Marcelle might not have the global swagger of the French heavyweights, yet anyone who prowls Canadian drugstore aisles knows the brand is a quiet overachiever with a knack for gentle science backed formulas. Its latest creation, the impressively named Retinol2 + PHA Renewing Night Cream, promises a one-stop overnight reboot for skin that is losing bounce and brightness.
The company touts a cocktail of encapsulated retinol plus bakuchiol, paired with hydrating PHA, to soften fine lines, even tone and shore up the moisture barrier in as little as four weeks. The press sheet is peppered with glowing percentages about plumper, more radiant skin, all wrapped in a hypoallergenic clean vegan package.
To see whether the reality lives up to the hype I worked this cream into my nightly routine for a full two weeks, paying close attention to texture, tolerance and any visible changes each morning.
Disclaimer: this is not a paid or sponsored review. The jar was purchased with my own money and every observation that follows reflects my personal experience. Skin is wonderfully individual so your results may differ.
What Is Retinol2 + Pha Renewing Night Cream?
This cream sits in the overnight treatment category, meaning it is designed to work while you sleep when skin is naturally in repair mode. Overnight formulas are typically richer than day creams and often contain actives that can make skin sensitive to sunlight, so applying them after dusk is both convenient and protective.
Marcelle positions the product as a multitasker that tackles early signs of aging and uneven tone. The star actives are a Retinol2 complex, which pairs encapsulated pure retinol with bakuchiol for a one-two punch against fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots, and PHA, a milder cousin of glycolic acid that smooths texture while drawing water into the skin. The brand also claims the formula supports the moisture barrier and improves elasticity, opening the door to a plumper, more even-looking complexion after about four weeks of nightly use. The cream is fragrance free, vegan, cruelty free and tested under dermatological control, making it suitable for most skin types including sensitive.
Did It Work?
In the spirit of very serious scientific research I benched my usual overnight serum for three full days before starting, giving my skin a clean slate so the Retinol2 + PHA cream could take all the credit or all the blame. Fourteen nights felt like a fair testing window, long enough for early reactions yet short enough to keep my before and after photos honest.
Application was textbook: a pea sized dab on clean dry skin, followed by a lightweight moisturizer to seal things in. The texture is silky without being greasy and it sinks in faster than some gel creams I own. Night one delivered a whisper of tingling around my cheeks that settled within minutes. I woke up to skin that felt quietly refreshed but not dramatically different. By the end of the first week I noticed a slight uptick in smoothness across my forehead and my nose looked a bit less ruddy. No peeling, no angry patches, just a hint of dryness on the sides of my mouth that a richer balm fixed.
Week two told a more nuanced story. Fine horizontal lines between my brows appeared marginally softer under bathroom lighting and my overall tone looked steadier, especially around old breakout marks. The promised plumpness was present but subtle, like my face had just taken a long drink of water. On the flip side the stubborn sun spot on my left cheek remained exactly where I left it and a tiny cluster of clogged pores surfaced on my chin, possibly because the formula leans occlusive for combo skin like mine.
So did it work? Partly. The cream delivered gentle exfoliation good hydration and a touch of brightness but it stopped short of the overnight transformation hinted at in the press release. I can comfortably score it a solid 7 out of 10. I appreciate how kind it was to my sometimes finicky skin, yet the results were not compelling enough to dethrone my current retinoid lineup. I will finish the jar, congratulate Marcelle on another thoughtful formulation and then pass on a repurchase.
Main Ingredients Explained
The headline act is the Retinol2 complex, a tag-team of encapsulated pure retinol and bakuchiol. Encapsulation lets the vitamin A travel deeper before it releases, which means more potency with less surface irritation. Bakuchiol, a plant derived molecule often called the gentler retinol twin, reinforces collagen signaling while calming redness so the pair can tackle lines and dark spots from two angles. Because retinoids accelerate cell turnover, they can also thin the dead-skin cap that dulls radiance, though anyone pregnant or trying to conceive should avoid vitamin A derivatives unless their doctor gives explicit clearance.
