Night Cream vs Day Cream: What's the Difference and Do You Need Both?
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Walk down any skincare aisle and you will see creams labelled "day" and "night". Are they really different, or is it just marketing? They often are different, because your skin's needs in the day are not the same as at night.
What a day cream does
During the day, your skin faces sun, pollution, heat and air conditioning. A day cream is usually:
- lighter, so it sits well under sunscreen and makeup,
- quick to absorb, without feeling greasy,
- sometimes combined with SPF.
What a night cream does
At night there is no sun to protect against and no makeup to wear, so a night cream can be:
- richer, to keep skin comfortable for many hours,
- more focused on treatment, with ingredients such as retinol that many people prefer to use at night,
- free of SPF, because it is not needed while you sleep.
Side by side
| Day cream | Night cream | |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Lighter | Often richer |
| Main job | Moisture and comfort under sunscreen | Moisture plus treatment ingredients |
| SPF | Sometimes | No |
| Common actives | Vitamin C, hydrators | Retinol, hyaluronic acid |
Do you need both?
- Not always. Many people use one moisturiser morning and night, plus sunscreen in the morning.
- A night cream helps if your skin feels dry by morning, or if you want a treatment step at night.
- Never use a retinol night cream as a day cream without sunscreen on top.
A night cream with hyaluronic acid and retinol
Theraglam Night Repair Cream is an Ayurvedic-inspired night cream that combines hyaluronic acid and retinol. It is made to address dark circles, pigmentation, blemishes and dryness while you sleep. It is dermatologist-tested, non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic, and suitable for all skin types.
How to use it
- Cleanse your face at night.
- Apply your serum, if you use one.
- Massage a small amount of the cream into face and neck with gentle upward strokes.
- In the morning, wash your face and always apply sunscreen.
If your skin is new to retinol, start with a few nights a week and build up.
A full day-and-night routine
Morning
- Cleanse.
- Vitamin C serum.
- Light moisturiser or day cream.
- Sunscreen.
Night
- Cleanse.
- Serum (optional).
- Night cream.
The Theraglam Face Treatment Combo brings Night Repair Cream, a Vitamin C Serum, the Revive Face Mask and Lip Therapy Balm together in one kit for this kind of routine.
Common mistakes
- Applying a thick night cream in the morning under makeup.
- Using too much. A small amount goes a long way.
- Skipping sunscreen after using retinol at night.
- Judging too soon. Give a new cream about four weeks.
Quick questions
Can oily skin use a night cream? Yes. Choose a non-comedogenic one and use a small amount.
Can I use a night cream under the eyes? Pat a very small amount gently around the eye area, keeping it out of the eyes.
Not sure which products suit your skin? The Theraglam Glow Scan builds a personal skincare routine from 3 photos and a short quiz. Rs 599, one time.
Patch-test any new product on your inner arm for 24 hours first. Stop using it if you notice irritation. This article is general skincare guidance, not medical advice.