Consider This Your Official Guide to the Best Affordable Night Cream for Every Skin Type and Concern (2024)

If you've been looking for a way to moisturize and treat your skin at night, we recommend investing in a night cream. Many night cream formulas contain retinol, as well as other ingredients that target signs of aging while you sleep. "These anti-aging powerhouses prevent fine lines and increase collagen production while you sleep," says Claire Wolinsky, MD, a New York-based board-certified dermatologist specializing in facial rejuvenation.

Best of all, you don't need to spend a lot of money on a night cream—there are several great options available at drugstores. We tested dozens of formulas, carefully considering their active ingredients and targeted benefits before using the creams for weeks at a time and noting the results to curate our list of the best drugstore night creams for every skin type.

Our Top Picks

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What We Like

  • Replenishes skin barrier

  • Non-irritating

  • Hydrates skin

  • Can be used morning and night

  • Fragrance-free

What to Consider

  • Slightly gritty texture

Active Ingredients: Thermal spring water, niacinamide, ceramides, glycerin | Size: 2.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Both dermatologists we interviewed stand behind this French pharmacy find, and we can see why. "​​La Roche Posay Double Repair is a hydrating yet non-pore-clogging over-the-counter moisturizer containing ceramides and glycerin that is safe for even the most sensitive skin," says Dr. Wolinsky. "I recommend it often." Thanks to niacinamide (vitamin B3) and mineral-rich thermal spring water, this all-star cream works to soothe stressed complexions, smooth fine lines, replenish the skin barrier, and deliver a plumper look.

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What We Like

  • The ultra-thick texture that doesn’t feel greasy

  • Absorbs quickly

  • Restores skin barrier

  • Fragrance-free

What to Consider

  • We’d like some extra anti-aging ingredients added in

Active Ingredients:Hyaluronic acid, 3 essential ceramides, niacinamide |Skin Type:All |Size:1.7 oz |SPF:No |Cruelty-Free:No

We awarded CeraVe’s Skin Renewing Night Cream as our overall runner-up as it scored an impressive 5 out of 5 in our lab test. It contains key ingredients that restore and strengthen a damaged skin barrier including a complex of biomimetic peptides, hyaluronic acid, and three essential ceramides – essentially, everything that keeps the skin super soft, plumped up, and supple. We also found that it sank in quickly after application and left our faces feeling smoother.

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Jasmine | CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream Tester

"It’s the perfect texture for a night cream, like an ultra-thick moisturizer. It absorbs into the skin really well—by the time I finish my night routine and get settled into bed I honestly forget I’ve even put on a thick night cream. I have hormonal acne, and a major side effect is dry patches, but this cream treats them extremely well. As far as benefits, I would recommend this product to friends and family whose skin needs a boost of hydration. I don't think it did much more than that but for a basic, no-frills night cream, this is a great pick."

What We Like

  • Hygienic container

  • Gentle

  • Noticeable results

What to Consider

  • Some people find that it has a bit of a funky smell

  • Contains fragrance

Active Ingredients: Retinol, vitamin E, shea butter | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: No

A favorite among dermatologists and skincare aficionados alike, RoC Retinol Correxion is undoubtedly one of the best drugstore options. As its name suggests, this night cream contains retinol, a research-backed anti-aging ingredient that tackles everything from fine lines and crow's feet to dark spots and crepiness. We appreciate that it's fast-absorbing and non-greasy, while not drying out the skin like some retinol creams can. We also like that it comes in a squeeze-tube which is more hygienic than a jar you need to dip your fingers into.

I Tried RoC’s Retinol Deep Wrinkle Night Cream to Reduce My Fine Lines and Acne

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Leigh | RoC Retinol Correxion Night Cream Tester

"By some miracle of time and space, I am suddenly in my mid-30s (!) and while my skin is holding up decently thanks todaily sunscreen use, I’m definitely starting to see somesigns of aging: lines around my mouth, my eyes, and a few on my forehead, too. Overall, I was very happy with RoC’s Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream. On top of being affordable, it didn’t irritate my skin, and I noticed a reduction in fine lines within a week."

