DIBI Milano might not enjoy the mainstream fanfare of some beauty giants yet among skincare insiders it is quietly revered for its research driven formulas and luxe Italian flair. My curiosity was piqued by its latest mouthful of a launch, the Acid Infusion Peeling Night Cream, a name that sounds half spa treatment half sci-fi experiment and wholly intriguing.
The brand promises that this overnight cream will refine texture, brighten dullness and soften those crumpled pillow lines by morning thanks to a blend of pyruvic acid for gentle exfoliation and soothing allantoin for balance. Big claims for a single jar on the nightstand.
I put it to the test every evening for a solid two weeks, monitoring tone, smoothness and any signs of irritation to decide if it deserves a spot in a routine and on a shopping list.
Disclaimer: this review is neither paid nor sponsored. All observations are my own, based on my skin’s response. As always individual results can vary.
What Is Acid Infusion Peeling Night Cream?
Acid Infusion Peeling Night Cream is an overnight treatment, meaning it is designed to do its work while you sleep when skin is naturally in repair mode and less exposed to environmental stress. These types of products are generally richer or more active than day creams because they do not have to contend with sun exposure or makeup, allowing ingredients to penetrate without interference.
This particular formula pairs pyruvic acid, a mild alpha keto acid, with allantoin, a well-known skin soother. Pyruvic acid helps loosen the bonds between dead surface cells so they shed more easily, which can translate to brighter tone and a smoother feel by morning. Allantoin steps in to temper potential irritation and keep the skin barrier from feeling stripped. The cream also claims to tackle transient sleep lines, essentially the creases that form when you press your face into a pillow, by softening and rehydrating the area overnight.
Placed in the broader skincare lineup, it sits after cleansing and any lightweight serums, and before heavier occlusive creams if you use them. For first-time acid users or those with sensitive skin the brand advises applying it every other evening for a week, then adjusting based on comfort and results.
Did It Work?
In the name of science I benched my usual overnight balm for three nights before starting the trial, convinced my bathroom shelf had suddenly turned into a clinical laboratory. Fourteen nights felt like a fair window to judge any acid based formula so I applied a single pump to face and neck after cleansing, resisting the urge to layer anything richer on top so the cream could stand on its own merits.
Night one delivered the familiar tingle that tells you the acid is awake but it calmed within minutes. I woke to no redness, just a faint satin finish that looked more polished than glowy. By the third application the surface felt smoother around my cheeks and foundation went on with less dragging, a subtle but welcome shift.
Midweek I noticed the first drawback: a tight patch beside my nostrils that hinted at over exfoliation. Dialing back to alternate evenings solved it yet also slowed momentum; progress became incremental instead of impressive. Sleep lines on my left cheek did soften by morning yet they reappeared by lunch, proof that hydration was at play more than any long term restructuring.
Heading into the second week the complexion was undeniably brighter, the kind of clarity that makes you skip highlighter on casual days. Texture around the jaw felt refined although a small cluster of closed comedones on my chin stayed put, suggesting the formula’s mildness is both its strength and its ceiling. The scent, a light cosmetic floral, never irritated my sensitive eyes but also made the nightly ritual feel more conventional than luxurious.
After fourteen nights the verdict is that Acid Infusion Peeling Night Cream largely keeps its promises if you manage expectations. It polishes, lightly brightens and does so without dramatic irritation, scoring a respectable seven out of ten in my personal ledger. Will I slot it into my permanent rotation? Probably not; I prefer a punchier acid or a richer night cream depending on my skin’s mood. Still I would recommend it to anyone looking for a gentle gateway into overnight exfoliation rather than a radical overhaul.
Acid Infusion Peeling Night Cream’s Main Ingredients Explained
The star is pyruvic acid, an alpha-keto acid that sits in the same exfoliating family as the better-known glycolic yet is kinder because its molecule is larger and penetrates more slowly. By loosening the glue between dead surface cells it helps them shed during the night so fresh skin shows up at breakfast. The concentration is not disclosed yet the gentle tingle I felt suggests a moderate percentage, adequate for mild resurfacing without the sting that can follow stronger peels.
