How to Shop for ... a Night Cream
Choose the best night cream for your skin type in five simple steps.
The right night cream can help you get the most out of those PM hours for more glowy mornings that make it look like you got much more sleep than you probably did. Your night cream should seal in all of the other good stuff you’ve slathered on and assist your skin in healing and rebooting overnight.
If you’re in the market for a night cream, keep these five tips in mind to help you make the right purchase for your visage:
1. Consider your skin type.
Like any other product in your beauty routine, you need to choose a night cream suited to your skin type. Very oily skin like mine does best with a light liquid or gel-cream formula that is free of any oils. Dryer skin can handle something richer and needs more hydration. And because this is likely the heaviest layer in your routine (unless you follow it with an oil, which should always be applied last), you want to avoid any ingredients you know your skin can’t tolerate.
2. Look at the rest of your routine.
Examine the ingredients in the other products you are using in your nighttime skincare routine. If you are using toners and serums full of actives like exfoliating acids (AHAs or BHAs) or a stronger topical like retinol or a retinoid, your night cream should be more simple to avoid irritation and enhance the benefits of your other products. If you like a more streamlined routine, look for a cream with those actives in it and go straight from cleansing to moisturizing to bed.
3. Check the calendar.
Our skin’s needs change with the seasons. For summertime, you may want to use a lighter night cream or skip one altogether in favor of lighter serums you can layer. It all depends on your skin type and temperature. When I layer on something too thick in the summertime, my skin can feel itchy and get congested. But in the winter, when the radiator is all fired up, I need something more intense.
4. Rank your priorities.
What is the main thing you want this product to address when it comes to your skin? Do you need a lot of extra hydration and moisture? If so, look for formulas with plumping peptides and hyaluronic acid. Are you hoping to soften the appearance of fine lines or pigmentation? Vitamins A and C can help. Once you have a goal in mind, you can choose a formula that works best for you.
5. Think about your sleep situation.
If you have trouble sleeping at night, you do everything you can to be comfortable. This is why fragrance can be an important factor when choosing a night cream. You don’t want something that smells off-putting or too floral that may keep you up. While some formulas contain essential oils to lull you to sleep. A heavy or oily night cream may also not be the best idea if you have sheets you want to protect. If you can, apply your night cream at least an hour before bed so it sinks into your skin instead of your pillowcase to help you get the most out of it.
Want more tips? Learn how to shop for bedsheets here.
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