The short answer is: It depends. "Depending on the type of cream and ingredients, you don't necessarily have to have a separate day and night cream," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Naissan O. Wesley. "But, there are certain ingredients like sunscreen, for example, that you don't really need at night."

More factors to consider are the other products in your skin care routine as well as your skin's needs.

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Board-certified dermatologist at Park View Laser Dermatology Dr. Robyn Gmyrek, MD, says that in general, day creams might have a light consistency so they can be layered under makeup and they might include a SPF to protect against UV rays. Night creams, on the other hand, have no sunscreen and might be thicker and more emollient or moisturizing.

Tyler Gaul, founder of Protocol, adds that the consistency and viscosity changes are solely for aesthetic reasons. For instance, a lighter day cream won't interfere with applying makeup or feel heavy.

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As previously mentioned, products intended for day use are generally lighter and might offer sun protection, whereas night creams and moisturizers could be heavier and contain actives, such as retinol.

Strong actives, like retinoids, could be too strong and/or drying to be used both day and night, or even during the day. Wesley says that using these products twice daily could increase potential side effects without necessarily increasing benefits. Therefore, it would be better in these cases to have separate day and night creams.

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"As always, it's best to 'listen' to your own skin, and use day or night creams as much or as little as your skin seems to need them," says board-certified dermatologist and CEO of Curology David Lortscher.

Got dry skin? A richer cream could work in the a.m. and p.m. — but remember to pair it with sunscreen during the day. Gmyrek often recommends a heavier night cream for patients with very dry skin, but it might be too greasy or thick for daytime, especially under makeup.

Oh, and for aging skin? The Organic Pharmacy founder Margo Marrone adds that as we get older the creams we use should become thicker to help battle dehydration.

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There's no cut-and-dried answer about whether you really need separate day and night creams, since there are so many factors involved. But... it does make things easier, especially when it comes to ingredient lists.

Take actives, for example: Gmyrek says that any retinoid or vitamin A cream, should only be used at night, since they are rendered inactive by sunlight. And as previously mentioned, a double dose of retinol would be too strong for most skin types.

Another case for separate creams is when using different anti-aging actives. "If you are using anti-aging creams then I do recommend using two different ones (one for a.m. and one for p.m.)," says Gymrek. "This is so you can benefit from different active ingredients in the two formulations."

Honestly, you might be looking for different things, morning and night. Wesley says that a morning skin care routine can be about healing, nourishing and protecting skin. This can be different from at night, where actives get to work without interruption while the body is resting and healing.

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