Can You Use Day Moisturizer Overnight?

If you take a look at almost any drug store aisle for skincare products, you'll notice that facial moisturizers are categorized into day and night creams. Both types of moisturizers are intended to nourish your skin, so it should make sense that you could use either interchangeably. But, should you use day moisturizer overnight? We've looked to skincare experts to find the answer for you.

It would be best if you did not use day moisturizer overnight. Day moisturizer typically contains sunscreen, which can clog pores. Moreover, day creams aren't as moisturizing as night creams are, which can lead to subpar results in the long-run.

If you are wondering whether or not your skincare routine would suffer from your moisturizing habits, it's time to take a look at how day and night creams can improve your skin's quality. Keep reading as we discuss the differences between day and night creams, how and when to apply moisturizer to your face, and suggest some of the best moisturizers for various skin types.

Why Daytime Moisturizer Is Not Used Overnight

Though you can do it without catastrophic results, using your daytime moisturizer as a night cream won't get you the best results possible. The best time to revitalize your skin and help it heal from damage is while you sleep.

Night Cream Vs. Day Cream - What's The Difference?

Night creams are designed to be easily absorbed and soothing to the skin. So, most night creams are made with ingredients like retinol, Co-Q10, vitamin E, and vitamin A to provide optimal skin nourishment. Day creams either do not contain these ingredients or pair these ingredients with others that are difficult for the skin to absorb.

Day creams tend to include protective ingredients like sunscreen, among other comedogenic ingredients, which can feel heavy on the face and potentially clogs pores. Avoid using day creams overnight because prolonged wear can lead to breakouts and irritated skin. If possible, choose a non-comedogenic moisturizer for daily wear.

What Is More Important, Day Cream Or Night Cream?

Most skincare experts agree that both day and night types of moisturizers are equally crucial for your skin's health, but for different reasons. Day creams are relatively straightforward because you only need to apply daily moisturizer after washing your face in the morning.

Night creams are often more complex, so for the sake of this article, we are going to focus on your nightly skincare routine and how to enhance your skin using overnight moisturizer.

At What Age To Start Using Night Cream?

A common misconception is that night moisturizers should only be used by aging individuals. Studies show that you should use a night cream as soon as you hit your twenties to get the full benefits of its use.

Should I Use Night Cream Every Night?

When it comes to skincare, any product that you use requires a regular application to see results. Skincare experts agree that using night cream should be a nightly part of any skincare routine.

If you choose to skip an application of night cream, you might begin to notice uneven skin moisture levels or tired-looking skin. Skipping applications may also reduce the overall efficacy of the product you are using.

Dermatologists recommend a variety of techniques to apply evening moisturizer. If you want to start with a basic nightly routine, try these simple steps to clean your face and apply an overnight moisturizer:

1. Cleanse Your Skin

You can use the cleanser of your choice, or one prescribed to you through your dermatologist. We suggest using a gentle exfoliating cleanser, such as the product featured below.

Click here to see on Amazon.

2. Apply Toner

Toner helps remove any additional grit that your skin picked up during the day and brightens your face. To apply your toner, take a cotton ball and spritz the toner of your choice onto it. Then dab it onto your face.

Click here to see on Amazon.

3. Apply Retinol, Oil, or Serum Treatment

Pat on either retinol, skin oil, or skin serum. These products help to lock in moisture and nourish your skin. If you have anti-aging concerns, getting the right serum can help immensely. For tips on choosing the right product for you, check out our blog, "How To Use Vitamin C Serum [Including How, When, And How Often]?"

4. Apply Night Cream

Gently pat on your night cream. The night cream will be able to seep beneath the oil or serum treatment to deliver even more nutrients to your skin while you sleep.

To help select the best products to incorporate into your nighttime skincare routine, check out our blog, "What To Apply To Your Face Before Sleeping?"

Can I Use Moisturizer And Night Cream Together?

A night cream is, by default, a product that contains moisturizing ingredients for your skin, so this means that using additional moisturizers isn't necessary. However, it is alright to use other types of moisturizing products with your night cream as long as they do not contain ingredients that will clog pores.

If you want to add extra moisture to your nightly skincare routine, the best thing you can do is apply a skin oil just before your night cream, after you cleanse your skin. If you have mainly dry skin, this could help balance out the moisture.

Should I Let My Skin Breathe At Night?

While many people believe that not applying a product allows the skin to breathe overnight, the truth is that skin doesn't necessarily breathe. This concept of allowing your skin to breathe is actually related to keeping your pores unclogged through regular cleansing and exfoliation.

Letting your skin breathe at night isn't the same idea as skipping moisturizer. Your skin needs moisture to stay youthful. As long as you use a non-comedogenic (or non-pore-clogging) moisturizer and clean your skin, your skin can stay refreshed and well hydrated.

Should I Moisturize At Night If I Have Oily Skin?

Skincare professionals agree that moisturizing our skin overnight is a must for everyone—including those who have an oily skin type. People who have oily skin tend to have sebaceous glands that produce extra oil when exposed to factors that damage skin.

Night moisturizers act as a healing potion for your skin, working to repair the damage that UV radiation, pollutants, and similar factors delve out during the day. This means that a person who has oily skin might notice irritation decreasing with regular night cream use, leading to less oily skin.

There's also a balancing factor that comes with regular moisturization. When you add more moisture to your skin, it sends a signal to your sebaceous glands to reduce oil production. So strangely, skipping moisturizers can lead to oilier skin.

What Is The Best Moisturizer To Use At Night?

The type of moisturizer that you use should be selected based on the type of skin that you have. If you're not sure what type of skin you have or want a safe option, our top picks below can help:

Cera Ve PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion

CeraVe is one of the most frequently dermatologist-recommended moisturizers on the market. It's not surprising, since their moisturizers were all developed by highly esteemed dermatologist boards. Despite being low in price, this specialized nighttime moisturizer packs a powerful punch. Click here to see on Amazon.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Night Moisturizer

When it comes to clear skin, you can always count on Neutrogena to give you precisely what you need. This night crime is packed with anti-aging ingredients and is designed for light wear. Click here to see on Amazon.

Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream

If you are worried about premature aging and want to nip potential problems in the bud, it makes sense to use a night cream high in Co-Q10 and vitamin E. Eucerin's non-comedogenic, fragrance-free cream is an excellent option for people who have particularly sensitive skin. Click here to see on Amazon.

LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream

Though this isn't marketed as a night cream, most people find that this retinol-rich, lightweight formula works better as a night cream than a day cream. This brand makes a point of keeping things toxin-free, so fans of organic cosmetics might want to give this a go. Click here to see on Amazon.

In Conclusion

Using a nightly facial moisturizer is essential to keeping your skin healthy by providing necessary hydration while you sleep. This simple step can be incorporated into any nighttime skincare routine, provided you select the best product for your skin type. Daily moisturizers are also essential because it provides your skin with additional, protective ingredients. But, most skincare experts agree that day creams should not be applied and left on the skin overnight because this makes your skin prone to breakouts.