Day Cream vs. Night Cream: What’s the Difference?

You are probably aware that you need different types of skincare depending on your skin type, but you should also use different products based on the time of day.  

Every person’s skincare routine differs. Some people simply wash their faces once daily, then pop on some anti-aging moisturizer, and they’re good to go. Others may have a more in-depth skincare regimen that involves specific steps, from cleanser to serums and oil treatments to toner, face moisturizers, exfoliators, and eye creams. 

Whatever your skincare routine involves, using a separate daytime and nighttime moisturizing cream is a simple way to step up your game. The products you use at different times of the day will help you better treat your specific skin type and the areas of your face you want to target. 

And there’s no better place to start than discovering the difference between day cream and night cream and why you need both. 

Key Takeaways

• Day creams focus on hydration and protection against environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution, often including SPF and antioxidants. 
• Night creams are richer and formulated to support the skin’s natural overnight repair process, helping reduce visible signs of fatigue and dryness. 
• Your skin type—dry, oily, combination, or normal—should guide your choice in both day and night creams to get the best results. 
• Using a single cream for both day and night can compromise your skin’s needs; the right product at the right time makes a visible difference. 
• Clarins formulates complementary day and night moisturizers that work in harmony to keep your skin hydrated, nourished, and visibly radiant 24/7. 

What is a day cream and how does it work?

Day creams are formulated for protection and hydration to combat the many environmental or external factors your skin is exposed to throughout the day. Whether you have oily, normal, combination, or dry skin, your face will be exposed to the sun, cold, air conditioning, stress, and other factors that will impact its state. Using the right daily moisturizer will minimize the effects of the elements and keep your skin at its best. 

Clarins Extra-Firming Day SPF 15 - All Skin Types is the best daily moisturizer for all skin types. Made with Kangaroo Flower extract, it visibly firms and lifts your skin, leaving your skin looking radiant and smooth every day. Broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen also helps decrease the risk of early skin aging caused by the sun, forming a barrier between your skin and pollution and free radicals with the Clarins’ Anti-Pollution Complex. 

If you are looking for another option, look no further than our Super-Restorative Day SPF 15 for all skin types. This is the best moisturizer for deeply replenishing anti-aging skin care. Packed with Organic Harungana, this day cream helps to restore the appearance of density and elasticity to your skin.

If you are struggling with dry skin, choose the Extra-Firming Day Cream. This nourishing cream is the best anti-aging cream for dry skin because it offers unmatched levels of radiance, comfort, and moisture to previously dehydrated skin. It shields the skin from external stressors and uses powerful ingredients to help your skin stay firm and radiant. 

What is a night cream and how does it work?

As your body powers down for the evening, your skin kicks into recovery mode. Cell renewal peaks overnight, making this the perfect time to infuse skin with everything it needs to restore suppleness, hydration, and radiance. And that’s exactly where night creams step in—formulated to complement your skin’s natural overnight rhythm while supporting it with targeted care.  

Clarins night creams are more than just moisturizers—they’re like an evening ritual your skin looks forward to. Take the Multi-Active Night Cream, for example. Created for those who want to wake up looking well-rested (even when life says otherwise), this multi-purpose night cream features Organic Sea Holly extract and niacinamide to help you fortify against stress and fatigue. 

Then there’s the Extra-Firming Night Cream, crafted for skin that’s starting to show signs of loss in elasticity. This silky formula uses hydrated silica of Moonstone extract for its firming benefits, and Kangaroo Flower extract to support visibly firmer, more lifted skin. Clarins’ Anti-Pollution Complex is the icing on the cake, providing extra protection from air pollution and free radicals.  

For those in need of more intensive nourishment, the Super Restorative Night Cream is a nighttime go-to. Powered by Organic Harungana, often compared to retinol as a botanical alternative, it helps visibly replenish mature skin and minimize the appearance of wrinkles And with Organic Gorse, it helps visibly tighten skin, creating a more sculpted look. 

If hydration is your skin’s top concern, the Hydra-Essentiel Night Moisturizer is a comforting cocoon. It’s powered by Clarins’ Hyaluronic Power Complex to smooth and plump overnight and helps lock in moisture so you wake up feeling like your skin just had the best night’s sleep. 

The best part? Each Clarins night cream works in harmony with its daytime counterpart, creating a skin-supporting duo designed to meet your skin’s needs 24/7. 

Determining the best products for your skin type

When looking for the best products, the same rules apply for both day and night creams. Before choosing any moisturizer, it’s essential to understand your skin type. This isn’t always as obvious as it sounds. Many people assume their skin is one type, only to discover that climate changes, stress, diet, or age have shifted things. Here’s a simple breakdown to help decode your skin’s needs: 

• Dry skin often feels tight, dull, or rough. You might notice flaking, especially after cleansing, and makeup can sometimes settle into lines. Look for deeply hydrating products that replenish moisture and restore comfort. 
• Oily skin usually shows up as shine, particularly in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), and may be more prone to clogged pores. Lightweight, balancing formulas help keep oil in check without stripping the skin. 
• Combination skin is a mix—dry in some areas and oily in others. The trick here is finding multi-benefit products that hydrate without heaviness and support balance across the whole face. 
• Normal skin tends to be well-balanced—neither too oily nor too dry. Still, that doesn’t mean skipping care. Focus on maintaining hydration and protecting the skin’s natural barrier. 

If you’re unsure where you fall, a quick test after cleansing—waiting 30 minutes without applying anything—can help you notice how your skin behaves naturally. Dry patches? Shiny spots? Feeling both? That’s your skin giving you clues. 

Once you’ve got a better understanding, you can tailor your routine accordingly and choose a product from our full spectrum of moisturizers, thoughtfully formulated for each skin type. 

Key differences between day and night creams

They may look similar in the jar, but there is a clear difference between day cream and night cream. Day creams are lightweight and designed to hydrate while protecting skin from daily stressors like UV rays and pollution. Many include SPF and antioxidant-rich ingredients. 

Night creams, in contrast, are richer and more restorative—perfect for supporting skin’s natural repair cycle overnight. They’re packed with nourishing ingredients that help reduce visible signs of fatigue and dryness. Clarins crafts each formula to complement the skin’s daily rhythm, so you wake up refreshed and ready to face the day—moisturized, smooth, and beautifully balanced. 

Frequently asked questions

Can you use night cream during the day?

You can, but it’s not ideal. Night creams are often richer and don’t include SPF, so they won’t offer the daytime protection your skin needs. They’re designed to support your skin’s repair cycle while you sleep and may feel heavy or greasy under makeup. For best results, stick to using your night cream in the evening and choose a lighter, protective formula for daytime use. 

Can I use day cream at night?

Technically, yes, but your skin deserves more while you sleep. Day creams are formulated to protect and hydrate throughout the day, often including SPF and lighter textures. At night, your skin enters repair mode and benefits from richer, more nourishing ingredients. Using a night cream supports this process and helps your skin look visibly smoother and more refreshed by morning. Think of it as giving your skin what it needs, right when it needs it.

Do I need a day and night cream?

If you're serious about skincare, yes—a separate day and night cream can make a visible difference. Your skin has different needs at different times of day: protection during the day, and nourishment at night. Using both allows you to target those needs more effectively, helping your skin stay hydrated, balanced, and radiant around the clock. Clarins’ moisturizers are designed to work in tandem, delivering beautiful results from sunrise to bedtime.

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