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If you’ve started to see changes in your complexion with each passing birthday, you might also have noticed that the skin care products you relied on in your 20s have lost their magic touch. When you get older, the texture of your skin changes, and the products you use will necessarily evolve along with it. This could mean adding a night cream formulated for mature skin to your arsenal.
But first, let’s talk about what we mean by products that are suitable for “mature skin” or “aging skin.” These terms are often thrown around in an effort to position products as anti-aging cure-alls, but that’s not how we’re using them here:, “Mature skin” simply refers to skin that has started to age—something that happens to each and every one of us. Beginning in your 30s, then onward into your 40s, the collagen in your skin decreases (which can make your skin look thinner or saggier), Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist at Premier Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, tells SELF. When that happens, you might notice more visible fine lines and dark spots or a loss of firmness, Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York, tells SELF.
And the passage of time isn’t the only thing that contributes to signs of aging—genetics, the environment, and your lifestyle also factor in, Lauren Penzi, MD, a dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York, tells SELF. For example, someone who regularly spends long periods of time in the sun without adequate protection may show earlier signs of sun damage than someone who slathers on sunscreen every day.
Night creams can’t reverse years of tanning or turn back the clock, but they can be beneficial for people whose skin is starting to show the effects of such things. To help you reap all the benefits, we spoke with dermatologists about the top products for aging or mature skin and which ingredients you should look for while shopping.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Renew Overnight Dry
- Runner-Up: Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream Ultra Plumping Moisturizer
- Best Budget Pick: Olay Regenerist Retinol 24
- Best for Dry Skin: Belif Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Youth To The People Adaptogen Deep Moisturizing Cream
- Best for Oily Skin: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment
- Best for Fine Lines: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Moisturizer
- Best Splurge: Charlotte Tilbury Refillable Magic Night Moisturizer with Retinol
What should you look for in a night cream for mature skin?
Any good night cream should help your skin retain the moisture that it naturally loses overnight. And, as SELF has previously reported, your skin tends to get drier as you get older, so ending your bedtime routine with a product that prevents water loss is all the more important. Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides are all great ingredients for boosting your skin’s hydration and keeping your skin barrier healthy in the later decades of life, Dr. Penzi says.
Ingredients that will help your skin retain its elasticity and texture are also useful as you age, Dr. Zubritsky adds, pointing specifically to retinol, niacinamide, and peptides. She explains they have brightening, smoothing, and firming properties that play nicely with a range of skin types.
The best night creams for mature skin
Using recommendations from the derms we consulted, we found the best night creams for mature skin, with options that’ll help address additional concerns like breakouts, dryness, and irritation.
Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Renew Overnight Dry
Bluemercury
- Pros: Suitable for most skin types, non-greasy feel (according to Dermstore reviewers), moisturizing and restorative
- Cons: On the pricey side
Both Dr. Camp and Dr. Penzi recommend this luxe night cream from SkinCeuticals. It contains plant-derived ingredients like aloe extract, which soothes and moisturizes the skin, helping it feel smoother and look brighter. It’s one of the priciest creams on our list, but reviewers say it’s well worth the investment for its ability to blur lines and pores. A little goes a long way, and its skin-softening effects will make it a repeat purchase (when you do, eventually, run out).
- Other notable ingredients: Calming chamomile extract, glycerin (a tried-and-true moisturizer) | Fragrance-free
- Good for: Just about anyone curious about higher-end night creams
Runner-Up: Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream Ultra Plumping Moisturizer
Sephora
- Pros: Very nourishing formula, a less pricey alternative to our overall pick
- Cons: Some reviewers noticed pilling after applying
According to Dr. Penzi, this cream from Summer Fridays is an excellent option for major hydration: It uses hyaluronic acid (a lightweight but highly effective moisturizer that Dr. Zubritsky recommends) to plump, which fills in fine lines, making them less noticeable. It’s also formulated to support your skin barrier, a.k.a. its protective outer layer that retains moisture while keeping irritants and bacteria out.
Plus, the rich formula helps even texture with a blend of fruit extracts and it has a rich, thick consistency that reviewers reportedly love: “The texture is incredibly smooth, effortlessly absorbing into the skin. It feels so soothing and cool upon application, leaving my skin feeling remarkably soft,” one wrote on Sephora.
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- Other notable ingredients: Glycerin, moisturizing and anti-inflammatory squalane
- Good for: Dry skin, skin barrier repair, fine lines
Best Budget Pick: Olay Regenerist Retinol 24
Target
- Pros: Relatively affordable, lightweight, brightening
- Cons: Might not feel as thick and nourishing as some would like
Dr. Zubritsky likes Olay’s Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer for its restorative effects—and we like it because you can find it at nearly any drugstore. It employs several skin care stalwarts to help brighten, smooth, and strengthen the skin, including niacinamide (or vitamin B3) and peptides. However, its star ingredient is retinol, which speeds up cell turnover to help shed dead skin and encourage collagen production. The result? Your skin should look fresher and clearer with regular use (note: it may take several months to see improvements). If you’ve never used a product with retinol before, Dr. Zubritsky says this is a great one to try, noting that it should be gentle enough for sensitive skin types.
