Finding the one—your perfect night cream—is a little like finding your signature fragrance: once you do, you wonder how you ever lived without it. Personally, I’ve always leaned dry, but that hasn’t stopped me from testing formulas made for every skin type, including the best night creams for mature skin. Because here’s the thing: not all night creams are so black and white. The right formula can drench a twenty-something’s skin in hydration just as beautifully as it can soften wrinkles and boost radiance. Like any great beauty product, it ultimately comes down to results.
Plenty of night creams can get the job done, but it helps to know what to look for before adding one to your routine. As board-certified dermatologist Kristina Collins, MD, explains, “Mature skin becomes much drier, so I recommend looking for ingredients that help drive moisture into the skin, like hyaluronic acid.” She says retinoids are your best friend for boosting collagen and speeding up cell turnover, while peptides and bakuchiol (a plant-derived retinol alternative) work well for those who can’t handle stronger actives. And this is just a sampling of what to look for—I break it down even further in a bit.
Of course, as much as I’d love to claim expertise on every formula, I’m not the main audience for the best night creams for mature skin. That’s where my 65-year-old mom—and senior beauty editor Samantha Holender’s 56-year-old mom—come in. Over the course of several months, they tested some of the most-loved formulas to find their favorites. Keep scrolling for the nine best night creams they (and their skin) adore, featuring their insight, before-and-after photos, and a few internet favorites sourced from glowing reviews, Reddit threads, and retailer bestseller lists.
The Best Night Creams for Mature Skin
- Best Night Cream for Mature Skin Overall: Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Moisturizer Night Power Bounce Creme
- Best Luxury Night Cream for Mature Skin: La Mer The Rejuvenating Night Cream
- Best Retinol Night Cream for Mature Skin: SkinBetter Science Alpharet Overnight Cream
- Best Refillable Moisturizer for Mature Skin: INNBEAUTY Project Extreme Cream Anti-Aging, Firming, & Lifting Refillable Moisturizer
This night cream doesn’t just say “plump”—it means it. Sodium hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid, gives skin an instant hit of hydration that temporarily smooths fine lines and helps maintain moisture over time. With nightly use, acetyl hexapeptide-8 softens expression lines, while hibiscus extract supports collagen and moringa seed extract helps firm and bring back skin’s natural bounce.
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Who It's For: The person who wants to see instant plumpness and long-term firmness
What I Love: Smooths fine lines instantly and more deeply over time; Absorbs quickly; Supported by clinical testing
What I Don't: Fragranced; Some find the floral scent overwhelming
Review for MC: “The texture feels so luxurious—it even has a little bounce to it. It’s creamy, hydrating, and just feels really nice on the skin. I love how rich it is without being heavy, and my skin feels soft and supple right after applying.” — Mindy Holender
Mindy before and after applying Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Night Power Bounce Crème to soften fine lines instantly with plumping ingredients and more deeply over time with firming ones.
Few skin-care brands carry as much cachet as La Mer—and that’s not just beauty-industry delusion. After years of digging through ingredient lists, I can tell you there’s solid science behind this formula. At its core is the brand’s Miracle Broth, a fermented blend of sea kelp, vitamins, and minerals that helps soothe and restore the skin. It’s layered with line-softening peptides, replenishing antioxidants, and deeply moisturizing emollients. Not to mention: a silky-soft, cushiony texture that feels so luxurious.
Size: 1 fl oz
Who It's For: Those looking for luxury-level repair that goes beyond hydration
What I Love: Uses the brand's proprietary Miracle Broth™ base; Uses impressive peptide blend; A little goes a long way
What I Don't: Fragrance-heavy
Review for MC: "Getting this in the mail felt like such a treat, like the kind of package you can’t wait to rip open. After the first use, my skin just felt... better. From the first use, my skin felt like it finally got that deep, refreshing drink of water it had been craving. It looked softer right away, more hydrated too, and after a couple of weeks, I started noticing my fine lines weren’t as noticeable. I’ve been watching closely in the mirror, and I swear I can see a difference.” — Jane Beth Petrarca
Jane before and after La Mer The Rejuvenating Night Cream to tackle fine lines, wrinkles, and dryness, and noticed subtle improvements in just two weeks.
