I'm Trying to Look 25 Forever, so I Asked Derms What Night Creams to Prioritize
Right now, at age 25, my skin looks pretty good. I try to take really good care of it, and I get a few preventative treatments here and there (perks of being a beauty editor), but for the most part, I know I don't have to mess with it too much. I'd love for my skin to look like this forever, but I also welcome aging. The older you get, the wiser you get, and there's nothing to be scared of when it comes to aging gracefully!
If you're in your 20s like me, it might seem a bit early to start paying attention to heavy-duty skincare products. "In our 20s is when we may start to see some early signs of aging such as fine lines and hyperpigmentation," says Jenny Liu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Minneapolis. "In our late 20s, skin starts to make less collagen and hyaluronic acid."
One of the best ways to begin taking better care of your skin is to start using a night cream. "Night cream in the 20s can include ingredients such as retinol that helps to repair sun-exposed skin, clogged pores, and acne-prone skin," says Cheryl Burgess, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Center for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery in Washington, DC. Burgess recommends looking for a thicker cream that can help repair the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss.
Other key ingredients to search for in a night cream are vitamin C, ceramides, fatty acids, peptides, niacinamide, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. And don't just stop at night cream. Purvisha Patel, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare, says you should consider layering a retinol underneath and make sure to wear sunscreen every morning to prevent sun damage.
Below, I've rounded up the best night creams for people in their 20s. These creams will help your skin retain its volume and moisture while you sleep.
Somehow, this moisturizer is thick and emollient without feeling heavy at all on the skin. Take it from me—I've gone through two jars of this cream. I love it so much. Japanese purple rice acts as an antioxidant to protect skin, and algae and hyaluronic acid prevent moisture loss.
When I test-drove some of SkinCeuticals' hero products, this moisturizer came out on top for me. Hydroxy acid helps refine and exfoliate the skin, while botanical extracts help nourish dry skin.
This Kiehl's night mask is really gentle, so it is a good pick for even the most sensitive skin. It imparts tons of moisture.
Next, 8 Beauty Products I'll Never Buy Again
Prior to her time at Who What Wear, Katie Berohn worked as the beauty assistant for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her master's degree at NYU's graduate program for magazine journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan; a digital editorial internship at New York magazine's The Cut; a social good fellowship at Mashable; and a freelance role at HelloGiggles.
-
I'm a Beauty Editor, so Finishing Skincare Products Is My Highest Form of Praise—11 Running on Empty
Oh, these are good.
-
If You Hate the Way Sunscreen Feels, Let Me Introduce You to This Trending Alternative
The only product I want to wear right now.
-
I Gave Myself a Bella Hadid– and Hailey Bieber–Inspired Ice Bath Facial Every Day for 2 Weeks—the Results Say Everything
I'm texting these photos to my aesthetician.
-
Say Hello to "Toasty Glam," the Hottest (Had to) Makeup Trend of Summer 2025
It's flooding my FYP.
-
I Just Got Engaged—This Is the Foolproof "Marry Me" Skin Routine I Did for 6 Months
I've never looked better.
-
This SPF Is a Constant Sellout Risk in London and Paris—I Swear Its New U.S. Version Is Even Glowier
It transformed my skin in 20 days.
-
We Rigorously Tested 13 of the Best BB Creams—These 8 Passed
We test, you trust.
-
Meet Madecassoside—the Trending Ingredient That Soothes, Hydrates, and Protects Sensitive Skin
It's beauty's next big thing.