No. 6: Philosophy Help Me Retinol Treatment, $45, 7 Worst Anti-Aging Night Creams

Skin care

7 Worst Anti-Aging Night Creams

See which popular night creams our readers say suck

September 12, 2011 | by Kristin Hirai | 53 COMMENTS

No. 6: Philosophy Help Me Retinol Treatment, $45

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.8*
Why: With "sadly disappointing" reviews, it's no wonder why this product is on our list. Multiple reviewers encountered bad reactions that made them "break out HORRIBLY" by "averaging three to four new breakouts per day." The product also created "red patches that really itch," says another reader. One reader says she even got "contact dermatitis (yes, huge red bumpy rashes) all over [her] neck and face." Another woman vents, "I hate this stuff. I got suckered into buying this, but never again. I have more than half of the tube remaining and I am thinking of throwing it away. I thought of using it on my feet but it is not even worth that." Bottom line, says one reader: "Ladies, don't waste your money."

Agree? Disagree? Write your review here.

*At time of publication

SEE NEXT PAGE: No. 5: RoC Retinol Actif Pur Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizing Treatment, $23.35

3 of 8

products mentioned

L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Night Cream

7.3

Philosophy Help Me Retinol Treatment

6.7

RoC Retinol Actif Pur Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizing...

6.2

Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Gel

6.3

Burt's Bees Evening Primrose Overnight Creme

5.4

Lancome Renergie Night Treatment

5.2

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Disagree with the Ole Henriksen product--this particular one should be layered UNDER one of their moisturizers. The AHA's work to rid skin of lines while the moisturizer hydrates.

by GigiSD Friday, May 10, 2013 at 08:50PM Report as inappropriate

great stuff to know about

by butterfly11 Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 01:02PM Report as inappropriate

I've never tried any of these, and now I never will!

by purple9a Friday, March 15, 2013 at 08:43PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for all these tips. It good to know what not to waste my money on.

by Chica181 Friday, March 15, 2013 at 07:16PM Report as inappropriate

Thank you so much for the info I really needed to see this. I am trying new anti-aging creams out becuz I'm 31 and I have ALWAYS tried to take good care of my skin and although I don't have a wrinkle yet (thank god) I want to prevent it. Right now I have been using Grapeseed oil even tho I am super oily becuz a lot of the research I have done says that it's great for oily acne prone skin. Plus it's natural and fairly cheap. So far I love how it's working and doesn't feel greasy at all but jus remember a little goes a long way. I'm just not sure if that will help at all with wrinkles.?

by pomomakeup Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 04:13PM Report as inappropriate

thanks for the info you guys

by LittleBunny Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 11:09AM Report as inappropriate

Thank you for helping me ween out some dud products!

by HeathRene Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 05:00PM Report as inappropriate

Nice info

by EricaF123 Friday, December 28, 2012 at 05:04PM Report as inappropriate

Excellent tips, I'll keep this in mind while shopping for these creams in the future!

by yestfl Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 05:29PM Report as inappropriate

FANTASTIC TIPS ON NIGHT CREAMS. TOTALLY AGREE. I TRIED LANCOMB AND ESTEE LAUDER AND VERY PRICY. HOWEVER I GOT BETTER SMOOTHER RESULTS WITH L'OREAL. THANK YOU WONDERFUL TIPS.

by Tlee Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 02:48AM Report as inappropriate

I got a sample of the estee lauder night recovery and it did help reduce the redness left from blemishes. I dont know if I'd buy a whole bottle of it, it's pretty expensive.

by kimihavens Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 09:56AM Report as inappropriate

Lancome creams seem great to me but I will stay away from the Renergie cream. Very helpful story.

by Lamexicana1 Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 05:13PM Report as inappropriate

i will def not be buying these

by jenni84 Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 04:45PM Report as inappropriate

I almost bought one of these. Thanks to the reviews I will not be doing so.

by EricaF123 Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 04:05AM Report as inappropriate

Huh, I had heard great things about philosophy's help me before. But I have tried Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair, and it didn't really do anything for me. That might be because I don't really have wrinkles yet though....

by Chris213 Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 08:10AM Report as inappropriate

I'm so surprised to see Estee Lauder's Advanced Night REpair on here because I have only heard good things up to this point. It's been around forever so it must have a strong following. I'm not surprised by Philosophy being on here. I really distrust their skincare lines.

by HeathRene Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 04:50PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks! Now I know what products to avoid!

by tfondren Monday, September 10, 2012 at 09:45PM Report as inappropriate

Well thankfully I've never tried any of these! I know that the best is Monsia night anti aging cream, really good ingredients and my skin is already showing signs of improvement :)

by laura_wolfhart Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at 01:26PM Report as inappropriate

which is the best night / anti aging cream. I have severe sunburnt and peeling in my face.

by suddie Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 11:08AM Report as inappropriate

Also, even really good skin care products will irritate some people's skins.

by lilinah Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 07:46PM Report as inappropriate

I always wonder how old these recycled articles are, when nearly half the products have been discontinued.

by lilinah Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 06:37PM Report as inappropriate

Thankfully I've never wasted my money on any of these

by rachaellh13 Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 04:11PM Report as inappropriate

