Night Cream vs Day Cream: Do You Need Both?
A night cream and a day cream can look like the same product in two different jars. They’re made for different jobs, though. A day cream protects and hydrates your skin while you’re out in the sun. A night cream focuses on nourishment and comfort while you sleep. So do you actually need both? Let’s go through it.
What a day cream does
Your skin faces sunlight, pollution and makeup all day, and a day cream is built for that. It moisturizes lightly so it sits well under makeup, it often includes UV protection, and its texture is lighter and non-greasy. The UV part is the most important, since sun exposure is a major cause of visible skin ageing.
What a night cream does
At night you’re not in the sun, so a night cream doesn’t need UV filters. It can be richer and put its effort into nourishment. It supports moisture while you sleep, often carries nourishing and antioxidant ingredients, and tends to feel richer on the skin. Skin also loses water more easily at night, so a comfortable, moisturizing cream can help you wake up with skin that feels soft.
In short: a day cream protects and hydrates, and a night cream nourishes and comforts. The day cream is lighter and the night cream is richer. You put one on in the morning and the other as the last step of your evening routine.
Kawar’s day and night creams
The Kawar Day Cream is a 60ml morning cream with a built-in UV filter (avobenzone, which protects against UVA). It also contains argan oil, aloe vera, chamomile, allantoin, glycerin and Dead Sea minerals. The texture is non-greasy and comfortable under makeup. It doesn’t list an SPF rating, so choose a dedicated sunscreen when you’ll be outdoors for long periods.
The Kawar Night Cream is a 60ml cream for the face, neck and décolleté. It contains vitamins C and E, argan oil, chamomile, glycerin and Dead Sea minerals. It’s designed to nourish and moisturize overnight without a greasy feel or marks on your pillowcase, and it suits all skin types.
Do you really need both?
Not everyone does. The one step you shouldn’t skip is a morning moisturizer with sun protection. After that, a night cream is a useful second step if your skin feels dry or tight in the evening, if you want extra nourishment, or if you simply enjoy a fuller evening routine. On a tight budget, a sun-protective moisturizer in the morning and one comfortable moisturizer at night works well.
Many people with dry or mature skin find that using both makes their skin feel more comfortable. If your skin is oily, you may prefer a lighter night formula.
Can I use a day cream at night, or a night cream in the morning?
A day cream at night is fine. It’s safe, though it may feel lighter than you want. A night cream on its own in the morning is the one to avoid, because it generally doesn’t offer UV protection. If you do use it in the morning, add a sunscreen. Our moisturizer with SPF guide explains how.
A simple day and night routine
In the morning, cleanse, apply a serum if you use one (for example the Kawar Vitamin C Serum), then put on a day cream with UV protection. In the evening, cleanse and remove makeup, apply a serum if you use one, and finish with your night cream. For a full step-by-step plan, see our daily Dead Sea skincare routine.
How to choose by skin type
Oily skin often needs only a light gel or lotion in the morning and a light night moisturizer. Dry skin can notice a clear difference from a richer night cream when it wakes up. With combination skin, use a lighter product on the T-zone and a little more on dry cheeks. If your skin is sensitive, introduce one new product at a time and patch test before using it on your whole face. For mature skin, daily sun protection matters most for visible ageing, and a nourishing night cream is a good addition if your skin feels dry.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a night cream?
Not strictly. A good moisturizer with sun protection in the morning is the priority. A night cream is a helpful extra, especially for dry skin.
What is the difference between a night cream and a day cream?
A day cream is lighter and usually includes UV protection. A night cream is richer and focuses on nourishment and comfort overnight.
When should I start using a night cream?
You can start at any age. Many people add one when their skin begins to feel drier or when they want a fuller routine.
Can I use night cream every night?
Yes. Gentle night creams are made for daily use. If you add new products or actives, introduce them one at a time.
Should I use night cream on my neck?
Yes, if it’s suitable for those areas. The Kawar Night Cream is directed for the face, neck and décolleté.