Best Night Cream: 5 Picks by Skin Type, From Retinol to Rich

The best night creams are CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Moisturizer and CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion. CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream is best overall because it pairs ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and peptides in a fragrance-free, non-comedogenic cream for $21.99. Olay Retinol24 is the pick if you want a retinoid built in, CeraVe PM suits oily skin, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream handles very dry skin, and IT Cosmetics Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep is the scented splurge.

Before you buy, you can scan a night cream's barcode or ingredient label with the ingredient scanner in Pori to check it against your skin type. It reads the formula; it does not diagnose skin conditions.

Quick picks

• Best overall: CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream ($21.99, CeraVe) - ceramides, niacinamide and peptides, fragrance-free and non-comedogenic.
• Best with retinol: Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Moisturizer ($39.99 for 1.7 oz, Olay) - fragrance-free cream with a retinoid complex and niacinamide.
• Best for oily skin: CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion ($19.99, CeraVe) - light, oil-free night lotion that will not feel greasy on the pillow.
• Best for very dry skin: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (from $14.99, CeraVe) - thick cream with petrolatum to seal water in overnight.
• Best scented splurge: IT Cosmetics Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep Night Cream ($52 for 2 oz, Ulta) - lavender-scented cream with ceramide, hyaluronic acid and a mild acid.

We compared published ingredient lists, brand claims and listed prices; we did not test these products on skin. Prices are US retailer prices as of November 2026, with the retailer named, and they change often.

Do you need a night cream?

Not strictly. A night cream is simply a moisturizer meant for the evening, so any moisturizer without sunscreen can do the job. Night creams earn their place in two ways. They are usually richer than day creams, because they do not need to sit under makeup or sunscreen. And night is when many people apply retinoids and other active ingredients.

There is some biology behind the habit too. A 1998 study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology tracked the skin barrier over 24 hours and found that transepidermal water loss rose in the evening and was lowest in the morning, with skin more permeable in the evening and at night. A 2022 review of skin hydration in Cureus cites that work and suggests that, for eczema-prone skin, treatments applied at night may help more because skin is more permeable then. Cleveland Clinic describes night creams as thicker than day creams and made to moisturize and soothe while you sleep. Our night skincare routine shows where the cream goes.

What should a good night cream contain?

Start with the basics: a humectant such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid, emollients, and something that slows water loss, such as dimethicone or petrolatum. Our guide to types of moisturizers explains how the three groups work. Then add extras only if you want them:

• Ceramides support the skin barrier. See our ceramides guide.
• Niacinamide helps with redness, oil and the look of uneven tone.
• Retinoids such as retinol have the strongest evidence for fine lines and texture. Cleveland Clinic says you can add retinol at bedtime and should use sunscreen during the day, because it makes skin more sensitive to sunlight.
• Peptides are popular in anti-aging creams, with less evidence than retinoids. Our peptides guide covers what is known.
• Mild acids such as lactic acid smooth texture but can sting, so keep them out of the same night as a retinoid at first.

How do the best night creams compare?

Which night creams are best?

CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream: best overall

Who it suits: most skin types that want a richer cream at night without fragrance or a retinoid. CeraVe lists it at $21.99, says it is for all skin types, and calls it non-comedogenic and free of added fragrance.

Key ingredients: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and peptides in a cream texture. Who should skip it: very oily skin, which will be happier with the PM lotion below. The catch: it comes in a jar, and it has no retinoid, so on its own it hydrates rather than resurfaces. If you want to add retinol, apply a serum first and this cream on top; our retinol serums for beginners list has options. We also cover it for dry skin in our dry skin roundup.

Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Moisturizer: best with retinol

Who it suits: normal, dry or combination skin that wants a retinoid and a moisturizer in one step. Olay lists the 1.7 oz jar at $39.99 and labels it fragrance-free. Retailers describe the formula as a retinoid complex with vitamin B3 (niacinamide).

Key ingredients: Olay's Retinol24 complex and niacinamide in a cream base. Who should skip it: sensitive or rosacea-prone skin, and anyone pregnant or trying to conceive until they have asked their doctor; see our pregnancy-safe routine. The catch: Olay does not publish the retinoid strength, and a MAX version with more of the complex sits next to it on shelves, so check which one you are buying. Cleveland Clinic suggests starting retinol every other night for the first couple of weeks. Our retinol for beginners guide and Olay guide go further.

CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion: best for oily skin

Who it suits: oily, combination or acne-prone skin that finds night creams greasy. CeraVe lists it at $19.99 and calls it oil-free and non-comedogenic, with no added fragrance. It also says it may help with dryness and irritation from prescription acne creams, which makes it a good partner for tretinoin or adapalene.

Key ingredients: niacinamide, three ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Who should skip it: dry skin in winter, which will want more cushion. The catch: it is a lotion, not a cream, so it may not feel like a treat. Our CeraVe AM vs. PM comparison and our acne-prone picks cover it in more detail.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream: best for very dry skin

Who it suits: dry, flaky or wind-chapped skin, and anyone whose face feels tight by morning. CeraVe sells it from $14.99, describes it as fragrance-free, allergy-tested and non-comedogenic, and says it can be used on the face and body. It has the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance.

Key ingredients: glycerin, fatty alcohols, caprylic/capric triglyceride, petrolatum, three ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Who should skip it: oily or breakout-prone skin. The catch: it is thick and comes in large tubs and jars, and it is not a dedicated face product. For the driest nights, a thin layer of plain petrolatum over the top seals in more water; our slugging guide explains who should and should not try it.

IT Cosmetics Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep Night Cream: best scented splurge

Who it suits: normal to dry skin that is not sensitive and enjoys a scented bedtime step. Ulta lists the 2 oz jar at $52 and describes a "soothing lavender scent." The brand calls it non-comedogenic and says the texture is designed not to transfer onto your pillow.

Key ingredients: dimethicone, glycerin, jojoba seed oil, adenosine, capryloyl salicylic acid (LHA), ceramide NP, sodium hyaluronate and a little lactic acid. Who should skip it: sensitive, rosacea-prone or fragrance-allergic skin. The catch: alcohol denat. is seventh on the list, and it contains fragrance plus the allergens limonene, linalool, citronellol, geraniol and citral. The scent was the most common complaint in Ulta's reviews. If you love it, enjoy it; if your skin reacts, CeraVe's night cream does the job for less than half the price. See our IT Cosmetics guide and our fragrance explainer.

How do you choose a night cream for your skin type?

Apply your night cream after cleansing and any serum or prescription treatment, on clean skin before bed. In the morning, switch to a lighter moisturizer and sunscreen. You can browse more moisturizers in the Pori catalogue.

How we chose

We looked for creams that do the basics well (humectants, emollients and something to slow water loss), avoid added fragrance where possible, and cover the main reasons people buy a night cream: richer hydration, a built-in retinoid, or a light texture for oily skin. We read ingredient lists and claims on the brand's site or Ulta, checked US prices in November 2026, and used Cleveland Clinic guidance and published research on the skin's daily rhythm. We did not wear-test these products. We left La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ off because we could not confirm its current US price and formula.