- Other notable ingredients: Glycerin | Fragrance-free
- Good for: Fine lines, loss of firmness, dullness, retinol newbies
Best for Uneven Texture: Paula’s Choice Intensive Repair Cream
Amazon
- Pros: Addresses major signs of aging, retinol-beginner-friendly
- Cons: Some reviewers found that the pump bottle made it difficult to access all of the product
Menopause (and perimenopause, the transitional period before menopause) affects everyone who menstruates differently. But the hormone fluctuations that come with it often cause some major changes in your skin, Dr. Zubritsky says. As SELF has previously reported, when your estrogen levels decrease, your skin starts to lose collagen and ceramides—the lipids that provide structure to your skin’s outer layer and help maintain its moisture. As a result, your skin may look and feel rougher, thinner, drier, and less supple, Dr. Penzi says. With all that in mind, Dr. Camp recommends looking for a moisturizing night cream with retinol, which will help fresh skin cells emerge faster and give your skin a more revitalized appearance. His top pick is the Intensive Repair Cream from Paula’s Choice because it has a low concentration of retinol that he feels is gentle enough for beginners.
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- Other notable ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, skin-strengthening peptides | Fragrance-free
- Good for: People preparing for or going through menopause, people easing into a retinol routine, dry skin
Best for Dry Skin: Belif Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask
Sephora
- Pros: Intensely hydrating, not as pricey as many of our other picks
- Cons: Contains fragrances, which can be irritating for some
A top pick from Dr. Penzi, this thick, gel-like cream contains a cocktail of botanical extracts, including nettle leaf (which research shows may have firming effects), anti-inflammatory turmeric root, and ultra-soothing colloidal oatmeal. These apothecary-esque ingredients work in tandem with moisturizers like glycerin and jojoba oil to nourish the skin overnight, helping it look less dehydrated by the morning.
One thing to note is that, while some of this cream’s ingredients are considered soothing, it still contains fragrance that may cause an allergic reaction for some people—so if you’re curious but wary of irritation, do a patch test before putting this all over your face.
- Other notable ingredients: marigold extract and rosemary leaf oil, which have antioxidant properties
- Good for: Very dry or tired-looking skin
Best for Sensitive Skin: Youth to the People Adaptogen Deep Moisturizing Cream
Sephora
- Pros: Calming formula, fragrance-free
- Cons: May feel too heavy for some, according to Sephora reviewers
Stressed, sensitive skin can be really difficult to please, but Dr. Camp says Youth to the People’s Adaptogen Deep Moisturizing Cream is up to the task. It’s made with ingredients that can help calm reactive complexions. It also contains squalane, a deeply moisturizing (yet lightweight!) oil that can make fine lines less visible and further soothe cranky complexions without clogging your pores. Sephora reviewers specifically noticed fewer scaly patches once they started using this cream: “I noticed a difference in my skin immediately after applying. My face now looks hydrated and I haven’t had a dry flake anywhere. Also, the redness on my cheeks has been reduced significantly,” one wrote.
- Other notable ingredients: Aloe, glycerin | Fragrance-free
- Good for: Highly sensitive skin, redness, fine lines
Best for Oily Skin: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment
Sephora
- Pros: Prevents oil buildup, lightweight
- Cons: Some reviewers found it too drying
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Yes, oily skin still needs a good moisturizer. This one from SELF Fave brand Glow Recipe uses a duo of chemical exfoliants: Glycolic acid sloughs off dead skin cells while encouraging collagen production, and lactic acid also speeds up skin cell turnover. As a result, your skin appears smoother across the board. Dr. Penzi says this blend of acids can also help skin appear firmer.
Lactic acid also helps on the hydration front, where it’s aided by hyaluronic acid, a moisturizing superstar known to help lock in water without adding a ton of weight or greasiness. Both acids are humectants, meaning they help draw more water to the surface of your skin for a smoothing, plumping effect.
- Other notable ingredients: Brightening niacinamide, peptides
- Good for: Oily skin, fine lines, uneven texture
Best Brightening Formula: Caudalíe Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Night Cream
Sephora
- Pros: Good for a range of skin texture concerns, exfoliates and hydrates
- Cons: Glycolic acid can be irritating for people with sensitive skin, contains fragrance
This is another night cream where glycolic acid stars as both an exfoliator and a brightening agent for dull skin. It’s also a great ingredient to look for if you want to fade acne scars, dark spots, or hyperpigmentation. Reviewers note that they started to see improvements (like more radiant skin and reduced dark spots) after about a month of using the Vinoperfect Night Cream. It’s also a favorite of Dr. Camp, who points out that its active ingredient can also help address clogged pores if you deal with breakouts.