No roundup of the best night creams for mature skin is complete without a retinoid. This one’s my pick because it pairs retinol with an alpha hydroxy acid to smooth fine lines and bring back glow—without that dreaded dryness or sting. The secret lies in the patented formula, which combines the two actives into one gentle cream that starts showing results quickly (think: four weeks of consistent use).
Size: 1 fl oz
Who It's For: The person who wants retinol results with less irritation
What I Love: Combines retinol and AHA for smoother, more radiant skin; Airless pump keeps actives stable; Impressive before-and-afters on the brand’s site
What I Don't: Opaque packaging makes it hard to tell when you’re running low
Review for MC: “The texture is thin and lightweight, but it still feels like it’s doing serious work beneath the surface. My skin looked more even and felt super hydrated when I woke up. I already use SkinBetter Science’s Mystro Active Balance Serum and Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment in the mornings, and this cream fits perfectly into that routine.” — Mindy Holender
Mindy before and after using SkinBetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream to smooth fine lines and bring out her glow.
With a word like “extreme” in the name, one would hope the ingredient list lives up to the claim, and luckily, this cream does. Many who’ve tried it rave about it like a firstborn, which is why I handed it off to my mom to see what all the fuss was about (more on that shortly). Just looking at the INCI list, what stands out is how intentionally it’s built for mature skin: a trio of firming peptides, barrier-repairing ceramides, and Tremella mushroom extract for lasting hydration and bounce. Add in antioxidant-rich rice bran oil, squalane, and carnosine to help protect collagen, and you’ve got a formula that actually earns its bold name.
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Who It's For: Those looking for a cream under $50 with science-backed ingredients
What I Love: Clean formula; Refillable packaging; Major online buzz for its results
What I Don't: Some users mentioned the pump can be a little finicky
Review for MC: “This moisturizer comes in an easy-to-use pump, which I really like, and the cream itself is rich yet absorbs quickly, leaving my skin soft and deeply hydrated. It improved not just how my skin feels but how it looks—which is exactly what I was hoping for. I also love that it’s plant-based and has barely any scent.” — Jane Beth Petrarca
Jane before and after using INNBEAUTY Project Extreme Cream Anti-Aging, Firming, & Lifting Refillable Moisturizer to tackle fine lines, wrinkles, and dryness, and noticed subtle improvements in just two weeks.
Chuda’s Healing Hydrating Cream bridges centuries-old medicine with modern skin science. The formula revolves around the brand’s Remedea Compound™—a healing blend passed down for generations—plus palmitoyl tripeptide to help restore firmness. Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer delivers lasting hydration, while Dromecius oil replenishes essential fatty acids, leaving dry, fragile skin feeling renewed.
Size: 50 mL
Who It's For: Dry or sensitized skin that needs moisture and repair
What I Love: Doubles as a post-procedure recovery cream; Calms redness and irritation; Uses a clinically backed peptide that helps firm and strengthen skin
What I Don't: Might be too heavy for humid climates
Customer Review: "This cream is so rich and hydrating! I have very dry skin on my neck and chest, to the point that even the softest clothing can aggravate it. This cream is repairing my skin barrier. The other day I was able to wear a turtleneck!! Love it and will purchase again. Worth every penny!" — Amazon
Whenever a friend, family member, or even a stranger asks me to recommend a skin-care product that works without draining their bank account, CeraVe is always my answer. The brand’s formulas rely on foundational ingredients—hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin—the essentials your skin needs to function at its best. This night cream isn’t flashy or packed with trendy actives, but it’s ideal for anyone who wants a no-fuss formula that deeply hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier.
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Who It's For: Skin that needs classic hydration and barrier repair without the fuss
What I Love: Widely available; Most affordable on my list; Has tens of thousands of five-star ratings
What I Don't: Some find the texture a little thick for their liking
Customer Review: "Love this night cream. This lasted me two years because you don't need a lot. Use it every night. My dermatologist recommends it for mature skin, being 50 years old. I do notice an improvement in the texture of my face and neck. My skin is soft. It has softened my lines of expression on my forehead." — Amazon
Technically, “medical-grade” isn’t a regulated term, but this formula earns the title in spirit because it’s sold in dermatology offices, clinically tested, and filled with ingredients proven to firm and brighten. What sets it apart is how it works on the skin’s support layer (the dermal-epidermal junction) while also caring for the microbiome. It leaves skin stronger, smoother, and hydrated without any heaviness.
