32%
Fast-absorbing and not irritating
Cons
Not as strong dark spot reduction
Formulated with retinyl palmitate, a proven anti-ager, No7’s night cream diminished wrinkles by one of the highest levels ever measured in GH Beauty Lab testing. The formula reduced lines by 13% and increased firmness 34% over four weeks per measurements with the Visia Complexion Analyzer and Cutometer, respectively. It also raised skin moisturization by 32% in six hours, however it didn't perform as well at fading dark spots.
Testers said: They gave it high marks for not causing irritation, absorbing quickly and having an appealing texture that wasn't too sticky or greasy. "It made my skin look younger and supple," a user reported.
RELATED: Best Wrinkle Creams
Key Ingredients | Peptides, hyaluronic acid, retinyl palmitate |
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Main Benefits | Line-reducing, softening |
Best For | Dry, aging, sensitive skin |
Size | 1.6 oz. |
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Pros
Increased skin hydration by 43% in Lab tests
Not oily or irritating
Contains plant-derived ingredients
Cons
Botanical scent can be polarizing
A GH Beauty Lab test winner, Caudalie's cream delivered real moisturization results in evaluations — boosting skin hydration by 43% in just six hours and was best at smoothing texture. It’s formulated with plant-derived ingredients like moisturizing grapeseed oil and resveratrol, a free radical fighting antioxidant.
Testers said: Six testers commented on how “smooth” the cream felt as it went on and made their faces feel. “It moisturized my skin into the morning,” one raved. “I woke up looking refreshed,” another said. They also gave it perfect marks for not being greasy or irritating, and while many found the herbal scent "pleasant," a few said it was "off-putting."
Key Ingredients | Plant oils, resveratrol |
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Main Benefits | Moisturizing, smoothing |
Best For | Dry, combination, sensitive, aging skin |
Size | 1.6 oz. |
Pros
Top Lab performer for firming skin and evening skin tone
Increased skin firmness by 33% and hydration by 28%
Cons
Thick formula may not soak in quickly
Tighten sagging skin with Algenist’s dense balm, which contains fortifying ceramides and fatty acids. It was the strongest of all night creams evaluated at firming skin and evening out skin tone over four weeks of use, according to Lab assessments. Cutometer calculations showed that it boosted skin elasticity and firmness by 33% over four weeks, and hydration increased by 28% in six hours in Corneometer readings.
Testers said: Two users reported that it faded their dark spots, but some found the thick texture didn't absorb fast. “I could really tell a difference in my skin — it was more firm and moist 24/7,” another raved.
Key Ingredients | Ceramides, amino acids, fatty acids |
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Main Benefits | Firming, moisturizing, evening skin tone |
Best For | Dry, aging skin |
Size | 2 oz. |
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How we test night creams
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab regularly tests night creams to find the most effective formulas. The Lab evaluates night creams on how well they hydrate skin short- and long-term using a Corneometer device, which gauges skin moisture levels.
Lab scientists also measure changes in testers' skin over four weeks or more of daily use, including reduction in wrinkles and dark spots via digital imaging with the Visia Complexion Analyzer and firmness with a Cutometer machine.
In addition, consumer testers rate the night cream formulas on factors such as texture, scent, absorption and irritation, plus the look and feel of their skin after use. In the GH Beauty Lab's night cream tests, Lab experts recorded 26,552 Lab measurements and tester survey responses total.
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The GH Beauty Lab's night cream tests included the following:
- 426 consumer testers
- 5,168 consumer tester feedback survey responses
- 5,264 Cutometer skin firmness measurements
- 5,800 Corneometer hydration measurements
- 10,320 Visa Complexion Analyzer digital imaging data points
April Franzino
Beauty Director
April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day, where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.
Reviewed byDanusia Wnek
Senior Chemist
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.
Reviewed byChiara Butler
Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Reviews Analyst
Chiara (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she conducts hands-on testing of health and beauty products. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. Before joining GH in 2022, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims.