Proto-col may not yet be a household name but within beauty circles its reputation for science-forward formulations and quietly luxurious textures is growing fast. This is the brand that built its identity on collagen expertise and award shelves are starting to look crowded.
With a title like Intense Hydration Night Cream the product all but unfurls a plush bathrobe and tells you to get comfortable. It promises that you will wake up to plumper skin with hydration boosted by as much as 41 percent, a claim that certainly catches the eye of anyone whose face feels like parchment after a long day.
Proto-col highlights a cocktail of hyaluronic acid, royal jelly and hydrolysed silk protein said to quench dryness, firm the complexion and soften early lines. The cream also leans on plant based collagen and soothing aloe vera, positioning itself as a do-it-all overnight treatment suitable for every skin type.
I dedicated a full two weeks to nightly applications, tracking how my skin reacted and whether the jar earns its place on a crowded bedside table or if it is destined for the product graveyard.
This is not a paid or sponsored review. All observations are my own and results can differ from one complexion to another.
What Is Intense Hydration Night Cream?
Intense Hydration Night Cream sits in the overnight treatment category. That means it is designed to work while you are asleep when skin naturally moves into repair mode and can better absorb active ingredients. Unlike a standard day moisturiser, an overnight formula is often richer and free of SPF, focusing instead on replenishing moisture levels that dip during the day.
Proto-col’s take on the concept is a vegetarian-friendly cream built around well known humectants and soothing agents. Hyaluronic acid draws water into the skin surface, royal jelly provides antioxidant support and aloe vera offers calming benefits for anyone prone to tightness or post-cleansing irritation. Hydrolysed silk protein and plant derived collagen round out the formula with a light nod to anti-ageing concerns such as early fine lines and texture changes.
The brand claims up to a 41 percent boost in hydration by morning and positions the jar as suitable for all skin types though its marketing speaks most directly to dry or dehydrated complexions craving extra cushioning overnight.
Did It Work?
In the name of very scientific journalism I benched my usual overnight mask for three days before starting the trial so my skin could reset and give Proto-col a fair playing field. Fourteen nights felt like a reasonable window to spot meaningful changes without drifting into full time commitment territory.
Application was simple: a pea sized dab warmed between fingertips then pressed over face neck and décolletage each evening after my regular cleanse and tone. The cream has that whipped custard texture that melts on contact yet leaves a slight occlusive veil. On night one my skin drank it up but I did notice a marginally tacky finish that lingered until sleep.
Mornings two through four were promising. Cheeks looked smoother and the usual post shower tightness stayed away. Makeup sat a touch better around my smile lines suggesting surface hydration had definitely improved. By the end of week one I measured success primarily in comfort; no flaking around the nostrils and less need for midday facial misting.
Week two settled into a plateau. The plumpness I clocked earlier never escalated into the firming renaissance hinted at in the marketing copy. Fine lines appeared softened under bathroom lighting but in natural daylight they were back to their habitual cameo. I also woke up twice with tiny congestion bumps along the jaw which disappeared quickly but reminded me that richer textures can test combination skin.
Did it deliver 41 per cent more hydration? My unscientific pinch test says probably not quite, though the cream undeniably kept moisture locked in overnight. Those with very dry skin will likely appreciate the cushion but if you sit in normal or combo territory you may find your existing hydrator does the job just as well.
So will I slot Intense Hydration Night Cream into my permanent rotation? I respect its silky feel and solid overnight moisturising power yet it stops short of displacing my go-to treatment. A pleasant fling rather than a long term relationship.
Intense Hydration Night Cream’s Main Ingredients Explained
Front and center is hyaluronic acid, the moisture magnet that can bind up to 1000 times its weight in water and in this formula comes as sodium hyaluronate for deeper penetration. It teams up with glycerin and panthenol so multiple humectants are pulling water into the skin while caprylic/capric triglyceride and a touch of beeswax seal it in. That pairing is why skin feels cushioned by morning even if the 41 percent headline number feels optimistic in real life.