Next is gluconolactone, a polyhydroxy acid (PHA). Compared with classic AHAs like glycolic acid its large molecular size makes it kinder to sensitive skin yet it still buffs away surface flakes and pulls in moisture. Think of it as a built-in smoothing treatment that hydrates at the same time. The supporting cast leans heavily on tried-and-true humectants and emollients: glycerin, propanediol and sodium gluconate draw water into the skin while shea butter dimethicone and behenyl alcohol seal everything in and lend that cushiony night-cream slip.
Antioxidant care comes from ethyl ferulate, tocopherol and sunflower seed oil, ingredients that mop up free radicals generated by UV exposure or pollution. Lactobacillus ferment and hops extract add a whisper of probiotic and soothing benefit, though their concentrations are likely low. The formula is free of added fragrance, valid news for anyone who battles scent sensitization.
Vegans and vegetarians can breathe easy because all waxes are plant sourced and no animal derived components made the INCI list. Those prone to congestion should note that shea butter and certain plant waxes carry a moderate comedogenic rating, meaning they have the potential to clog pores especially on oily or acne-prone skin. If you already know coconut oil breaks you out patch test first or limit the cream to drier zones.
Finally a quick safety footnote: retinoids raise photosensitivity so diligent SPF is non-negotiable the morning after. Pairing strong actives like vitamin C or exfoliating acids in the same routine could tip the scales toward irritation so introduce this cream slowly and listen to your skin.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Here is the quick tally of what stood out during my two week trial.
What Works Well:
- Silky light texture that sinks in fast and layers easily with a sealing moisturizer
- Encapsulated retinol plus bakuchiol delivers gentle nightly exfoliation with zero peeling or redness on my sensitive cheeks
- Barrier friendly formula is fragrance free vegan and cruelty free while sitting at a mid range price point
What to Consider:
- Rich emollients may feel heavy on oily zones and can trigger the occasional clogged pore
- Improvements in tone and plumpness are real yet subtle so instant gratification seekers might be underwhelmed
- Those deep dark spots or well etched wrinkles will likely need a stronger standalone retinoid or targeted serum
My Final Thoughts
After two weeks of committed nightly slathering I can say Marcelle’s Retinol2 + PHA Renewing Night Cream is like a well made rom-com: charming, dependable and unlikely to win an Oscar. A good overnight treatment is skin care’s version of compound interest and this jar does deposit steady gains in smoothness and hydration. I have danced with enough retinoid-laced formulas to know what real irritation feels like and this one kept the party polite, which is no small feat. Where it falls short is that wow moment some will crave; my skin looked fresher but my mirror never gasped. So yes, it earns its 7/10 rating and yes, I would recommend it to friends who want gentle retinol training wheels or a fragrance-free option that will not pick a fight with sensitive cheeks.
On the flip side if you need a cream that tackles deeper lines or melasma with the enthusiasm of a boot-camp coach you may find yourself wishing for more oomph. The texture also leans richer than the marketing copy suggests so very oily complexions could feel sticky by sunrise. In other words this is tailor made for normal to slightly dry skin, beginners to mid-level retinoid users and anyone who cares as much about barrier support as they do about chasing glow.
Should you want alternatives I have field-tested plenty. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is the easy recommendation: an all rounder that balances exfoliation hydration and barrier repair at a wallet friendly price. If your skin loves a cocoon of lipids Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue by Biossance is stellar for parched faces. Texture obsessives might prefer the airy gel feel of Laneige’s Water Sleeping Mask which delivers a drink of water without the oil slick. Lastly Medik8’s Advanced Night Restore pairs peptides with ceramides for those who want firming action minus heavy occlusives. All four have earned repeat appearances on my nightstand.
Before you pounce on a new jar keep a few sanity checks in mind. Patch test on the jawline for a couple of nights first I know I sound like an over-protective parent but your face will thank you. Remember retinoid results are a long game; stop using the cream and your skin will eventually slide back to its old habits. Consistent SPF the next morning is non negotiable and layering too many actives at once is the fast lane to irritation. Play it smart and your future self will glow in appreciation.