Even though you may feel more confident in your 30s than your 20s, this next chapter is also when life becomes a bit more complicated, and actual “adulting” sets in. Between getting finances in order, potentially raising a family, helping aging parents, and balancing a career with home life, you may be feeling a bit more stressed than in the past. With that said, it’s also possible that you’re skimping out on much-needed sleep and aren’t bouncing back as quickly from those happy hour cocktails — all of which show up in your skin.
Related: Best Face Serums
Your 30s is also an excellent time to get serious about establishing a solid skincare routine — and no, whatever you were doing in your 20s isn’t going to cut it anymore. Between intrinsic (chronological) and extrinsic (lifestyle) aging factors, your complexion may be looking more tired and dull than usual. Due to hormonal fluctuations from pregnancy or stress, those teenage breakouts may be making another appearance. Of course, looking in the mirror and noticing fine lines, uneven skin tone, and volume loss can catch you off guard, too.
While you may not have been using a night cream just yet, it’s the right time to incorporate one into your routine. Not sure what to look for? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.
The List
Formulyst Anti-Aging Night Cream, $80
Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Night Infusion Cream, $76
First Aid Beauty Ultra-Repair Hydra Firm Sleeping Cream, $40
Korres Brightening and First Wrinkles Advanced Repair Sleeping Facial, $48
Skyn Iceland Oxygen Infusion Night Cream, $68
Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cocoon Transformative Night Gel-Cream, $129
Algenist Overnight Restorative Cream, $94
Dr. Brandt Hydro Biotic Recovery Sleeping Mask, $52
Avène PhysioLift Regenerating Night Balm, $69.99
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream, $48
iS Clinical Firming Complex, $130
Origins Ginzing Oil-Free Energy-Boosting Gel Moisturizer, $31
Day Cream Versus Night Creams
While you can use your day cream at night, there truly is a reason why the two are separated. Day creams are often formulated with an SPF and antioxidants to protect against harmful free radicals. In contrast, night creams contain ingredients to repair the skin — many of which cause photosensitivity (think retinol, alpha, and beta hydroxy acids), which is why they’re more suitable for PM use. The sleep cycle is when your body goes into restoration mode, so nighttime products help maintain healthy skin and reduce signs of aging overnight.
Moisturizing Your Skin in Your 30s
The goal of a collective skincare routine in your 30s is to treat and prevent the early signs of age. With that said, the primary purpose of a night cream should be to provide moisture and deliver essential nutrients into the skin. Many people tend to over-exfoliate or use too many products with active ingredients to erase early signs of age. This routine can backfire because it can be too much, too soon.
With that said, reserve potent active ingredients such as retinol for anti-aging serums. As the molecular composition is smaller, serums can penetrate deeper into the skin, producing noticeable results. When choosing a night cream, look for a formula with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, shea butter, and other humectants and emollients to hydrate, balance, and strengthen your skin’s protective barrier. After all, a big part of anti-aging is maintaining healthy skin.
The 12 Best Night Creams for Your 30s
Formulyst Anti-Aging Night Cream, $80
A long-term anti-aging formulation developed specifically for mature and devitalized skin, Formulyst’s Anti-Aging Night Cream hydrates, soothes and visibly transforms your skin while you sleep. Formulated with a nutrient-rich blend of complexes that are high in plant oils, essential fatty acids, and omega oils, this ultra-nourishing night cream with reparative properties gently exfoliates and regenerates the upper layer of your skin. A calming overnight replenishment for use every night, this unique formula visibly brightens dark spots and blurs age lines, so skin looks softer, smoother, and radiant upon waking up.
Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Night Infusion Cream, $76
This famous French brand relies on resveratrol in their skincare products — and with good reason. This grape-derived antioxidant softens fine lines and wrinkles, visibly firms, and fades dark spots. Additionally, this anti-aging night cream contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate and ceramides to repair the skin barrier while locking in moisture. This particular product from Caudalie is a cult favorite due to its ability to visibly improve the texture, tone, and radiance of the skin overnight and overtime.
First Aid Beauty Ultra-Repair Hydra Firm Sleeping Cream, $40
This nourishing night cream is ideal for those who are prone to sensitivity, redness, and dryness. It’s formulated with nourishing emollients like shea and jojoba, which create a protective layer on the skin to help prevent trans-epidermal water loss while you’re sleeping. Oatmeal and licorice soothe and reduce redness, hyaluronic acid hydrates, and peptides soften the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and texture.
