Oskia is one of those quietly confident British brands that seems to win awards every other week yet somehow still flies under the radar of many bathroom cabinets. Known for marrying nutritional science with sensorial textures, its formulas tend to punch above their weight and price bracket.
Enter Midnight Elixir, a name that sounds more like a fantasy novel chapter than a night serum and, if the brand’s own promises are to be believed, the stuff of complexion fairy tales. Oskia touts it as a mid-weight, lightly floral overnight treatment powered by five growth factors, peptides, shiitake and turkey tail mushrooms plus melatonin, all working in sync with your skin’s circadian rhythm to firm, brighten and smooth while you sleep.
I spent a full two weeks putting this glossy, ink-black serum through its paces, applying a pea-sized amount every night to face, neck and décolletage to see if the claims stack up and, more importantly, if it is worth your hard-earned money.
Disclaimer: this is not a paid or sponsored review. The product was purchased with my own funds and the opinions here are entirely my own. Skin is beautifully individual so your results may differ.
What Is Midnight Elixir?
Midnight Elixir is an overnight treatment, a type of skincare applied before bed that works in tandem with the skin’s natural night time repair cycle. These products are typically richer in active ingredients than day serums because they do not have to compete with sunscreen or makeup and because skin is more receptive to renewal while we sleep.
Positioned as a mid-weight serum, Midnight Elixir combines five lab crafted growth factors with a peptide blend that aims to encourage collagen production and bolster elasticity. Fermented shiitake and turkey tail mushrooms bring beta glucans, antioxidants and soothing properties while melatonin is included to mirror the hormone the body releases after dusk, signaling to cells that it is time for repair.
The formula also contains vitamins A, B3 and C alongside hydrators like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate. Oskia says that in independent clinical testing the serum improved elasticity by 36 percent, firmness by 24 percent and reduced wrinkle depth by 24 percent after eight weeks of nightly use.
Although billed as suitable for all skin types, the brand specifically calls out those over 30 or experiencing peri or post menopausal changes who are concerned with firmness, tone or accumulated damage.
Did It Work?
In the name of rigor I shelved my usual overnight cream for three days before starting Midnight Elixir, which felt very scientific of me given I was also wearing novelty pyjamas during the trial. Fourteen nights seemed a fair window to spot meaningful change, so that is the timeline I stuck to.
Application was textbook: cleanse, mist, then a pea of the inky serum pressed over face, neck and chest. The texture sits between a gel and a light oil, spreads easily and absorbs in under a minute leaving a faint satin film. Its soft floral scent is brief and inoffensive, my sensitive eyes never watered and nothing pilled under my occlusive balm.
Morning one brought a predictable bump in hydration, the sort you can get from any well formulated humectant blend. By day four my skin looked calmer in tone and a little more elastic when pinched, particularly around the cheeks. I credit the niacinamide and mushroom beta glucans for that quick soothing effect.
The halfway mark is when products usually prove their worth on fine lines. Here the improvement was modest. The shallow creases at the corners of my mouth seemed marginally softened but the crow’s-feet I monitor like a hawk stayed put. I did notice a gentle brightness across my forehead yet no dramatic firming lift that would have me double checking the mirror.
From day ten to fourteen results plateaued. Skin remained comfortably hydrated and even but the promised 24 percent leap in firmness and wrinkle depth reduction felt optimistic. To its credit there were zero adverse reactions, no congestion and no flaky retinoid like purge despite the inclusion of retinyl palmitate.
So, did it work? Yes, in the sense that it delivered steady hydration, kept inflammation at bay and lent a slight springiness. No, if you are banking on a visible tightening effect within two weeks. I will happily finish the bottle because it is pleasant to use and plays well with the rest of my routine but I would not rush to repurchase given the price bracket and the many alternatives that achieve comparable results.
Main Ingredients Explained
First up are the five lab-made growth factors and the acetyl octapeptide present in meaningful doses. These short chains of amino acids act like tiny messengers telling skin cells to ramp up collagen and elastin production which in theory translates to better bounce and fewer fine lines. Because they are bio-identical and produced in a lab they are suitable for vegans and vegetarians and sidestep the ethical headache of animal derived alternatives.
