11 Night Creams That Delivered Real Anti-Aging Results in Our Lab Tests
Our scientists took 21,384 skin measurements to find out which really work.
Tested by Danusia WnekSenior ChemistReviewed by Sabina WizemannBeauty Lab Director
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As a beauty editor for almost 20 years—who is now over the age of 40 and a new mom—I know the importance of nighttime skincare and the difference it can make in your skin. Yes, there is truth to the term "beauty sleep." Night is actually "the best time to treat skin concerns such as water loss, skin aging, and dark spots," says Howard Sobel, M.D., clinical attending dermatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. "This uninterrupted state is the optimum time for ‘rest and repair’ since you don’t have to protect skin against daily assaults such as UV damage, blue light exposure, and pollutants—and skin is free of makeup and other pore-clogging residue that disrupts the repair process," he explains.
Key to any night skincare routine is an effective night cream. "Night creams are moisturizers formulated to take advantage of the skin’s reset process during sleep, so they contain active ingredients that support skin’s natural repair process and typically provide deep hydration," explains Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann. While night creams today are generally formulated to address the needs of various skin types, from oily to mature skin, they don't all live up to their promises.
To find out which night creams really work, GH Beauty Lab scientists test their efficacy both in the Beauty Lab using technical instruments that measure skin hydration and firmness and changes in wrinkles and dark spots, as well as on consumers at home, who evaluate them on ease of use and product attributes.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Philosophy Anti-Wrinkle Miracle Worker+ Line-Correcting Overnight Cream
- Best Value: Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Cream
- Best Retinol: Avène Retrinal Intensive Multi-Corrective Cream
- Best Anti-Wrinkle: No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Cream
In the GH Beauty Lab's night cream tests, our scientists tallied 26,552 skin measurements and tester feedback responses total to identify the best brands on the market, from luxury splurges to bargain drugstore buys.
Pros
- Increased skin moisturization 34% in Lab tests
- Boosted firmness 29% in four weeks
- Doesn't irritate or cause redness
Cons
- May take time to absorb
What made it a winner: The Philosophy formula, packed with skin-softening, nourishing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, was a top performer in the GH Beauty Lab's night cream test thanks to strong moisturization and skin firming effects without irritation. It raised hydration by 34% over six hours, and it upped firmness by 29% in four weeks in Beauty Lab assessment.
Testers said: The cream rated best with testers for smoothing texture and being gentle on skin; it also earned high marks for firming. Almost 100% of testers said the fragrance-free formulation didn’t irritate or cause redness, however some said it didn't soak in quickly. “My skin looked better after the first night,” one remarked.
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane |
| Main benefits | Firming, hydrating |
| Best for | All skin types |
| Size | 2 oz. |
Pros
- Scored high for moisturizing and brightening skin in testing
- Appealing texture
- Soaks in quickly
- Good value
Cons
- Two testers reported eye irritation
What made it a winner: A Good Housekeeping Seal star and great value, Olay's formula featuring gold-standard anti-aging ingredients (retinol, niacinamide, three types of peptides) excelled in GH Beauty Lab testing at hydrating and brightening skin. It scored high for making skin feel moisturized and appear more even after four weeks of use in Lab evaluations. Testers also gave the fragrance-free cream near-perfect marks for its "light" texture and fast absorption, though a few noted eye irritation.
Testers said: "I liked how my skin looks in the morning," a user commented. "It doesn’t have the crepey texture that I’ve started to get as I age." Another appreciated that it "provided some of the benefits of retinol without overly drying my skin."
| Key Ingredients | Retinol, niacinamide, peptides |
| Main Benefits | Brightening, softening |
| Best For | Aging skin |
| Size | 1.7 oz. |
Pros
- Made skin feel firmer and more hydrated
- Visibly brightened skin
- Didn't cause irritation
- Light, fast-absorbing formula
Cons
- May not be as effective at diminishing hyperpigmentation
What made it a winner: Upgrade your nighttime skincare regimen—and both prevent and treat signs of aging—with Avène’s GH Beauty Award-winning night cream, which contains retinal (a more potent form of retinol) balanced by hydrating ingredients. It got top scores for making skin feel firmer and more moisturized and look brighter. (It didn't work as well at reducing age spots, however.)
