When it comes to achieving glowy, resilient, healthy skin, night creams are your secret weapon. These bedtime elixirs work wonders while you sleep. With skin in its most active repair phase, any active ingredients can get to work – fast. To make the most of your night cream, it's essential to look for key ingredients that offer a myriad of benefits. Here are just three to keep an eye out for when building your evening skincare routine:
Retinol
Often hailed as the gold standard of anti-ageing ingredients, retinol is a form of vitamin A that can dramatically improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while you sleep. It boosts collagen production; enhances cell turnover; and helps fade age spots, leaving you with smoother, more youthful-looking skin. Retinols are best applied at night as they can make skin UV-sensitive (it is still advised to use a broad spectrum SPF50 during the day when incorporating retinol into your skincare routine).
Hyaluronic Acid
If your skin is in need of hydration and plumping up from the inside out, hyaluronic acid is your best friend. It's a natural molecule found in the skin that has an incredible ability to hold water. Night creams containing hyaluronic acid ensure your skin remains well-hydrated overnight, reducing the appearance of dryness, fine lines, and dullness come morning.
Peptides
Peptides are small protein fragments that play a crucial role in stimulating collagen production, which declines naturally as we age. They also help to firm the skin; reduce sagging; and improve elasticity. Night creams enriched with peptides can lead to firmer, more toned skin over time.
Try incorporating a night cream with these powerhouse ingredients into your skincare routine to help your skin repair, rehydrate and renew as you sleep. Here are 13 that we rate.
By Lydia Mansi
October 2023
