13 Best Night Creams & Moisturisers to Buy in 2024
According to Adore Beauty’s Senior Beauty Editor, this skincare buy is crucial for keeping skin “smooth and supple”.
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Turns out your beauty sleep isn’t just about hitting those 7-9 hours of snoozing – it also means having a stellar skincare routine to wake up feeling and looking better than when your head hit the pillow.
But how’s a night cream different to the regular ol’ moisturiser you slap on in the morning?
It all comes to the ingredients – your nightly skincare routine is the time for you to really maximise those repairing and restoring creams.
It’s an important step that shouldn’t be forgotten, because when we sleep, our skin cells are in regeneration mode.
According to Sadaf Razi, Adore Beauty’s Senior Beauty Editor, “a good night cream can help with addressing dullness, dryness but also fine lines and wrinkles as well as smoother skin.”
Whether you’ve got dry skin, oily skin or something in between, this is our roundup of the best night creams, including real reviews from other members of the news.com.au checkout team.
One of our favourites? The RoC Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Anti-Aging Face Moisturiser contains a powerhouse blend of retinol, glycerin and hyaluronic acid, and has been named a “holy grail” favourite to many.
OUR TOP PICKS
EDITOR’S PICKS: BEST NIGHT CREAM FOR ALL SKIN TYPES
Ole Henriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturiser, $72 at Adore Beauty
Ole Henriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturiser
Why we love it: It works hard to strengthen your skin barrier and feels super luxe to apply.
What to consider: Some may not like the fragrance.
Formulation: Cream
Skin Type: All skin types
Size: 50mL
Tried and Tested by Philippa Tonkin, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
I honestly don’t know why I’ve never tried this best-selling moisturiser before but now that I have, I’m never going back. It’s been out for a couple of years now and since its release, it has developed a cult following. I can definitely see why.
Texture-wise, it’s almost a blend between a balm and a cream that easily melts into the skin like nothing else I’ve used before. It’s rich but doesn’t feel too heavy or like it’s clogging up my skin either. I also love that in the morning when I wash my face, I can actually feel it there coming off. So many other night creams are usually fully gone by the morning.
In terms of the moisturiser itself, it’s packed with some pretty hard-hitting ingredients. Think peptides, ceramides, collagen, hyaluronic acid, pretty much everything you need to keep your skin happy and healthy. I’ve noticed a difference in terms of my skin barrier too. It feels a lot more nourished and calm which I definitely need after going a little too hard on the actives.
One thing to note is that I did notice a tiny bit of tingling around my nose where I’ve got some dry, sensitive skin at the moment but it wasn’t painful and there was no rash or redness the following morning. Also, I know some people absolutely love the scent. For me, I could take it or leave it. It didn’t make a difference to how much I loved the moisturiser though so don’t let it deter you if you don’t usually love a strong smell in your skincare. Overall, it left my skin feeling plump, bouncy and hydrated. What more could you ask for?
Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
I couldn’t tell you how many tubs of this stuff I’ve gone through – the Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturiser is my favourite face cream of all time.
The formulation is packed with peptides, ceramides, amino acids, hyaluronic acid, panthenol and niacinamide – and let me tell you, I’ve used this when my skin barrier has been looking a little worse for wear, and it has genuinely saved my skin.
This genius face cream leaves my skin feeling soft, supple, plump and totally radiant.
I’m also obsessed with the scent and the formula – it applies super luxe onto the skin and absorbs super easily.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Anti-Aging Face Moisturiser, $61 at iHerb
Why we love it: It’s a fragrance-free moisturiser with rave reviews online.
What to consider: Can sometimes be hard to get your hands on.
Formulation: Cream
Skin type: Mature skin types
Size: 48g
What You Need To Know
The RoC Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Anti-Aging Face Moisturiser a fast-absorbing cream, formulated with a powerhouse blend of glycerin, retinol and hyaluronic acid to improve skin firmness and radiance.
The result? You’re left with more hydrated skin.
The night cream has racked up over 7000 five-star ratings on Amazon, and has an impressive rating of 4.7 out of five on iHerb.
“My holy grail moisturiser,” said one five-star iHerb shopper.
“This retinol cream is way too effective, made my skin smooth, it has very gentle scent as well, easily absorbed into skin, good quality skincare product, perfect for 40s age,” said another happy customer.
BEST NIGHT CREAM WITH RETINOL
Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Face Cream Moisturiser, $27.98 (down from $59.99) at Amazon Australia
Why we love it: This fragrance-free moisturiser leaves your skin looking plump and radiant as soon as you wake up.
What to consider: May not work as well for younger skin types.
