Which is better night cream or moisturizer?

Author: Sally Hane  |  Last update: Friday, October 31, 2025

Day cream or daily moisturizer is vital to keep your skin looking in perfect condition before you apply makeup, whilst a night cream helps nourish and rejuvenate your skin overnight. Discover the difference between day cream & night cream so you can get the best instant and long-term results for your skin.

Should I use moisturizer or night cream?

Yes, you should use both a night cream and a moisturizer in your skincare routine! Night creams are usually formulated to be heavier and more nourishing than a regular moisturizer, which makes them ideal for deeply hydrating the skin while you sle...

What comes first moisturizer or night cream?

“Generally, you want to go lightest to heaviest,” Dr. Williams says. “If you're using a really fine, light lotion, start there. “Then, you follow with your cream, and then a serum, if you're using one.”

Can I skip moisturizer and use night cream?

Yes, it is generally okay to skip using a night cream and just apply a normal moisturizer before going to sleep. The most important thing is to make sure that your skin is adequately moisturized and hydrated, regardless of whether you use a specialized night cream or a regular moisturizer.

Can I replace moisturizer with night cream?

day and night creams are moisturizers, just rebranded by companies to make you buy more products. in general, night creams will be a bit thicker/heavier, which is better for nightime usage! You can switch them around whenever you like (day cream at night for example) and you don't need to use a separate moisturizer.

Dermatologist Explains: THREE Tips to Optimize Your Bedtime Skincare Routine!

Who is No. 1 moisturizer?

  • NIVEA Soft Light Moisturizer, 300 ml, for Face, Hand & Body, Non-Greasy Cream with Vitamin E & Jojoba Oil for Instant Hydration. ...
  • LAKMÉ Absolute Perfect Radiance Brightening Day Cream 50 g, SPF 30, Daily Illuminating Face Moisturizer for Glowing Skin - With Glycerin & Niacinamide.

Should you use night cream every night?

Can I use night cream every day? Yes, incorporating night cream into your daily skincare routine is crucial for optimal results. Nightly application supports the skin's natural repair processes, maximising the benefits of the cream. Consistency is key to achieving and maintaining healthy, nourished skin.

What is the best nighttime moisturizer?

14 Best Night Creams for All Skin Types, According to Our Testing
  • Best Overall. Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Moisturizer. Read more.
  • Best Value. Roc Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Anti-Aging Crème. Read more.
  • Best Anti-Aging. No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Cream. Read more.

What are the disadvantages of moisturizer?

He suggests that when you use moisturiser every day, you run the risk of making your skin older, not younger. He states, “If you apply a lot of moisture, your skin will become sensitive, dry, dull, and interfere with its own natural hydration functions.”

Is it good to moisturize your face before bed?

Moisturizing your face at night helps to hydrate your face and promotes healthier and more radiant skin, says Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. If you've ever wondered why certain moisturizers are labeled for use at night, there's some science behind that, too.

What is the best time to apply night cream?

While we sleep, our skin goes into repair mode, making it the perfect time to apply a night cream to enhance this natural process.

Which is better, toner or serum?

Toners will help to balance and hydrate the skin, but they aren't concentrated enough to provide benefits beyond the surface. They help to refresh and hydrate the top layer of your skin, but they aren't delivering any benefits that meaningfully change your skin's health from within. Serums are the exact opposite.

What to put on face overnight?

Hydrate with a nourishing moisturizer: To achieve a glowing complexion, moisturizing is essential. Choose a hydrating moisturizer that suits your skin type and contains nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, or aloe vera. Apply it to your face and neck, massaging it gently until fully absorbed.

Is it better to use moisturizer or cream?

Each product serves a different purpose and provides unique benefits to the skin. For example, a lightweight moisturizer can help to hydrate the skin, while a cream can provide intense hydration and nourishment. A face oil can help to seal in moisture and provide additional nourishment to the skin.

Is vaseline a moisturizer?

Vaseline is an occlusive moisturizer, meaning that it seals moisture into the skin. To boost moisturization, people should apply the product to slightly damp skin. People can use Vaseline alone or in combination with other moisturizers and skin care products.

Why is my skin better without moisturizer?

Natural exfoliation and cell turnover

Moisturising prevents the skin's natural exfoliation by smoothing the skin cells and stopping them from sloughing off. So by stopping moisturising, this actually stimulates cell turnover and encourages natural desquamation (that's the shedding of the outer layers of the skin).

Why do dermatologists say not to use moisturizer?

Dr. Zein Obagi, a Beverly Hills-based dermatologist and founder of ZO Skin Health, says that using moisturizer could actually be detrimental to skin. “When you use moisturizer every day, you run the risk of making your skin older, not younger,” he said to Refinery29.

What is the best face moisturizer?

Some of the best brands include:
  • CeraVe: Known for their gentle, dermatologist recommended moisturizers.
  • La Roche-Posay: Offers a wide range of affordable skincare products, including non-comedogenic moisturizers.
  • Kiehl's: Known for their effective, high end skincare products.

Is Vaseline good for your face?

The frequently asked question has a simple answer: Yes! Vaseline® products, including Vaseline® Original Healing Jelly, are absolutely safe for your skin. The Vaseline® Jelly is non-comedogenic, which means it does not block or clog your pores.

Can I use moisturizer and night cream together?

“Maintaining a high water content in the skin is key for healing and maintaining healthy skin. If you are using the right moisturizer, it should be your last step because nothing is going to get through it.” If your skin is on the dry side, you may want to add a face oil before applying your night cream.

Is Olay Night cream a moisturizer?

Its just a great moisturizer.

What is the difference between night cream and night moisturizer?

Night creams are meant for nighttime usage only. These are rich in texture and help to repair and regenerate your skin while you are asleep. Moisturizers are thick in nature and can be used at any time. It deeply hydrates your skin, keeping dryness at bay.

Should you wash off night cream in the morning?

It helps prep your skin for morning skincare essentials (like your sunscreen) and removes any leftover product from the night before. If you include slugging in your evening skincare routine, a morning cleanse is a must.

What is the best moisturizer for aging skin?

SkinCeuticals' Triple Lipid Restore is our top pick because it absorbs well and promises deep hydration while providing skin a youthful glow. Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream is a close second because it can moisturize and plump skin intensely. Aging is a beautiful thing, but change isn't always easy.

Do you really need moisturizer at night?

Do you feel a moisturizer is an unnecessary step in your night routine? Trust us, it's critical. While you sleep, your skin naturally loses moisture, leading to a dull, rough, and dry appearance, so applying an extra effort or reinforcing the humidity before going to bed is key. Don't even consider skipping it!

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