By Christa Joanna Lee September 26, 2026 Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of brands Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story Do you really need two separate moisturizers? You might! While daytime formulas are typically made to layer easily under sunscreen and makeup, the best night creams have the luxury of going richer—and can sneak in actives you might prefer to use after dark, such as retinoids , many of which are sensitive to light and can lose stability and effectiveness with exposure. But let’s begin with the baseline: Start by looking for a mix of “humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid to attract water, barrier-supporting lipids such as ceramides , cholesterol, and fatty acids, and emollient or occlusive ingredients that help reduce water loss overnight,” says Anetta Reszko , MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. That extra cushioning can be especially welcome for extra-dry or mature skin , when a thicker cream may make potentially irritating active ingredients easier to tolerate. Ahead, our favorite nighttime formulas for making “beauty sleep” feel a little more literal.
What’s the difference between a day cream and a night cream? What ingredients should I look for in a night cream? Meet the experts How we test and review products Our staff and testers Best Overall: Medik8 Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Medik8
Allure commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann applying the Medik8 Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream
Why it's worth it: Noticing that your skin doesn’t feel quite as firm or bouncy as it once did? Medik8’s Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream targets those changes. A big part of that comes down to proteins and peptides, the small chains of amino acids that support the proteins responsible for skin’s structure and bounce. The formula’s GF MiniProtein is a growth factor-inspired “mini protein” designed to support the look of skin’s underlying structure, while collagen amino acids and oligopeptide-1 add even more support. There’s also carnosine, a peptide that defends against glycation (the process that can make collagen stiff and less flexible over time).
Medik8 ’s sunflower sprout-derived NAD+ Longevity Booster helps maintain your skin’s natural levels of NAD+ , a molecule involved in cellular energy and repair that naturally declines with age. Meanwhile, encapsulated endonuclease, an enzyme involved in DNA repair, addresses signs of UV-related skin damage. While those ingredients play the long game, the moisturizing side of the formula offers more immediate gratification: Polyglutamic acid and sodium hyaluronate draw in water for a plumper look, while squalane, shea butter, ceramides, and cholesterol seal in moisture and give the cream its satisfyingly rich—but surprisingly quick-to-absorb—texture.
Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann
“I've been a dedicated user of Medik8's Liquid Peptides Advanced serum for some time now, so I was already sold the elite combo that is Medik8 formulas and peptides when I started using this moisturizer. While I don't have noticeable wrinkles—yet—to track progress against, I do notice an overall plumping effect on my skin from using a whole jar. My skin is sensitive and oily, so I'm prone to redness and patches of buildup if I don't keep my routine very balanced. I use a retinoid every night, and I've found that applying this aft…