13 best night creams that promise to boost your beauty sleep

No7 has been a go-to high street brand for decades now, and there’s a reason why we’re still in love with this label. Housing vitamins A, C and E to brighten the skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, alongside hyaluronic acid for hydration and a collagen peptide-based technology to keep the face looking firm, there are very few skin-loving ingredients not included in this formula. What we loved most, alongside the smooth, silky texture, was the spa-like scent that has actually been designed to help you drift off – what more could you want?

Byoma is a bargain beauty brand that deserves a spot on everyone’s bathroom shelf. Not only does it look adorable, but the sweet-coloured tubs are actually refillable and fully recyclable, too. Our tester loved how lightweight this night cream was, and, being oil-free, it’s perfect for those prone to getting oily or greasy. A tri-ceramide complex of ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids help to prevent moisture loss, while niacinamide reduces the appearance of pores, fine lines and uneven texture. Green tea is also included to reduce redness and any signs of irritation. So, if that sounds like something you could do with, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed with this one.

For those looking for bargain beauty buys, Dove’s DermaSeries is sure to do the trick. Instantly hydrating the skin, the silky smooth formula soaks in immediately and starts to get to work while you sleep. Ceramides, glycerin and shea butter are all key ingredients working their way deep into the lower layers of the skin, repairing the skin barrier to boost elasticity, hydration and firmness of the face. We also found it to be the perfect travel companion thanks to its tiny size and easy-to-transport tube.

If you’re after a little lift in your skin, the Ole Henriksen firming night cream has to be one of our favourites. With five per cent AHAs to gently resurface the skin, edelweiss stem cells that deeply hydrate and smooth texture and shea butter for that smooth boost of moisture, not much more could fit in one jar. It’s incredibly rich with a silky finish that instantly soothes skin while getting to work to remove dead cells for a fresh, firmer-faced glow without any tight or tugging feeling.

We all love a product that works double-time, so, if you’re someone who struggles to drift off, we don’t think this night cream could hurt. With a soft blend of lavender, chamomile and neroli extracts, the sweet scent of this cream instantly calmed our senses and turned our bedtime routine into a more spa-like ritual. Persian silk tree extract, pomegranate flower and buriti fruit work to hydrate the skin and lock in moisture, helping it to rejuvenate while you sleep soundly. So, if a two-in-one product piques your interest, this is the find for you.

Most of us are seeking a more even skin tone, so, letting the hard work happen while you sleep is always going to seem like a win. This smooth, silky formula not only smells divine but works to tackle hyperpigmentation while deeply nourishing the skin, reducing signs of dark spots and giving that glow from within. Encapsulated algae is the key ingredient working to reduce the appearance of pigmentation, while phytoglycogen smooths texture and tone.

Retinol was the beauty buzzword last year, with everyone and their nan giving the ingredient a go. Containing both retinol, retinal, and a form of niacin that helps enhance the efficacy of retinol while reducing signs of sensitivity, this night cream is designed to work double time while you sleep. It’s suitable for those who have never tried retinol before, too. Although our tester had no issues, even when using it every night, just be sure to do a patch test first.

If you’ve tried every lotion and potion and your skin still looks tired and dull, we’re going to push you to try this product. While most of us use a vitamin C serum in the morning, this night cream combines a stable form of the brightening-boosting ingredient with brown algae to even the skin tone, texture and give you that glow from within. Hyaluronic acid helps hydrate, niacinamide protects the moisture barrier, and a cocktail of cucumber, watercress and cherry blossom extracts add even more moisture while soothing the face. It does have a slightly oily finish, so, remember, a little goes a long way, and it will take a little while to soak in, which isn’t an issue while you snooze.

Charlotte Tilbury’s magic cream has racked up a huge number of fans who swear by the formula to keep their skin looking fantastic. So, of course, the night version didn’t disappoint. The difference between the two is that this one is certainly much heavier, and a little goes a long way, but you wouldn’t want to apply make-up over the top of this rich formula, so, best to keep them separate, to save you making any mistakes.

Housing a whole host of skin-loving ingredients, from retinol to vitamin E, our skin felt instantly hydrated, softer, smoother and firmer after just a couple of weeks of use. So, if you’ve got the budget to burn on a beauty splurge, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

An exfoliating night cream may sound at first like a nightmare, but trust us when we say it works wonders to freshen up the face for a glowing complexion. Housing a 2.5 per cent pH-balanced AHA, this certainly is a glow recipe, as the name suggests, as the gentle fruit peel sloughs away dead skin cells while you sleep. For those who don’t like scented skincare, this isn’t one for you. But, with seven sizes of hyaluronic acid penetrating different layers of the skin and a niacinamide and quinoa peptide complex working to even out skin tone and texture, everyone else is sure to keep this solidly on the bathroom shelf.

Sustainable fashion guru Stella McCartney turned her hand to creating cosmetics in 2022, and it’s safe to say the products took the beauty world by storm. With just three products currently available, the restore cream is one of the brand’s bestsellers, and it didn’t take us long to see why. Housed in a reusable pump jar, the cream comes in refillable bags that can easily be swapped in and out once finished (£33 for 20ml, Spacenk.com).

Made with 99.46 per cent naturally derived ingredients, it’s sure to win over natural beauty buffs and has a fresh, woody scent that seems to have fans divided – we quite liked it. After just one use, our skin felt soft and supple, and birch sap, hyaluronic acid and cherry blossom extract all work as the key ingredients to boost hydration, improving texture and tone.

If you’re after a night cream that you can really slather on, look no further than this Kiehl’s option. Incredibly soft and creamy, with a whipped-like texture, it completely covers the skin locking in the moisture. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are included to help strengthen the skin’s lipid layer, while anti-oxidant-rich flower extracts fight free radicals, reducing the signs of fine lines and wrinkles. While it may not be best for those with oily skin, anyone on the dry side is sure to soak this up.

We all know how important vitamins are in our diet, but when it comes to beauty products they can often be overlooked. With an ingredient list that looks more like the back of a multivitamin pack, this Oskia night cream is exactly like a skin vitamin supplement. It is rather rich, and a little goes a long way, so, be sure to apply sparingly while it gets to work improving tone, texture and firmness.