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Aesthetic self-improvement, while you sleep

A night cream might sound like an entirely superfluous addition to your already meticulously honed grooming regime, but there’s actually some truth in the idea that your skin behaves differently – and demands different things – once the clock strikes twelve.

Not just a savvily repackaged moisturiser, the best night creams out there are specifically crafted to cater to the skin’s nocturnal needs, ensuring you make the most of those eight (ok, six) long, interrupted hours of regeneration.

“The skin has its own circadian rhythm and its function at night is different to the daytime function,” confirms dermatologist Dr. Derrick Phillips. “During the day, the skin must mitigate the damage caused by UV rays from the sun,” especially if you’ve been slacking on the SPF moisturiser.

“Therefore, day cream formulations should aim to hydrate but also to protect. They may contain anti-inflammatory ingredients such as niacinamide and antioxidants (e.g. vitamin C), to protect against free radical damage. They must also be light enough to allow you to wear an SPF on top, if it’s not already included in the formulation.”

As Dr. Phillips explains, night time is when the skin switches focus to renewal and repair. “Ingredients such as humectants which draw moisture in, and occlusives, which lock that moisture in, work together to promote hydration: an integral part of the restoration process. In addition, exfoliating products (such as retinoids and alpha and beta-hydroxy acids) increase sensitivity to the sun, so are best incorporated into nighttime creams. In short, there is rationale for having a separate day cream and night cream – although there are also products that tick most of the boxes for both."

The best night cream for you largely depends on your skin type. Dr. Phillips recommends those with dry skin try something rich in humectants (hydrating) and occlusives (moisture-locking). “Humectants include ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin and urea, which draw water into the skin giving additional hydration. In high concentrations (more than 10%), urea will also break down keratin, improving the appearance of the fine white scale that appears with dry skin. Occlusive ingredients include shea butter, cocoa butter, petroleum and jojoba oil.”

Conversely, those with oily skin should veer towards ‘non-comedogenic’ - or non pore-clogging - formulations, as “these are less likely to block pores and cause breakouts. Oil-textured products and occlusives should certainly be avoided.”

Confused? Understandable. Below, see the best men’s night cream for every skin type and concern.

Cosrx is big news in South Korea, where skincare takes up serious real estate in every single home. This night cream contains everything the derms call for in treating dry skin, from humectants (glycerin and hyaluronic acid) to occlusives (coconut oil). Nothing bad will happen if you use it during the day, either.

Experts agree that retinol is the gold standard in reversing the signs of ageing, from dark spots and rough texture to those inevitable forehead wrinkles. Dermatologist Dr. Gross knows exactly how to create a winning one: this, his cult night cream, sees retinol blended with ferulic acid, which enhances the efficacy tenfold. Such is retinol’s ability to resurface the skin, you don’t need to use it every night (in fact doing so could lead to irritation.) Apply this once or twice a week to begin with.

Kiehl's wants you to know that this cream is precisely 98.6% natural, but that's not why you're here. You'll add this one to your cart over and over again because it does a stellar job of hydrating, softening and plumping out skin that needs serious rehabbing.

Decleor is known for crafting spa-standard skincare that delivers on results. This famously well-scented night cream has a rich, balmy texture, so massaging it in makes for a pleasing before-bed ritual. The essential oil blend will slow a racing mind, while the deeply moisturising formula ensures you wake up looking better than you did the night before.

If you’re taking an oral medication for acne, such as Roaccutane, your skin is going to feel painfully dry and irritated for a while. This restorative cream is designed to bring things back into balance, with heavy-duty humectants that amp up the hydration without clogging pores.

This one contains more than one type of seaweed – and if that appeals, the world of natural skincare will be pleased to meet you. Not just a sustainable option (the brand uses natural waste products, which are hand-picked in Margate), it’s also a brilliant rejuvenator for all skin types, with algae for hydration and plant oils for softening.

This is the big one. It’s priced to make you wince, but Augustinus Bader’s day and night cream will swiftly replace all those congealing jars of impulse-bought serum you’ve got stashed at the back of the bathroom cupboard. Containing the brand’s signature complex of proteins, vitamins and minerals, it’s a one-and-done product that’ll work on everything from breakouts to loss of elasticity.

Sitting firmly at the other end of the prestige spectrum, this utilitarian blue bottle boasts cult status for very different reasons. It won’t help you Benjamin Button your way back to the smooth-skinned joy of your teens, but it will hydrate and soften even the most easily irritated skin. A risk-free move.

This one contains salicylic acid, which ‘dissolves’ the oil inside your pores that eventually leads to spots and blackheads. Ceramides features heavily too, rebuilding a stressed-out skin barrier and helping to restore order after a bout of breakouts.