The Difference Between Daytime and Nighttime Moisturizer

Whether you’re a skin care newbie or veteran, chances are you know that hydration and a healthy-looking complexion go hand-in-hand. You likely have a tried-and-true day cream that you adore, but if that same product is doubling as your night moisturizer, you may be doing your routine a disservice.

It’s easy to think that all moisturizers are the same, but a day cream and a nighttime moisturizer each bring different benefits to the table. So, if you’re ready to add both essentials into your beauty lineup, we can help. Ahead, we’re giving you the lowdown on daytime moisturizers and nighttime moisturizers and why you need a separate formula for each, plus the best L’Oréal Paris moisturizers to help you get your skin care routine in order.

What Is a Day Moisturizer?

Day moisturizers (also referred to as day creams) are products that are meant to be used with your morning skin care routine. Typically, this offering boasts a lightweight formula that sometimes includes SPF to protect your face from harmful UV rays. You can also find options that have anti-aging ingredients, such as alpha-hydroxy-acids (AHAs). However, you’ll need to apply sunscreen after using these since they can increase the skin’s sun sensitivity. 

This beauty staple comes in handy in providing your skin with hydration without a weighed-down feel — some may even come in a gel or water-based formula for this. It also layers seamlessly under makeup for a flawless-looking complexion. You can count on a day cream to absorb quickly and minimize the risk of a greasy-looking face.

What Is a Night Moisturizer?

A night moisturizer is what it sounds like — a hydrating product intended for nightly use. While you may think that it’s no different than a day moisturizer, some night creams pack a stronger punch. 

Many formulas consist of various ingredients that are meant to work as you sleep. Think of glycolic acid and retinol, which are both ingredients that can cause sun sensitivity. Since there is no risk of sun exposure at night, night cream doesn’t contain SPF. 

On the other hand, there are options that have the sole purpose of hydrating your skin. Generally, night moisturizers are also known to have a rich and thick consistency that provides the skin with lasting moisture.

Do You Really Need A Daytime and Nighttime Moisturizer?

When it comes to a day cream and night moisturizer, you definitely need both essentials in your routine — not one or the other. As we mentioned, both formulas are key for providing your skin with the care that it needs. 

Day creams are amazing at offering lightweight moisture and sun protection without the heavy feel. On the other hand, a night cream goes into overdrive to deliver lasting moisture and address common skin care concerns like aging skin and moisture loss, while you get your beauty sleep.

The Best Day Creams for Your Skin Type

The first step in providing your skin with daily moisture is to reach for a nourishing day cream. Have your pick of these best-in-class options from L’Oréal Paris below.

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Day Lotion SPF 30

If anti-aging moisturizers are a top priority, this day cream makes for a fantastic choice. It’s formulated with pro-retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid to reduce wrinkles, firm, and brighten skin in just one week. We also appreciate that it’s formulated with SPF 30 to provide ultimate protection from the sun. Plus, it’s free of dyes, mineral oil, and parabens and is suitable for sensitive skin.

L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Skin Care Cell Renewal Anti-Aging Day Moisturizer SPF 25

Made with a patented antioxidant complex and vitamin E, this day cream works extra hard to boost your skin’s radiance so that you can make looking good seem easy. It helps to replenish the skin’s antioxidant reserves, which work to protect the skin against environmental aggressors. And it’s formulated with SPF 25 to give you some sun protection. The result is skin that looks firmer and brighter and feels smoother. 

L’Oréal Paris Wrinkle Expert 55+ Age Defense Lotion SPF

One of the best ways to play defense against wrinkles is to wear sunscreen every day — and reapply every two hours or as needed. You can also use a wrinkle fighting day lotion like this one, which also comes equipped with broad-spectrum SPF 30 for UV protection. Also formulated with calcium, a mineral known for its strengthening benefits, it smooths the appearance of wrinkles after just a few weeks of regular use. While it’s made with mature skin in mind, it’s perfect for anyone with sensitive skin looking for a non-greasy, non-comedogenic moisturizer for daytime use.

L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Rosy Tone SPF 30 Sunscreen Face Moisturizer

Give your skin the best of both worlds with a rosy tone and the power of broad-spectrum sunscreen by using this moisturizer. This staple is formulated to renew and revive a healthy-looking skin tone. It also has SPF 30, so you can pare down your routine without skipping out on sun protection.

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Day Lotion SPF 30

This day cream is formulated with a combination of glycolic acid, vitamin C, pro-retinol, and broad-spectrum SPF 30. It works to hydrate, brighten, and correct an uneven skin tone. This offering also reduces the appearance of wrinkles in just one week and protects against the sun’s aging UVA and UVB rays.

The Best Night Moisturizers for Your Skin Type

Once you’re ready to hit the hay, you need the right nighttime moisturizer to boost your beauty sleep. Pick your potion from the options below.

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Pressed Night Moisturizer with Retinol + Niacinamide

This night cream is specifically for those seeking out the power of the beloved anti-aging must-have retinol. The fragrance-free, dye-free, paraben-free formula includes retinol and niacinamide, plus a soothing complex to combat the potential drying effects of retinol. While it deeply moisturizes the skin instantly, it also helps to improve skin texture, brighten the complexion and reduce the appearance of wrinkles after regular use over time.

L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Skin Care Cell Renewal Anti-Aging Night Moisturizer

Similar to its daytime counterpart, this night cream is formulated with an exclusive antioxidant recovery complex that helps recover skin’s antioxidant reserves night after night. It boosts the skin’s natural renewal process, revealing millions of new cells, which translates to more radiant, younger-looking skin with fewer wrinkles. Make it a regular part of your daily nighttime skin care routine.

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Night Cream 

As you age, your skin may start to look and feel less firm. In turn, this can cause wrinkles to rear their ugly heads. This moisturizer is formulated with Pro-Retinol and provides long-lasting hydration in addition to addressing the appearance of wrinkles, so you can sleep soundly knowing that your night cream’s got you covered.

L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Skin Care Rosy Tone Cooling Night Moisturizer

Your skin can also lose its rosy tone and dewiness as you age, so this moisturizer that helps to bring that back is a must-have in your skin care arsenal. The dye-free formula includes LHA (lipo hydroxy acid) to gently exfoliate and revive the tone of dull skin. It instantly cools the complexion and offers hydration through the night so you wake up to a bright, smooth and hydrated complexion.  

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Anti-Aging Overnight Face Mask

While this offering is technically a face mask, it does go the extra mile to moisturize your skin at night. This luxurious leave-on mask improves your skin’s firmness and visibly reduces wrinkles over time for an overall youthful-looking face.

Next: Water-Based Hydration For Any Skin Type

Edited by: Shalwah Evans, Photo Credit: Crystal Simone