Today I’m sharing a list of my all-time favorite night creams.
Whenever people reach out and ask for product recommendations (which is one of my favorite things, btw), I usually respond back and first ask about their budget and skin type, etc. before I make my best guess at what might work for them. That’s where the inspiration for this post came from.
And while I’m not an esthetician or dermatologist and highly suggest speaking to a professional if you’re in need of serious help, I have tried exactly one million night creams. And as you all know, I was blessed with the world’s driest skin, so the bar is high here.
Night creams, to me, are essential. And while I always suggest splurging on your serums, I love a super thick, hydrating moisturizer to help restore and rejuvenate my skin after a long day. All of the creams on this list are ultra hydrating.
(Check out my beauty page or my post about my nighttime skincare routine for more info on what order I apply my products and links to everything I use).
Without further ado, here is a list of my favorite night creams, broken down by price. I also highlighted the amount of product as well as what type of skin concerns it may be best for.
Night Creams for Every Budget
Weleda Skin Food: $17
Amount of product: 2.5 oz
Best for: very dry skin
If you’ve been around for any amount of time, you know about my unfettered allegiance to this product. Weleda Skin Food is this thick, rich cream (in fact, I’d almost describe it as a paste) that acts as an intense moisture mask overnight. It’s so thick that you can’t even really rub it in–you have to pat it on. This product is not for the faint of heart, though, as you can really feel it sitting on your skin (takes a few hours to absorb). This stuff is incredible, a liferaft for the most parched of skin. And you can’t beat the price point.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration: $38
Amount of product: 6 oz
Best for: irritated skin, normal to combination
This ultra repair cream from First Aid Beauty is a multitasker. Made colloidal oatmeal, this cream is meant to be used on dry, irritated, or even eczema-prone skin. This cream is actually quite light (definitely the most lightweight product on this roundup), so while it packs a punch, it’s not going to feel sticky or too thick on your skin. This product is perfect for those who might have dry skin but don’t love the feeling of being oily or “glazed.” It’s a great travel product: ideal for those mid-flight face washing sessions when you need a little something but don’t want to do a whole regimen. It can also be used as a hand or body cream.
Farmacy Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer: $48
Amount of product: 1.7 oz
Best for: protecting barrier function of dry skin
This ceramide cream from Farmacy is well priced and very effective. I’m always impressed by how moisturizing this product is. It’s made with buckwheat honey, fig extract (makes your skin look and feel smooth), and a potent ceramide blend that works to restore skin’s natural barrier. This cream can feel a little sticky at first but absorbs after a few hours (a bit like Weleda but not quite as intense). A little goes a long way with this one.
REN Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm: $55
Amount of product: 1 oz
Best for: red or irritated skin
I wrote a little blurb about this product in my newsletter a few weeks ago (sign up here if you’re not already!). Long story short, I was really dumb one night and applied two active ingredients at the same time, causing my skin to throw a Class A tantrum. My face was BRIGHT red and itchy for days before I remembered about this recovery balm from REN. Within one use, my skin improved immensely, and by the end of the second day, it was completely back to normal. The consistency of this balm is so rich, but it does absorb fairly well and just melts onto the skin.
This product is a miracle worker for agitated, red skin, and I’ll always keep it on hand now. Since then, I’ve been using it on nights after I apply an exfoliating or retinol serum, as a way to counteract any potential irritation from those active ingredients.
Osea Advanced Protection Cream: $108
Amount of product: 1.9 oz
Best for: dryness, fine lines
I’ve been using Osea’s Advanced Protection Cream for about 10 weeks now, and I’ll never go back. This cream has always been super rich and moisturizing, but Osea recently improved the formula and added a vegan retinol alternative that helps smooth fine lines and texture. I swear my skin has never looked better since I started using this. I love this cream because it’s ultra hydrating but also has those active anti-aging ingredients. In fact, I don’t use any serums on nights I use this–just a little toner and this cream because it has everything I need already in it. My skin is bright and smooth in the morning—what more can you ask for?!
Feel free to use my code RUTH for 10% off your purchase with Osea–check out my full review of the brand here. I am obsessed with their whole line.
Augustinus Bader Rich Cream: $180
Amount of product: 1 oz
Best for: texture, fine lines
Okay, this product is admittedly quite a splurge, but if you’re really wanting to buckle down and streamline your routine, this cream may be for you. Dr. Bader’s cult following Rich Cream is made with hyaluronic acid, bakuchiol (another retinol alternative) and their patented TFC8® technology that helps support cellular renewal. I got this for myself for my birthday a few years (market research, you know) and have to say that it did live up to its hype. My skin looked firmer and glowier within one use. I think the big draw here is that they recommend not using it with anything else at all–no toner or serums whatsoever. This is perfect for someone who cares about their skin but doesn’t have the wherewithal or time to do a multi-step routine. You can use this one during the day, too!
