Do You Need a Night Cream? The 10 Best Picks for Dryness, Sensitive Skin, Fine Lines, and More

ProsRich cream that doesn't contain any common pore-clogging ingredients2025 Cosmo Acne Award winnerConsNot available at many retailers“This is a heaven-sent nourishing moisturizer for sensitive, dry, and acne-prone skin. My aesthetician, Madalaina Conti, first recommended this for me. I love it not only for acne, but it helps with my tight, flaky skin that I get in the winter months. When I use this overnight, it brings back all the plumpness and hydration. When I’m really dry, I’ll put on a thick layer like a mask and sleep in it.”—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITORKey ingredientsNiacinamide, ceramides, bisabolol, jojoba oil, snow mushroomProsUses a mix of lightweight and rich moisturizers to hydrate skinI love the whipped textureConsIf you like a super-thick night cream, this might be too light for you“I understand the purpose of a night cream is to be thick and cocoon-like on your face. But when you want all the moisture without your face sticking to your pillow, this ‘cloud cream’ from Kiehl’s is perfect. It’s got a whipped texture that feels really light, yet it’s packed with squalane, rich lipids, and shea butter.”—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITORKey ingredientsShea butter, squalane, evening primrose oil, rosemary leaf oil, lavender oilAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsPacked with over 100 peptides to help firm and smooth skinCan be used day or nightConsIf you have oily skin, this might be a bit too heavy for daytime use“The fine lines around my eyes look less noticeable, and my under-eyes suddenly seems like I’m getting sleep again. I’m 29 and starting to think about taking extra care of my eyes and neck, so I’ve been focusing on those two areas every night for the last two months. And I really notice a difference. My eyes look brighter and more awake in the morning, and my under-eye bags aren’t as prominent.”—BGKey ingredientsOat extract, shea butter, peptides, camellia seed oilProsFragrance free and suitable for nearly all skin typesHelps soothe tight, irritated skinConsMight not be hydrating enough on its own for very-dry skin“If you have super dry skin and suffer from redness and irritation, this is the night cream for you. The thick consistency is deeply moisturising, cocooning your skin in a rich, soothing layer. The formula itself is infused with Japanese indigo and ceramides, which help to calm irritation, strengthen your skin barrier, and leave you waking up looking like you actually got eight hours of sleep (even if you didn't).”—LIA MAPPOURA, BEAUTY WRITERKey ingredientsGlycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, camellia extract, palmitic acidAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsPacked with oils and butters to seal in moistureConsLikely too heavy for acne-prone skin“I’ve used up a few tubs of this ultra-rich moisturizer. It’s my go-to in the winter when my skin gets quite dry. It feels so luxe, even down to the glass jar, but is a mere fraction of the price of so many of my other favorites (and I love that I can pick it up quickly from the drugstore whenever I need it).”—BGKey ingredientsShea butter, panthenol, meadowfoam seed oilProsGentle enough for use with active ingredientsNot too rich, but seriously moisturizesConsHas a strong scent that some testers didn't love“If you're a loyal retinol user, listen up because Medik8's Advanced Night Restore was made with you in mind. This rich yet fast-absorbing cream is designed to be applied after your retinoid, helping to soothe, strengthen, and deeply nourish skin overnight. Infused with ceramides, antioxidants, and a reparative peptide complex, it reinforces the skin's barrier and locks in moisture, making it ideal for dry, sensitive complexions.”—LMKey ingredientsCeramides, rosemary oil, mushroom extract, peptides, vitamin EAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsOne of the richest creams I've testedPairs well with other anti-aging products, because there aren't any active ingredientsConsToo heavy for acne-prone or oily skin“I randomly started using this when I was very young and had not a single wrinkle on my face. But I loved the rich texture so much; it made my skin look so glowy and fresh. I felt like I woke up with better skin every time I used it. Now at 29, I’m returning back to it, and I realize this is so freakin’ good to add into any anti-aging routine. This cream is loaded with moisturizing ingredients, which is a must if you’re trying to offset dryness from any actives like retinol or AHAs.”—BGKey ingredientsShea butter, cocoa seed butter, squalane, caffeine, hyaluronic acidProsAffordable and easy to pick up at most drugstoresNot too heavy for oily skinConsWe wish it came in a bigger tub“As a beauty writer, I'm often asked what my favorite skincare brand is. And while I experiment with many daily, my response always remains the same. Cetaphil! The dermatologist-recommended brand is a failsafe option for me, not only for its pared-back formulas that work twice as hard as the fancy brands (and don't irritate my sensitive, breakout-prone skin), but also for its price. I mean, you can't go wrong with a product that’s less than $15. The Rich Night Cream is just that: rich in consistency to hydrate yet not overbear the skin. Breathable yet effective, if you will.”—LMKey ingredientsHyaluronic acid, olive fruit oil, vitamin E, vitamin CBeth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.