Do You Really Need That Beauty Product?

Night Cream

What it’s meant to do: A night cream is basically a heavy-duty moisturizer. These products tend to contain a variety of oils, lipids, and humectants; some also include ingredients like peptides and retinol, which both have been shown to stimulate collagen production and reverse sun damage.

So who needs it? "Anyone with dry or mature skin, especially in the winter," says Graf. If you have other concerns―sun damage, wrinkles, irritation―a night cream with ingredients that address those concerns might be a good choice, with one caveat: Be sure you’re not using a day cream with the same ingredients, as the overuse of certain ingredients can irritate the skin.

Who can skip it: Women with oily skin. Most do better using their regular, oil-free day lotion at night. Those taking a prescription drug for acne, rosacea, or sun damage should check with their doctors before trying a night cream.