Day Cream Vs Night Cream: Do You Need Different AM & PM Moisturisers?
Applying moisturiser to our face has many benefits, from plumping the skin to brightening the complexion and providing protection from the elements. Moisturiser truly is an essential skincare product, ensuring our skin has all-day hydration and maintaining a healthy skin barrier. Knowing which product to use and how to moisturise your face is key. Night moisturisers, when applied before bed, can help our skin repair and renew itself as we sleep, while day creams help lock in moisture and shield our skin from UV rays (when SPF is included).
However, how much of a difference is there between day creams and night creams? And can you use the same moisturiser day and night? In this article, we outline all you need to know about day creams vs night creams and how to incorporate them into your skincare routine effectively.
Overview
In short, day creams primarily focus on protecting the skin from environmental aggressors, while night creams are designed to repair, restore, and deeply nourish the skin during its natural renewal cycle. While using the same moisturiser day and night is possible, for optimal skin benefits, it is recommended to use separate, specialised formulas.
What's the difference between day and night cream?
What are day moisturisers, and what do they do?
As the name suggests, day moisturisers are designed to hydrate and protect your skin throughout the day. The priority during the daytime? To protect the skin from environmental aggressors and free radicals.
As we're exposed to the sun's rays, irritants and environmental aggressors, day creams usually focus on the protective function while maintaining hydration. Day creams also tend to be lighter in texture. The best daytime moisturisers have a minimum SPF 30 and generally serve protective and antioxidant benefits, such as:
- Shielding your skin from harmful UV rays
- Locking in moisture to maintain the skin moisture barrier
- May include SPF to offer additional sun protection
- Antioxidants that defend against environmental aggressors
What are night moisturisers, and what do they do?
Night creams are specially formulated to provide extra moisture to support the skin's natural cell renewal cycle. Their primary function is to help restore and nourish the skin. Overnight, our skin works to repair visible damage caused by external aggressors the skin has been exposed to.
Richer in formula, night creams provide extra nourishment so the skin is soft and supple in the morning. Benefits of night creams include:
- Restoring the skin after exposure to UV rays and environmental aggressors
- Hydrating the skin to compensate for trans epidermal water loss overnight
- Using active ingredients that promote skin cell turnover
- Helping skin absorb active ingredients
Should you moisturise before bed?
Yes, you should always moisturise before bed after thoroughly cleansing your face to ensure the skin stays hydrated and nourished. Night moisturisers are a must to help your skin restore overnight and to compensate for trans epidermal water loss that happens when you sleep. The key to waking up with plump, bright skin is finding the best night cream for your face – and regularly incorporating it into your skincare regimen.
Can you use the same moisturiser day and night?
While you can use the same moisturiser no matter the time of day, your skin may not be getting all the benefits it can be if you were to use a day cream and a night cream. As the skin needs slightly different things at different times, we recommend using moisturisers created specifically for night and day.
In the day, your skincare priority should be sun protection and hydration, while at night, the priority is nourishing and restoring the skin, helping to maintain a healthy skin barrier. For this reason, using a daytime moisturiser with SPF and a separate nighttime moisturiser before bed can give added benefits in your routine.
How to choose your best night and day creams
It's important to choose the right moisturisers for your skin type. The best daytime moisturiser for you will provide hydration alongside antioxidants and, most importantly, sun protection. During the day, your skin is exposed to harmful UVA and UVB exposure rays, which can cause deep structural damage and put you more at risk of skin cancer and skin damage, such as sunspots and pigmentation. That's why CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion is formulated with broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection to ensure your skin is hydrated and protected from environmental damage.
The best night cream for you will suit the needs of your unique skin type, providing nourishment and helping to restore your skin as you sleep. If you have dry skin, a richer moisturiser can help give your skin an extra boost overnight, but oily skin still needs moisturisation at night too! CeraVe has a range of facial moisturisers to suit different skin types and keep your skin hydrated.
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion is a lightweight facial moisturiser, formulated with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and 3 essential ceramides, helping to protect the skin’s natural barrier and provides a continuous release of hydration for up to 24 hours, locking in moisture all night long.
“The AM and PM Facial Moisturizing Lotions are a hydrating duo of face lotions for all skin types that are formulated with beneficial ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and ceramides.”
- Ted Lain, Board Certified Dermatologist
Day cream vs night cream FAQs
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What’s the difference between day and night cream?
Day creams usually have SPF and are designed to protect your skin from the sun and the environment throughout the daytime, whereas night moisturisers are designed to help nourish and restore the skin as you sleep.
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Should you moisturise before bed?
Moisturising before bed is the key to hydrated and soft skin. After cleansing and applying serums, you should apply the best nighttime moisturiser for your skin type to nourish your skin and prevent trans epidermal water loss as you sleep.
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Can you use the same moisturiser day and night?
You can use the same moisturiser, but using separate day creams and night creams will upgrade your skincare routine as each product has unique benefits. Your skin goes through different things within 24 hours, so using separate products (especially a day cream with SPF) can ensure your skin is best equipped to take on the day or night.