What Is The Best Night Cream For Ageing Skin?

Hello, I'm Tess Walls! I've been exploring skincare for a number of years, and in this video I talk through how I think about night creams for maturing skin.

What does a night cream do for ageing skin?

A night cream is a leave-on moisturiser. DermNet NZ describes what moisturisers do in plain terms: they reduce dryness, limit water loss from the skin and support the skin barrier.* Overnight there is no sun and no makeup, which makes the evening a sensible time for a richer texture. If your skin feels dry or tight by the end of the day, a night cream is a simple place to start.

Three kinds of ingredient do most of the work, and you can find them on the ingredient list. Humectants attract and hold water in the skin, and DermNet NZ gives glycerine and urea as examples. Emollients smooth the skin. Occlusives, such as petroleum jelly and dimethicone, slow water loss.*

When should you apply a night cream?

DermNet NZ notes that leave-on moisturisers work best when they go on soon after bathing, while the skin still holds water.* In an evening routine that means cleanse, apply your serum, then apply your cream without leaving it until the end of the night.

How do you choose a night cream for your skin type?

Start with the skin type listed on the product page, then check the directions. Here is how three creams in the Germaine de Capuccini range read on their own pages:

T SRNS Night High Recovery Comfort Cream is used in the evening, and its page lists normal, dry and very dry skin.
Wrink·Less Cream (No SPF) is applied morning and night, and its page lists all skin types except extremely dry or oily skin.
Timexpert SRNS Pro 60+ is applied morning and evening, and its page lists normal, dry and very dry skin.

If you are unsure which suits you, you can book a free chat with one of our skin therapists.

What is the best night cream for your 40s?

Age on its own tells you very little. In your 40s, choose by skin type first, then think about what else is already in your routine. Some people add a vitamin A serum at night. Expert Lab Retinight is a night only serum with a gradual start schedule in its directions, and a moisturiser can follow it. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using a vitamin A product.

What is the best night cream for mature skin?

For skin that feels dry, the format matters as well as the ingredients. DermNet NZ ranks leave-on formats by how occlusive they are: ointments are the most occlusive, followed by creams, lotions and oils.* A cream therefore usually gives more protection against water loss than a lotion does. Choose a cream that suits your skin type, apply it consistently, and give it time before judging it.

Can you use Timexpert SRNS Pro 60+ at night?

Yes. Its directions say to massage a pea size amount into the face, neck and décolletage, morning and evening, and to apply it after your serum. The page also says a slight tingling sensation is normal the first few times you use it. You can read more in our post on Pro 60+ as an anti-ageing cream.