Night cream have been hugely successful selling millions of dollars of product every year. In some instances they might not be worth the container they are packaged in. The internet, drugstores, and beauty boutiques have been bombarded with a multitude of night creams, each promising to be the new fountain of youth. Many doctors agree including Dr. Patty Farris, a Louisiana dermatologist, “there are a lot of expensive night cream that don’t have the bang for the buck.”
Night Cream Manufacturers Distort Results
Producers hyperbolize the effects of their creams and moisturizers in order to sell, pandering to women’s self esteem issues and insecurities. Dr. L. Baumann, professor of dermatology in at a highly regarded university in Florida believes that, “Companies make all kinds of statements the skin and its night-time activities. They say that the skin does all sorts of special processes that it doesn’t do during the day. And this is just false. There’s no proof in much of what they say.”
Dermatologists Concur: Some Ingredients Have Proven Anti-Aging Effect
Retinol, Vitamin C, and certain Peptides (proteins) have been proven anti-aging compounds. “Night time moisturizers should contain retinol because sunlight renders retinol inactive,” according to Dr. Baumann. Dermatologists unanimously agree that a good night cream should contain Peptides and Vitamin C because they boost collagen production. Doing so reduces wrinkles and helps increase skin firmness.
In order to work, night cream must (1) contain the proper ingredients in the proper concentration; and (2) be given time to work, a minimum of 5 hours a night for 8 weeks. If the creams are used only sporadically the desired results cannot be seen, “It’s sort of like when you need a blood transfusion and instead of putting in an IV you just splash the blood on your skin. Similarly a moisturizer won’t do any good unless it penetrates and to do so it must have time to work,” says Seattle based dermatologist Dr. Sandy Read.
The Bottom Line
Price does not necessarily indicate the quality of a night cream. Before you purchase though, look for those that contain proven anti-aging products like retinol, vitamin C, and peptides. A resource that I recommend is http://www.nighttimemoisturizers.com. This site focuses exclusively on night creams and night cream. This online portal contains a wealth of information regarding the use and efficacy of night cream and research on the subject. Do not succumb to the unwarranted claims and do not purchase products that don’t contain the right compounds in the proper concentrations. A good night cream will help soothe the skin, increase collagen production and fight the effects of aging.
