The best day creams in the UK 2023

The skin on your face is thinner than the rest of the skin on your body, which makes it fragile and sensitive. Moreover, it is exposed daily to external aggressions. As a result, the skin dries more quickly and loses its elasticity. Hence the need to moisturize it as often as possible, especially by using a day cream. This cream will act as a protective shield for the face.

Nivea Vital Radiance 1
9/10

Best value for money

Nivea Vital Radiance

Best day cream in 2021

Nivea Vital Éclat brings hydration and luminosity to the face. This day cream will relieve mature skin. At the same time, it reduces the spots on the face.

8,99 £ on Amazon

Offering a certain comfort of use, the Nivea Vital Éclat face cream is characterized by a particularly smooth texture that is easy to apply. To be applied during the day, this product is very easy to absorb for the epidermis and for an optimal effectiveness of the cream, its use should be accompanied by a massage in order to reduce wrinkles and soften the skin tissues.

This face cream from Nivéa is simply perfect for a radiant, fresh and uniform complexion all day long. It contains a large amount of rose petal oil and calcium, which do nothing but good for the skin. Being a product especially for women, Nivea Vital Radiance is the kind of cream that manages to meet the high demands of female users very well.

L'Oréal Paris Revitalift 2
7/10

Best value for money

L'Oréal Paris Revitalift

Best entry-level day cream

This day cream gives a younger looking skin. This intensive cream, enriched with Pro-Retinol A and Elasti-Flex, helps improve skin's firmness and ability to regenerate.

7,57 £ on Amazon

Thanks to its formula enriched with proretinol A and Elasti-Flex, L'Oréal Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Extra-Firming Day Cream helps skin regain its elasticity. It is ananti-aging cream that corrects wrinkles and tones the skin. Elasti-flex, an exclusive L'Oréal Paris technology, stimulates and strengthens the elastin support network for radiant, lifted skin.

The formula improves skin's firmness. Proretinol A is a powerful anti-wrinkle ingredient known to stimulate skin cell renewal. In short, L'Oréal Paris has scored a master stroke with this moisturizing day cream that promises to significantly reduce your wrinkles after four weeks of use.

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide 3
9/10

Best premium value for money

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide

Best premium day cream

Also from Elizabeth Arden, here is an excellent daytime skin care product to rejuvenate the skin. This face cream brings a certain brightness to the complexion and can also be used on the neck and décolleté while firming wrinkled skin.

55,98 £ on Amazon

As natural ceramides diminish over time, the skin needs special care to compensate. This cream serves as a moisturizer to effectively boost the skin's hydrolipid barrier. As you use this cream, you will quickly notice the benefits on your skin. You will have a younger skin while limiting the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, thanks to the peptides that are the basis of the formula developed by the Elizabeth Arden brand.

Suitable for use in all seasons, this day cream also brightens the complexion. Those who have had the chance to use it have especially appreciated its long-lasting effect, especially in terms of the firmness provided by the hibiscus seed extract of which it is composed. Its SPF 30 also protects the skin from the sun's rays by 92%.

L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect 4
7/10

Day care cream-oil

L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect

Best day cream-oil care

Intended for women of the third age, this face cream has an extraordinary formula. Its silky texture comes from its microbeads of essential oils of rosemary and lavender, toning in the long term.

7,28 £ on Amazon

The components of L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Day Cream have been carefully selected for their powerful anti-aging effects. The skin becomes more toned after each application and the result improves over time. This cream-oil will help the skin to cope with fatigue and external aggressions.

As a daytime treatment, L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect is usually applied in the morning, but it can also be applied at night before going to bed. The face becomes more radiant and the skin more comfortable in the morning when you wake up. The toning properties of this product, beneficial in particular for dry and dull skin, are intensified by the way it is applied. It is highly recommended to apply it while making stimulating massage movements with the fingers.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best day cream

Any specific needs?

