What’s the Best Night Cream For Acne?

Experts like dermatologist Serena Mraz and New York-licensed esthetician Tiara Willis agree that night is when the skin does the most reparative work. They each recommend this drugstore night cream, which features hyaluronic acid (the ability to hold 1,000 times its weight in water), green tea extract and ceramides.

It also boasts a low 0.01 percent retinol concentration, making it suitable for those with sensitive skin. In GH Beauty Lab testing, it smoothed lines and improved tone.

1. Retinol

If you’re a fan of the anti-aging ingredient retinol, a night cream with it can be an effective addition to your skincare routine. But be careful — products with the ingredient can be harsh on some skin types, so consider opting for a retinol gel or serum instead best night cream of a cream. «The oily and acne-prone should stick with a gel, while those with normal or dry skin should use a cream,» says Busso.

This night cream is gentle enough for all skin types, according to Green. It has a rich formula that soothes and calms with shea butter and glycerin, which also hydrate the complexion. Plus, it contains glycolic acid, which facilitates cell turnover to unclog pores and makes them look less greasy.

This night cream from Roc is a GH Beauty Award and GH Seal winner, which means it really works. According to our Good Housekeeping Institute experts, it made skin look 32% smoother after just one week of use. Its peptides and antioxidants help firm the complexion while it softens fine lines and wrinkles. And it’s fragrance-free, which Dr. Lal notes is an important feature for a night cream, because it’s on your face overnight.

2. Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid is the most common natural AHA (alpha hydroxy acid). This ingredient exfoliates, brightens and stimulates cell turnover. It helps to improve small lines and wrinkles, refines pores and promotes collagen production. It also works as a great acne treatment.

A retinol- and glycolic-acid combination is the most effective for aging skin. Dr. Camp recommends this cream from Summer Fridays, which combines the two ingredients in a moisturizing formula for major hydration. It has a plant-based base that boosts skin barrier health, while silk tree extract and fruit extracts help even texture. The rich cream also contains hyaluronic acid, which hydrates and plumps fine lines. It’s also fragrance-free, which Dr. Camp says is important for night creams that will be on your face overnight.

Hydroxyacetic acid has been shown to cause mild toxicity in humans when inhaled and at high concentrations in solution (70% technical). It is a severe skin and mucous membrane irritant, and it causes eye corrosion in some patients. It may also be absorbed into the lungs, which can lead to bronchitis and pneumonia.

3. Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a comedolytic that helps «break up» and dissolve open comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), making it a great addition to acne-prone skin care routines. It also smoothes rough texture and can prevent new pimples from forming. It’s particularly effective in the treatment of body acne, which is so common and difficult to treat.

In addition to being packed with powerful ingredients that target discoloration, this formula also encourages a good night’s sleep by using natural essential oils like lavender and chamomile. As a result, you’ll wake up with healthy, glowing skin.

A little goes a long way with this creamy formula, which features an impressive list of ingredients that include niacinamide to even tone, vitamin C to brighten and soothe, and hyaluronic acid to plump fine lines. Plus, it has a pH level that’s ideal for the skin’s natural hydration process. It’s a must-have for dull skin that needs a serious boost.

4. Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is an ingredient that helps plump the skin, making fine skin toner lines less noticeable, but it’s also great for hydration and for protecting the barrier. Over time, the body’s natural hyaluronic acid stores deplete, and incorporating products that include it into your routine can help restore those levels, explains Dr. Zubritsky.

She recommends this face cream from Summer Fridays, which she says is super moisturizing and has an «absolutely gorgeous texture.» The formula contains hyaluronic acid and fruit extracts, as well as shea butter and ceramides to support your skin barrier.

It’s also free of sulfates, mineral oil, propylene glycol, synthetic fragrances and dyes, phthalates, petrolatum, DEA, TEA and harsh irritants, which is perfect for those with dry skin like the one that I have. The cream has a light, airy texture that works well with all skin types. The face oil from Sunday Riley is another great option for those with sensitive skin. It works as you sleep to boost hydration, protect the lipid barrier and reduce redness and fine lines with the help of oils from blue tansy, German chamomile and squalane.

5. Vitamin E

A best seller and favorite of both dermatologists and facialists, this night cream has a unique feel thanks to its technology that improves skin cells’ renewal process while you sleep, leaving your face visibly firmer and more vibrant. The formula is also infused with brightening lime pearl and soothing bisabolol to help diminish dark spots, while hydrating shea butter and nourishing oatmeal keep your complexion looking supple.

Another GH Beauty editor favorite, this thick balm from K-beauty brand Peach & Lily is formulated with antioxidant-rich ingredients like berry and black ginseng extracts to firm and nourish your complexion while you sleep. It’s a top-rated best seller and has a high average rating from more than 593 reviews on Peach & Lily, but the vitamin E concentration may be too low for some people who prefer a stronger anti-aging product with retinol.

The cheapest option on our list, this luxurious night cream from Differin is a favorite of both dermatologists and GH Beauty editors. The luxe formula uses a blend of plumping peptides and firming growth factors to smooth fine lines while the hydrating shea butter, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and AHAs work to deeply moisturize your complexion. Plus, it’s formulated without potential irritants, so even the most sensitive skin types can use this luxe night cream.