Testers said: GH Beauty Lab consumer testers appreciated its “light” texture and that it soaked in fast and didn’t irritate (a common issue for retinol products). A tester over the age of 75 said it “reduced wrinkles by about 50%” after four weeks. “My fine lines are noticeably less visible,” another user reported.
Features at a Glance
| Key Ingredients | Retinal, hyaluronic acid, squalane |
| Main Benefits | Firming, moisturizing, brightening |
| Best For | All skin types, including mature |
| Size | 1 oz. |
Pros
- Minimized wrinkles by 13% in Lab tests
- Increased skin firmness 34% and hydration 32%
- Fast-absorbing and not irritating
Cons
- Not as strong dark spot reduction
What made it a winner: Formulated with retinyl palmitate, a proven anti-ager, No7’s night cream diminished wrinkles by one of the highest levels ever measured in GH Beauty Lab testing. The formula reduced lines by 13% and increased firmness 34% over four weeks per measurements with the Visia Complexion Analyzer and Cutometer, respectively. It also raised skin moisturization by 32% in six hours, however it didn't perform as well at fading dark spots.
Testers said: They gave it high marks for not causing irritation, absorbing quickly, and having an appealing texture that wasn't too sticky or greasy. "It made my skin look younger and supple," one of our consumer testers reported.
RELATED: Best Wrinkle Creams
| Key Ingredients | Peptides, hyaluronic acid, retinyl palmitate |
| Main Benefits | Line-reducing, softening |
| Best For | Dry, aging, sensitive skin |
| Size | 1.6 oz. |
Pros
- Reduced dark spots by 12% in Beauty Lab imaging tests
- Raised skin firmness 39% and moisturization 46% in Beauty Lab measurements
- Luxurious formula
Cons
- Some testers didn't like the powerful scent
What made it a winner: Avon's night cream proved to be one of the best products the GH Beauty Lab has ever tested for minimizing stubborn hyperpigmentation. In Beauty Lab tests with the Visia Complexion Analyzer, it reduced the look of dark spots by 12% after four weeks of use. And that's not all: The formula was also impressive at increasing skin firmness (by 39%) and hydration (by 46%) in Cutometer and Corneometer measurements, respectively.
Testers said: Although some of our consumer testers didn't like the "strong perfume scent," overall they liked the "thick," "luxe" feel of the cream. "It really diminished the look of age spots and kept skin well moisturized at night," a tester raved. Another commented that it "tightened and brightened" skin.
RELATED: Best Dark Spot Correctors, Recommended by Dermatologists
| Key Ingredients | Glycolic acid, peptides |
| Main Benefits | Minimizing dark spots, firming, hydrating |
| Best for | Hyperpigmentation, aging and dry skin |
| Size | 1.7 oz. |
Pros
- Contains cutting edge anti-aging ingredients
- Effectively moisturizes skin
- Smooths wrinkles
Cons
- Scent could be polarizing
What made it a winner: Counteract skin damage in your sleep with the next-level No7 anti-aging night cream, a GH Beauty Award winner. It contains rare peptides found through advanced screening to have better penetration and efficacy. GH Beauty Lab scientists praised the robust research behind the formula: It raised hydration 85% in eight hours and reduced lines over time.
Experts say: "The cream is light and silky, allowing you to go straight to bed without waiting for it to absorb," Wizemann says. "My skin was plump and bouncier with no dryness and my wrinkles looked softer after two weeks of use." Though she found the scent "comforting and relaxing," some may find it lingers too long.
| Key Ingredients | Peptides, niacinamide, vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid |
| Main Benefits | Line smoothing, hydrating |
| Best For | Mature, aging and dry skin |
| Size | 1.69 oz. |
Pros
- Increased skin hydration levels by 37% in Lab tests
- Boosted skin firmness 29%
- Non-irritating
Cons
- Not as strong wrinkle reduction
What made it a winner: Smooth on this "creamy" Clarins formula to wake up to more hydrated skin. In GH Beauty Lab Corneometer testing, it raised skin moisture levels by 37% over six hours, one of the highest measurements in the Beauty Lab's most recent test. Though it didn't perform as well at reducing wrinkles, the night cream upped skin firmness by 29% over four weeks in Beauty Lab Cutometer readings. It also ranked at the top among our testers for not causing redness or irritation.
Testers said: "It made my skin so soft and hydrated that I stopped using my daytime product," a tester noted. Another said: "Family and friends told me I looked younger and more rested and wanted to know what I was doing differently."
