Night cream and day cream, is there really much of a difference, or is it all just down to clever marketing? With so many product options available to the public, sometimes it can be a bit confusing to know when to use certain creams and when not to. If the ingredients are relatively similar, what does it matter?
But when it concerns day and night cream, it certainly does matter. Here’s why.
The purpose of day cream
We all love a good, reliable day cream. Personally, we never leave our homes without one! Day creams are amazing at keeping skin hydrated and moisturized throughout the day. In our modern busy lives, we may need to commute to work in sprawling urban environments, and as a result, our skin will be exposed to a host of environmental hazards. Day cream will not only refresh the skin but protect it from these types of things. It should be an essential part of everyone’s daily skincare routine.
The purpose of night cream
A night cream is very similar to a day cream but is only intended to be worn while sleeping. While it contains virtually the same ingredients as a day cream, the night cream will be absorbed into the skin at a slower pace, so it’s not as flexible. When you wake up in the morning you will have a nourished face with a youthful shine to boot. They don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing!
The one key difference
Is there a difference between day cream and night cream? The answer is yes, and it’s an important difference.
As a general rule, day cream is used to protect skin from the everyday stresses and environmental harms it is exposed to. One of those harms includes sunlight. This is why most day creams contain an element of SPF sun protection. Without it, your skin may suffer from quite severe damage. Many people put sun protection at the back of their minds, but it’s one of the most overlooked and important aspects of skincare.
On the flip side, since night cream is to be used while you sleep, it doesn’t contain any of this sun protection. If a day cream is used to protect your skin, a night cream is used to restore and rejuvenate your skin.
Can night cream be used during the day?
Taking into account the information above, we wouldn’t recommend using night cream during the daytime. It’s much thicker than the day cream and takes longer to absorb into the skin, but crucially it doesn’t have the SPF sun protection that is essential for keeping your skin in good health in the face of environmental challenges. Day cream is for the day, night cream is for the night. It really is that simple.
Final word
While both products are incredibly similar in their ingredients and functionality, they have been designated for different usage times for a reason.
Even so, we’d recommend everyone incorporate both products into their daily skincare routine to give your skin the best chance of remaining strong and healthy.