Allantoin is the peacekeeper. Naturally found in comfrey root, it is famed for calming redness and speeding up surface healing which is why it appears in many after-sun lotions. Here it buffers the acid activity and keeps that freshly polished skin from feeling raw.
The texture owes its slip to isononyl isononanoate and isopropyl palmitate. The first is lightweight and rarely clogs pores, the second has a higher comedogenic rating meaning it might block pores in acne-prone skin. A comedogenic ingredient is one that can trap oil and debris in the follicle leading to bumps or breakouts so patch testing is a good idea if congestion is your nemesis.
Squalane (plant derived) lends a dose of non-greasy moisture while tocopheryl acetate offers antioxidant vitamin E support. The base is thickened with fatty alcohols like cetearyl and behenyl alcohol which are conditioning not drying. Preservation comes from phenoxyethanol, and the soft floral scent is created with parfum plus potential allergen compounds such as limonene and citronellol. Anyone sensitive to fragrance should note their presence.
No animal-derived components pop up in the INCI list so the formula appears suitable for vegans and vegetarians, though certification is not stated on the box. On the pregnancy front pyruvic acid is considered milder than salicylic or high-strength retinoids yet it is still an active exfoliant. Combine that with essential oil allergens and the prudent route is to seek medical sign-off before using while pregnant or nursing.
Finally the jar is free from parabens and mineral oil which will please some ingredient purists. What it is not free from is perfume, so the sensorial experience is pleasant but the formula is not entirely minimalist. Overall the ingredient roster skews modern and balanced with a gentle acid push at the top and soothing supportive players underneath.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Here is the quick tally after two weeks on my nightstand.
What Works Well:
- Gentle exfoliation gives noticeably smoother cheek and jaw texture without post peel redness
- Subtle overnight brightening means foundation blends better so I reach for less makeup in the morning
- Cushiony cream base leaves a hydrated finish yet absorbs quickly enough to avoid sticking to the pillowcase
- Mild floral scent adds a touch of spa without lingering
What to Consider:
- Results plateau if you scale back to alternate nights which sensitive skin types may need to do
- Richer skin types might crave more punch while acne prone users could find isopropyl palmitate a congestion risk
- The price sits in the premium bracket for a single active so value seekers may prefer a serum with a stronger acid concentration
My Final Thoughts
Overnight products hold a special place in any routine because they get eight uninterrupted hours to pull off their handiwork while we look blissfully unaware on the pillow. After two weeks of nightly courtship with DIBI Milano’s Acid Infusion Peeling Night Cream I can say it is a pleasant, politely effective partner rather than a grand romance. Texture feels refined and tone looks clearer yet the improvements are modest and plateau if your skin forces you to dial applications back. I have danced with stronger acids and plusher creams in the past so a 7/10 feels fair: good work ethic, no dramatic missteps, just not the showstopper some of the marketing copy hints at.
If you are new to exfoliating creams, crave a gentle gateway and dislike waking up with angry blotches this will suit you. If you demand rapid pore purging, are prone to congestion from richer bases or love a fragrance-free formula you might look elsewhere. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, but with caveats: my dry-combo pal who wants glow without sting will appreciate it, my oily cousin who collects BHAs probably will not.
For readers weighing their options I have road tested plenty of jars and can vouch for a few stand-out alternatives. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is my current all rounder, ticking hydration, gentle resurfacing and barrier support at a wallet friendlier price tag suitable for every skin personality. Those who want a little more science backed oomph could try Medik8’s Advanced Night Restore whose ceramide-peptide cocktail makes skin bounce by sunrise. Fans of plush textures might prefer the marine collagen hug of ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Night Cream, while sleepers in need of a lightweight water burst will likely adore LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask which never clogs yet leaves you dewy by breakfast.
Before slathering anything new please patch test behind the ear or along the jawline, apologies for sounding like the over protective parent we all roll our eyes at. Remember that any brightness you earn is rented not owned so maintain regular use or watch it fade back into the night.