Trust us, this isn’t marketing hyperbole tricking you into buying a product you don’t need. Over time, your skin will thank you for using night cream by appearing firmer and more hydrated. Editor Trudi Brewer shares the virtues of these sleeping beauties.
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A night cream is soothing, hydrating and healing, the ideal way to treat dry, dehydrated skin after a day of environmental assaults. It will drench your skin in moisture, boost its resilience, and repair the fragile barrier that keeps it healthy and hydrated. But these intelligent creams below do more than that. They’re engineered to increase cell turnover and fortify skin regeneration while you rest. So, where do you start when investing in a good night cream? If smoothing lines is your concern, look for a formula that boasts retinol to encourage cell turnover. If you have dry skin, seek formulas with hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which help draw moisture to the skin and lock it deep within. Or if you’re fighting a battle with hyperpigmentation (dark spots)? Look for formulations with glycolic acid and niacinamide to help diminish an uneven skin tone. Below are the formulas that have impressed us the most and honestly give new meaning to the term - beauty sleep.
TAILOR RESTORE MELATONIN NIGHT BALM, $69.
We have raved about Restore many times because we have seen the results. The formulation of this cream is genius. It nourishes like no other and works to combat fine lines and improve the skin's texture within weeks. That’s thanks to a blend of melatonin, that natural hormone that regulates the body's night, day and sleep-wake cycles, but in the skin, it helps boost the natural repair process and fight oxidative stress by acting as a free radical scavenger. Red seaweed locks moisture deep in the skin, and liquorice root brightens. But the lasting impression is the feel this balm-like cream has on your complexion, that’s thanks to a blend of shea butter, grapeseed, sunflower, jojoba seed oils, New Zealand black fern leaf extract, gotu kola leaf extract, plant-based squalane, and glycerin. We will keep raving because we want everyone to try it.
If you've been applying active ingredients, like retinoids or chemical exfoliants, or undergoing laser treatments to curb hyperpigmentation, it may be time to press reset on your skin with this uber-rich cream. Formulated to combat sensitivity and restore a compromised skin barrier, this cream is enriched with fatty acids and allantoin – an ingredient that relieves irritation. Expect this cream to nourish and soothe overnight.
This luxe cream was made to boost firmness and hydrate dry skin. How? With clever technology, the brand calls CollaNight-8 a super blend of eight ingredients, including a protein peptide known as Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, which has a botox-like effect on the skin. It also contains moringa, hibiscus, algae, the antioxidant plant extract Sigesbeckia, and vitamin E. Expect plumper, smoother, and younger-looking skin.
A multi-benefit cream that can be used day and night. Now to the why we love it. First, it’s the ingredients. SafflowerRed, grown only in Yamagata, in Japan, and according to Shiseido, has a stabilising effect on the blood vessel structure in the skin. It also blurs dark spots and wrinkles and firms facial sagging, too. It also hosts a wonderland of antioxidants, including ginseng root, to boost collagen and strengthen the skin's moisture barrier. Chinese date extract and caffeine are the kickstart for dull skin that needs to look brighter. Its rich texture melts into the skin in seconds.
This is an eventing skin treatment packed with retinol, the gold standard for age-erasing. The vitamin A in this oil targets the signs of ageing, including fine lines, dark spots caused by UV damage, and open pores, while nourishing dry skin. The blend of blue tansy extract (hence its colour) and avocado oil helps soothe redness and irritation often associated with retinol use.
KIT: GOOD NIGHT BALM, $53.
This is such a gorgeous cream to apply, and it’s also a team favourite night cream that promises to revive a dry complexion. The ingredient line-up includes vitamin E to deeply nourish, soothing tea tree oil to boost skin regeneration, and kangaroo paw flower nectar to smooth fine lines. Finally, Japanese grape extract strengthens the skin’s barrier, so your skin can stay resilient during the day.
The ultimate routine, for any skin type.