Beauty enthusiasts have long advocated for the use of separate day and night moisturizers.
During the day, a lightweight moisturizer that hydrates and defends against environmental aggressors is recommended. In the evening, a creamier moisturizer that delivers deep repair efficacies is believed to supercharge your skincare regimen. But do you really need a separate day and night cream?
Daytime Moisturizer
Your skin is hard at work both during the day and night, therefore it requires an effective moisturizer that maintains an optimal hydration level so that it can carry out its essential functions.
“During the day, our skin functions to protect us from UV rays and other environmental damage,” says Graf. “It produces more sebum, which contains antioxidants, especially when the sun is at its peak,” says dermatologist Dr Jeannette Graf.
As such, a daytime moisturizer’s primary purpose should be to defend against environmental assaults. It should be thoughtfully formulated with vitamins, minerals and other skin-loving ingredients, like antioxidants which help to neutralize free radical damage. Powerful hydrators, such as Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin and Niacinamide, can give your skin an added boost.
Ideally, your daytime moisturizer of choice should be lightweight so that it absorbs fast and can be worn comfortably beneath makeup. It will be an added plus point if the moisturizer is developed with SPF!
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Nighttime Moisturizer
“It may seem like night cream is a marketing gimmick, but our skin, like the rest of our body, has its own circadian rhythm. That means our skin functions differently during daytime and nighttime, and thus has different needs,” explains Dr Graf.
At night, your skin enters a restore and renewal phase. While you sleep, your skin’s microcirculation increases and sebum production lowers, which leaves you more susceptible to transepidermal water loss.
A good nighttime moisturizer should be richer in texture so that it can effectively lock in hydration while delivering a much-needed overnight repair of your skin barrier. It can contain photosensitive ingredients that are best left for nighttime, such as Retinoids and other exfoliating acids, so that your skin will not be vulnerable to irritation.
Do You Need A Separate Day & Night Moisturizer?
The answer is yes and no. Depending on your skin’s needs, some women can benefit from a separate moisturizer but it may not be necessary for others.
“Most moisturizers can function as both a day cream and a night cream,” says dermatologist Dr Muneeb Shah. Multi-purpose moisturizers designed with both defensive and restorative properties like our Organic Age Defying Peptide Face & Neck Skin Firming Crème can be used both day and night.
On the other hand, using a different moisturizer during the day and evening can be helpful if you wish to introduce new ingredients into your skincare regimen without adding an extra step. As you age, it is advisable to invest in separate moisturizers that can more effectively meet your skin’s needs. Powerful regenerative and age defying moisturizers can help to repair your skin during REM sleep.
Ultimately, your decision whether to use separate moisturizers or on rests on your skin’s needs. If you choose to invest in different moisturizers, bearing in mind that your daytime moisturizer should be defensive while your nighttime moisturizer should be regenerative will help you make a more informed skincare purchase!
