The 11 Best Night Creams for Smooth, Hydrated Skin, According to Derms & Testers

Best Overall

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream

$48 at Amazon $48 at Sephora $48 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, beta glucan | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Think of Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream as the crème de la crème of night creams. It soothes and hydrates all complexions, including sensitive skin types (thanks to calming ingredients like colloidal oatmeal); it tamps down redness and irritation; and, best of all, absorbs quickly—no stickiness or tackiness here.

This cream feels like a drink of water for the skin—including on dry, itchy patches—even multiple layers absorbed within a few minutes. By the morning, we noticed a significant difference in the skin: It looked calmer and more comfortable without any tightness. Though this product’s size—a carry-on-friendly 1.7 ounces—is relatively small, a little goes a long way. Start with a pea-size amount to cover the face, but it's great for layering, too. We noted that it works well over serums and as a base for slugging.

Best Budget

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

$24 $18 at Amazon $24 at Target $25 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Ceramide-3, glycerin, niacinamide, prebiotic thermal water | Skin Type: Normal, combination, dry, sensitive | Size: 1.3, 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

This cream leaves the skin feeling soft, supple, and nourished. After using it consistently before bed over several weeks, we noted that our skin felt far less sensitive overall. Although it’s appropriate for all skin types, it struck the perfect balance when we tested it on combination skin: Its ceramide-packed formula hydrated the skin barrier and calmed irritation without clogging pores. The result was nourished, revitalized skin by morning. One thing to note is that its richer texture—slightly thicker than a gel cream—takes about 10 to 15 minutes to absorb, so plan accordingly in your nighttime wind-down routine. While we had no issue with it pilling, some online reviews mentioned that it pilled on their skin a bit.

Best for Dry Skin

OleHenriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer

$20 at Sephora $20 at Ulta $20 at Ecosmetics.com

Key Ingredients: Amino acids, peptides, ceramides | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Dry skin types need a night cream that hydrates and protects the complexion. Ole Henriksen’s Strength Trainer Moisturizer, which is packed with skin barrier-reinforcing ceramides and strengthening peptides, is that cream. When we tested this moisturizer, it left our dry patches feeling smooth and hydrated in the morning—even when layered over retinol, which can cause some flaking around our nose and chin. Its texture, which is balm-like but thins out as it melts into the skin, felt thick and nourishing but didn’t leave a film on the pillow; it wasn’t greasy, sticky, or tacky, either. While its price point is on the higher end of this list, we feel it’s a worthwhile investment for hydrated, resilient skin.

Best for Sensitive Skin

Derma-E Ultra Hydrating Night Cream

$30 $16 at Amazon $30 $19 at Walmart View on Dermae.com

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalene, ceramides, green tea extract | Skin Type: All | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Finding the right night cream for sensitive skin can be tricky; it needs to be nourishing without irritating the complexion or clogging pores, which can cause breakouts. Enter Derma-E’s Ultra Hydrating Advanced Repair Night Cream—a rich cream that walks the line perfectly. The formula's hydrating trio of hyaluronic acid, squalene, and ceramides leaves our skin feeling soft, refreshed, and revitalized in the morning. It also has a pleasant scent. (FYI: Although this cream doesn’t contain synthetic fragrances, which can irritate sensitive skin types, it does contain natural fragrance oils. If that might be a concern, we’d recommend a patch test on the arm before jumping in.) Bonus: Although it has a thicker texture, it absorbs in record time—a matter of seconds—and doesn’t leave any greasy or sticky residue behind.

Best for Glowing Skin

Tula Skincare Beauty Sleep Overnight Repair Treatment

$68 $48 at Amazon $68 at Sephora $68 at Target

Key Ingredients: Probiotic extracts, alpha-hydroxy acids, vitamin C | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If glazed donut skin is the goal, Tula’s Overnight Repair Cream is the way to achieve it. When we tested this rich cream on combination skin with dry patches, it hydrated, plumped, and smoothed the complexion for an I-woke-up-like-this glow each morning. This formula (which includes probiotic extracts, alpha-hydroxy acids, and vitamin C) is rich without feeling greasy and absorbs quickly. Although the cream doesn't visibly address the appearance of dark spots or wrinkles, its hydrating, glow-boosting effects were second to none. This product is priced on the higher end of the spectrum, but because it’s so effective, you can use it for a while. We definitely believe it’s worth the investment.