Formulation: Cream
Skin type: All skin types
Size: 50g
What You Need To Know
This is one of Olay’s most popular face creams, and it’s formulated with a unique retinol complex to encourage skin cell turnover, as well as niacinamide and peptides to totally transform your skin.
Expect to see a smoother and more radiant complexion, with a reduced appearance of your fine lines and wrinkles. It’s super nourishing, and can be used both morning and night.
The humble cream has an impressive rating of 4.6 out of five from over 6500 reviews on the Chemist Warehouse website – “simply the best” said one customer, with another noting it’s an “amazing product. I understand the hype”.
Paula’s Choice Resist Intensive Repair Cream, $56 at Paula’s Choice
Why we love it: It’s a low strength retinol, so it’s great for beginners.
What to consider: Some users felt it didn’t make a big difference to their skin.
Formulation: Cream
Skin type: All skin types
Size: 50ml
Tried and Tested by Susannah Hardy, news.com.au checkout Partnerships Writer
I’ve used Paula’s Choice products in the past and always found they suited my skin. So I was keen to try the Resist Intensive Repair Cream, especially as it’s been a few years since I tried the brand and my skin needs are now very different. This cream has a surprisingly light consistency that goes on easily. At first I thought it was too lightweight for my more ‘mature’ skin, however this was not the case. It’s actually very creamy and also quickly absorbed. And while my skin is usually very dry skin, especially in winter, this night cream left it feeling soft and moisturised. The retinol, now a necessity in my life, is a definite drawcard, making my skin feel a little firmer and refreshed. The product comes in a handy pump pack, however I feel the pump gives out a little more than you need, so I suggest pumping more mindfully. But in saying that, I used the excess on my neck and décolletage, which is probably a good thing. Overall, I found this to be a reliable and effective night cream. There’s not a lot you can do about the effects of ageing, but this cream has left my skin feeling much more revived each day – something I would happily pay money for, especially at such a reasonable price.
BEST AFFORDABLE NIGHT CREAM
L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Night Cream, $39.99 at Adore Beauty
L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Night Cream
Why we love it: Affordable price tag.
What to consider: May not be suitable for younger skin types, thanks to all the active anti-ageing benefits.
Formulation: Cream
Skin type: All skin types
Size: 50ml
What You Need To Know
L’Oreal’s best selling Revitalift Night Cream is a hardworking beauty pick that also just so happens to be under $40.
Five-star rating Adore Beauty shoppers have named it a “must buy … by far the best moisturiser I have tried”.
The formula is enriched with retinol, fibrelastyl and a bunch of nourishing natural butters to really soften and smooth your skin.
You’ll wake up with a more radiant complexion and an improvement in your skin texture – and who doesn’t want that?
HADALABO Gokujyun Hyaluronic Perfect Gel, $27.99 at Amazon Australia
Why we love it: Affordable price tag.
What to consider: Can be hard to get your hands on.
Formulation: Gel
Skin type: All skin types
Size: 100g
Tried and Tested by Philippa Tonkin, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
I first learnt about this ultra hardworking 5-in-1 product from my favourite skinfluencer @shitskinchat. She swears by it for giving you that glazed doughnut skin so I was very excited to try it. It combines a toner, essence, serum, moisturising cream and a sleeping mask. It works to gently break down the outer layers of the skin while also being super hydrating and moisturising. I used it as a moisturiser and I seriously don’t know how I went so long without it. My favourite part is that in the morning when I wash my face, I can still feel it there. Never again will I wake up to dry, dehydrated skin. Plus, while I usually still do all my other skincare steps I do love that when coming home from a night out or when I am seriously tired I can happily pop this on and know that my skin will still be cared for throughout the night.
BEST HIGH-END NIGHT CREAM
Medik8 Advanced Night Restore, $138 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: This pricey – but worth it – face cream works hard to deeply hydrate and nourish the skin
What to consider: High price tag.
Formulation: Cream
Skin type: All skin types
Size: 50ml
Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
I’ve tried and loved the Medik8 range for some time now, so when I got my hands on the Advanced Night Restore Cream, I had high hopes.
And thankfully, it did not disappoint.
This is an intensely hydrating night cream, packed with a bunch of skin-loving antioxidants and ceramides to work hard at protecting the skin.
I especially love this night cream after I’ve just popped on my retinol serum – I wake up looking so smooth and radiant, the feeling is unmatched.
Anti-ageing serums can sometimes dry out the skin, so using them in conjunction with this night cream made my skin feel so deeply nourished and hydrated.