What We Like

  • Natural formula

  • Absorbs well

  • Fragrance-free

  • Lightweight

What to Consider

  • Can separate in the jar a bit

Formulated with aloe and cotton extract, this calming cream soothes sensitive skin while shea butter and jojoba oil deliver moisture and nourishment. It's lightweight and non-greasy, and we appreciate that it received the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, meaning that it's suitable for use on sensitive skin and those with eczema. Some reviewers note that it can separate in the jar and become slightly watery, though this is usually remedied by mixing it. If you experience this, we recommend mixing it with a clean cotton swab to keep it hygienic.

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What We Like

  • Airtight container

  • Non-irritating

  • Fragrance-free

What to Consider

  • Nothing

Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, allantoin, ceramides, shea butter | Size: 2.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

You might know Differin for its once-prescription and now over-the-counter retinoid acne treatment, but the brand also has a few notable retinol-free products. We're big fans of the Restorative Night Moisturizer, an exceptionally gentle cream that hydrates with humectants and emollients like hyaluronic acid, allantoin, and essential ceramides.When we tested this night cream out in our lab, we found that it absorbed incredibly well into our skin—it didn't feel wet, greasy, or oily afterward, and our skin felt refreshed, hydrated, plump, and soft.It also layers well with other products and passes the vital non-pilling test.

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Niusha | Differin Restorative Night Moisturizer Tester

"This is a no-frills moisturizer that does exactly what it claims. As someone with combination skin (I have an oily t-zone and eczema), this moisturizer leaves my skin feeling refreshed, smooth and moisturized without any greasy residue. I can imagine this would work well for people that suffer from breakouts, as it's super gentle and doesn't clog my pores."

What We Like

  • It has a rich but not oily texture

  • Absorbs quickly into the skin

  • Doesn’t pill

  • Contains niacinamide to help reduce skin texture

What to Consider

  • Doesn’t make a major difference in lines and wrinkles

Active Ingredients:Glycerin and niacinamide |Skin Type: Oily, combination and mature |Size:1.7 oz |SPF:No |Cruelty-Free:No

While it has that thick, luxurious feel that you want in a night cream, we found that this pick sank quickly into our skin without leaving behind any oiliness. It's formulated with glycerin for its moisturizing benefits, as well as niacinamide for its ability to help smooth skin texture. We applied it after a retinol treatment during testing and can report that we didn’t experience any pilling. We also found that it very quickly improved the smoothness and hydration of our skin, and our skin felt calmer and more even come the morning. This is one product we’ll be recommending on repeat.

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What We Like

  • Gentle enough for sensitive skin

  • Fragrance-free

  • Deeply hydrating

What to Consider

  • Could have a more rich, creamy texture

Active Ingredients:Hyaluronic acid, vitamins E and B3, and olive extract |Skin Type: Dry and sensitive |Size:1.7 oz |SPF:No |Cruelty-Free:No

If you have sensitive and reactive skin, you’re probably already familiar with Cetaphil. And if you have dry skin, you, too, should put the brand on your radar. This rich cream promises to deliver necessary hydration without leaving a greasy film behind. After trying it out for ourselves, we felt that it delivered on its promises, leaving our skin feeling super smooth and hydrated, thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and olive extract.

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What We Like

  • Contains effective anti-aging ingredients

  • Goes on thick but absorbs quickly

  • Contains soothing ingredients

What to Consider

  • Fragrance is a little overpowering

Active Ingredients:Centella asiatica and Pro-Retinol |Skin Type: All skin types|Size:1.7 oz |SPF:No |Cruelty-Free:No

Claiming to improve skin texture in just four weeks, we were looking forward to trying L'Oreal Revitalift’s Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Night Cream in our lab. While it feels very thick initially, we found that it sank effortlessly into the skin without leaving any oiliness behind. When it came to the results, it definitely delivered thanks to its two key ingredients, Centella asiatica (known for soothing benefits) and Pro-Retinol. After application, we noticed that our complexions felt smoother and more supple and could retain moisture more effectively throughout the day.

