An explainer in Gritty Pretty from October 2020 on whether night cream is really necessary. Melanie Grant’s answer is yes. She describes night cream as the last hydrating step of the evening, layered over serums to lock in actives and support the skin’s repair while you sleep.
The difference from a day cream is mostly in the ingredients. “Night creams are often fortified with ingredients to correct and repair overnight,” Grant tells the magazine, while day creams lean towards protection and prevention. She suggests looking for lipids, antioxidants and potent botanical extracts. The piece adds that cell renewal is 30 times more active during sleep. Whether a night cream can be worn by day depends on the formula. If it contains photosensitising ingredients such as AHAs, BHAs, enzymes, fruit acids, vitamin A derivatives or St John’s wort, keep it for night. A clean, simple formula is fine in the daytime.
Grant’s pick is Chanel’s Le Lift Crème de Nuit ($225). She says it is rich in antioxidants, minerals, amino acids and trace elements like those in alfalfa concentrate, which support barrier function. She also finds it gentle enough for sensitive skin that can’t tolerate retinol. The magazine adds two options of its own: It Cosmetics Confidence In Your Beauty Sleep ($79), with hyaluronic acid, jojoba seed oil and ceramides, and Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Facial Moisturiser ($59.99) for a lower budget.
From Gritty Pretty, October 2020.
