Key ingredients: indigo extract, hyaluronic acid, ceramides | Who it’s for: those seeking a quick-absorbing option | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Drugstore: CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Why it’s worth it: Look, we don’t claim to have every answer, but if we know one thing to be true, it’s that you really can’t go wrong with CeraVe—this PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion as proof. She’s teeming with ceramides, she’s non-comedogenic, and she’s hyaluronic acid-rich—adding up to so, so gentle on sensitive skin. You’ll appreciate the non-greasy finish that won’t bug you as you drift off or leave icky oil stains on your beloved pillowcase.
According to New York City board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, ceramides are key moisture-retention. “Environmental factors can disrupt the lipid layer of the skin, which locks in moisture and acts as a barrier against pollution and bacteria,” Dr. Engelman told Allure. “Ceramides help to restore the skin’s barrier by holding the cells together. As a result, skin feels smoother, plumper, and more moisturized.”
Key ingredients: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide| Who it’s for: everyone | Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using a night cream?
Night creams boast many of the same benefits as your other face moisturizers but with extra emphasis on skin hydration. “We lose water in the skin at night, so nighttime is all about locking in moisture,” Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine, explains. South Florida-based board-certified dermatologist De Anne Harris Collier, MD, concurs, adding that research has shown that repair of DNA-damaged skin cells peaks, skin cells turn over more quickly, meaning increased rates of skin blood flow and skin permeability at night. “All the more reason to apply a great night cream to take advantage of the skin’s innate repair system,” she advises.
What ingredients should I look for in a night cream?
Because night creams are primarily charged with doling out major moisture, look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin. Beyond that, shop with your skin care concerns in mind. Plenty of night creams contain actives like retinoids that can benefit the changes maturing skin brings. If your night cream isn’t infused with an active, however, the moisturizing building blocks can still lock in your other active-ingredient serums, gels, and oils, says Dr. Gohara.
Meet the experts
- Mamina Turegano, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New Orleans, Louisiana
- David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Jenny Liu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota
- Jessica Wu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles
- De Anne Harris Collier, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Florida
- Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.