7 best night creams for your 20s

It’s never too early to start taking care of your skin

Make your beauty sleep even more worthwhile

(Rex)

Writing about night creams is a bit like writing about food. Words like “sumptuous”, “souffle” and “moist” spring to mind with almost every product, but then again, maybe that’s the point. Like good food, beauty products are an indulgence. Scrubs, masks, oils… spending money on these items will always feel like a treat, but night creams are at the upper echelons of any woman’s regime. Because they’re not quite as essential as, say, a cleanser, there’s a certain kind of woman who uses night creams: one who is astute and takes great care over their appearance. They probably also have a 20-minute pre-bedtime beauty routine. In the process of testing these products, I have become that woman. But night creams are expensive.

Why should women in their 20s be making such steep investments when their skin is supple and smooth? The answer is simple: so that it stays supple and smooth. The earlier you start using these products, the longer you can keep your skin in tip top condition. Forward-planning aside, there’s something special about coming home after a long day at the office, washing your face, creaming up, and going to sleep all dewy-skinned knowing that you might wake up looking like royalty.

Read on for our roundup of the best night creams for women in their 20s.

Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Night Cream: £100, Charlotte Tilbury

If the idea of applying thick cream to your face does not appeal, do not buy this product. However, we really enjoyed the rich, sticky texture. Not only did it make us feel like it was really doing magical things to our face, as the name suggests, but it also felt like we were getting our money’s worth. It has a medicinal smell, like something you’d pick up in a 1940s apothecary. Again, this didn't put us off, but seduced us into thinking this product must be doing something right: something scientific. Yes, it’s expensive, but welcome to the world of night creams: no one told you this would be easy, or cheap.

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Clarins Multi-Active Nuit Revitalising Night Cream: £38.70, Escentual.com

This is one of those creams that feels good the moment you apply it. Maybe it’s the opulent botanical scent, the royal blue shade of its pot, or the fact that ours grandmothers' entire bathrooms are a cornucopia of Clarins, but something about this cream makes it feel far too grownup for a woman in their 20s. This might be because it tours itself as targeting fine lines, which are few and far between on the typical twentysomething face.

That being said, it felt very good on my skin and it’s made with golden poppy extract, which helps to revitalise a sleep-deprived complexion. As for its texture, it was neither too thin nor too heavy-duty. This product is a strong and stable night cream for the layman twentysomething with a penchant for parties.

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Botanics’ All Bright Hydrating Night Cream: £6.99, Boots

Another dusty rose-hued cream, this is the perfect option for the millennial who takes her generational stereotypes very seriously: are you really a millennial if your night cream isn’t millennial pink? The texture might be a little underwhelming – thin and glossy – but it’s fortified with natural exfoliation AHAs, which is beauty-speak for ‘I will brighten up your hungover skin’. Apply after a night on the tiles and even if you wake up feeling rotten, at least your face will look rejuvenated.

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Clinique’s Smart Night Custom-Repair Moisturiser: £51, Clinique

When you open a pot of Clinque’s smart nuit cream, it’s a bit like tugging at the melted mozzarella on a piece of pizza: stringy and elasticky. That being said, it’s texture is not at all cheese-like, thank god. This cream feels pleasant when applied to the face, though it doesn’t keep your skin feeling soft for too long, as it dries rather quickly. Of course, this is a night cream, so a fast-drying feature is no bad thing; few people would want to apply a product only to wake up and find half of it had soaked their pillowcase.

Suitable for combination to oily skin, it’s the perfect option for twenty somethings prone to breakouts and blackheads. It’s also free from oil, which is a massive plus. This is a cream you could apply every night with the confidence that it will not leave your skin feeling greasy and slippery, as some cheaper options might.

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By Terry’s Fundamental Repairing Night Cream: £120, Space NK

Every product By Terry creates is a treat for the senses. Its distinctive rose scent is in line with some of the brand’s hero products, such as the body moisturiser, and its lilac shade is a delight to behold. Applying this product feels like you’re feeding your skin the nutrition it’s been craving. Plus, it’s not at all greasy, making it a good choice for those with oily skin. Of course, it is on the more expensive end of what is already an expensive scale. But the fact that I really did wake up the next day with a brighter and more radiant complexion makes me think you’re getting your money’s worth with this one.

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Crème de la Mer’s Moisturising Cream: £225, Crème de la Mer

Often referred to as the holy grail of the moisturising world, we had high expectations for this cult product. It turns out, Crème de la Mer don’t have a night-time specific cream, but instead offer an all-round product that can take you from day-to-night: nifty. It feels and looks a bit like suncream. But that’s not to say it transported us to a beach in St Tropez with a single application. It’s very thick, as all good night creams should be, but it’s rich texture doesn’t allow for a smooth application.

In fact, it’s best to apply this cream in dots, or with the applicator it comes with, otherwise you’ll find yourself blotchily spreading it across your face like cold butter on bread. This cream is anything but cheap, but as it's made with seaweed extract and mineral oil, it’s a great choice for someone with dry skin that is vulnerable to winter’s chill. But for those with oily or combination skin, your money is best spent elsewhere.

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Chanel’s Le Lift Cream: £105, Feel Unique

Now, this is one fancy cream. You can tell just by looking at the black lacquer pot that something special is inside. Surprisingly light in weight and thin in texture, this product smooths over the face with unbridled ease, leaving a glossy sheen in its tracks. Again, this is a product that can be used both day and night, making it cost-effective. Lighter than its counterparts, this cream is a good choice for those with sensitive skin because it contains botanical alfalfa concentrate, which has been applauded for its gentle effect on the skin.

As for its magic overnight powers, we weren't fully convinced. It dried fairly quickly and didn’t seem to make much of a difference to my skin despite regular use. Then again, it’s Chanel, maybe it’s just meant to look pretty. If that’s its intention, Le Lift succeeds with aplomb.

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The Verdict: Best night creams for your 20s

It might be the thickest and the stickiest of all creams in the land, but Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Night Cream is undoubtedly the most effective product we tried. Not only did we wake up looking all glowy and fresh after just one application, but you really only have to use a small amount to get full coverage. It might not be cheap, but it should last you a while.