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Byrdie / Kevin Liang
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.
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Replenishes skin barrier
Non-irritating
Hydrates skin
Can be used morning and night
Fragrance-free
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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Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca
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The ultra-thick texture that doesn’t feel greasy
Absorbs quickly
Restores skin barrier
Fragrance-free
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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Byrdie / Jasmine Hyman
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Byrdie / Jasmine Hyman
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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."
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Hygienic container
Gentle
Noticeable results
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.
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Byrdie / Leigh Weingus
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 to daily sunscreen use, I’m definitely starting to see some signs 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."
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Natural formula
Absorbs well
Fragrance-free
Lightweight
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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Byrdie / Nicole Kliest
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Airtight container
Non-irritating
Fragrance-free
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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Byrdie / Niusha Ocean
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Byrdie / Niusha Ocean
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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."
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It has a rich but not oily texture
Absorbs quickly into the skin
Doesn’t pill
Contains niacinamide to help reduce skin texture
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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Byrdie / Marissa Gimbl
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Gentle enough for sensitive skin
Fragrance-free
Deeply hydrating
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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Byrdie / Bryan Levandowski
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Contains effective anti-aging ingredients
Goes on thick but absorbs quickly
Contains soothing ingredients
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:
- Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair: A hydrating serum that works to address multiple signs of aging, thanks to a patented technology that helps to repair and boost collagen production.
- Bioderma H2O Micellar Water: This iconic French product is loved by skin experts, makeup artists, and beauty aficionados for its ability to gently remove makeup, skincare, and sunscreen.
- Tata Harper Makeup Removing Oil Cleanser: If you wear heavy foundation or cream makeup, use an oil-based cleanser like this one, which contains nourishing squalane.
- Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Brightening Hydra-Gel Eye Patches: Packed with vitamin C, caffeine, ferulic acid, these patches can be used on dry, combination, and oily skin to fade fine lines, reduce puffiness, and improve dark circles.
- Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum: This potent AHA/BHA serum has a blend of acids that work together to remove dead skin cells and improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pores.
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.
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 Hufton is 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.
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