One thing to note, it does have a slight fragrance and while it didn’t personally bother me, it may bother you if you’re sensitive to fragrance.
BEST NIGHT CREAM FOR MATURE SKIN
Beauté Pacifique Créme Paradoxe Night Cream, $145 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: Rave reviews claim this humble night cream “transformed” their skin.
What to consider: High price tag.
Formulation: Cream
Skin type: Mature skin types
Size: 100ml
Tried and Tested by Susannah Hardy, news.com.au checkout Partnerships Writer
I’d never heard of Beauté Pacifique before, but I have to say that I loved the Créme Paradoxe Night Cream from the moment I put it on my face. It has a rich, thick and very creamy texture that goes on easily and feels divine. It also has an appealing scent, which is not overpowering – important in a night cream. I have fairly dry sensitive skin, but this cream posed no problems. Personally I think it improved my skin’s appearance dramatically after using it even once. In fact, the very next day, a young and very beautiful PR person commented on how lovely my skin looked! She was probably just being polite, but I can’t help but think that it was the night cream that made the difference! No one ever usually compliments my not-so-young and tired-looking skin. The only thing is it’s a fairly expensive purchase, but you don’t use a huge amount and the 100ml tube looks like it will last for some time – and more importantly, my skin definitely looks and feels brighter and less drab after using it. If I need to buy another night cream, this is one I would definitely consider – and also recommend to others.
No7 Future Renew Night Cream, $67.99 at Priceline
Why we love it: This is a best selling night cream with rave reviews online.
What to consider: Might not be suited for younger skin types.
Formulation: Cream
Skin type: All skin types
Size: 50ml
Tried and Tested by Melody Teh, news.com.au checkout Editor
One thing you should know about me is that I love night creams and as such, I am very particular about them. My skin is generally quite dry and dehydrated, more so in winter, so I want a night cream that is hydrating and packed with all the good skin stuff so it can work its magic on me while I sleep. My new favourite? No 7’s Future Renew Night Cream.
The popular UK brand launched in Australia earlier this year and as any British friend will tell you, it’s huge in the UK. In fact, it’s the UK’s number one skincare brand and their Future Renew range sells every two seconds back there. I knew I had to get my hands on it to find out what the fuss was about and my skin has been simply loving it. The cream’s key ingredient is the brand’s signature Pepticology, developed over the course of 15 years by world-leading scientists, and packed with all the skin-loving things like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants.
The texture is lovely, not too thick or lightweight, and absorbs into the skin quickly without leaving any greasy residue. But most importantly, it deeply moisturises the skin – and I mean deeply. My skin feels so nourished every morning which is exactly what I am after.
BEST NIGHT CREAM FOR DRY SKIN
Very Luxe Face Cream, $79 at Go-To Skincare
Why we love it: Especially made for mature and/or dry skin types.
What to consider: I find it doesn’t sit well with certain skincare products.
Formulation: Cream
Skin type: All skin types
Size: 50ml
Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
I’ve heard nothing but great things about Go-To’s Very Luxe Face Cream – and the rest of the range for that matter – so I was very excited to finally slap this onto my face.
It’s formulated with ceramides, humectants, vegan collagen and pink algae to support your skin barrier, improve overall hydration and basically make your skin look plump and juicy.
While the cream can technically be used both morning and night, I do prefer this one for your PM routine, just because of how thick it is.
I find it perfect to pop on after a retinol night, but I will say, when I popped it over the top of certain serums – like my snail mucin essence and niacinamide serum – the cream kind of just sat on top of my skin and didn’t really soak in properly.
In saying that, it’s still a super nourishing cream and I still reach for it often.
I also really love the packaging – it comes in this metallic rose gold tub and it really makes a statement on my bathroom counter. So cute!
Firming Peptide Moisturiser, $56 at Lust Minerals
Why we love it: The blend of natural ingredients promises to plump and firm the skin.
What to consider: Some may not enjoy the pump-style packaging.
Formulation: Cream
Skin type: All skin types, especially dry skin
Size: 60ml
Tried and Tested by Kara Byers, eCommerce Content Lead
I love using a night cream but for some reason, I’d dropped it out of my skincare routine. The result? Dehydrated skin complete with redness and dry patches – not what I want. I have a normal skin type that can be quiet reactive to new products, which means I tend to opt for clean ingredients to avoid this, but I still often end up experiencing a purge or other less-than-ideal adjustment symptoms. This, sadly, has got worse with age.
I was excited to try this Lust Minerals Firming Peptide Moisturiser because of the peptides (said to smooth fine lines), it contains hydrating hyaluronic acid and the brand is known for using less toxic chemicals in its formulations. I also have open pores, which this cream if said to be “designed for”.