Best day cream in 2021

Best entry-level day cream

Best premium day cream

Best day cream-oil care

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best day creams

TOP OF THE LINE CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Nivea Vital Radiance 5
9/10
L'Oréal Paris Revitalift 6
7/10
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide 7
9/10
L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect 8
7/10
OUR SELECTION
Nivea Vital Radiance
L'Oréal Paris Revitalift
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide
L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect
Nivea Vital Éclat brings hydration and luminosity to the face. This day cream will relieve mature skin. At the same time, it reduces the spots on the face.
This day cream gives a younger looking skin. This intensive cream, enriched with Pro-Retinol A and Elasti-Flex, helps improve skin's firmness and ability to regenerate.
Also from Elizabeth Arden, here is an excellent daytime skin care product to rejuvenate the skin. This face cream brings a certain brightness to the complexion and can also be used on the neck and décolleté while firming wrinkled skin.
Intended for women of the third age, this face cream has an extraordinary formula. Its silky texture comes from its microbeads of essential oils of rosemary and lavender, toning in the long term.
Gentle application
Ingredients enriched with Proretinol A and Elasti-Flex
Excellent hydration
Doesn't stick
Protects against dryness
Non-greasy texture
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Good-smelling cream
Texture that feels good to the touch
Moisturizing formula
SPF 30
Perfect for older women

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Buying guide - day cream

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How to choose your day cream

Every skin type has its own day cream. And that's not the only thing to consider. A woman of a certain age certainly does not have the same needs as a younger woman. Not to mention that some people are particularly sensitive to certain ingredients. Discover the most important parameters to avoid making a mistake.

#1 - Opt for AHA

Having a component ingredient called alpha hydroxy acid, or AHA, in the moisturizer can be an excellent choice, as it is well known to help heal dry skin according to dermatology experts.

#2 - Glycerin instead of lanolin

According to dermatologists to reduce the risk of allergic reactions, it is more advisable to use glycerin in a moisturizer compared to lanolin. Glycerin is also more pleasant to the touch. Be sure to check which of these ingredients is in your cream to get the most out of it.

#3 - Watch out for the brand

You might be told to opt for the big brands e cosmetics. But they are not always the most reputable. It would be more prudent to simply check what the company stands for in itself and the guarantees to the customer that they provide.

#4 - Take a day cream for the face

What

is good for the body is not always good for the face and vice versa. You will find face creams and moisturizers for the whole body, just for the hands and legs, for the face and others. It is the latter type of cream that you need to pay the most attention to, as the skin is most exposed and often quite thin, especially around the eyes.

#5 - Look for a day cream with SPF

This reduces the need for a second layer on top and keeps you from walking in the sun without protection for your skin.

The way you apply a day cream can actually age you!

Even if you've chosen the perfect day cream for your skin type and apply it daily, if you don't apply it with the right technique, you may not get a satisfactory result.

Indeed, if you apply your cream from top to bottom, you may be doing more harm than good. This is because this application technique causes you to constantly pull on your facial skin, which can lead to sagging. Always apply from the bottom up and be sure to rub it in gently, especially around the sensitive eye area.

You can apply a different cream for each area of the body

For example, your day cream may be perfect for your face but not suitable for your eyes. The area around the eyes is quite specific and may have different needs. And if you have areas of your face that are much drier or oilier than others, you may want to consider having specific skin care products for each area.

The different types of day creams

There are three main types of day cream: simple day creams to moisturize the skin, anti-aging creams, and creams to treat acne-prone skin.

Moisturizing day creams

The sole purpose of this type of cream is to moisturize the skin of the face. They help maintain a natural, balanced moisture level to keep the skin healthy. Face creams designed to moisturize help restore water to the upper parts of the dermis.

Benefits:

  • This type of cream helps to keep a good moisture balance of the skin. For mixed or oily skin, a water-based cream helps to keep this good hydration. And for normal or dry skin, oil-based creams should be preferred, as they are much more hydrating and work better in winter or on extremely dry skin.
  • Moisturizing day creams form a barrier between the skin and environmental conditions, helping to form a thin protective layer that allows it to retain the moisture it needs.
  • Moisturizing helps prevent wrinkles from forming on the face.
  • This type of cream can also help set makeup better: they make excellent bases.

Disadvantages:

  • Some moisturizers can leave a greasy, heavy feeling. Especially those with petroleum jelly in their ingredients.
  • They can also stain clothes, because of their rich formula.
  • Some creams can also have the opposite effect: drying out the skin when there is no regular exchange of air and external moisture with your skin.

Who is it for?

This type of cream is suitable for people who want to prevent the appearance of fine lines and protect their skin from the uncomfortable feeling of dryness.

Anti-aging creams

This

type of day cream reduces the signs of aging. Most of the ingredients in this type of cream are designed to help give a fresh glow to facial skin. They usually contain alpha-hydroxyl acid and beta-hydroxybutyric acid.

Benefits:

  • Anti-aging day creams can reverse the signs of skin aging, as most of these products contain retinol and vitamins A, E and a mix of B vitamins that help speed up the natural renewal of the skin. As well as other important components like antioxidants and more.
  • Consistent use will ultimately tighten your skin, reduce age spots and redefine your complexion.
  • They also help fight fine lines and sun spots.
  • They moisturize the skin perfectly.

