The Difference Between a Day Cream & a Night Cream. Do You REALLY Need BOTH??

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Do you know the real difference between day cream and night cream? Is there one, or is it just that one cream is for the day time and another for the night time?

Well, yes, there’s a difference and a reason for the difference.

Ok, before we look into the differences, it’s important to know that your skin type and age play a big role in choosing the right creams.

Whether you’ve got oily, dry, combination, or sensitive skin, there’s a day and night cream out there for you.

And as we get older, our skin needs change too – so what worked in your 20s might not be the best choice in your 40s.

Keep this in mind as we look below at the difference between day and night creams.

Day Creams

Day creams are primarily focused on protection and support due to the damaging effects of the sun. They can be light and non-greasy which is also perfect for applying make-up on top if you wished to do so. They can also contain antioxidants to fight free radicals [more info on this here], SPF to prevent sun damage and other ingredients apt for daytime care.

So, day creams…

• Are focused on protection and support
• Can be light and non-greasy
• Can contain antioxidants to fight free radicals
• Can contain SPF to prevent sun damage

Day creams aren’t just about sun protection, though. They’re also great for:

• Moisturising your skin throughout the day
• Protecting against pollution and other environmental nasties
• Providing a smooth base for makeup (if you wear it), I personally don’t

Also, when choosing a day cream, look for ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. These can help brighten your skin, keep it hydrated, and even out your skin tone.

Night Creams

Night creams are formulated to work throughout the night so they can be more powerful which means they are usually richer as well as heavier. As the skin restores itself while we sleep, strong strong ingredients like glycolic acid and retinols can be absorbed slowly.

So, night creams…

• Are supposed to work through the night
• Are more powerful than day creams (in terms of their ingredients)
• They’re usually richer which means they are heavier
• The skin restores itself while we sleep so strong ingredients are desired in your night creams as they can be absorbed slowly
• Components can include ingredients like essential oils that can cause photosensitivity

Night creams are your skin’s best friend while you sleep. They can:

• Deeply hydrate your skin
• Help repair daily damage
• Boost cell turnover for fresher-looking skin

Common ingredients in night creams include retinol (although I always push bakuchiol, an alternative to retinol, check more alternatives here, a great article I wrote on this very topic), peptides, and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). Just remember, some of these can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so always use sun protection during the day!

Do I Need Both Creams?

That depends. What do you want to achieve with your skincare? You might want to keep it simple! Or, you might want to make the most of your creams and have them work for you during the day and during the night. This is a choice you would have to make. If in doubt, consult your dermatologist.

I find these are important questions to ask which many people don’t even question and just take for granted, but it is important that you know WHY you’re putting on a cream during the day and a different one at night!

You might be interested in my other post on best time of day to apply your skincare.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Creams

Choosing the right creams is just the first step.

Here’s how to make sure you’re getting all the benefits:

1. Always apply creams to clean skin. Use a gentle cleanser suitable for your skin type.
2. You only need about a pea-sized amount for your whole face. Using too much won’t make it work better and might clog your pores.
3. Don’t rub the cream in roughly. Use upward, circular motions to gently massage it into your skin.
4. Apply your night cream about an hour before bed. This gives it time to absorb and reduces the chance of it rubbing off on your pillow.
5. For best results, use your creams every day. It can take a few weeks to see real changes, so be patient!
6. If a cream causes irritation or breakouts, stop using it. Your skin knows best!

Remember, expensive doesn’t always mean better.

There are great options at all price points, so find what works for your skin and your wallet.

And, as always, I ONLY recommend natural ingredients.

Conclusion

Taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be complicated.

With the right day and night creams, and a bit of know-how, you can keep your skin looking its best around the clock.

Remember, everyone’s skin is different, so don’t be afraid to experiment a bit to find what works for you.

And if you’re ever in doubt, a chat with a dermatologist can help you create the perfect skincare routine for your unique needs.

Patri xx