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:
Common UV Filters
- Avobenzone
- Octocryelene
- Zinc oxide
- Titanium dioxide
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
UV Clear SPF 46
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
Naturium
Dew Glow Moisturizer with SPF 50
This moisturizer formulated with SPF and humectants provides all day hydration and blocks blue light!
Laura Mercier SPF Moisturizer
Laura Mercier
Tinted SPF 20
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
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
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
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
Yes, you can use day cream with SPF at night. However, it’s not ideal.
Yes, you can use SPF moisturizer at night. However, it’s not ideal.
Yes, you can use sunscreen moisturizer at night. However, it’s not ideal.
Using moisturizer with SPF at night may clog pores for some people, but other people won’t have any issue.
No, you should not wear SPF at night.
Using SPF moisturizer at night may clog pores for some people, but other people won’t have any issue.
