In simpler times, skincare choices were slotted by agetwenties, thirties, fortiesor skin type, that is, oily, dry or combination. Night creams signalled a milestone, an anti-ageing ritual you transited to once you turned forty. Not anymore. A new generation of night creams and hybrids in a jar are challenging the norm. And millennials, more concerned than ever before about the state of their skin, are discovering a range of choices on offer. Retinols, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, phospholipids, stem cells, biomimetic peptides, arbutin are just some of the ingredients you find in night creams, and you have to choose keeping a combination of factors in mind, says Dr Malavika Kohli, a Mumbai-based celebrity dermatologist.

Your skin could be older than your age, at any ageAs experts repeatedly tell us, there are two kinds of ageingintrinsic and extrinsic. The first is caused by the ticking of the clock and cant be reversed, though perhaps, can be slowed down. The second is caused by factors we all face dailyharsh sun, pollutants and air conditioning, which can cause skin to age faster on the surface. We have lifestyle habits we find hard to kick like smoking and drinking. I wont even begin to talk of 4pm sugar cravings. Over-exercising and yo-yo dieting are an easy way to get sagging skinyou dont have to wait till you reach forty.

The rhythm of the nightThe day is for protection and coverage, and sunscreens, BB creams, CC creams work hard to battle environmental factors. But the night is for more intensive repair, undisturbed. The night signals a time of rest and restoration as your cells tend to be more relaxed and receptive. If you have problem skin, the night is the time to let a good anti-blemish cream go to work. If your skin is dehydrated, then a moisturising cream will deliver the benefits best at night. Many star ingredients like retinol and vitamin C, in potent form, work best out of the sun.

Cream versus serum versus lotionDo creams score over lotions? New generation night creams are often oil-free, light and easily absorbedall the things you looked for in a lotion. Thanks to their creamy nature, they texturise skin better leaving it silky and soft. Mousse, cream-gels and moisture-whipped creams are blurring the definition of traditional creams and lotions. Serums are specifically targeted to work at the cellular level and dont deliver overall surface moisture, so use a combination of that and a cream as you get older.

Understand your skinKnowing your skin type is important, but so is understanding your skin condition. Dry skin for example, says Dr Kohli, lacks sebum or oil, while dehydrated skin lacks water, but both indicate poor barrier function.

If your skin is very dehydrated on the surface, Este Edit by Este Lauders Pink Peony Overnight Water Pack targets all skin types. It gives skin an antioxidant boost with extracts of goji berry, blueberry and cranberry in a water-based gel. Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb, with amla and plant serums, is targeted at dry and sensitive skin. For more intense deep moisturisation try, a cream with hyaluronic acid like Revitalift Laser X3 Night Cream Mask from LOral Paris.

For skin that is irritated and sun-damaged, a cocktail of antioxidants, peptides and vitamins will help. Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Ageing Revitalizing Night Skin Cream has an amino-peptide complex that gets the skin into healing mode while you snooze.

Just Herbs Blemfree Anti Blemish Night Cream is SLS, petrochemical and paraben-free and will not irritate damaged skin further. It targets sun spots, uneven and patchy skin with organic sunflower oil.

Dull skin with pigmentation indicates pore-clogging debris accumulation and slow cell turnover. A cream with salicylic acid will provide much-needed but gentle exfoliation at night. Clinique Turnaround Overnight Revitalising Moisturizer is non-acnegenic and has both salicylic acid and beta hydroxy acid to speed up exfoliation.

Kama Ayurvedas Rejuvenating And Brightening Ayurvedic Night Cream has saffron, aloe vera, liquorice and manjistha (a blood purifier), which work to soothe skin and improve cell turnover.

Early crows feet and fine lines will benefit from retinoid-based creams for long-lasting results. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer with retinol is non-greasy yet promises deep action. For a targeted solution, Yves Rocher Serum Vegetal Wrinkles & Firmness Targeted Filler Eyes And Lips works specifically on crows feet and fine lines around the eye. It can also be used under make-up in the day but use it at night for best results.

The Body Shops Pomegranate Firming Night Cream has organic oil of pomegranate and pomegranate peel, which aresupposed to deliver retinol-like resultspomegranates are a rich source of antioxidants as well.

Natural, organic, ayurvedic or chemicalfor all night creams to deliver results, wait four to six weeks. But most importantly choosing right, investing in the right skin care routine and maintaining it will be the best thing you can do, says Dr Kohli. Make the commitment. You skin will thank you for this.

Take your pick from our edit below:

Este Edit by Este Lauders Pink Peony Overnight Water Pack, Rs 3,202

Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb, Rs 1,088

LOral Paris Revitalift Volume Filler Night Cream, Rs 1,450

Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Ageing Revitalizing Night Skin Cream, Rs 1,399

Just Herbs Blemfree Anti Blemish Night Cream, Rs 895

Clinique Turnaround Overnight Revitalising Moisturizer, Rs 2,626

Kama Ayurveda Rejuvenating And Brightening Ayurvedic Night Cream, Rs 1,950

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer, Rs 1,199

Yves Rocher Serum Vegetal Wrinkles & Firmness Targeted Filler Eyes And Lips, Rs 1,400

The Body Shops Pomegranate Firming Night Cream, Rs 1,696

Read more:
How to choose the right night cream for your skin - VOGUE India