Best Luxury

Caudalie Premier Cru Moisturizer

$129 $104 at Amazon $109 at Sephora $129 at Nordstrom

Key Ingredients: TET8 patent, bio-ceramides, shea butter, micro-hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: Normal, dry, oily | Size: 1.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Caudalíe’s Premier Cru Skin Barrier Rich Moisturizer epitomizes luxury, full stop. The creamy texture feels like pure silk on the skin without becoming too heavy or oily. Over time, its moisturizing benefits were exceptional. After several weeks of testing, the overall hydration of combination/oily skin improved. Once it absorbs fully (in about two minutes), its rich formula—featuring ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and the brand's proprietary anti-aging ingredient TET8—delivers peak softness and smoothness. It's one of the best night creams we've ever used.

Most Hydrating

Dr. Jart+ Vital Hydra Solution Hydro Plump Night Mask

$35 at Amazon View on Drjart.com $35 at Selfridges.com

Key Ingredients: Pentavitin, hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: All | Size: 2.53 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

When we tested the Vital Hydra Solution Hydro Plump Night Mask from Korean brand Dr. Jart+, we were beyond impressed with how effectively it hydrated acne-prone skin—all without clogging pores or causing breakouts or irritation. This hyaluronic acid-packed formula, which is thick but melts into a gel application, immediately boosts moisture without feeling watery or too thin. It takes about 15 minutes to absorb fully, though, so make sure to apply it well before hitting the hay. Overall, Dr. Jart+’s formula looked and felt similar to Neutrogena’s budget-friendly, best-selling Hydro Boost moisturizer, but we feel its $35 price point was more than fair given its slightly larger 2.53-ounce size. Plus, it’s a shortcut to plump, smooth skin in the A.M.

Best for Large Pores

Farmacy 10% Niacinamide Night Mask

$13 $10 at Amazon $45 at Sephora $45 at Kohls.com

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, panthenol | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Farmacy’s night cream contains 10% niacinamide, or vitamin B3, which helps nourish the skin while improving its texture and tone. During our testing process, we found that this cream ticked all of our boxes. We tested it on combination skin prone to breakouts and irritation. The morning after each application, it left skin with a moisturized, glowing complexion, calmed any burgeoning breakouts, soothed dry or irritated areas, and—perhaps most impressively—refined the appearance of pores without clogging them.

The texture of this cream is pretty rich but still breathable, and a thinner layer absorbs quickly—but we noted that thicker, mask-like application may take up to several hours to absorb. We also observed it had a slightly greasy finish. Ultimately, we felt this wasn’t a deal-breaker, though; this is the product to reach for whenever the skin needs a little extra love.

Best Lightweight

Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Face Cream

$49 at Dermstore View on Medik8.com View on Cultbeauty.com

Key Ingredients: Prebiotic peptides, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, squalane | Skin Type: All, including sensitive | Size: 1.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Of the night creams we tested, the texture of Medik8’s Total Moisture Daily Face Cream was second to none; the lightweight, bouncy cream felt cooling and soothing on the skin. Its formula also boosted hydration, thanks to a combo of peptides, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and squalane. We noticed a serious glow the morning after each application. We were also impressed with how quickly this product absorbed—roughly how long it takes to brush your teeth—and that it left a dewy, nongreasy finish on combination skin. Bonus: Although this cream is appropriate for all skin types, it’s fragrance-free and has been awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, so it’s great for sensitive skin types, in particular.

Best Plumping

Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream Ultra Plumping Moisturizer

$52 at Amazon $52 at Sephora View on Summerfridays.com

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, squalane, saccharide isomerate, watermelon rind, lentil fruit, apple skin | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Summer Fridays may be best known for its Jet Lag Mask, but don’t sleep on the brand’s Rich Cushion Cream, which lives up to its name. After the testing period, our skin felt more buoyant, hydrated, and plumper overall. (Although this product is designed for all complexions, its fragrance-free formula is appropriate for sensitive skin, too.) Another plus? It softened the appearance of fine lines with consistent nighttime use. It absorbed within 30 seconds and left no residue on the skin. Lastly, its 1.7-ounce jar lasts several months, increasing its value and exceeding our expectations.

Best Serum

L’Occitane Immortelle Overnight Oil-in-Serum

$95 at Amazon $72 at Sephora View on Loccitane.com

Key Ingredients: Immortelle essential oil, marjoram extract, acmella oleracea extract | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Okay, so we cheated. L’Occitane’s Immortelle Overnight Reset is technically a serum, but its gel formula felt (and worked) more like an overnight mask during testing. Case in point: It has a light consistency, but once applied, feels as nourishing as a face mask would on its own—no need to layer additional products. The only drawback was its packaging: Its small bottle looks beautiful but is slippery when the serum is on your hands. However, we appreciate that L’Occitane also offers refill pouches, which are less expensive than the original product and promote sustainability.