Photo: Carlos Teixeira
No matter the season, night cream is the hard-working essential our skin needs, and one of the best ways to seal in moisture, hydrate and restore skin with minimal effort.
We are often told about the importance of maintaining a healthy skin barrier with the use of topical products, so some may question why we need to use different creams from day to night. Professor Gaby Badre MD PhD, associate professor neuroscientist and medical doctor and advisor for This Works, explains our contrasting skin needs and the importance of keeping up with our skin’s natural nightly rhythms.
How does night cream differ from day cream?
“During the day our skin acts as a shield against environmental aggressors, and it is during this time that there is the highest skin barrier protection, thickness and sebum production,” explains Professor Badre. “Conversely, evenings and nights are the time for intense cleansing and regeneration, so it is during this time that you experience the highest DNA repair and cell proliferation.” As skin barrier function is at its very lowest during this time, it is important to protect it as much as possible.
What protection does night cream offer?
“The skin is a barrier defending the body against microorganisms and environmental factors, many with widely diurnal variations (pollutants, light, solar ultraviolet radiation, humidity, temperature),” shares Professor Badre.
As moisture loss is typically higher during the night than day, a moisturizer with high ceramides, like the Medik8 Advanced Night Restore, is ideal. Daniel Isaacs, director of research for Medik8 shares: “skin-supporting ceramides that are carefully optimized into a ratio with other skin lipids to help deeply restore the skin’s barrier. This boosts the skin’s natural protection against aging, whilst visibly firming and nourishing the complexion.”
To help you find the best night cream, three skincare experts share their favorites to help you wake up glowing.
Best for sluggish skin: This Works Deep Sleep Overnight Cream
Infused with therapeutic botanical ingredients, the lavender scent will sooth the senses while hardworking ceramides protect skin against dryness and moisture loss.
Best for dry skin: Medik8 Advanced Night Restore
“As so much repair happens during the night, it is exceptionally important that our skin cells are protected and supported during this time of work. A key role of Advanced Night Restore within your skincare regime is to recuperate the skin after a long day of exposure to the environment,” shares Daniel Isaacs, director of research for Medik8.
Best for skin mature skin: No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream
“I recommend looking for a moisturizer that’s rich in antioxidants to seal in moisture and protect the skin’s barrier,” says Dr Mike Bell, head of science research at No7. This nourishing night cream may just about have it all, scientifically proven to provide 24-hour moisturization, each jar is infused with an exceptional pre-sleep fragrance to help you drift off with ease.
Best for normal skin: Liz Earle Superskin Nourishing Night Cream
Powered by smoothing pomegranate flower and restorative buriti fruit, rosehip and cranberry seed oils, this botanical blend helps rehydrate and nourish skin locking in moisture overnight. “The amount you apply is totally dependent on your skin type, but I use a twenty pence piece size and build up layers from there until my skin feels hydrated,” recommends Sarah Carr, Liz Earle ambassador and facialist.
Best for dull skin: Lumene Nordic C [Valo] Overnight Bright Sleeping Cream
“This revitalizing cream works to boost radiance and support the skin’s nightly renewal process, for a softer, dewy and brighter-looking complexion. It’s packed with our iconic antioxidant-rich Arctic cloudberry seed oil – plus, vitamins A, B3, C and E and Hyaluronic acid help to restore skin’s radiance,” says Kristofer Vänttinen R&D Manager at Lumene.
Best for skin repair: Olivanna Intense Repair Night Cream
“I chose omega-rich seed oils, ceramides and hydrating hyaluronic acid, glycerin and squalene to feature in our Intense Repair Night Cream formulation. It works hard to strengthen the skin barrier and boost your moisture levels, so you can wake up with a plump and supple complexion,” shares Founder Janine Summers, founder of Olivanna.
Best for dehydrated skin: Paula’s Choice Calm Rescue & Repair Intensive Moisturiser
“A nighttime moisturizer that helps target a wide array of concerns, clinically proven to improve skin’s barrier and hydrate the skin for 24 hours. With ingredients such as Northern truffle, which instantly soothes irritated skin whilst suppressing skin reddening; Glycogen, a humectant that helps maintain the skin’s barrier-strengthening ceramides, and Hexapeptide-8, a skin-restoring ingredient that helps target signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles,” shares Heather Wish, education manager at Paula’s Choice. “A unique mix of antioxidants, smoothing emollients and skin-replenishing ingredients leaves a supple, radiant finish. Gentle enough even for skin prone to rosacea.”
Best for maturing skin: Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Multi-Intensive Night Cream
A deeply soothing cream containing retinal (which is 10 times more active than retinol), pure hyaluronic acid, Haritaki extract (also known as Chebula) and niacinamide to act on the cause of aging and the signs of skin aging.
Best for fatigued skin: Meder Circa Night
Lack of sleep attacks skin health as well as its appearance. Circa-Night Cream helps the skin overcome the negative effects of stress and sleep deprivation. The active ingredients of Circa-Night Cream epigenetically affect the skin cells aligning cell metabolism with healthy circadian rhythms and preventing stress and ageing
Best for replenishing skin: Olehenriksen Dewtopia 5% Acid Firming Night Crème
“Knowing skin texture, such as wrinkles and fine lines, are at the forefront of consumers’ skincare concerns, the clinicals on my Dewtopia 5% acid Firming Night Crème show a 30% improvement in skins firmness in just seven nights,” says Ole Henriksen, founder of Olehenriksen.
Best for skin-cell turnover: StriVectin’s Advanced Retinol Nightly Renewal Moisturizer
“Clinically proven to deliver the transformative benefits of Retinaldehyde without irritation or a visit to the dermatologist. Retinaldehyde is the most potent retinoid available without a prescription but it’s also extremely fragile,” says Jennifer Masci, director of product development at StriVectin. “Our unique Microsponge delivery system preserves the integrity of Retinaldehyde in porous microspheres that slowly release into skin for maximum impact. We also use a state-of-the-art manufacturing process that bottles every formula in a light and oxygen-free environment to preserve potency.”
Originally published on Vogue.co.uk
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