For the most part, it’s fine to use the same moisturizer in the morning and at night. “A single, well-formulated moisturizer can work for both if it balances hydration, supports the skin barrier without irritation, absorbs well and layers under sunscreen, and does not contain SPF, retinoids, or strong acids,” says Dr. Clark-Loeser.
But of course, there are exceptions to the rule. Dr. Reszko says if a moisturizer contains chemical sun absorbers, like avobenzone, they might be slightly irritating and, for this reason, are better left out of a nighttime routine. Plus, there’s no reason to wear sunscreen-infused products to sleep.
Another reason you may not want to use the same moisturizer in the morning and at night is that it may contain sun-sensitive ingredients, such as retinol or exfoliating acids, which can make the skin more susceptible to redness, irritation, and burns. “When that’s the case, apply a different moisturizer in the morning so that there’s zero risk of skin damage from your products.” Also, if a moisturizer is heavy and contains petrolatum or rich emollients such as lanolin, triglycerides, or squalene, Dr. Reszko says to wear it only at night. “Some of these ingredients make the skin greasy, while lighter, non-comedogenic formulations that layer well under sunscreen are more practical for daytime wear.”
