How to Apply Night Cream the Right Way

Most of us were never shown how to apply night cream. We scoop some out, rub it in quickly and go to bed. It mostly works. But a few small changes make the same jar do a much better job, and they add about thirty seconds to your evening.

Here is the method, start to finish.

First, when to do it

Apply your night cream twenty to thirty minutes before you lie down. If you put it on and go straight to bed, a good part of it ends up on the pillow. Do it after dinner, or while you wind down, and it has time to settle.

How much is enough?

Less than you think. A pea-sized amount covers the whole face. Add half as much again for the neck. If your face looks shiny or feels sticky ten minutes later, you used too much, and tomorrow you can use less.

How to apply night cream in 6 steps

1. Start with a clean face. Wash off the day properly. If you wore sunscreen or make-up, cleanse twice. Cream over leftover sunscreen does very little.

2. Leave your skin slightly damp. Pat with a towel, but do not dry your face completely. Damp skin takes cream better.

3. Put on anything lighter first. Toner or serum goes on before the cream. Give it a minute. The rule is simple: thin products first, thick products last.

4. Dot it on. Take your pea of cream and place five small dots: forehead, each cheek, nose and chin. This spreads it evenly, so you do not end up with most of it on one cheek.

5. Spread upwards and outwards. Use your fingertips and light pressure. Move from the centre of your face out towards the ears, and from the jaw up. Then press your palms gently over your face for a few seconds.

6. Do not forget the neck. Take the extra bit and smooth it up from the collarbone to the jaw. The neck shows dryness as quickly as the face does.

That is it. The whole thing takes about a minute.

Where not to put it

Keep night cream away from the eyelids and the skin right under the eyes, unless the pack says it is suitable for that area. Avoid any cuts, and skip the corners of the nose if they are sore.

Does the order really matter?

Yes. Cream is the last step because it is the thickest. If you put it on first, a watery serum applied afterwards cannot get through it. Think of the cream as the lid on the jar.

Small adjustments by skin type

Oily skin. Use half a pea, and apply to the cheeks first. Whatever is left on your fingers is enough for the forehead and nose. More in night cream for oily skin.

Dry skin. Use the full amount and go back over dry patches with a second thin layer. See avocado cream for dry skin.

Sensitive skin. Patch test any new cream behind the ear first, and start with every second night.

Mistakes worth avoiding

• Rubbing hard. It pulls the skin and does not help the cream absorb.
• Dipping wet or unwashed fingers into the jar.
• Using it only when you remember. Night cream works by being used every night.
• Layering three new products on the same evening. If your skin reacts, you will not know which one caused it.

And in the morning

Rinse your face, use a light moisturiser if you need one, and put on sunscreen. This matters most if your night cream has ingredients such as kojic acid for a more even-looking tone.

If you are still choosing a cream

We make three. The Avocado Korean Night Cream is the one most people start with. The Avocado Night Cream is richer and comes in a bigger jar, and the Glutathione Cream is for a radiant-looking finish. They are compared side by side in our Korean night cream guide.

Not sure about the rest of your routine? The skincare routine builder gives you a morning and night plan for your skin type.

Read next: Night cream vs day cream, Hyaluronic acid night cream.

Short answers

How much night cream should I use? About a pea-sized amount for the face, and a little more for the neck. Using more does not help; it mostly ends up on the pillow.

Should I apply night cream on wet or dry skin? On slightly damp skin. A little water on the skin helps the cream spread evenly and hold moisture in.

Can I put night cream around my eyes? Keep it off the eyelids and the area right next to the lash line. A light dab on the bone under the eye is usually fine if the cream does not sting.

Do I need to wash night cream off in the morning? Yes. Wash your face in the morning, then use a light moisturiser if you need one, and sunscreen.