Disadvantages:

  • Some anti-aging creams may not be hypoallergenic. Be sure to check the ingredients so you don't end up with a rash.
  • They may have harsh ingredients that are not really effective in preventing or reversing skin aging.
  • They may not be non-comedogenic or non-phototoxic.

Who is it for?

This type of day cream is suitable for people who want to slow down or reduce the effects of skin aging.

Day creams for acne-prone skin

This

type of cream usually contains benzoyl peroxide, an antibacterial agent designed to prevent skin breakouts. They may also contain other ingredients, including salicylic acid, which also has antibacterial properties for preventing breakouts.

Benefits:

  • This type of cream cleanses your skin deep into the pores to remove impurities that cause acne. They exfoliate the skin, decrease inflammation and kill harmful microbes that cause acne breakouts. This type of cream therefore has anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Day creams for acne-prone skin also help reduce oil production and help prevent clogs that lead to acne formation.
  • This type of cream can soothe irritated skin, reduces redness and pigmentation, speeds up the healing of acne and blemishes, and does not increase the skin's photosensitivity.

Disadvantages:

  • This type of cream may require some adjustment time at first: you may have to deal with some rather uncomfortable side effects before you can reap the benefits. This may include dryness of the skin, irritation, the appearance of other pimples...
  • With this type of cream, there is a greater risk of sunburn and skin lesions, due to ingredients such as retinol or its derivatives. This also applies to salicylic acid. Therefore, they may require the use of a strong sunscreen (at least SPF 30) during the day to avoid sun sensitivity.
  • These creams may also weaken the skin, which may flake or peel in some cases.

Who is it for?

This type of cream is suitable for people who suffer from skin problems, acne and associated inflammation.

Ban products containing perfume and alcohol

Perfume is the number one allergen in cosmetic products. And in addition, there may be unpleasant substances such as phthalates in the compound of the perfumes used. Once you've ruled out fragrance, look for alcohol in the cream. Even if the alcohol in your cream is not necessarily harmful, even if it is only present in very small doses, the combination with the fragrance agent can cause quite serious reactions.

Day cream or complexion illuminator?

Day cream

Day cream is always applied in the morning to prepare the skin before applying make-up. It has a few specific roles. It is a product that moisturizes the skin, but not only. It also cleanses the skin and prevents the appearance of wrinkles, irritations, spots and redness.

Complexion Illuminator

The complexion illuminator, on the other hand, has a single function. It is used to unify the complexion while lightening it. This treatment is applied to the whole face or to one part only. Thus, it is more a make-up than a care.

Verdict

If you have sensitive skin that needs to be cared for, it's best to turn to a day cream that is designed for that purpose. The complexion illuminator only corrects your complexion.

Why buy a day cream?

Maintain skin hydration

The skin dries out when in contact with external elements such as air, dust, UV rays and sometimes, natural hydration is no longer sufficient. There is also a regression in the rate of sebum leading to dehydration of the skin. By using a day cream, you moisturize your epidermis and at the same time soften and smooth the skin.

Protect yourself from external aggressions

Our skin is protected by a thin layer of hydrolipidic film. This protects us from external aggressions such as the sun's rays, the wind or the cold. However, this material disappears little by little when we take our bath and when we use inadequate cleansing products. If the skin is well moisturized after the shower, the hydrolipidic film regenerates. This is why we should use a day cream immediately after cleansing our skin.

Beautify the skin and complexion

The daily application of a day cream beautifies the skin. You will have a more radiant complexion, because your skin will be well hydrated and the skin cells will function well. These cells help to make your skin silky and prevent it from peeling.

Slowing down skin aging

You can slow down the aging of your skin with good moisturizing. Of course, your skin ages over time, but maintaining and caring for it can significantly reduce the effects of aging. Day cream is the product that will protect your skin and relax it as you will be out and about and exposed to the elements.

Addressing different skin problems

Some people have sensitive skin. For example, they are prone to rapid drying of the skin or have particularly oily skin. The day cream can help them to combat these phenomena, provided that the right product is used.

The best brands of day creams

In our opinion, the best brands of day creams in 2022 are :

Nivea
L'Oréal Paris
Elizabeth Arden
Avène
Clinique

Nivea focuses on the needs of every skin when designing its products. This means that the brand offers skin care products that are perfectly tailored to the problems of each individual. And the day creams are one of them.

