14 of the Best Moisturizing Products to Use at Night, According to Dermatologists

These hydrators—which include face lotion, eye cream, cuticle products, and more—will leave your skin luxuriously smooth after a good night's sleep.

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composite header of woman applying moisturizer and a bottle of skin cream
Photo: GETTY IMAGES

There are a number of good reasons why you should consider moisturizing your skin overnight. Whether you're often scrambling to find the time for a little self-care or simply love to multi-task, experts say that the hours during which you're asleep are great for hydrating your skin and letting products sink really in. "Just like the brain, the skin repairs and regenerates itself overnight, so it's important to make [applying products at night] a habit," says Ashley Magovern, MD, the owner and founder of Manhattan Dermatology and Dermstore's medical director.

And since you're asleep, you won't be tempted to touch your face or otherwise interfere with any of the products you've applied—which means you'll reap their full benefits. "Allowing products to work while you sleep is beneficial for the hydration process because it allows the product to perform without disruption," says Howard Murad, MD, a dermatologist and the creator of his eponymous skin care brand.

The Best Moisturizing Products to Use at Night

Ready to re-commit to properly moisturizing at night? Ahead, discover 14 expert-approved products that work hard to calm your dry, irritated skin while you sleep—so you can wake up looking and feeling your best.

Sunday Riley "Luna" Sleeping Night Oil

sunday riley sleeping night oil
Courtesy of Sunday Riley

"The Sunday Riley LUNA Sleeping Night Oil blends a retinoid derivative with soothing and calming chamomile and licorice extract, which is a great combination for nighttime restoration," says Dr. Magovern.

Jouer Cosmetics Overnight Conditioning & Repairing Lip Mask

jouer lip moisturizer
Courtesy of Jouer

"This product will keep your lips looking young, plump, and hydrated with a blend of jojoba oil, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E. Lactic acid helps with gentle exfoliation—which is even important for the lips!" says Dr. Magovern.

She emphasizes the importance of protecting your skin during the day, too. "Don't forget to put sunscreen on in the morning, every morning—cumulative sun damage will cause premature aging of the lips, and they will appear dry and flaky, regardless of how much you hydrate them," she says.

Dr. Murad "Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisturizer" Moisturizer

murad moisture cream
Courtesy of Murad

This luxe cream provides 24 hours of hydration thanks to hyaluronic acid. "[It] restores suppleness and visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles," explains Dr. Murad. "The addition of coconut extract helps provide enhanced moisture retention and gives skin a youthfully smooth texture. Diving a bit deeper in the hyaluronic acid (HA) technology—the HA gives an instant and lasting moisture boost by attracting water to skin and keeping it there."

Dr. Murad notes that this moisturizer works for all skin types, including sensitive and oily. While this product can be used no matter the hour, Dr. Murad says some of his patients prefer to apply it exclusively at night.

Soap & Glory "Hand Food" Hand Cream

soap & glory hand food hydration lotion
Courtesy of Walgreens

This hand cream calls on quenching shea butter and macadamia oil, resulting in smooth, supple skin. "This hand cream can be applied as often as one needs and it's great for overnight use, so your hands can soak up the shea butter and macadamia oils while you sleep," says Dr. Mauricio.

"For the best results, I recommend applying a thicker layer, then covering hands with cotton gloves, socks, or plastic wrap. Leave on overnight to soften, smooth, and soothe dry, chapped, or otherwise hampered hands. Just be careful if you have fragrance allergies, as this is scented," she adds.

Laneige Hypoallergenic Cica Sleeping Mask

Laneige Hypoallergenic Sleep Mask
Courtesy of Sephora

If you need something to reboot your skin overnight, turn to this. Made with fermented yeast extract and cica, it reduces redness and calms the skin.

Board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology Corey L. Hartman, MD, explains that the cica locks in hydration and strengthens the skin's natural barrier for a healthier texture overall; the mask will calm inflammation while also healing scratches and blemishes.

Orly Cuticle Therapy Creme

ORLY Cuticle Therapy Cream
Courtesy of Amazon

Jeannette Graf, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, loves this nail cream—it helps moisturize dry skin and treat cracked cuticles. It contains vitamin A and E and avocado oil to provide deep hydration for the skin around the nails. And as an added bonus, you can use this for other places that are prone to dryness, such as your elbows and feet.

La Roche Posay Lipikair Triple Repair Moisturizing Body Cream

La Roche-Posay Triple Repair Cream
Courtesy of Amazon

Dr. Hartman recommends this skin repair treatment to his patients; the smooth, creamy body lotion restores the skin barrier and seals in hydration. It contains shea butter, glycerin, niacinamide, and La Roche Posay's proprietary formula to nourish skin and moisturize the skin for up to 48 hours. It also has a smooth balmy texture with a non-greasy finish so you won't feel sticky and oily before going to bed.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Facial Moisturizer

Neutrogena Oil Face Wash
Courtesy of Amazon

If you have oily and acne-prone skin, Dr. Graf recommends this moisturizer. It's oil-free and its main ingredient is salicylic acid, which exfoliates away dead skin cells and clears out pores. She adds that it will also help keep your complexion's hydration and oil levels balanced, while optimizing skin health overnight.

Dr. Graf M.D. Rejuvenation Retinol Body Moisturizer

M.D. Rejuvenation Retinol Body Butter
Courtesy of HSN

The body oftentimes gets overlooked when it comes to skin care, so give it the extra attention it needs with this overnight moisturizer. Made with shea butter, retinol, and glycerin, it not only provides moisture, but also helps even out texture and keep skin super soft. "This rich body butter can nourish your skin to repair itself overnight," says Dr. Graf.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream
Courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury

Those with dry skin will appreciate this overnight moisturizer, says Dr. Graf, since it not only hydrates skin, but also delivers a glow come morning. It has known moisturizing ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E to even out skin tone and combat dullness, and a peptide complex to smooth out fine lines.

SkinCeuticals Renew Overnight Dry

SkinCeuticals Renew Overnight Cream
Courtesy of Dermstore

This overnight moisturizer for sensitive skin contains botanical extracts, which provide nourishment and protect against irritation. It also has actives to brighten the complexion, says Dr. Graf: The formula contains a hydroxy acid complex that improves texture and removes dead skin for a radiant glow. It also has calming properties thanks to aloe and chamomile.

Skinbetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream

AlphaRet Overnight Cream
Courtesy of Skinbetter

"This cream locks in moisture, addresses fine lines and wrinkles, and helps improve dry skin without the irritation of usual retinoid-based products," says Dr. Graf, noting that it contains retinol to address signs of aging. This product also contains lactic acid, which helps provide hydration—and combat the dryness and irritation sometimes associated with retinol.

Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Facial Moisturize

Olay Regenerist Night Cream
Courtesy of Amazon

Dr. Hartman calls this moisturizer a "staple retinol." The product contains a vitamin B3 and retinoid complex that provides hydration and will also smooth out fine lines, treat dark spots, and firm the skin—and is a great price to boot.

Skinbetter Science EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream

EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream
Courtesy of Skinbetter

The area around the eye is the most sensitive part of your face and requires a super gentle overnight eye cream to address all of your skin concerns. Dr. Hartman says to turn to this one. "This wins because it manages to deliver retinol and glycolic acid to the most sensitive skin on the body to boost rejuvenation and prevent irritation and dryness," he says.

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