Night Cream or Serum: Which One Does Your Routine Need?

Serums and creams are often sold as if you need both. In practice, the right choice depends on your skin type and how much time you want to spend.

The two we compared

Oakwell

Barrier Repair Night Cream, 50 ml

A rich ceramide cream meant for overnight use. Best suited to dry or combination skin in colder months.

Pros

• Very moisturising
• Sturdy glass jar
• Mild scent

Cons

• Too heavy for oily skin
• Jar packaging is less hygienic

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Lumera

Hydra Glow Vitamin C Serum, 30 ml

A lightweight daily serum with 10% vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. It absorbs quickly and layers well under sunscreen.

Pros

• Absorbs in under a minute
• No sticky finish
• Fragrance-free

Cons

• Small bottle for the price
• Dropper can be messy

Check price on Amazon(paid link)

Key differences

• Texture: the cream is thick and stays on the surface; the serum is thin and sinks in.
• When to use: cream at night, serum in the morning.
• Best for: cream for dry skin, serum for dullness.

Our pick

If you can only buy one and your skin is dry, start with the night cream. If dryness is not a problem, the serum does more for overall tone.