Alongside them sits a classic barrier support squad: niacinamide, MSM and sodium hyaluronate. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) calms redness, tightens the look of pores and strengthens the skin’s lipid shield. MSM provides a bio-available form of sulfur that helps maintain keratin structure while hyaluronate draws in water to plump from within. These three are largely irritation free which explains why the serum cooperated with my reactive complexion.
The botanical headline grabbers are shiitake and turkey tail mushroom extracts rich in beta glucans. Beta glucans are long chain sugars that soothe, hydrate and enhance repair making them a smart inclusion for anyone battling environmental stress. The formula layers in resveratrol from grape skin and prickly pear stem extract for antioxidant defense plus rock samphire nicknamed the retinol of the sea for its gentle cell turnover effect.
Melatonin is a more unusual player in topical skincare. Applied at night it mimics the body’s own sleep hormone and may help sync cellular repair with circadian rhythm cues. The dose here is micro so do not expect a sedative effect yet its presence rounds out the overnight narrative.
A quick word on the supporting cast. Caprylic/capric triglyceride, cetearyl alcohol and cetearyl olivate all carry a low to moderate comedogenic rating. That means they have a small potential to clog pores in acne prone skin though in this balanced formula and at these concentrations I did not experience congestion. Still if your skin is exceedingly reactive to rich emollients patch test before slathering.
The serum contains retinyl palmitate, a vitamin A derivative, which pushes it out of the pregnancy safe zone. Most dermatologists advise avoiding vitamin A topicals while pregnant or nursing unless cleared by a doctor so err on the side of caution and get professional approval first.
Finally, the fragrance is fully natural and free of EU listed allergens so those sensitive to synthetic scents can breathe easy. No silicones, drying alcohols or mineral oil appear on the INCI list and every active is either plant sourced or bio-identical meaning the formula as a whole ticks the clean beauty and vegan-friendly boxes.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Here is the no frills breakdown after two weeks of nightly use.
What Works Well:
- Silky gel-oil texture absorbs quickly so it layers effortlessly under richer night creams without pilling
- Noticeable overnight hydration and calmer tone thanks to the niacinamide and mushroom beta glucans
- Growth factor and peptide mix offers a gentle bounce boost without the irritation sometimes seen with stronger actives
- Travel friendly glass dropper bottle feels sturdy and dispenses the perfect pea-size dose
What to Consider:
- Firming and wrinkle softening are incremental rather than dramatic within the first fortnight so patience is required
- Midweight emollients may not suit very oily or acne prone skins that prefer featherlight formulas
- Premium pricing places it among heavy hitters that deliver comparable results
My Final Thoughts
Midnight Elixir sits comfortably in that Goldilocks zone of night treatments that do a bit of everything without ruffling any feathers. After two solid weeks my skin was smoother, a touch bouncier and decidedly well behaved yet the mirror never gasped back at me with a Cinderella-before-midnight reveal. That is why it earns a very respectable 7/10: reliable and pleasant but not quite the showstopper its fairy-tale name suggests. I would recommend it to a friend who wants a sophisticated serum that plays nicely with sensitive skin and has the patience to wait out the longer collagen timeline. If instant lift is on your wish list or you prefer feather-light formulas, you may want to keep browsing.
Speaking of browsing, there are a few stellar alternatives I have rotated through my bedside drawer. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is an excellent all-rounder with a cloud-like texture that hydrates, calms and firms at a friendlier price point. For those craving that pillowy bounce Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask by LANEIGE delivers overnight plumpness in spades. Fans of more traditional cream textures might fall for Pro-Collagen Night Cream by ELEMIS which leaves skin cashmere soft by sunrise. If barrier support is your top priority Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue by BIOSSANCE cocoons parched complexions without any greasy lag.
Before you sprint to checkout a quick reality check. Any potent overnight formula deserves a patch test on the jaw or inner arm first yes I know I sound like an over-protective parent but irritation is no joke at 11 pm. Remember too that firmness gains are borrowed not owned so keep up consistent nightly use or watch those benefits quietly tiptoe away.