Why Use a Moisturizer at Night? Your Guide to Choosing Our Best Nighttime Skincare

As you sleep, your skin undergoes its most intensive repair process. Choosing a richer moisturizer like Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides at night can help support your skin’s natural renewal processes and boost hydration,for a fresh, plump complexion.

In this guide, we’ll explore why you might want to use a richer product at night, how it supports your skin’s overnight recovery, and how to choose the best products for your skin’s needs.

Night creams are typically richer moisturizers designed to support the skin’s natural processes during sleep, often focusing on hydration and replenishment. At The Ordinary, we take a different approach—our formulations aren’t limited to day or night-use. They’re designed to support your unique needs, offering the flexibility to integrate them into your routine, whether day or night.

Nighttime is when the skin goes into recovery mode, renewing cells to counteract the effects of environmental damage. Richer moisturizers and nourishing treatments provide hydration, while helping to strengthen and protect the skin’s barrier. When used at night, our formulations support the skin’s natural repair and renewal process, giving you healthy-looking skin.

Prime Time for Retinoids

Since your skin naturally repairs during sleep, this is an ideal time to apply formulations that support skin renewal. Ingredients like retinoids are well-studied and known for their ability to enhance this process, helping to improve the look of skin texture and tone.

Retinal 0.2% Emulsion delivers well-researched ingredients that work in sync with your skin’s renewal cycle. Additionally, this formulation includes synthetic oat analogues known to help target dryness and discomfort. For those new to retinoids, beginning with a lower-strength option, such as Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion or Retinol 0.2% in Squalane, before progressing to higher concentrations is recommended.

As we mentioned earlier, the skin’s repair processes are at their peak while you are asleep, and are actively renewing cells to counter the damaging effects of environmental damage. Blood flow also increases during this time, which improves the delivery of essential nutrients to skin cells.

Additionally, without exposure to environmental stressors like pollution and UV rays, the skin's barrier is more relaxed, allowing it to absorb ingredients more effectively. This makes nighttime the ideal time to support these natural processes and enhance the skin’s recovery at night with our targeted serums and moisturizers.

At The Ordinary, we believe your moisturizer can seamlessly transition from day to night. Our range of moisturizers are designed to be versatile. Whether it’s morning or night, these formulations provide the same great hydration and support, without the need for a separate "night cream."

This approach eliminates unnecessary complication in your skincare routine while ensuring that your skin stays nourished and hydrated around the clock.

For Dry Skin

For dry skin, emollient-rich formulations that provide intensive hydration and help restore the skin’s natural barrier are essential. Key ingredients like ceramides, urea, and hyaluronic acid are known for their ability to lock in moisture, prevent water loss, and maintain skin softness.

The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides is a rich hydrating cream packed with replenishing moisturizing agents. This product is designed to deliver immediate relief, boosting hydration by 68%* after one application, making it ideal for dry skin.

*Clinical testing on 30 people after a single application.

For Oily or Combination Skin

For oily or combination skin, lightweight moisturizers are ideal. These formulations are often non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog pores while delivering hydration and barrier support. Look for ingredients which help balance oil production and reduce the appearance of pores.

Our Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan is a gel moisturizer that offers all-day hydration without feeling greasy, making it great for oily and combination skin types. The formulation includes a blend of natural moisturizing factors, beta glucan, and ceramides, which work together to strengthen the skin's barrier.

For Sensitive Skin

For sensitive skin, choosing gentle, formulations is key. Look for ingredients that are suitable for sensitive skin and help support hydration levels without disrupting the skin barrier.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA is a great option for sensitive skin and is gentle enough for daily use. This moisturizer mimics the composition of your skin’s natural hydration system, providing immediate and lasting hydration. It contains a blend of skin-identical ingredients, such as amino acids, fatty acids, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, which work together to replenish moisture and protect the outer layer of your skin.

Pro Tip: Mix Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA and Soothing & Barrier Support Serum for a soothing overnight leave-on masque. Both formulations help to support the skin’s natural barrier overall.

For Mature Skin

For mature skin, it's important to focus on moisturizers that help support hydration and improve skin healthy appearance.

A great choice for mature skin is Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides, our most nourishing moisturizer. Formulated with moisturizing emollients, it deeply replenishes and immediately boosts skin hydration by 68%. The plant-derived phytoceramides help improve the appearance of skin quality, leaving the skin looking fresher and more plump.

Pro Tip: For optimal anti-aging results, pair your nighttime moisturizers with anti-aging serums, such as retinol, to enhance the skin-renewing effects.

The Ordinary offers a minimalist yet effective approach to skincare, offering moisturizers suitable for both day and night use. These products are designed to provide hydration while enhancing the skin's barrier.

We believe in a more tailored approach to skincare, to allow you the freedom to pair moisturizers with targeted serums, to create a personalized regimen that effectively addresses your unique skincare needs.

1. Prep: Begin with a gentle cleanser to remove surface impurities.
2. Treat: Target specific skin concerns (e.g. brightening or hydration).
3. Seal: Use a moisturizer tailored to your skin type to lock in the benefits of our treatments and support the skin barrier. You can choose richer formulations if your skin is dry or sensitized.

Tips for Optimal Results

• Apply your skincare 30 minutes before bed to allow proper absorption.


• Always apply your nighttime skincare on clean, freshly cleansed skin to ensure better absorption and avoid trapping impurities.


• Gently massage your skincare in upward circular motions to improve circulation and promote relaxation.


• Use a space humidifier to maximize hydration in drier climates. While research on ambient humidity's effects on skin is ongoing, it remains a harmless and simple way to support overall skin comfort.

Myth: Only Mature Skin Needs Them

Fact: Using a moisturizer at night can benefit all skin types, not just mature skin. Regardless of age or skin concern, it can provide essential hydration and barrier support, resulting in healthier-looking skin while you rest.

Myth: They Cause Breakouts

Fact: Breakouts can be caused by using the wrong formulation for your skin type. To avoid clogging pores, choose non-comedogenic formulations specifically designed for your skin’s needs. This ensures your skin receives the nourishment it requires without causing breakouts.

Whether you’re addressing dryness, barrier support, or aging, incorporating the right nighttime moisturizer ensures a healthier-looking and more radiant complexion.

Take the guesswork out of skincare with The Ordinary’s Regimen Builder, an intuitive tool that offers product recommendations tailored to your skin concerns.