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Who It's For: Skin that wants dermatologist-developed care with real firming results
What I Love: Sold at dermatology offices; A little goes a long way; Fragrance-free
What I Don't: May be too rich for oily or acne-prone skin
Customer Review: "I’ve been using this line for a few years now. I constantly get told I look 30 (buuuut I’m 40.) Haha! It’s expensive to look this young, but totally worth it." — Amazon
This moisturizer is one celebrities call out again and again, thanks to its patented TFC8® technology, which has been clinically shown to reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration. I also love that it’s meant to be used twice daily for best results—no need to buy a separate morning cream (though SPF is still a must). It also skips exfoliating acids and retinoids, so it’s gentle enough to use around the clock.
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Who It's For: Those who want visible results from a formula gentle enough for day and night use
What I Love: Doubles as a day-and-night treatment; Wears well under makeup; Backed by clinically studied TFC8® technology
What I Don't: Most expensive night cream for mature skin on my list
Customer Review: "I have gone through two bottles of this cream and I'm 43 years old. I noticed significant improvement in my skin texture, luminosity and firmness. Expensive but worth it for the results. I use this as my night cream and in winter, I use it day and night." — Sephora
I’ve always considered IT Cosmetics one of the most dependable brands for high-performance makeup and skin care—especially for mature skin—and this night cream proves why. When I’m vetting a moisturizer, I look for the full trio of hydrators—humectants, emollients, and occlusives—so skin stays nourished long after it sinks in. This one delivers on that front and then some, thanks to firming adenosine and gentle exfoliators that leave skin smoother and more radiant by morning.
Size: 4 fl oz
Who It's For: Dry skin craving moisture and overnight renewal
What I Love: Available in three sizes; Contains all three categories of hydrators; Features a calming lavender scent ideal for bedtime
What I Don't: Contains alcohol, which may be irritating for sensitive skin types
Customer Review: "I bought this cream on sale a little while ago and I must say I'm very pleased with it! I have pretty dry skin, so I find that many night creams don't last through the night, and I still wake up feeling dry. With this one, though, I wake up feeling well moisturized! The lavender scent is a nice touch, too." — Ulta Beauty
What Should I Look For in a Night Cream for Mature Skin?
While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the best night cream for mature skin—it really depends on your skin’s specific needs and goals. That said, the best formulas all have one thing in common: they multitask. They target fine lines, loss of firmness, and dehydration while also strengthening the skin barrier, which is essential for keeping your complexion healthy and resilient.
- Hydration and Collagen Support: “As we age, skin becomes much drier,” explains Dr. Collins. “I recommend looking for ingredients that can help drive moisture into the skin, like hyaluronic acid.” To help boost firmness and smooth texture, she points to retinoids as a gold standard. “Peptides and bakuchiol can be used as collagen boosters for those who cannot tolerate retinoids or who prefer to cycle retinoids every few days,” she adds.
- Barrier-Strengthening Ingredients: Mature skin tends to lose moisture faster due to hormonal changes and thinner skin. “Night creams for mature skin should help replenish and protect the skin barrier with thicker, more protective textures,” says Dr. Collins. She recommends choosing a night cream for mature skin that's rich in lipids, ceramides, and oil-based ingredients.
- Antioxidants and DNA Repair: Over time, skin accumulates DNA damage from sun exposure, pollution, and daily stressors. Dr. Collins says that’s why antioxidants are often included in the best night creams for mature skin. “DNA protection and repair are also very important, as mature skin has a cumulative amount of DNA damage as a result of long-term exposures to UV, pollution, or just aging in general,” she explains. That said, she suggests scanning ingredient lists for ingredients such as niacinamide, vitamin C, and astaxanthin for environmental defense and repair.
Why Trust Marie Claire
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
How We Tested
Finding the best night creams for mature skin resulted from a mix of personal testing, insights from fellow Marie Claire editors and contributors, Reddit deep dives, retailer reviews, and more. Contributing beauty writer Marisa Petrarca enlisted her 65-year-old mom to test a range of formulas over two months—alongside senior beauty editor Samantha Holender’s mom—for feedback on what actually works.
Meet the Experts
Kristina Collins, MD, is a double-board-certified dermatologist in Austin, Texas, specializing in Mohs micrographic surgery, as well as surgical and cosmetic dermatology. She is also the co-founder of Austin Skin Physicians and founder of Foy by Dr. Kristina Collins MD.