RELATED: Best Face Moisturizers for Dry Skin, According to Testing
| Key Ingredients | Glycerin, vitamin E, plant extracts |
| Main Benefits | Moisturizing, firming |
| Best For | Dry and sensitive skin |
| Size | 1.6 oz. |
Pros
- Measurably smoothed skin texture
- Increased firmness by 28% in Beauty Lab testing
- Soaks in fast
Cons
- Not as moisturizing as other night creams tested
What made it a winner: SkinBetter Science's night treatment, a GH Beauty Award-winner, is supercharged with age-fighting actives including retinol, glycolic, and lactic acids, and peptides to smooth skin's surface. GH Beauty Lab testing with the Cutometer machine showed that it increased skin firmness by 28% in four weeks. It also earned the top score for smoothing texture in Visia Complexion Analyzer measurements, however it was not very hydrating compared to other formulas.
Testers said: They gave the formula high marks for absorbing quickly. Two testers reported that their "fine lines were diminished." Another echoed that it "minimized some fine forehead lines."
RELATED: Best Retinol Creams
| Key Ingredients | Retinol, glycolic and lactic acids, peptides |
| Main Benefits | Firming, smoothing |
| Best For | Aging skin |
| Size | 1 oz. |
Pros
- Raised skin hydration levels by 36% in Lab tests
- Rich formula to nourish dry skin
Cons
- May be too heavy for oily skin
What made it a winner: This Origins mask, applied like a night cream as a last step in your skincare routine, was a winner in the GH Beauty Lab's overnight masks test. In Beauty Lab moisturization measurements with the Corneometer machine, it improved skin hydration by 36% over a course of six hours. Ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid help moisturize skin and niacinamide can improve skin discoloration and elasticity.
Expert says: "I really noticed a difference the next morning in my super dehydrated skin when I used it; it felt soothed and much softer," notes GH's beauty director, who is a personal fan of the product. The thick formula may be too heavy for oily skin, though.
RELATED: Best Overnight Face Masks
| Key Ingredients | Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin |
| Main Benefits | Moisturizing, hydrating |
| Best For | Normal to dry skin |
| Size | 2.5 fl. oz. |
Pros
- Top Beauty Lab performer for firming skin and evening skin tone
- Increased skin firmness by 33% and hydration by 28%
Cons
- Thick formula may not soak in quickly
What made it a winner: Tighten sagging skin with Algenist’s dense balm, which contains fortifying ceramides and fatty acids. It was the strongest of all night creams evaluated at firming skin and evening out skin tone over four weeks of use, according to Beauty Lab assessments. Cutometer calculations showed that it boosted skin elasticity and firmness by 33% over four weeks, and hydration increased by 28% in six hours in Corneometer readings.
Testers said: Two of the Lab's consumer testers reported that it faded their dark spots, but some found the thick texture didn't absorb fast. “I could really tell a difference in my skin—it was more firm and moist 24/7,” another raved.
RELATED: Best Skin Tightening Creams That Measurably Firm Your Face
| Key Ingredients | Ceramides, amino acids, fatty acids |
| Main Benefits | Firming, moisturizing, evening skin tone |
| Best For | Dry, aging skin |
| Size | 2 oz. |
Pros
- Increased skin hydration by 43% in Beauty Lab tests
- Not oily or irritating
- Contains plant-derived ingredients
Cons
- Botanical scent can be polarizing
What made it a winner: Caudalie's cream delivered real moisturization results in GH Beauty Lab evaluations—boosting skin hydration by 43% in just six hours and was best at smoothing texture. It’s formulated with plant-derived ingredients like moisturizing grapeseed oil and resveratrol, a skin-protecting antioxidant.
Testers said: Six testers commented on how “smooth” the cream felt as it went on and made their faces feel. “It moisturized my skin into the morning,” one raved. “I woke up looking refreshed,” another said. They also gave it perfect marks for not being greasy or irritating, and while many found the herbal scent "pleasant," a few said it was "off-putting."
| Key Ingredients | Plant oils, resveratrol |
| Main Benefits | Moisturizing, smoothing |
| Best For | Dry, combination, sensitive, aging skin |
| Size | 1.6 oz. |
How we test night creams
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab regularly tests night creams to find the most effective formulas. The Lab evaluates them on how well they hydrate skin immediately and six hours after application using a Corneometer device, which gauges skin moisture levels.