Korres Brightening and First Wrinkles Advanced Repair Sleeping Facial, $48
Korres refers to this soufflé-style night cream as “a facial in a jar,” and with good reason. Wild rose oil (a staple ingredient in the Korres Herbal Apothecary), hyaluronic acid, turmeric extract, and stabilized vitamin C work together synergistically to address uneven skin tone and texture, loss of elasticity and moisture, dullness, and dark spots while you sleep. Clinical results reveal that 100% of the participants had more moisturized skin and a smoother texture after 14 days, while 97% saw more radiance.
Skyn Iceland Oxygen Infusion Night Cream, $68
Let’s face it: After 2020 (and the beginning of 2021), whose skin isn’t feeling a bit stressed? You know, dull, flaky, irritated, clogged, and bumpy? The Saponaria pumila and gosulin agave in this rescue night cream replenish stressed skin while improving fine lines’ appearance. Rejuvenating micro-encapsulated oxygen works to put life back into depleted skin, resulting in a healthier, brighter, and more youthful appearance.
Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cocoon Transformative Night Gel-Cream, $129
As the name suggests, this gel cream visibly revitalizes fatigued, dehydrated, and aging skin while you sleep. The ingredient list may be unique, but rest assured, it’s as results-driven as they come. Persian silk tree extract and wu-zhu-yu fruit extract plump, deeply hydrate, and illuminate tired skin, while Kakadu plum brightens, boosts, and tones.
Algenist Overnight Restorative Cream, $94
This power-packed night cream does it all, so it’s an excellent option for first-timers in their 30s who aren’t sure what to look for. Along with patented alguronic acid (a compound made with algae extracts touted for their anti-aging benefits), this night cream is packed with vitamins C and E, collagen-promoting peptides, and protective antioxidants. While this formula is highly moisturizing, it absorbs into the skin, leaving behind a silky smooth finish.
Dr. Brandt Hydro Biotic Recovery Sleeping Mask, $52
Despite being touted as a “mask,” rest assured the formula absorbs quickly into the skin to lock in moisture for an impressive 72 hours while simultaneously reducing signs of redness and irritation by balancing the skin’s natural flora. It only takes one use to see results, though, after four weeks, the skin’s appearance and hydration levels improve even further. It’s also a great product to slather on before flying as it helps protect against the dehydrating and stressful effects associated with air travel.
Avène PhysioLift Regenerating Night Balm, $69.99
This unique night cream was developed with the intent of adapting to the skin’s natural biorhythm. It’s formulated with Ascofilline — a unique patented active ingredient from Avène that helps to replenish the skin’s collagen due to its low molecular weight and hyaluronic acid mono-oligomers to plump and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Its balm-like texture is ideal for protecting and soothing sensitized skin while providing much-needed hydration.
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream, $48
If you’re already experiencing extreme dryness in your 30s, this night cream is for you. A proprietary 5-Cera (ceramides) complex provides long-lasting moisture while improving the condition of an irritated skin barrier. Hyaluronic acid and soothing botanical extracts treat and prevent moisture loss and dehydration and applicable side effects such as tight, flaky skin.
iS Clinical Firming Complex, $130
Lighter than a cream but heavier than a serum, this formula is ideal for those in their late 30s. Fruit acids — natural alternatives to alpha and beta hydroxy acids — resurface the skin, improving texture, tone, and pore size while reducing inflammation at the same time. Hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 deeply hydrate and replenish the skin, while powerful antioxidants promote wound healing.
Origins Ginzing Oil-Free Energy-Boosting Gel Moisturizer, $31
While it’s not a night cream per se, this formula is ideal for those suffering from oily, acne-prone skin and dehydration at the same time. Sodium PCA, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin deeply hydrate and balance the skin, yet it’s lightweight and oil-free so that it won’t aggravate breakouts. Niacinamide fades acne scars and other forms of discoloration while caffeine and ginseng revitalize the complexion.
The Best Night Creams For Your 30s: The Bottom Line
Your 30s is also an excellent time to get serious about establishing a solid skincare routine — and no, whatever you were doing in your 20s isn’t going to cut it anymore. Between intrinsic (chronological) and extrinsic (lifestyle) aging factors, your complexion may be looking more tired and dull than usual.
Due to hormonal fluctuations from pregnancy or stress, those teenage breakouts may be making another appearance. Of course, looking in the mirror and noticing fine lines, uneven skin tone, and volume loss can catch you off guard, too. While you may not have been using a night cream just yet, it’s the right time to incorporate one into your routine.
The sleep cycle is when your body goes into restoration mode, so nighttime products help maintain healthy skin and reduce signs of aging overnight. When choosing a night cream, look for a formula with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, shea butter, and other humectants and emollients to hydrate, balance, and strengthen your skin’s protective barrier. After all, a big part of anti-aging is maintaining healthy skin.