- Other notable ingredients: Nourishing shea butter and grape seed oil
- Good for: Dullness, uneven texture, dark spots, oiliness, breakouts
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Kiehl’s Expertly Clear Acne-Treating & Preventing Lotion
Sephora
- Pros: Addresses future, existing, and past acne; lightweight; absorbs quickly
- Cons: May feel drying for people with combination or dry skin, according to reviewers
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For people with occasional adult acne, Dr. Penzi recommends this gel-like lotion from Kiehl’s. She shouts out its two active ingredients (salicylic acid and niacinamide) because they work together to address the root causes of breakouts by regulating your skin’s oil production and reducing inflammation. Bonus: Salicylic acid also exfoliates and clears out your pores. Dealing with both new breakouts and evidence of previous ones? You’re in luck—niacinamide is known to help fade dark spots, and it can help reduce the appearance of acne scars over time, as well.
- Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing glycerin, soothing chamomile
- Good for: Breakouts, acne scars, oily skin
Best Lightweight Formula: Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer
Sephora
- Pros: Smooth and light consistency, calming formula
- Cons: Doesn’t feel like a standard nourishing night cream (if you’re a fan of the thick stuff)
If you hate the feeling of a thick, heavy salve but still want to reap the benefits of an overnight treatment, Biossance’s Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer could be a great fit. As we mentioned earlier, squalane is hydrating, calming, and wonderfully lightweight. This hero ingredient also helps support and strengthen your skin barrier, plus it’s gentle enough for folks with eczema or sensitive skin. If irritation is your top concern, this cream also contains soothing bisabolol, a component of the chamomile plant.
- Other notable ingredients: Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate (a form of hyaluronic acid) | Fragrance-free
- Good for: Oily or irritation-prone skin, face cream haters
Best for Combination Skin: Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cocoon Night Gel-Cream
Sephora
- Pros: Lightweight, glow-boosting formula, lovely scent
- Cons: Contains potentially irritating ingredients
A light, gel-based cream is the way to go if you have an oily T-zone but dry cheeks, Dr. Zubritsky says. Dermalogica’s Sound Sleep Cocoon Night Gel-Cream fits this bill: It's a fan favorite for its just-right texture.
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Dr. Camp also likes its plant-based formula, which contains silk tree extract, an antioxidant that can reduce the appearance of sun damage, and fruit extracts that even out and calm your skin to help your complexion look more supple and radiant. And right out of the bottle, he says its lavender and patchouli scent will help you wind down (perfect for your nighttime routine). Given its concentration of essential oils, however, this is another product you may want to patch test if your skin tends to be sensitive.
- Other notable ingredients: Glycerin, nourishing and healing vitamin E
- Good for: Normal skin with dry patches, dullness, aromatherapy fans
Best for Fine Lines: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Moisturizer
Amazon
- Pros: Specifically formulated to address fine lines and wrinkles, under $25
- Cons: Some reviewers dislike the scent
If you want a night cream that’ll serve as a sort of catch-all for the main changes that “mature skin” undergoes, give Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair moisturizer a try. Divya Shokeen, MD, a board-certified medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatologist and the founder of Ocean Skin and Vein Institute in Manhattan Beach, California, previously recommended this night cream for its ability to reduce fine lines and improve uneven skin texture. That’s thanks to its main ingredient, retinol, which is key in addressing these major signs of aging, Dr. Zubritsky says.
- Other notable ingredients: Hyaluronic acid
- Good for: Overall texture improvements, dark spots, drugstore beauty fans
Best Splurge: Charlotte Tilbury Refillable Magic Night Moisturizer with Retinol
Sephora
- Pros: Nourishing formula, refillable glass packaging
- Cons: Might feel too thick for some
For a truly luxurious bedtime skin care routine, invest in the Magic Night Moisturizer from Charlotte Tilbury. Dr. Penzi says it has an “incredible formula” that “helps skin appear plumper with less wrinkles and sagging.” It specifically contains skin-smoothing retinol and a host of nourishing oils that soften your skin and prevent it from losing too much moisture while you snooze. If you’re also looking for a traditional night cream feel, you’re in the right place: Multiple Sephora reviewers called attention to the Magic Night Moisturizer’s ultra-thick texture (one compared it, for better or for worse, to Vaseline).
- Other notable ingredients: Vitamin E
- Good for: Dry skin, fine lines, loss of elasticity
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