I'm in the market for a new night cream, so this was super-helpful. Thank you!

by LAGlamRGrl Monday, June 4, 2012 at 11:33AM Report as inappropriate

I have never tried any of these and now I definitely won't! Thanks for the list!

by Karica4 Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 12:41PM Report as inappropriate

I love articles that prevent us from wasting money on products that don't work! Thank you.

by alictasia Friday, May 18, 2012 at 08:02PM Report as inappropriate

Add Korres to this list. $52 and it does absolutely nothing but irritate your skin!

by robyne00 Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 08:01AM Report as inappropriate

I love night creams. Good to know which ones not to waste my money on.

by TBjunkie Monday, May 7, 2012 at 12:01AM Report as inappropriate

Some pricey products on there!! Wow!

by Nicole1021 Friday, April 6, 2012 at 05:54PM Report as inappropriate

Nice to know what others think. I think it is hard to say because there is always, "Some people hate it, some people love it" aspect. It depends on your skin type, preference, etc. Still good to read opinions though.

by princezz1252 Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 04:38PM Report as inappropriate

I was surprised to see the Philosophy Help Me on this list. I like this product but feel it is way too expensive and there are better. I definitely think that Help Me is unreasonably priced for the product.

by powerwoman033 Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 07:22PM Report as inappropriate

Wow I had that last one on my list of products to buy,. NEVERMIND!!!

by Nayeli11 Friday, February 17, 2012 at 11:37AM Report as inappropriate

How disappointing that 2 of my favorite brands have made this list... glad I read this before spending the $$ (Lancome & Philosophy products usually ROCK!)

by 1955Nurse Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 01:52PM Report as inappropriate

Awesome(:

by queenphoto Friday, February 10, 2012 at 03:23PM Report as inappropriate

Big difference in the two products from Estee Lauder. One is boosting and it did nothing for me. The original is something I will always love and feels good on my face. I have tried alot on this list and have to agree did not like any of them.

by tiffany_gallehugh Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 02:05PM Report as inappropriate

I use Estee Lauder advanced night repair, but honestly I dont even need it cause I dont have wrinkles on my face.... I just used it cause I received it as a gift, so cant really agree/disagree if it works!

by pink_love Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 06:52AM Report as inappropriate

Some of these products haven't been made for a while - the Burt's Bees Primrose Creme, for example. I think these lists need dates on them because often products mentioned have been long discontinued.

by lilinah Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 09:51AM Report as inappropriate

Some of these products may be just wonderful and successful for some, there just are not supportive facts as to what works or not. Seems to be opinions of perhaps just a few reviewers.

by islands4me Monday, January 9, 2012 at 07:46AM Report as inappropriate

Good info

by kmb1129 Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 02:08PM Report as inappropriate

Try Gerovital Cosmetics. gerovital-gerovital.blogspot.com

by gerovital_prod Monday, November 28, 2011 at 12:50AM Report as inappropriate

I wish the critiques had been broken down by skin type. Some may be bad for oily skin, but good for dry, and vice versa. I was down on "Help Me" last year, but after trying some other brands, it doesn't seem as bad as I thought.

by krycekov Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 10:44AM Report as inappropriate

Interesting stuff and good to know - too many on the market with confusing marketing claims. Always good to be able to read "real" results and at least spend some time thinking it through!

by Breton Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 01:24PM Report as inappropriate

I don't usually use night creams anyway, but at least now I'll know which ones to avoid if I decide to give them a try. They seem so overpriced and make these huge claims.

by LipglossandSpandex Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 07:49PM Report as inappropriate

i liked the ole henriksen

by porsha_coleman_mcdaniels Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 09:31PM Report as inappropriate

I don't know why it's rated one of the worst night cremes, it seems the majority of the people that wrote a review, love it. Check your facts, I'm speaking to potential users of Loreal's, age perfect night creme. I use it, and I love it. I'm 50, people think I'm in my 30's.

by Vgirl Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 06:55PM Report as inappropriate

I can't believe the Philosophy retinol cream is on this list. I started using it a few weeks ago and love it. I have eczema, and it didn't even irritate my skin. It has actually made my skin a lot better.

by kristen_nol_williford Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 06:54PM Report as inappropriate

very helpful because I was just about to purchase the Ole Henriksen night gel!!! thank goodness I didn't!!!

by dtrivi215 Friday, October 14, 2011 at 12:24PM Report as inappropriate

Very helpful list!

by krycekov Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 07:04AM Report as inappropriate

So glad to know that Rodan + Fields overnight restorative cream is not only cheaper but is clinically proven to give results!

by emily_dishman Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 12:24PM Report as inappropriate

Good to know

by Only1KimmieD Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 04:30PM Report as inappropriate

So good to know!

by vfalkow Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 12:20PM Report as inappropriate

Definitely sounds like bad news.

by volta Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 11:57AM Report as inappropriate

i'll be sure to stay away..!!!!

by gisellemarie Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 09:30AM Report as inappropriate

Very helpful and iniformative. I can't believe some of the creams cost so much money and are ineffective. I would be so angry if I had wasted that money.

by taryn.romero Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 09:08AM Report as inappropriate

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