Beauty Lab scientists also measure changes in testers' skin over four weeks or more of daily use of night creams, including reduction in wrinkles and dark spots via digital imaging with the Visia Complexion Analyzer and firmness with a Cutometer machine.
In addition, consumer testers rate the night cream formulas on factors such as texture, scent, absorption, and irritation, plus the look and feel of their skin after use. In the GH Beauty Lab's night cream tests, Beauty Lab experts recorded 26,552 Lab measurements and tester survey responses total to identify the top performers.
The GH Beauty Lab's night cream tests included the following:
- 426 consumer testers
- 5,168 consumer tester feedback survey responses
- 5,264 Cutometer skin firmness measurements
- 5,800 Corneometer hydration measurements
- 10,320 Visa Complexion Analyzer digital imaging data points measuring changes in wrinkles, skin texture, and dark spots
What to look for when shopping for a night cream
When searching for a night cream, consider both your skin type and goals, then look for ingredients tailored to your complexion like the ones below, recommended by Dr. Sobel and Tonya McLeod, M.D., a dermatologist in Charlotte, North Carolina:
✔️ For glowing skin, brightening acids (like glycolic, lactic, and azelaic), retinol, vitamin C, and niacinamide will help stimulate skin cell turnover, promoting radiance.
✔️ For aging skin, shop for night creams with proven anti-agers like peptides, retinol, epidermal growth factors, and hydroxy acids (like glycolic) to help smooth wrinkles. Also look for protective antioxidants (such as vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, and niacinamide).
✔️ For dark spots and hyperpigmentation, choose products with brightening vitamin C, retinol, niacinamide, licorice root extract or glycolic, kojic, lactic, azelaic, and ferulic acids to help brighten and even skin tone.
✔️ For dry skin, seek out a richer formula like a cream or balm and look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, squalane, aloe, and plant butters (i.e. shea) and oils (i.e. coconut) to replenish moisture.
✔️ For oily, combination or acne-prone skin, look for a lighter formula such as a lotion or gel in a formula that contains balancing and oil-reducing acids like salicylic, glycolic, azelaic, and lactic; retinol can also help minimize breakouts.
✔️ For sensitive skin, try calming ingredients like allantoin, oat extract, glycerin, bisabolol, and cucumber extract, which soothe skin without irritating. Avoid fragrance, acids and alcohol, which can irritate reactive skin.
Do you actually need a night cream?
A night cream really is different than your typical daytime face moisturizer. "Whereas regular moisturizers focus on improving the natural moisture barrier of the skin only, night creams contain active ingredients that assist with improving the skin beyond adding moisture," explains Dr. McLeod. Night creams are packed with effective skincare ingredients and powerful anti-agers that aim to address skin concerns like lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation, leading to a more hydrated, youthful-looking complexion over time.
While these creams can hydrate and brighten your skin, they work best in tandem with a good night's sleep, the body's natural repair process. "Growth hormone, produced during deep sleep, plays a role in protein synthesis, which helps our bodies heal damage to cells, including skin," explains Christopher Winter, M.D., a sleep medicine specialist in Charlottesville, Virginia.
What's the best way to use a night cream?
For optimal results, apply a night cream during your evening routine after makeup removal, face cleansing, and any other treatments, such as serums and eye cream, Dr. Sobel advises. It may seem like more is better when it comes to night cream, but there's no need to slather it on as if you're icing a cake: "Smooth a pea-sized amount all over the face in a thin layer," Dr. McLeod recommends.
And don't forget sun safety: "When using a night cream with strong actives such as retinol and alpha hydroxy acids that can sensitize skin, be diligent about applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or more during the day," says GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek. "Keep night cream bottles and jars tightly closed to keep the product fresh and avoid accelerated degradation of the ingredients."
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek conducted the most recent night cream test, utilizing both lab instrumentation and consumer feedback to recommend the best products on the market. She also provided expert commentary for this story.
GH Senior Beauty & Style Director April Franzino worked with Wnek to report the GH Beauty Lab's testing data and expert insights in this article. She has nearly 20 years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare-related content and is an expert in all face and body skincare product categories, including night creams.
GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann oversees all of the Lab's product testing, including night creams. She provided an expert review of this story for accuracy.
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty and Personal Care Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 15 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and performance testing. The number one skincare rule she lives by: never go to bed with makeup on.
Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.
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