Can you use moisturizer with SPF at night?

Yes, you can use SPF moisturizer at night.

However, depending on your skin type, you could find wearing sunscreens at night may start causing breakouts.

Instead, try this:

• Morning moisturizer: Elta MD SPF 46 Moisturizer with SPF

• Nightly moisturizer: Kiehl’s Overnight Masque

This post will teach you everything you need to know about wearing moisturizer with SPF at night and the best day and night creams.

Can I use day cream with SPF at night?

Yes, you can use SPF moisturizer at night. However, most moisturizers with SPF usually formulated with heavier ingredients than night cream.

Therefore, some people with acne prone skin may find that they get more breakouts from wearing sunscreen at night. In fact, these individuals would be better off with a lotion than a thicker cream.

This is not good at night, because your skin goes into repair mode at that time. Plus, if you use SPF moisturizer at night, you’re missing out on using moisturizer with retinol or green tea.

Importance of SPF

It’s important to wear sunscreen to prevent skin cancer and premature aging from UV rays.

Additionally, wearing a daily moisturizer formulated with SPF can help get rid of skin discoloration and dark spots associated with sun damage and blue light.

While there are many anti-aging serums and retinol treatments out there, the best strategy you can use is just one habit: sunblock for added protection.

Just ask any skincare expert or licensed esthetician!

Active Ingredients

Certain ingredients, like glycolic acid and benzoyl peroxide, can make your skin sensitive to the sun. Retinoids like Differin can also cause sensitive skin.

In these cases, it is especially important to wear sunscreen in your skincare routine. That goes double if you have an acne prone skin type!

Difference Between Day Cream and Night Cream

There is a big difference in wearing sunscreen during the day and wearing sunscreen at night.

Daytime moisturizers like SPF moisturizers are formulated with sun protection ingredients to prevent premature aging. Certain sun protection ingredients that are common include:

On the other hand, nighttime moisturizers are often formulated with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, such as the Neutrogena Hydro Boost line. Sometimes they’re formulated with nourishing ingredients for anti-aging such as peptides, like Stratia Interface.

Best Day Creams

Elta MD SPF Moisturizer

Elta MD SPF 46 is one of my all-time favorites. It has mineral filters and doesn’t leave white cast like other similar sunscreens!

Naturium Dew Glow Moisturizer SPF 50

This moisturizer formulated with SPF and humectants provides all day hydration and blocks blue light!

Laura Mercier SPF Moisturizer

This is a tinted moisturizer with SPF that can replace your foundation! However, SPF 20 is not strong enough in my opinion.

Best Night Creams

Tula Hydrating Day and Night Cream

Comfortable for all day wear and super hydrating, this Tula moisturizer could be your skincare routine’s new best friend.

Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream

Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream is a dream come true among skin care products. With different ingredients to soothe your skin from stressors like UV and pollution, this cream is perfect for night wear.

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

Should you wear SPF at night?

It is preferable that your nighttime moisturizer does not have SPF because wearing sunscreen at night can clog pores for skin types prone to that.

However, it’s not the end of the world if you use the same SPF moisturizer for night creams as long as your skin type can handle it.

Also, nighttime moisturizers should add anti-aging ingredients in your skincare routine, like retinol. Wearing sunscreen at night won’t give you those benefits which are super important for mature skin types!

Sunscreen before or after moisturizer?

If you have two separate products for moisturizer and SPF, you should wait for your moisturizer to absorb before applying your sunscreen.

Many people like wearing SPF moisturizer as just one product though!

Frequently Asked Questions