I like this cream. It has a light, floral, fresh, scent and a lovely, thick texture that absorbs quickly. It felt like a treat to put it on my face, neck and décolletage every night. And I didn’t experience a break out – an actual miracle for my skin. And I actually love the compression dispenser. But do I love it? Not quite. While it absorbs quickly, I could still feel it ‘sat’ on my skin, it wasn’t greasy, more a aware-of-it-there sensation.
But my skin is more even after using it for almost three weeks and it also feels lovely and smooth when I wash my face in the morning.
BEST NIGHT CREAM FOR OILY SKIN
Murad Resurgence Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream, $135 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: It’s a powerful night cream with over 1000 five-star ratings online.
What to consider: High price tag.
Formulation: Cream
Skin type: All skin types, especially those with mature and oily skin
Size: 50ml
What You Need To Know
While the price tag may be high, Murad’s Retinol Youth Renewal line is a no-brainer when it comes to looking for a hardworking night cream.
It’s formulated with powerful retinol tri-active technology to transform the skin, leaving you with a youthful, firm and smooth complexion – and also making it perfect for oily skin types.
Red algae, which is packed with loads of peptides, also works hard to improve the skin’s firmness and elasticity.
It’s racked up an impressive rating of 4.6 out of five on Google Reviews, with countless five-star rating customers noting it doesn’t feel “too heavy” and is essential for a “radiant and healthy complexion”.
“I have been using this every night for the past few weeks and I think it really did made a difference,” said another user.
BEST NIGHT CREAM FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, $40.99 at Adore Beauty
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream
Why we love it: Affordable price tag.
What to consider: Might not be strong enough for mature skin types.
Formulation: Cream
Skin type: All skin types
Size: 48g
Tried and Tested by Philippa Tonkin, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
When it comes to night creams, I don’t need anything overly fancy or hardworking. That’s what my serums are for. In a moisturiser, I’d simply like one that keeps my skin happy, plump and hydrated. And this one from Cerave ticks all my boxes.
While you sleep, peptide ingredients work to promote collagen production while the niacinamide inclusion helps to even out skin tone and texture. It’s fairly thick but doesn’t feel too heavy or like it’s clogging up my skin. If you’re after a simple moisturiser that’s not going to mess with the rest of your skincare routine, this is a fantastic option.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A NIGHT CREAM
When choosing night creams to include in our list, we evaluated several factors:
Price: Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank to get a killer night cream. We’ve found picks for all budgets, big or small.
Skin type: Dry skin, oily skin, mature, sensitive or combination skin – no matter what your skin type is, we’ve got a pick for you.
Ingredients: If you have dry skin, opt for things like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, shea butter and glycerin. If you’re mainly concerned with anti-ageing benefits, look for collagen-boosting ingredients like retinol and peptides.
Sensitive skin: Some skincare products contain fragrance, which can be irritating for sensitive skin types. While they’re great for acne prone skin types, active ingredients like salicylic acid and glycolic acid can also cause irritation for some.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
Our team of experienced writers spend hours researching products to include in articles. We find out what factors make a good product by talking to experts, analysing thousands of customer reviews and also testing a wide range of products ourselves, all at different price points.
We also spoke to Adore Beauty’s Senior Beauty Editor Sadaf Razi on how and why a night cream should belong in your skincare routine.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY SHOULD YOU USE A NIGHT CREAM?
Applying our night-time skincare is super important and should not be forgotten, because when we sleep, our skin cells are in regeneration mode.
“The skin regenerates new cells while we sleep, making it the optimal time to use and incorporate our active ingredients and night creams that are often formulated to be richer or contain skin-replenishing ingredients,“ Sadaf Razi tells news.com.au checkout.
DO NIGHT CREAMS REALLY WORK?
In short answer – yes, night creams do really work.
Your skin is in full absorption mode while we sleep, so using a rich cream with skin-loving ingredients is key.
Sadaf adds, “this in turn will also aid with replenishing the skin while you catch those ZZZs, leading to nourished skin and a strengthened barrier.”
HOW DO YOU FIT A NIGHT CREAM INTO YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE?
Fitting a night cream into your skincare routine is fairly easy.
So first you’re going to want to cleanse your skin and apply any targeted serums – maybe a retinol serum for anti-ageing benefits or a chemical exfoliant to remove those dead skin cells.
Then all you need to do is seal all your hard work in with a super nourishing night cream.
“Think of it as pretty much the last step in your PM skincare routine,” advises Sadaf.
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