Danielle | L'Oréal Revitalift Night Cream Tester

"The first time I tried it, I thought it was too thick, but it actually sunk into my skin really well and the greasy feeling went away within a few minutes. I layer it over the other products in my nighttime skincare routine and I don't notice any pilling, so it can be used in conjunction with serums or retinols. Revitalift has a fairly strong floral scent, which bothered me at first because I only normally use fragrance-free products. But I got used to it the more I used it, and it doesn’t irritate my skin. My main skin concern is dryness and it helps—I wake up wiyh no severe dry patches and need to apply less moisturizer in the morning."

All of the drugstore picks on this list are effective and affordable. If you're looking for a night cream with higher concentrations of active, anti-aging ingredients—like retinoids, vitamin C, and peptides, you may want to explore these pricier night creams. Here are some other products you may want to add to your nighttime skincare routine:

What to Look for in a Drugstore Night Cream

  • Moisturizing Ingredients: You'll want to look out for formulas containing natural butters like shea, cocoa, or mango seed, along with plant oils, such as avocado, jojoba, squalane, castor, and and sunflower seed. Additionally, humectants can help your skin retain moisture. A few of the most common include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, aloe vera, fatty acids, panthenol (vitamin B5), and vitamin E.
  • Anti-Aging Ingredients: Dr. Wolinsky says overnight formulas often "contain important ingredients that work best at night, such as retinol, which can be deactivated by the sun." In addition to this vitamin A derivative, you're wise to look out for drugstore moisturizers containing niacinamide (vitamin B3) and peptides, all of which smooth the skin and help boost collagen production.
  • Fragrance-Free Formula: Sheilagh Maguiness, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, recommends unscented formulas to avoid irritation, as some folks are sensitive or even allergic to synthetic fragrance (aka parfum) in skincare products.

FAQ

  • How do you apply drugstore night creams?

    Starting with clean, freshly washed skin, dispense a small amount of cream into your hand (about the size of a blueberry). Next, use your fingertips to dot equal amounts on your forehead, chin, cheeks, and neck. Then gently massage the cream into your skin until it's completely absorbed.

  • How often should you use drugstore night creams?

    Most drugstore night creams can be used every evening. However, if you're using a formula containing retinol or alpha-hydroxy acids (such as lactic acid and glycolic acid), you might want to work your way up to daily use to avoid irritation. Start with once or twice a week, then bump it up to three times when your skin gets acclimated and so on until you're using it nightly.

Why Trust Byrdie

Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer and copyeditor specializing in beauty, lifestyle, and wellness. She interviewed two dermatologists for this story, asking for product suggestions and insight into which ingredients are best for nighttime use. She also referenced several peer-reviewed publications and researched various formulations. As a skincare enthusiast, Theresa has tried a handful of products on this list, including La Roche Posay, Olay, Etude House, CeraVe, Cetaphil, and RoC.

Catherine Huftonis a London-based lifestyle journalist and has been a contributing writer and editor for Byrdie since 2022. She digs deep into all things fashion and beauty to find the very best shopping must-haves—from the most effective collagen serums to the best drugstore makeup essentials.

For this story, we also reached out to experts to gather their recommendations and insights about what to know when buying a drugstore night cream. Those experts include:

  • Sheilagh Maguiness, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the co-founder of Stryke Club, a line of acne-treating skincare for teens.
  • Claire Wolinsky, MD, is a New York-based board-certified dermatologist specializing in facial rejuvenation.
Consider This Your Official Guide to the Best Affordable Night Cream for Every Skin Type and Concern (2024)
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