It is my absolute full time job (and I really love my job), to find you the best natural alternatives to mainstream skincare and night creams are a perfect example. In my 30's I just used a simple Rosehip Oil before bed and woke up looking smooth and glowy. But I recently turned 50 and I can tell you first hand that as our skin matures it definitely needs more overnight support. The good news is that natural night creams have come a very long way in the last 20 years, with formulations now harnessing advanced technology and clinically proven actives like plant stem cells and copper peptides. These are not our grandmother's cold creams!

The Magic of Beauty Sleep for Your Skin

Experts tell us that cell renewal peaks overnight, which is exactly why what you apply before bed matters so much. During the day, our skin is working hard to defend itself against UV rays, pollution and environmental stressors. By the time we go to sleep, it is ready to switch from defence mode into repair mode. A good night cream does not just plump and hydrate while you sleep, it actively supports your skin's natural repair and renewal processes, helps support collagen production, and works to reduce the visible signs of ageing that accumulate during the day. As oestrogen levels change through our 40s and 50s, our skin's ability to retain moisture and produce collagen changes too, which is exactly why this overnight step becomes so important.

Day Creams vs Night Creams: What's the Difference?

Both are equally important, they just have different jobs. A good day cream hydrates, protects and primes your skin for whatever the day brings, including sitting comfortably under makeup and sunscreen. I tend to look for something lighter in texture during the day, and for my dry skin with pigmentation I always look for Hyaluronic Acid for hydration and Vitamin C to help brighten and even out my skin tone.

At night I look for something richer and more active. One ingredient I really love is Bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative to retinol derived from the Babchi plant, that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and improve skin texture without the irritation that retinol can sometimes cause. It's a great option for sensitive or dry skin. Beyond that, I love science-based actives like peptides, stem cells, marine algae and multi-vitamins, and as many nourishing ingredients for dry skin as I can get.

One of my favourite tricks is to layer your night cream over a serum to really lock in the extra benefits. Choose your serum based on your skin concern: a Vitamin C serum if you're targeting pigmentation and dullness, a hydrating serum for dry or dehydrated skin, a peptide or plumping serum for fine lines, or a balancing serum if you're oily or acne-prone. And if you want a little glow by morning, try adding an organic face tanning serum underneath. I love the Three Warriors Radiant Complexion Face Tan Serum and the LAMAV Anti-Ageing Face Tan Serum for this.

My Top 7 Natural Night Creams

1. Mukti Queen of the Night Crème

The name says it all. The Mukti Queen of the Night Crème is a rich, luxurious overnight treatment made with antioxidant-rich Queen Garnet Plum, a Ceramide Complex to strengthen the skin barrier, plant-based stem cells and collagen-boosting peptides to plump, hydrate and fortify. It also features Australian native botanicals including Kakadu Plum, Strawberry Gum and Bush Tomato, with Plant-EGF for cellular regeneration to help provide mature skin with regenerative capacity. In clinical trials, 98% saw an improvement in moisturisation and skin smoothness. It has a beautiful natural marshmallow pink colour from the plum and a very subtle rose scent. It's also made in Australia, organic and packaged in biophotonic glass.

Wondering what the difference is between Queen of the Night and the Mukti Marigold Hydrating Crème? Queen of the Night is an intense anti-ageing formula made to be worn overnight. The Marigold cream is a rich, heavyweight buttery day cream infused with Calendula, Gotu Kola, CoQ10 and Australian native extracts to deeply hydrate, calm irritation and restore softness to dry and sensitive skin. But it can absolutely be used as a night cream too.

2. Vanessa Megan Marine Collagen Firming Night Cream

For anyone focused on firming and collagen support, the Vanessa Megan Marine Collagen Firming Night Cream is another beautiful Australian-made option. It's made with IBR-Dormin, a scientifically proven ingredient that helps slow skin cell proliferation and support overnight cell regeneration, alongside Australian Banksia and Tasmanian Kelp rich in marine minerals, and a blend of plant oils, butters and marine algae to replenish moisture and reduce overnight water loss. This is a deeply nourishing formula that works with your skin's natural nighttime repair cycle.

3. Weleda Pomegranate Firming Night Cream

The Weleda Pomegranate Firming Night Cream is a beautiful option for mature skin wanting to support firmness and radiance overnight. It's made with antioxidant-rich Pomegranate Seed Oil to help protect against free radical damage and Maca Root peptides to improve skin firmness and elasticity as you sleep. In clinical studies, 70% of subjects showed increased elasticity and 81% agreed it nourishes intensively. It is certified natural and packaged in glass.

4. Metamorphosis Aurora Matrix Firming Night Cream

This is the natural dupe for Crème de la Mer and more! The Metamorphosis Aurora Matrix Firming Night Cream is a luxurious overnight treatment formulated to restore and revitalise the dermal layers while you sleep for visibly firmer, radiant and rejuvenated skin. Created specifically for peri and menopausal skin, it's made with Copper Peptides, CO2-extracted CO₂llageneer®, 24k Gold and Pearl Powder to enhance collagen production, illuminate the complexion, reduce the signs of ageing and promote skin firmness. It has a velvety, lightweight texture that delivers deep hydration, overnight nourishment and anti-ageing support. It is also made in Australia and packaged in glass.

5. Andalou 1000 Roses Fortifying Night Cream

A wonderful option for sensitive and reactive skin, the Andalou 1000 Roses Fortifying Night Cream is built around the Rose-Biotic Blend of alpine rose stem cells, rosa centifolia extract and postbiotics to help soothe, fortify and restore the skin's natural barrier overnight. It's also made with Vitamin C and fatty acids to support skin's natural processes, allantoin to soothe and protect, and a blend of five oils including certified organic shea butter, rosehip, evening primrose, squalane and pomegranate seed to help retain moisture. In a consumer study, 100% agreed skin felt soothed and less irritated and 96% agreed skin looked and felt healthier.

6. 100% Pure Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants Ultra Riche PM Treatment

This is a rich, nourishing overnight cream for those who want serious vitamin-powered results. The 100% Pure Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants Ultra Riche PM Treatment is made with stabilised Vitamin A, Vitamin C and plant-based Bakuchiol alongside antioxidant CoQ10 to support healthy-looking skin while you sleep. It's packed with omega-rich Rosehip Oil and antioxidant Green Tea to work through the night to help brighten the complexion and improve skin texture, leaving skin visibly smoother and more radiant by morning.

7. Antipodes Avocado Pear Collagen-Boosting Night Cream

The Antipodes Avocado Pear Collagen-Boosting Night Cream has some impressive clinical results behind it, shown to help stimulate Type I collagen production by up to 92%, reduce the appearance of wrinkles by 22% and reduce skin dryness by 85%. It's made with nourishing Avocado Oil, New Zealand Manuka Honey, conditioning Macadamia Oil and Vinanza Grape, an antioxidant-rich extract from Marlborough grape seeds. Suitable for all skin types and made in New Zealand.

A good night cream is one of the best things you can do for your skin, and the best part is it works for you while you sleep. If you want to get even more from your evening routine, start with a thorough cleanse. Read our guide to double cleansing to find out why it makes such a difference, then browse our full range of natural skincare to build your perfect evening routine.