Can you use night cream during the day? The fact that this question gets asked so frequently shows how passionate people are about skincare and anti-aging.
Well, the short answer is yes, you can use night cream during the day. Although it won’t protect your skin from sun damage and pollution, using a night cream can help your skin stay hydrated throughout the day.
There’s enough confusion online about this issue, so I thought I’d write an article to clear things up once and for all. Let’s take a closer look.
First Off, What’s the Difference Between a Day and Night Cream?
The major difference between a day and night cream is the type of ingredients they contain. Day creams contain ingredients to protect your skin from the sun, while night creams contain ingredients to help you reduce aging signs.
For example, day creams tend to contain more antioxidants and cell-communicating ingredients, while night creams often contain retinol or peptides (or both).
Another difference between night and day creams is their texture. Night creams tend to be thicker and take longer to absorb into your skin. Day creams, on the other hand, are lightweight, easy to apply, and less likely to clog pores.
To keep your skin healthy and looking young, it’s important to use a day cream during the day and moisturize with a night cream at night.
Can You Use Night Cream During the Day?
Yes, you can use night cream during the day. However, you want to make sure that you protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays while using it.
Night creams have extra ingredients that can help to treat skin concerns, such as fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and uneven skin tone. Because of these ingredients, experts recommend using these creams only at night to avoid irritation from the sun.
However, if you are not concerned about the sun, there is no reason not to use a night cream during the day. Many people do this because they want their skin to appear brighter and more youthful throughout the day.
Just make sure to choose a formula that is oil-free and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) and always apply sunscreen.
Can You Use Day Cream at Night?
The straightforward answer is yes, you can use day cream at night. However, you should choose night creams instead of day creams because the latter are so lightweight that they won’t be able to give your skin the hydration it needs at night.
Night creams tend to have more ingredients than day creams and have more moisturizing properties. This is important because your body produces less oil during sleep, so your skin tends to dry faster.
So using a night cream will keep your skin from getting tight or flaky during the night. If you have dry skin, you can also try applying eye cream before applying your night cream to increase hydration.
But Do You Need a Day and Night Cream?
Yes, you do. Day creams are designed to protect your skin during the day when you are exposed to sunlight and pollution. They usually have sunscreens to block harmful rays.
Day creams also have antioxidant ingredients, like vitamin C, to fight wrinkles and promote new cell growth. With these properties, it is easy to see how using a day cream is important for your skin.
Night creams, meanwhile, are effective because the skin repairs itself at night (while you are sleeping). They contain active ingredients that speed up cell repair processes so that your body can focus on repairing other things.
And if you’re in your 30s or older, it’s very important to use both day cream and night cream. This is because your skin doesn’t produce as much oil at night and can become dehydrated, which will lead to stretch marks or loose skin later on in life.
How Do You Apply Night Cream?
Step 1: Cleanse
When cleansing your face, make sure you use a non-drying cleanser that does not contain alcohol. If you are not sure whether a cleanser is drying, ask your dermatologist or pharmacist for advice.
Step 2: Exfoliate
Exfoliating your face before applying night cream can help you get the most out of the product. You may want to exfoliate up to 2 times a week, but make sure you do not overdo it, or else your skin will become irritated and inflamed.
Step 3: Tone
After cleansing and exfoliating, tone your face using a toner that is compatible with your skin type. Toners help get rid of leftover dirt and prepare your skin for the rest of your skincare products.
Step 3: Apply night cream
Apply a thin layer of night cream to your face and neck. Use just enough cream to cover your face and neck, massaging it into your skin in circular motions.
Avoid rubbing it into your eyes or lips. If you do get any cream in those areas, wipe it off immediately with a dry cloth or tissue.
Tips for Using Your Day and Night Creams Effectively
Don’t forget to wash your face
The best time to apply moisturizer is right after you wash your face. This way, your skin is “open” and absorbs the moisturizer better than if it was dry. You should follow this with sunscreen if you’re going out in the sun.
Treat your face with serums
As part of your morning skincare routine, use a serum that contains antioxidants to further help protect your skin from UV damage. In the evening, look for an anti-aging serum to help rejuvenate your skin all through the night.
Switch it up
It’s also good practice to switch up your moisturizers once or twice per week so that they don’t become ineffective. This can be especially important if you have particularly sensitive skin.
Sunscreen everyday
If your day cream has SPF in it, you won’t need to apply as much sunscreen during the day. But if it doesn’t have sunscreen, make sure to put on at least SPF 30 every day before going out.
FAQs
Is night cream necessary for oily skin?
Yes, it is. Your skin is exposed to pollution and other environmental factors that strip away essential moisture from your skin during the day. So, even if your skin is oily, it needs to be hydrated overnight.
For oily skin, look for a lightweight moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid. This ingredient will help retain moisture in your skin without making it look or feel greasy. You can also try a gel-based night cream for an instant burst of hydration.
Should you use night cream every night?
Yes, you should. It is important to apply your night cream every night without fail. Once you get into the habit of using your night cream every day, you will see a big difference in your skin.
Night creams are specially formulated to work with the natural repair process of your body during sleep. They contain active ingredients that work on your skin all through the night, repairing skin damage for smooth, hydrated, and youthful skin.
Can you use a moisturizer under makeup?
Yes, you can. But it should be an oil-free, lightweight formula that is labeled non-comedogenic, meaning that it won’t block your pores.
You can also use a tinted moisturizer with SPF 30 instead of foundation and concealer. That way you get the hydration of a moisturizer plus sun protection and some coverage.
Conclusion
As it turns out, there is no rule that says you can’t use your night cream during the day.
But because night creams are typically thicker and more moisturizing, you don’t want to wear them in the daytime. If you do, it will make your face look shiny and greasy.
However, if you decide to use a night cream during the day, make sure to follow up with an SPF 30+ sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
Thanks for reading.
You can find out more about night creams and other kinds of moisturizers by visiting our Serum101 today.
