Best night cream UK 2022: Top anti-aging creams for dry and oily skin

Best: Retinol for all

Rating: 9/10

Our most reasonably priced night cream may be from the high street, but it works just as well (if not better) than high-end formulations. The formula is enriched with potent peptide matrixyl 3000 and pure retinol, a superstar skin active backed by science. The retinol is encapsulated for slow release while you sleep and is also paired with skin-strengthening ceramides as well as skin soothers, so that it minimises any chance of side effects.

Striking the right balance between performance and tolerance, we found zero irritation starting off using every other night (our tester has built up a tolerance to retinol) and then every night. After just two weeks use, we saw skin-smoothing results, and after a month there was a noticeable difference in fine lines. We’re super impressed with how quickly this makes a difference and at a purse-friendly price – this one’s a win-win.

Best: Advanced retinol formula

Rating: 9/10

If you’ve built up a tolerance to retinol already, you may want to consider going up in strength to see even better rejuvenating results. Skinceuticals was offering retinol night creams way ahead of the beauty curve, so you can trust its expert formulations to deliver results after around a month’s use – with a softening of lines, pores, blemishes and discolouration. With three strengths to choose from starting at 0.3 per cent for beginners, 0.5 per cent for those whose skin has been preconditioned to the active and 1 per cent for experienced users. You need very little, so use sparingly and remember to always work your way up in strength to avoid redness and irritation.

Best: Vitamin C formula

Rating: 8/10

With two of the most powerful and effective skincare ingredients – with the science to prove it – working together in this jar, we expected big things when we first got this into our hands. It didn’t disappoint. Rejuvenating retinol works on just about every sign of ageing, while pure vitamin C brightens and leaves skin with a more even skin tone. The hyaluronic acid in the blend leaves skin beautifully moisturised, soft and plump fast, but the most impressive results are seen after two months with a softening of lines, pores and a glow that wasn’t there before use.

Best: For dull skin

Rating: 8/10

This jar is a two-in-one hydrating moisturiser and radiance-boosting peel in one. It contains alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) derived from plants and fruits that gently exfoliate dead skin cells while you sleep, paired with moisturising ingredients including brilliant emollient squalane, as well as jojoba butter. It’s an oil-free formulation that works well on all skin types, especially dull skin that needs a radiance boost – leaving skin feeling fresh and refined after just a few days of use. We also saw a more even-toned, brighter skin after circa 30 days of continuous use.

Best: Retinol-free skin rejuvenation

Rating: 8.5/10

Made with 40 plus women in mind who lose collagen and hyaluronic acid levels rapidly, this jar is formulated with the help of the experts at Harvard Medical School and contains a trio of key ingredients that work to hydrate, plump and firm the skin. It also features the antioxidant resveratrol, which comes from French grapevines and is used to stimulate collagen production. This works together with plant-based collagen from mahogany bark to restore a soft and bouncy skin texture. Add to the mix hyaluronic acid that draws moisture into the skin and keeps it there, and you’ve got a night cream that makes a brilliant alternative to retinol formulations.

Best: For damaged, irritated or very dry skin

Rating: 8.5/10

Numerous lifestyle and environmental aggressors can lead to damage to the outermost layer of skin, as well as overdoing it with potent skincare that your complexion isn’t accustomed to. If you’re suffering from redness, flakiness, itchiness or rough skin patches from a compromised skin barrier you can’t do better than this nighttime comforting treat.

This is a rich, creamy formula that both heals and hydrates with its cocktail of standout ingredients. Skin-strengthening ceramides are teamed with niacinamide to boost the barrier, glycerine and shea butter for nourishment, as well as oat kernel extract for its anti-irritant and antihistamine properties. Expect this to soothe your complexion, getting to work instantly and for really problematic skin it works well used as part of your morning routine too.

Best: For dry skin types

Rating: 9/10

The stalwart beauty brand is always great to turn to for exceptional evening skincare, including this bestselling rich cream. Packed with hyaluronic acid for next-level hydration, expect this to get to work instantly on dry skin. Meanwhile, skin-strengthening, wrinkle-smoothing, brown-spot blitzing and all-around skincare superstar niacinamide, will be working its magic too. Another stand-out ingredient is moringa extract, loved for being filled with antioxidants and bursting with age-defying vitamins A, C and E. This is a firm favourite with our tester, who turns to this high-performing formula time and time again. With continuous use, you’ll see a more even skin tone that’s plumper and firmer.

Best: For mature skin types

Rating: 8.5/10

The sister formula to Elemis’s signature marine cream, this formula feels luxurious and rich to use and impressively boosts skin moisture levels after just one use. A blend of marine extracts such as brown algae for aiding hydration and red algae rich in calcium, zinc and magnesium, work together with moisturising ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba seed and avocado oil.  With ongoing use, we watched our complexion transform from dull, lacklustre to firm and bright. It’s not new, but it is still hard to beat.

Best: For sensitive skin

Rating: 8/10

New science has brought to light the importance of our skin’s microbiome – the biological shield that is our skins first line of defence. This new brand puts taking care of the biome first, as a compromised microbiome can lead to major skin problems, such as the rise in skin sensitivity and rosacea. Working with this in mind, you’ll find this cream calms redness and provides relief for uncomfortable skin swiftly with a combination of pre and post-biotics. On sore skin – in our case tight, ultra-dry and irritated – we found it soothes any uncomfortableness fast, and quickly leaves skin healthy-looking and feeling again.

Best: For combination or oily skin

Rating: 8.5/10

For mattifying an oily T-zone and providing an overnight hydration boost to where your complexion needs it, turn to this lightweight formula specifically made with an unbalanced skin type in mind. The brand uses traditional Austrian natural healing remedies from the Alps in its collection to assist the skin. The formula is enriched with witch hazel to reduce excess oil, as well as provide anti-inflammatory properties to calm redness, alongside antiseptic chamomile. Wake up to a well-balanced complexion with hyaluronic acid replenishing moisture levels too. We’re impressed.