Best Overall

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

$25 at Amazon

$26

$12 at Ulta$26 at Target

Active Ingredients: Thermal spring water, niacinamide, ceramides, glycerin | Size: 2.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Former Associate Editor Caitlyn Martyn (pictured below) and Editorial Director Holly Rhue are big fans of this gentle night cream, which works wonders on their oily and dry skin. “​​La Roche Posay Double Repair is a hydrating yet non-pore-clogging over-the-counter moisturizer containing ceramides and glycerin that is safe for even the most sensitive skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Claire Wolinsky, M.D. “I recommend it often.” Thanks to niacinamide (vitamin B3) and mineral-rich thermal spring water, this all-star cream soothes stressed complexions, smooths fine lines, replenishes the skin barrier, and delivers a plumper look.

Holly Rhue, editorial director (not pictured): “My biggest concern is calming irritation without clogging my pores. This formula definitely does just that, striking the perfect balance between supporting my skin barrier without causing breakouts. Each morning, my skin feels less raw and irritated around the dry patches and overall looks firm and glowy.”

Best for Acne

CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream

$22

$15 at Amazon$22 at Ulta$17 at Target

Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, 3 essential ceramides, niacinamide | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No

This night cream is ideal for those with an intense acne regime—we’re looking at you, tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide—who need a simple night cream that hydrates and won’t increase irritation. It contains key ingredients that restore and strengthen a damaged skin barrier, including a complex of hyaluronic acid and three essential ceramides—essentially, everything that keeps the skin super soft, plumped up, and supple. For those who want an anti-aging benefit, the cream contains peptides. “Peptides are good retinol alternatives, as they also stimulate collagen production and improve fine lines without any increased risk of skin irritation or sun sensitivity,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hallie McDonald, M.D. We also found that it sank in quickly after application and left our faces feeling smoother.

Jasmine, tester: “It definitely helped in terms of hydration. My skin felt moisturized and there were no dry patches. I have hormonal acne and have a prescription for it, a major side effect is dry patches, and this cream treated them extremely well.”

Best With Retinol

RoC Retinol Correxion Night Cream

$30

$21 at Amazon$30 at Ulta$22 at Target

Active Ingredients: Retinol, vitamin E, shea butter | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Recommended by Dr. McDonald, RoC Retinol Correxion proves you can find effective anti-aging products at the drugstore. As its name suggests, this night cream contains retinol, a research-backed anti-aging ingredient that tackles everything from fine lines and crow’s feet to dark spots and crepiness. Unlike other retinol products that can feel heavy and irritate the skin, this one had a lightweight, absorbing texture, and we didn’t notice any redness, dryness, or flaking. But we saw our fine lines fading after a few weeks, which is a big win. We also like that it comes in a squeeze tube, which is more hygienic than a jar you need to dip your fingers into.

Leigh, tester: “I did notice that my fine lines had faded a bit within a few weeks, and I hope that within a few months I look like I’m 24 again.”

Best for Sensitive Skin

Differin Restorative Night Moisturizer

$16

$16 at Amazon

Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, allantoin, ceramides, shea butter | Size: 2.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

You might know Differin for its once-prescription and now over-the-counter retinoid acne treatment, but the brand also has a few notable retinol-free products. We’re big fans of the Restorative Night Moisturizer, an exceptionally gentle cream that hydrates with humectants and emollients like hyaluronic acid, allantoin, and essential ceramides. When we tested this night cream, we found that it absorbed incredibly well into our skin—it didn’t feel wet, greasy, or oily afterward, and our skin felt refreshed, hydrated, plump, and soft. It also layers well with other products and passes the vital non-pilling test.

Niusha, tester: “As someone with combination skin (I have an oily T-zone and eczema), this moisturizer leaves my skin feeling refreshed, smooth, and moisturized without any greasy residue. I no longer had the small, dry patches that I did before I started the testing period.”

Best for Oily Skin

Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Cream

$28

$27 at Amazon$37 at Ulta$28 at Target

Active Ingredients: Glycerin and niacinamide | Skin Type: Oily, combination, and mature | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No

While it has that thick, luxurious feel you want in a night cream, we found that this pick sank quickly into our skin without leaving any oiliness behind. It’s formulated with glycerin for its moisturizing benefits and niacinamide for its ability to help smooth skin texture. We applied it after a retinol treatment during testing and can report that we didn’t notice any pilling. We also found that it very quickly improved the smoothness and hydration of our skin, and our skin felt calmer and more even in the morning. This is one product we’ll recommend on repeat.

Marissa, tester: “By the end of testing my skin does feel better hydrated in the morning.”

Best for Dry Skin

Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream

$19

$13 at Amazon$14 at Target

$19

$14 at Walmart

Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamins E and B3, and olive extract | Skin Type: Dry and sensitive | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No

If you have sensitive and reactive skin, you’re probably already familiar with Cetaphil. And if you have dry skin, you, too, should put the brand on your radar. This rich cream promises to deliver necessary hydration without leaving a greasy film behind. After trying it out for ourselves, we felt it delivered on its promises, leaving our skin feeling super smooth and hydrated, thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and olive extract.

Sukhman, tester: “This night cream feels so good on my skin! It’s very lightweight but very moisturizing. I like my skin to feel soft, but I hate it when it feels thick or heavy on my face. The good news is that this cream keeps my face feeling supple and refreshed without the thickness.”

Best for Mature Skin

L’Oréal Revitalift Night Cream

$21

$14 at Amazon$21 at UltaView on Walmart

Active Ingredients: Centella asiatica and Pro-Retinol | Skin Type: All skin types| Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No

This cream, which claims to improve skin texture in just four weeks, set high expectations for our test. While it initially felt very thick, it sank effortlessly into the skin without leaving any oiliness behind. Regarding the results, this cream delivered thanks to two key ingredients: Centella Asiatica (known for its soothing benefits) and Pro-Retinol. After application, we noticed that our complexions felt smoother and more supple and could retain moisture more effectively throughout the day.

Danielle, tester: “I noticed that my face was much more hydrated in the mornings, and my dryness was greatly reduced. My skin felt soft in the morning after using this before bed.”