How to get glowing skin while you sleep, according to dermatologists

While we’re all for daily skincare routines (including making sure to always put on your sunscreen), you shouldn’t underestimate the power of overnight beauty treatments. Nighttime skincare is pretty much the holy grail for those who don’t have the time to do elaborate skincare routines every morning, and they can also help you plan a relaxing evening routine that’ll reveal glowing skin upon waking. Honestly, what’s not to love?

Why use an overnight skincare treatment?

“Overnight skincare is formulated to be richer and more hardworking than daytime formulas,” explains Dr. Geeta Yadav, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology. “These products are designed to support the skin's reparative processes that occur while you sleep, all while strengthening the moisture barrier. I'd recommend using powerful actives in your evening serums or treatment formulas, such as retinoids or AHAs, along with a heavier night cream that will keep your skin nourished while you sleep. Our skin becomes drier overnight, which is why night creams are richer than day creams.”

What should you know before using an overnight skincare product?

“Ingredients like retinoids and AHAs should not be used every evening at first, as there is an adjustment period, especially with retinoids,” adds Dr. Yadav. “Skin needs to build up a tolerance to the strength of these ingredients, and using them every evening could cause significant irritation. I'd recommend starting once a week, seeing how your skin looks and feels, and then working your way up to twice weekly use—and so on—as your skin adjusts.”

When choosing the best overnight products for your skin, consider which ailments concern you the most—is it fine lines and wrinkles, acne, hyperpigmentation, dryness, or some combination of the above? Once you determine this, you’ll be able to find products that suit your skin’s needs. However, be sure to not use everything all at once or every single day, as these ingredients can be harsher on your skin than the ones found in daily products. No matter which skin issue you’re dealing with, there’s an overnight treatment out there for you. We reached out to the pros to help find the best overnight skincare products for different skin types and concerns. Check out the list below to get your glow on.

1. Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer With Retinol

If your skin can tolerate retinol, Dr. Michele Green favors this moisturizer from Paula’s Choice because it helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, all while adding an extra dose of hydration to the skin. “It’s a great moisturizing cream at nighttime because aside from the retinol, it also contains hyaluronic acid to trap moisture into the skin, as well as an antioxidant blend to repair UV and oxidative damage,” she says. It has a super creamy formula that glides on really easily, too.

2. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment

“The Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment is a TikTok favorite for nighttime treatments, and it’s easy to see why,” says Dr. Green. “This sleep mask uses an AHA complex to exfoliate the skin gently, and also contains hyaluronic acid for deep hydration, niacinamide to brighten the skin, and watermelon enzymes to smooth and hydrate the skin.” Essentially, it’s a resurfacing treatment for clogged pores and hyperpigmentation, so SPF after is key to protect your new, baby soft skin.

3. SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

“I'm a big fan of SkinCeuticals products, especially this richly moisturizing formula,” says Dr. Yadav. “It uses ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to replenish and strengthen the moisture barrier.” The unique formula promises to increase natural hydration in the skin in 24 hours, and it’s also designed to reduce signs of redness and aging with regular use.

4. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads

“These chemical peels from Dr. Dennis Gross are extremely easy to use, and are designed to be gentle enough for daily use,” says Dr. Yadav. “They contain a blend of retinol and multiple AHAs including glycolic, lactic, and malic acids to resurface skin, as well as antioxidants like green tea to help soothe and protect.” To use, simply rub the pad on dry, clean skin, and top with a serum and moisturizer to seal all the goddess in: Then, all you have to do is go to bed, and you’ll wake up to a natural glow.

5. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Night Cream

If your skin gets clogged with more traditional, heavy products, Dr. Green suggests you give this night cream a try. “The Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Night Cream from First Aid Beauty is packed with hyaluronic acid and colloidal oatmeal to promote the skin's natural moisture barrier, and also contains a peptide blend to firm the skin and diminish fine lines overnight,” she says. “This cream is excellent for those with acne-prone skin, as this formulation is non-comedogenic.” As we lose water when we sleep, night creams use heavier formulas to seal moisture in, and will prevent you from waking up to a parched, peeling face.

6. Ren Clean Skincare Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm

If your skin is on the dryer side—or has braved the wintry elements forever and is now suffering the consequences—Dr. Greenfield suggests an overnight recovery balm like this one from Ren Clean Skincare. “This balm has an oil-rich formulation that is specifically designed for sensitive and very dry skin,” she says. “It gives the skin the time and space to recover and hydrate from any stressors during the day—including procedures and exposures—all while protecting the skin’s barrier while you sleep.” Glowy, calm skin, here you come.

7. Provence Beauty Alpha-Bet Elixir Super Power Facial Oil

Many dermatologists caution against using retinol if you’re pregnant or have overly sensitive skin, which is why Dr. Lian Mack of GlamDerm in Scarsdale, New York loves this facial oil from Provence Beauty instead. “It contains vitamin B, C, and E, as well as bakuchiol, a plant-derived form of retinol,” she says. “Bakuchiol works well in individuals with sensitive skin, or for those who are actively pregnant.” When used consistently, the Provence Beauty Alpha-Bet Elixir Super Power Facial Oil reduces fine lines and wrinkles, moisturizes the skin, and helps fight the appearance of hyperpigmentation and blemishes—basically, it does it all, but is gentle enough to use on the daily.

8. Carbon Theory Charcoal, Tea Tree Oil & Vitamin E Overnight Detox Serum

Anyone who’s ever woken up with a large zit on their face can attest to how annoying it can be—and honestly, drying it up in your sleep is the ultimate dream. Dr. Nava Greenfield, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, recommends this overnight serum from Carbon Theory because it’s gentle enough to put on all night, but has some seriously effective ingredients that work: “Containing tea tree oil, charcoal, and vitamin E, it’ll treat breakouts in a consistent, even way by using gentle ingredients throughout the night,” she says.

9. Isdin Isdinceutics Melatonik Lightweight Night Serum With Bakuchiol

Another option with bakuchiol (also commonly known as nature’s retinol), this Isdin serum is a favorite of Dr. Quynh-Giao Sartor of Westlake Dermatology in Houston. “Its gentle ingredients, including bakuchiol, melatonin, and vitamin C, help to restore skin elasticity and protect the skin from environmental stressors,” she says. However, if you have extremely sensitive skin, Dr. Sartor cautions against using this product daily, as it could still aggravate the gentle upper epidermal layer of your skin.

10. Shani Darden Skin Care Lactic Acid AHA Exfoliating Serum

Sometimes, blemish-prone skin has a host of other issues to deal with like uneven texture, hyperpigmentation, large pores, and excessive oil. Lactic acid is one of the more gentle acids that also targets all these problems, and this Shani Darden exfoliating serum is formulated with gluconolactone, "which is a PHA that helps to polish the surface of the skin while boosting natural cell turnover,” says Dr. Sartor. “It even contains hyaluronic acid and an aloe vera concentrate, which adds extra hydration and soothing benefits.”