The best night creams for the ultimate beauty sleep, tried and tested by over 380 women

Score: 86/100

Retinoids are a powerhouse ingredient for smoothing and restoring skin. However, due to their potency, they can cause redness and irritation, especially for those who suffer with sensitivity. But Olay has formulated its cream with Retinyl Propionate, a stable form of vitamin A, which tends to be better tolerated by our skin. Indeed, one tester said this cream “soothed irritation and redness,” rather than causing it.

The formula works extra hard as you sleep, with multiple testers saying their skin felt “softer and more hydrated” when they woke up.

As retinoids are mostly known for their resurfacing properties, we made sure to ask testers for their feedback on texture. And with the whole panel agreeing that their skin looked smoother after use, it’s safe to say this retinol moisturiser lived up to the hype. “I could see less lines on my face,” one tester told us at the end of the trial period.

Score: 85/100

This night cream works tirelessly to rejuvenate and rehydrate your skin while you sleep, tackling the signs of the big three on skin: ageing, stress and fatigue. It’s formulated with ingredients such as niacinamide, which helps improve skin tone and reduce the appearance of pores, and sea holly extract, which works to restore the skin’s barrier function, helping it retain moisture.

Testers were delighted with the results of this fast-absorbing, non-greasy cream, with one tester saying it left their skin feeling “smooth, soft and rehydrated.”

“My fine lines seemed less noticeable, and skin looked brighter,” added another.

We tested the version that’s suitable for all skin types, which scored nearly full marks for its hydrating properties, but there is also one formulated specifically for dry skin.

Score: 85/100

Compared to the brand’s preventative retinol for beginners, this more powerful retinal is designed for those with more advanced signs of ageing, such as deep-set wrinkles and loss of firmness.

The non-greasy formula delivers a potent dose of plumping vitamin A via its NAD+ complex, helping to boost skin-cell regeneration. This skin renewal process works to improve firmness and elasticity and (with consistent use) should help you look more glowy and refreshed. “My skin felt soft and looked brighter the next day [after application], and who doesn’t love that?” said one enthusiastic panellist. The rest of our testers were equally impressed – everyone agreed their skin felt plumper and more hydrated after the trial period.

Testers also loved the pump-style applicator, which delivered the perfect dose each time. It keeps things hygienic, too, as you simply press the top to dispense a dollop onto your skin, avoiding the need dip your fingers into the cream.

Score: 85/100

Hot flushes, dehydration and temperature changes while you sleep – all common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause – can cause overnight moisture loss, drying out your skin. But this night cream kept our panellists’ skin moisturised from dusk till dawn – and throughout the following day too. “I like how soft my skin continued to feel into the morning, without any tightness,” said one panel member.

The cream is formulated with the brand’s Regenight tech, a fancy way of saying it’s full of reparative active ingredients that work to boost skin health overnight. Another key ingredient is nephoria, which acts like retinol, helping to resurface and renew skin to leave it feeling firmer and more elastic.

And all our testers agreed their skin looked plumper, smoother and more radiant after consistent use. Our lab results backed this up, with the before and after Visia machine analysis showing some reduction in fine lines and wrinkles.

The formula claims to combine the richness of an oil with the nourishment of a night cream, and our panel liked the texture. “It felt rich, yet lightweight,” said one person which is often not the case for oils. Note that some said the cream caused breakouts, so it may be worth considering a lighter formula if this is a concern of yours.

Score: 84/100

Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream is iconic, so we had high hopes for the brand’s ceramide-packed moisturiser, and it didn’t disappoint.

Testers loved the premium look, awarding it full marks for its chic jar. But we know not to judge a book by its cover, or a night cream by its packaging, as it's what on the inside that counts. And it delivers here too – thanks to the rich formula packed with reparative ceramides, firming tetrapeptides and firming Edelweiss extract, expect your complexion to look lush and lifted.

Some testers found it a little on the thick side, but this isn’t uncommon with night creams as they’re formulated to deliver a deep dose of hydration. As an added benefit, one tester reported a “noticeable reduction in puffiness and fine lines around the eyes in the morning.”

Score: 84/100

As a part of Pai’s Age Confidence range, this night cream has been developed to care for mature skin and restore a dry complexion. The peptide-packed formula works to boost collagen production, thus helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, all while being gentle on sensitive skin.

Promising a good night’s sleep in a bottle, the cream also includes actives, which the brand claims will regulate the circadian rhythm to help you drift off. Sounds dreamy.

