Just the term “night cream” can summon up visions of Fifties housewives slathered in a thick layer of greasy vanishing cream, rollers in place, ready for a good night’s sleep. But that image of night-time skincare is out of date, as modern formulations are light, easily absorbed and contain active ingredients that seem better suited to a chemistry lab than our faces.

Gone are the days when sleeping was a passive beauty process. Now those precious eight hours are the best time to pamper your skin and hair.The latest generation of night creams contain active ingredients that help skin to retain a healthy moisture balance, without the need for oils and creams that could block the pores.