The main difference between day cream and night cream is their texture and ingredients. A day cream is a lighter cream containing SPF (sun protection factor) and lightening agents like vitamin C while a night cream is a richer and heavier cream that contain active ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid.
As their names suggest, the day cream is a skincare product used during the day while night cream is a skincare product used during the night. The main function of both creams is hydrating the skin and make the skin soft and smooth. Although some people just assume that these two types of creams can be used interchangeably, there is a difference in their ingredients, and the effects they create.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is a Day Cream
– Definition, Ingredients, Texture
2. What is a Night Cream
– Definition, Ingredients, Texture
3. What is the Difference Between Day Cream and Night Cream
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Day Cream, Night Cream
What is a Day Cream
The day cream is a skincare product that is applied during the daytime. They are designed our skin against sunlight and pollutants like dirt and dust. Day creams are light, non-greasy, have a thinner consistency and are easily absorbed by the skin. You can even wear makeup over the day cream. The main function of a day cream is to hydrate or moisturize the skin, giving it a soft and smooth appearance.
Since you are more exposed to sunlight during the daytime, most day creams contain SPF. However, this SPF content may not be enough to provide adequate sun protection. Besides, the day creams contain skin – lightening agents like vitamin C or kojic acid. But they tend to exclude active ingredients like glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acids or retinol, which may cause irritation when exposed to the sun.
What is a Night Cream
A night cream is a cosmetic cream that is applied to the face at night. Night creams have a thicker consistency than day creams. They deeply moisturize your skin while you sleep. The skin mostly repairs itself at night. This is why many night creams often contain active ingredients like retinol and various acids to promote skin cell turnover. These ingredients may also help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Since UV damage does not occur at night, night creams do not contain any SPF ingredients. Moreover, night creams take a long take to be absorbed by the skin. Some people tend to use night creams at night or day creams at day. But most of them will often get a heavy and greasy feeling when using a night cream during the day. This happens because night creams are heavier and richer than day creams.
Difference Between Day Cream and Night Cream
Definition
As their names suggest, the day cream is a skincare product used during the day while the night cream is a skincare product used during the night.
Texture
Day creams usually have a lighter texture while night creams have a thicker and heavier texture.
Absorption
Day creams are easily absorbed by the skin while night creams may take longer to be absorbed due to their thick consistency.
Ingredients
Moreover, day creams contain SPF, and lightening agents like vitamin C while night creams contain active ingredients like retinol.
Conclusion
The main difference between day cream and night cream is their texture and ingredients. The day cream is a lighter cream containing SPF and lightening agents like vitamin C while the night cream is a richer and heavier cream that contain active ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Cream, skin care, eye cream, cream colors, against dark circles, rosenblatt, out of focus, cell renewal, cosmetics, beauty, rejuvenation” (CC0) via Pikist
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