Most of our panel noticed an improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and one said they woke up “uplifted and glowing with a satisfying tightness.” Overnight facial anyone?

Score: 82/100

If you prefer a lighter cream, then this one's for you. Testers found it lightweight while still being “super nourishing and softening.” Despite the gentle feel, the next-generation formula still packs a punch. You’re Looking Well has enlisted the evening and smoothing power of bio-retinoids to help promote glowing and fresh-looking skin.

The formula also includes hyaluronic and amino acids to help boost hydration and protect the skin barrier. “The effects were long-lasting and, overall, it was an impressive moisturiser,” said one of our panel members. You’ve done well, YLW.

Score: 82/100

This thick and ultra-hydrating cream went down well with our testers prone to dry skin. As we age, our skin’s ceramide levels decrease, which can weaken the skin barrier – this is the perfect antidote. The formula contains highly concentrated ceramides that work to repair the skin barrier, helping to retain moisture and defend against bacteria that can cause breakouts.

This one is also suitable for sensitive skin, thanks to the fragrance-free formula. Expect plump and bouncy-looking skin at the breakfast table.

Score: 81/100

Trinny Woodall says she created Bounce Back for anyone who looks in the mirror and thinks, “I’m really feeling my age.” She describes it as "youth-boosting", thanks to the peptide-packed formula.

A key ingredient is Phytosphingosine (we know, it sounds complicated) but its purpose is simple – it helps to firm skin and prevent the breakdown of collagen, which happens naturally as we age. Alongside this, super hydrator, hyaluronic acid, works with barrier-boosting oat lipids and squalane to plump and replenish.

None of our testers reported any signs of irritation or redness after use, saying it left their skin “soft and smooth”. Note, we tested this as a night cream, but it can be used both AM and PM, making it a great all-rounder.

Score: 81/100

Olay claims this Max version of its night cream delivers 24-hour moisture with 40% more hydrating ingredients than its Retinol24 serum. And though we didn’t directly compare the two, panellists did praise the formula’s hydrating properties, which one tester said they noticed immediately.

As well as glycerin, which is what helps the skin retain moisture, this cream contains Retinyl Propionate, which works to smooth the complexion, and vitamin E to help combat damage from external aggressors such as pollution.

Our testers found their skin felt firmer after a week of use, and there was no greasy or sticky residue left behind with this one either, so you can hit the hay asap.

Score: 80/100

As a part of Weleda’s Skin Food range, this cream contains a mix of ultra-nourishing and replenishing ingredients. There’s calendula, known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, along with barrier-protecting fatty acids and shea butter, which helps reduce moisture loss to keep your skin feeling supple.

It’s a thick cream, so you don’t need to apply much, but you can expect to wake with softer, fresher-feeling skin, according to one of our testers. Now there’s some food for thought!

Score: 78/100

Smooth skin without any irritation is just what we want from a retinol night cream, and that’s exactly what testers experienced with this RoC formula. This is down to the combination of hard-working, resurfacing retinol and hydrating hyaluronic acid – the dream team for rejuvenating skin.

The majority of our testers agreed that this velvety cream from the French powerhouse brand left their skin looking more radiant after use. Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, RoC retinol?

Score: 78/100

After over 110 years in the skincare game, Nivea products are not to be slept on. Unless we’re talking about its firming night cream of course. Its formula contains Q10 and creatine, two ingredients key to firming skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

“It felt lovely on the face when applied and my skin felt smooth when cleansing in the morning,” said one tester. It worked a charm on another panellist’s dry skin too – they told us their face felt nourished and moisturised the next morning.

It’s an affordable buy and one tester told us a little went a long way, offering real value for money.

Score: 77/100

From the best cleansing balms to creams and face masks, Elemis knows its stuff when it comes to collagen-supporting skincare. Collagen is a protein our body produces naturally to give cells structure and it’s crucial for keeping skin elastic, supple and strong. As we age, the levels of collagen in our skin start to decline, which can cause dryness and fine lines.

That's why Elemis formulated its pro-collagen range, infused with hydrating and firming ingredients to help support and maintain production of this vital protein.

This night cream includes uber-nourishing sesame and avocado oils, which are rich in antioxidants to help create firmer-feeling and radiant-looking skin. You can expect added suppleness come morning too, thanks to the addition of hydrating padina pavonica.

The proof is in our results, as testers said their skin looked brighter and smoother after a month of use, while some noticed the effects immediately, with one panellist saying it seemed to “heal skin overnight.” Some found the scent rather strong, but others praised it for being spa-like, so it will come down to personal preference.