Journal/Guides
Do I need both?

Day cream or night cream?

What each one does, whether you need both, and how they fit with serums and eye cream.

Elurelia EditorialUpdated 25 September 20263 min read2 references
Photo 01 · Hero · Two white airless bottles side by side, one in soft morning light, one in warm evening lamp light, split composition. No people. · 2400×1030 · 21:9
The short answer
1Normal skin: one good day cream can do both jobs. 2Dry or mature skin: a lighter day cream and a richer night cream work better. 3Oily skin: a light day cream; skip rich night creams. 4Day creams go under SPF; night creams don't need to.

Is a night cream just a day cream in a different jar? Sometimes. But for dry and mature skin, the two do genuinely different jobs.

01The difference

Day cream Night cream
Texture Lighter, sits under SPF and makeup Richer, more cushioning
Main job Comfort through the day Comfort and less water loss overnight
Finish Often radiant or soft-matte Can feel richer
Under SPF Yes No

Our Anti-Age Day Cream uses two sizes of hyaluronic acid and a marine ferment in a velvety texture with a soft, radiant finish. Our Collagen Anti-Age Night Cream uses cocoa butter, shea butter and sunflower seed oil for a richer feel. It contains no collagen; its research article explains the name.

02Who needs both

✓Dry or mature skin that feels tight by morning: both.
✓Normal skin: a day cream is often enough; add a night cream in winter.
✓Oily or breakout-prone skin: a light day cream, and skip rich night creams.
✓Very dry skin in winter: both, plus a few drops of face oil at night.

03A simple routine

Step Morning Evening
1 Cleanse Cleanse
2 Serum Serum
3 Eye cream Eye cream
4 Day cream Night cream
5 SPF Nothing else

Our Peptide Anti-Ageing Serum works under both. The serum and day cream come together as the Anti-Ageing Performance Duo.

04Your questions, answered

Can I use a day cream at night?

Yes. On normal skin it's fine. Dry skin usually prefers something richer at night.

Can I use a night cream in the morning?

On very dry skin, yes, followed by SPF. It may feel heavy under makeup.

Does a night cream need SPF?

No. Wear SPF in the morning instead.

Day and night Two creams, one routine. 60-Day Promise on your first order, conditions apply.
Original sources
  1. Danby S.G. et al. Effect of olive and sunflower seed oil on the adult skin barrier. Pediatr Dermatol 30(1):42–50, 2013.
  2. Pavicic T. et al. Hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in anti-wrinkle treatment. J Drugs Dermatol 10(9):990–1000, 2011.

This article is for general information and isn't medical advice. Cosmetic product: all claims describe the appearance of skin.

Keep reading