We all know the importance of getting the prescribed 8 hours of shut eye each night - improved mood, memory and immune system are just some of the benefits of a good night’s sleep. But, when it comes to beauty sleep, it’s the products you use while you’re slipping away to dream land that really counts. With our skin cells hard at work reversing everyday free radical damage, slathering on a quality night cream before you hit the pillow is a sure fire way to wake up to clearer, smoother and more radiant skin. A good night cream needs to tick a lot of boxes. Hydrate without being heavy, provide a rich dose of antioxidants, reduce imperfections and battle fine lines. No easy feat for one little product. So, Perth based Beauticater, Lucy Searle, slept with the best guaranteed to find the ones that really work wonders while you snooze.

IMAGE: INSTAGRAM @CARADELEVINGNE

BEST FOR: THE HYDRATION HUNTER

Avon Nutra Effects Hydration Gel Cream

“This gel offers hydration without the heaviness of a thick cream. It instantly refreshes and cools my skin, and is formulated with active seed complex and chia seed designed to help fortify the skin’s barrier and keep moisture locked in. The scent is fresh, like clean linen, and my skin absorbs it with no sticky residue. Despite it being made for night, I find it works well as a day cream too due to the lighter consistency.”

BEST FOR: THE CLASSIC BEAUTY

Avon Nutra Effects Ageless Multi-Action Cream

“This beautiful Avon night cream is the ultimate nourishment for skin. A thick, cream formula, this multi-action product softens my fine lines while I sleep, and results in gorgeous smooth, firm skin in the morning. There’s something so lovely and familiar about the scent that instantly reminds me of hours spent playing with my mum’s beauty products many years ago. This cream is very gentle on my yet works wonders to smooth out fine lines and plumps my dull areas.”

“Jam-packed with antioxidants this super hydrating (but not too heavy) moisturiser is just what my skin needs after summer. The all-natural formula contains organic coconut water and vitamin E for nourishment while green tea extracts work to protect my skin against pollution and free radical damage – perfect as my skin is exposed to environmental stressors. The lightweight cream spreads easily over my skin, smells like a day spa and works a treat. After only a week of lathering this on every night, I wake up to noticeably softer, more supple skin.”

“I try to avoid some anti-ageing products as they tend to make my skin feel greasy, so I am interested to see how I fare with this night cream. Like so many Weleda products, the amazing natural fragrance is instantly calming and perfect for my pre-bedtime ritual. The cream is formulated with evening primrose seed oil, Inca nut oil and macadamia nut oil, which strengthens and plumps my skin. I initially find the texture to be slightly greasy, but once I apply it my skin soaks up all the goodness and it doesn’t leave any sticky residue. My skin feels firmer, brighter and incredibly hydrated.”

“If you’re looking for super hydration, then say hello to your new best friend. This luxe moisturiser from Bobbi Brown feels like a little treat for my face at night. The creamy, cushiony texture feels beautiful on my skin without being too heavy or oily (so perfect for all skin types). The rich, restorative cream features an advanced Protein Activator to reduce the appearance of fine lines, Milk Thistle extract to plump up tired skin and Sweet Almond Oil to boost moisture levels.”

BEST FOR: STRESSED OUT SKIN

Comfort Zone Renight Cream

“Undernourished, stressed and tired skin types rejoice. This night cream by Comfort Zone is formulated with active natural ingredients to help boost skin hydration including hyaluronic acid for plumping and a potent dose of antioxidants to encourage regenerative support for skin tissue. After a day at the beach in the West Australian sun I find this night cream to be a miracle worker as it replenishes moisture perfectly. My skin feels very soft and even in the morning with all evidence yesterday’s activities erased. It is reasonably priced for a higher end product and one I think will become a staple in my skincare regime.”

BEST FOR: THE WELLNESS WARRIOR

Trilogy Rosapene Night Cream

“This medium weight night formula is enriched with a unique Rosapene oil blend (rosehip, craberra and acai) as well as skin loving extracts such as aloe and goji berry, beautifully packaged up into one little jar of goodness. The cream absorbs well and feels silky and luxurious on my skin without any greasy residue and leaves my skin feels super soft in the morning. Like all Trilogy products, this night cream is free of mineral oil and petrochemical irritants – plus it’s cruelty free, which is even more beautiful.”

BEST FOR: DULL SKIN

Spaceuticals Plasma Repair

“A lush, buttery blend of omega seed oils the Waterlily Omega Crème is the ultimate comfort crème for my stressed and dehydrated skin. It promises to repair and protect, the active enzymes and essential fatty acids work hard to combat fine lines, sun damage and dehydration. While the formula is quite thick in texture, it massages into my skin evenly and feels instantly nourishing on my face. Featuring pure aromaceuticals of Moroccan rose, rose geranium and lavender, the scent is divine. And the results? I’m sold, my skin feels so dewy, and looks replenished and radiant.”

BEST FOR: SENSITIVE SKIN

Waterlily Omega Crème

“With extracts of beta glucan, milk thistle and folic acid, this cream is formulated as a night repair treatment. Enriched with essential ocean minerals and a potent dose of antioxidants, this is a great little multivitamin for the skin to help stimulate DNA repair and restructure skin. While I find the cream to be heavily perfumed, I love how it feels on my skin and I can’t fault the results, nor the chic pink packaging that looks so great in my bathroom.”

BEST FOR: THE ULTIMATE REPAIR

Dr. LeWinn’s Ultra R4 Regenerative Night Cream

“This super regenerative cream by Dr. LeWinn’s claims to provide the ultimate rejuvenation for mature skin by firming and combatting signs of age-related collagen depletion. And the deluxe formula seriously delivers. It contains a patented Palmitoyl Tripeptide-3 plus a unique extract of Resurrection Plant (read: boosts skin’s natural regeneration process). I love the feel of it on my skin, it absorbs easily and feels dewy rather than heavy and my skin feels soft and rehydrated. After a couple of weeks I notice a significant difference to the condition of my skin, which feels firmer with a more even tone and diminishes fine lines. It is a tad on the pricey side but a little goes a long way making it excellent value for money.”

Review by Lucy Searle

Comment (0)

  1. March 11, 2017
    Natalia

    Can one’s skin become "immune" to a night cream? Should we be switching up what we use often?

  2. March 11, 2017
    Kelly

    Lovely read, need to be better about applying skin care each night!!

  3. March 20, 2017
    Ally

    Do you apply any primer or anything before using a night cream?

  4. March 20, 2017
    Francesca

    Can you combine multiple night creams or should you just stick with one at a time each night?