This French company was founded in 1909 by Eugène Schueller. It is one of the largest cosmetics companies in the world, selling over a billion products a year. We like the fact that the brand makes the quality of its products a top priority.

The brand was founded in 1910 in the United States by Elizabeth Arden. She was a pioneer in the American cosmetics industry. We love this brand for its timeless charm.

Avène is the brand of Avène dermatological laboratories, a company created in 1990 to better popularize the benefits of Avène thermal spring water. Its cosmetic products are today considered as the most reliable in the world.

Clinique strives to give all of its customers the opportunity to enjoy soft, healthy skin. In addition to day creams, the brand offers other body and face care products, as well as makeup and fragrances.

What is the price for a day cream

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
6 £ to 20 £
Mid-range
20 £ to 40 £
High-end
more than 40 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Apply at the right time

Long, hot showers can dehydrate the skin and strip it of its protective oils. Limit the amount of time you spend in the shower and especially lock in moisture by applying your day cream within three minutes of showering. This will leave you with fresher, younger-looking skin.

Choose a day cream with skin-repairing ingredients

  • Moisturizers: these are glycerin, sorbitol, urea or propylene glycol. They attract water by drawing it from the deep layers of the skin.
  • Occlusive: Vaseline, lanolin and beeswax are good examples. They prevent water from evaporating.
  • Skin barrier repairing compounds: these include ceramide, monolaurin and linoleic acid. These ingredients, often used in combination with others like cholesterol, help repair the skin barrier to prevent moisture loss and damage.

Also use eye cream

The

thin, delicate skin under the eyes produces little of the protective oil that keeps skin soft and young. Specially designed creams reduce these bags and dark circles.

Exfoliate your skin regularly

Exfoliating dead skin is important to expose the fresh layers underneath. This will make your facial skin look all the fresher.

Use a day cream adapted to your skin type

Any

good moisturizer should contain a combination of hydrating ingredients (humectants) that will draw water into the skin and more occlusive ingredients to seal in that moisture. But, depending on your skin type and concerns, you may need to look for a specific formula or ratio of these ingredients. If you have dry skin, for example, you may want to use a thicker day cream with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which is a powerful humectant, along with ceramides. But for those with oily or acne-prone skin, it will be especially important to look for products that are non-comedogenic or say "oil-free" on the label.

FAQ

What is the best day cream?

The best day cream depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are the best.

Why use a day cream?

To moisturize the skin on the face, ears, neck and chest which are the most sensitive to environmental changes and the most common areas known to develop skin cancer. These areas lose cells faster than other parts of the body and need to be hydrated to regenerate.

When is the best time to apply a day cream?

To seal in moisture and keep skin hydrated, it is ideal to apply moisturizers while skin is still damp from cleansing and/or showering.

Is there a difference between day cream and night cream?

Yes, the night cream extends the protective and moisturizing actions of the day cream. In particular, it stimulates skin regeneration and cell renewal. Both must be used together to be fully effective.

Can I use a day cream if I have oily skin?

While it may seem counterintuitive, oily or acne-prone skin still needs moisture for one simple reason: in the absence of moisture, the oil glands will sense dryness and react by overcompensating and producing more oil. Choose a lightweight, oil-free, non-comedogenic formula that also contains retinol.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , quechoisir.org
  2. , 60millions-mag.com
  3. , consumerreports.org
  4. , theconsumer.guide 
  5. , payot.com
  6. , phytomer.fr
  7. , madmoizelle.com
  8. , topsante.com
  9. , unjolivisage.com
  10. , sephora.fr
  11. , nocibe.fr
  12. , doctissimo.fr
  13. , loreal-paris.fr
  14. , rituals.com
  15. , notino.fr
  16. , ricaud.com
  17. , beaute-test.com
  18. , selectos.eu
  19. , fr.nuxe.com
  20. , cdiscount.com
  21. , laredoute.fr
  22. , lucette.com
  23. , m.yves-rocher.fr
  24. , shop-pharmacie.fr
  25. , madmoizelle.com
  26. , phyts.com
  27. , lidl.fr
  28. , motscroises.fr
  29. , amazon.co.uk
  30. , ioma-paris.com
  31. , amazon.co.uk
  32. , nocibe.fr
  33. , absolution-cosmetics.com
  34. , mickaelconseillerlr.fr
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
Nivea Vital Radiance 9
Nivea Vital Radiance
L'Oréal Paris Revitalift 10
L'Oréal Paris Revitalift
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide 11
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide
L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect 12
L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect

Lecteurs

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