Is Wearing Night Cream Every Night Worth It?

Even skincare minimalists know the importance of moisturizer, and in fact, according to Byrdie, having two different hydration products — one for daytime and one for nighttime — is vitally important to keeping your skin healthy. 

Since your skin has different needs in the day versus the night, having moisturizers for both times of the day makes sense. Day creams that contain SPF and vitamin C help protect the skin from environmental toxins that you come into contact with throughout the day (via Byrdie). While, on the other hand, nighttime is when the skin's natural reparation process occurs. According to Gretchen Frieling, MD, "Sleep is when the skin does the heavy lifting, so nighttime products help maintain healthy skin and reduce signs of aging overnight. It's when your skin works to restore and repair, which is why night cream focuses on moisture and recovery" (via Well+Good).

Night cream often contains high concentrations of peptides and retinol that can impact your skin's sensitivity to the sun, so you wouldn't want to use them during the day. Aiding in skin repair and regeneration, night cream dives deep to also help offset fine lines and signs of aging.

Meanwhile, a product formulated for daytime use simply won't cut it at night, and vice versa. Dr. Frieling tells Well+Good, "If you use a night cream in the day, your skin will feel greasier and won't be protected from the sun. While if you use a day cream in the night, your skin will feel moisturized and nourished, but won't get a full range of anti-aging and moisturizing ingredients." If switching off between day and night seems like a pain, you can opt for an all-purpose cream that moisturizes, protects, and helps repair. 

But, don't sleep on the benefits of keeping a regimented nighttime beauty routine. You can find a cream that works with your specific skin type to help with anything from anti-aging, acne prevention, and even rosacea (via O Magazine). While the term "night cream" may bring up visions of your mother's beauty routine, it can make a huge difference in the regeneration of your skin.