Royal jelly brings antioxidant support and mild wound healing properties, great if you battle flaky patches or post breakout redness. It is an animal-derived secretion though, as is beeswax and hydrolysed silk, so the cream is vegetarian friendly but not vegan. Plant based collagen in the INCI is really a hydrolysed protein from botanical sources that forms a flexible film over skin giving a temporary plumping effect rather than truly adding collagen to your own tissue.
Aloe vera makes an appearance high enough on the list to count, offering soothing minerals and amino acids that calm post cleanse tightness. Enteromorpha compressa and corallina officinalis extracts add a smidge of marine derived minerals while tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E) partners with sodium ascorbyl phosphate (a stable vitamin C derivative) for extra antioxidant coverage. Glycolic acid is tucked toward the end so any exfoliation is likely very gentle, more skin smoothing than peel level.
Silicones such as cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone crosspolymer lend the silky glide and occlusive finish. For most people they are non irritating yet if you are prone to clogged pores note that isopropyl palmitate, cetyl alcohol and beeswax rank medium on the comedogenic scale. A comedogenic ingredient is one that can block pores leading to bumps or blackheads, so combo or acne-prone skins may want a patch test first.
No retinoids or high dose acids means the formula is generally pregnancy and nursing friendly but it does contain fragrance, essential oil and the UV filter ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, all of which some doctors ask patients to avoid. As always check with your healthcare provider before adding new topicals during pregnancy.
The preservative system relies on phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol which keeps the water-rich cream stable without parabens. Overall the ingredient deck is solid for hydration with a side of gentle antioxidant care, though the presence of animal derivatives and fragrance may be deal breakers for strict vegans or sensitive noses.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
After two weeks of nightly use here is the quick snapshot of pros and cons.
What Works Well:
- Gives a clear overnight boost in comfort so skin feels cushioned and less tight by morning
- Whipped texture spreads easily and a little covers face neck and décolletage without heaviness
- Blend of hyaluronic acid glycerin and panthenol locks in moisture which helped foundation glide on more smoothly the next day
- Vegetarian friendly formula comes in a sturdy jar that feels suitably luxe on the nightstand
What to Consider:
- Finish stays slightly tacky for an hour which may bother those who prefer a velvety dry down
- Rich emollients like isopropyl palmitate and beeswax may not suit combination or congestion-prone skins
- Sits in the premium price bracket so results need to justify the spend for some budgets
My Final Thoughts
After a fortnight of night-time slathering I can confirm Intense Hydration Night Cream does what it says on the tin if what you want is pure moisture. My skin woke up comfortable and the bathroom mirror reflected a healthy bounce, so points for honesty on the hydration front. Where the jar flirts with hyperbole is its promise of transformational firmness. Yes fine lines looked a touch blurred but the effect plateaued quickly and disappeared the moment I skipped a night. For me that lands the product at a respectable 7/10 – a solid performer that stops just shy of remarkable.
Who will love it? Anyone with dry or mature skin that drinks in richer textures and does not mind a slight tack through the first hour of beauty sleep. If your complexion is combination, acne-prone or simply prefers a weightless finish you might find yourself negotiating with a few shy congestion bumps. As for recommending it to friends, I would happily steer a dry-skinned pal toward Proto-col yet I would offer a caveat on texture and price before they tap Add to Cart.
Speaking of options, my bathroom cabinet has seen enough night creams to qualify as a sleep-deprived chemist. If you want alternatives, Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal has become my dependable allrounder – it hydrates, calms and costs less than many luxury lattes. I also rate Medik8’s Advanced Night Restore for its clever ceramide complex and surprisingly light feel, LANEIGE Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask when I crave a dewy cushion without heaviness and Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Night Cream by First Aid Beauty for sensitive nights when fragrance needs to stay far away. I have rotated through each of these and can vouch for their bedside manners.
Before you dive face-first into any new jar remember the usual housekeeping: patch test on a discreet spot, give the formula at least a couple of weeks and manage expectations because skin improvements require consistency, not miracles.