Day creams add a blanket of protection to your skin from the outside environment. This not only includes guarding against sunlight (if your day cream has a built-in sunscreen) but also dirt and debris in the air. A moisturizer will add a layer of protection between your skin and any makeup you may be wearing. These creams also supply oil and nutrients to the skin to help keep it soft, supple, and moisturized.
Night creams are usually more treatment oriented than their day cream counterparts. Nighttime is when your body (and your skin) goes into a less active, more regenerative and repairing mode. Night creams are generally made to address specific needs that your protective day creams may not and are generally not meant to be worn under makeup.
Other than the different functions of day and night creams, another reason to use two different creams is variety. Your skin can benefit from the variety of ingredients in two creams, instead of constantly using just one. Also there is the added benefit of diversity of aromas and textures. Using the same cream day and night limits you on these levels as well. This may not be important to you, but many people like to have a variety of experiences when it comes to the way their creams smell and feel.
I recommend using a different cream for day and for night. You will benefit from a variety of ingredients and actions, as well as different aromas and textures. But if using one cream both day and night works best for you (many of my clients fall into this category), it is surely not harmful to use one cream. As long as the moisturizer you are using is appropriate for your skin type, this simpler approach is perfectly fine.
For more information, see
For more information, see
- How and when to moisturize
- Why you want to use a moisturizer
- The Basics 1-2-3 Program for proper skin care
