NAELI may not yet be a household name, but among ingredient enthusiasts the brand has earned a quiet reputation for thoughtfully formulated skincare that punches above its price tag. I have admired their no-nonsense, science-leaning ethos for a while so when the 4.25% Retinoid Collagen Night Moisturizer landed on my desk I was more than a little intrigued.
The name is a mouthful that reads like a mini INCI list, hinting at the multitasking ambitions packed into this single jar. According to NAELI, this overnight treatment is meant to firm with its retinoid, plump with collagen and peptides, brighten with vitamins C and E, then cushion everything in shea, mango butter and argan oil while leaving zero residue. In short it promises smoother texture, fewer dark spots, hydrated skin and a more luminous morning reflection.
Big claims call for proper scrutiny so I spent a full two weeks rotating it into my nighttime routine to see if reality meets the marketing. Spoiler: there are highs and lows that add up to a solid but not flawless 7 out of 10.
Disclaimer: this is not a paid or sponsored review and all thoughts are entirely my own. Your skin is unique so what worked or faltered for me might play out differently for you.
What Is 4.25% Retinoid Collagen Night Moisturizer?
At its core this is an overnight treatment, meaning it is designed to work while skin is in repair mode during sleep rather than competing with sunscreen or daytime makeup. Overnight formulas typically carry higher concentrations of actives that might be photosensitive or slightly irritating under sun exposure, so they tend to be richer and more focused on recovery.
Naeli’s version combines a 4.25 percent retinoid blend with hydrolyzed collagen and signal peptides. Retinoids encourage faster cell turnover which can soften fine lines and improve texture over time. Collagen and peptides aim to support firmness by reminding skin to keep producing its own structural proteins. To offset the potential dryness that often accompanies retinoids, the cream includes hyaluronic acid for water binding alongside shea butter, mango butter and argan oil for lipid replenishment.
The formula also folds in antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin E plus green tea and pomegranate extracts. These help neutralize free radicals generated by daily environmental stressors, theoretically assisting the retinoid in keeping discoloration at bay.
In short this moisturizer positions itself as a multitasking night companion that tackles visible aging markers, uneven tone and dehydration while you sleep, eliminating the need to layer several separate products.
Did It Work?
In the spirit of rigorous research I benched my usual overnight serum for three full days before starting the trial, which made me feel very scientific indeed. Fourteen days strikes me as the sweet spot to catch early texture changes and any irritation so I committed to that window, applying a pea sized dollop to clean skin on face, neck and the occasional swipe across the chest.
Week one was every other night per the instructions. The cream feels cushiony going on, absorbs in under a minute and leaves a faint lemongrass hint that vanishes soon after. Night one delivered a slight tingle around my nasolabial folds that subsided within ten minutes. By the third application I noticed mild tightness on my chin come morning but no redness or flaking. Hydration levels were solid enough that I skipped my usual facial oil top-off without feeling parched.
For week two I switched to nightly use. This is where the stronger actives made themselves known. Day ten greeted me with discreet peeling along the sides of my nose and a single stubborn whitehead on my forehead. A dime sized layer of bland moisturizer the following evening calmed things but reminded me the formula is not entirely irritation-proof. On the upside my skin tone did look a touch more even and a slight post-acne mark on my cheek appeared lighter than when I started. Fine lines at the outer corners of my eyes looked fractionally softer though I suspect the smoothing was more hydration than collagen rebuild.
Texture wise the product never felt heavy or greasy, which I appreciated during a humid spell, yet by morning I still felt adequately moisturized. Makeup went on smoothly without pilling. Friends commented that my skin looked “rested” which may be the biggest endorsement of all, even if they could not put their finger on why.
So did it keep every promise? Partially. It brightened a bit, hydrated well and offered modest smoothing. Firmness claims were harder to verify in such a short span and the brief peeling spells mean very sensitive users might need to buffer with an extra cream. Would I slot it into my permanent rotation? Probably not, mainly because my current retinoid delivers similar results with fewer surprise whiteheads. Still I would recommend it to someone newer to retinoids or looking for an affordable multitasker who does not mind a short adjustment phase.
Main Ingredients Explained
The headline act is the 4.25 percent retinoid blend. Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that speed up cell turnover, help fade hyperpigmentation and spur collagen synthesis. Results can be impressive but they also raise skin sensitivity, so easing in slowly is wise. Anyone who is pregnant or trying to become pregnant should skip this altogether unless a doctor gives the green light because topical vitamin A can be absorbed systemically.
Next comes hydrolyzed collagen plus the peptide duo palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7. Topical collagen molecules are too large to merge with our own collagen fibers, yet they offer a surface level film that minimizes transepidermal water loss which is why skin feels cushioned after application. The peptides act as messengers telling fibroblasts to make fresh collagen and elastin, a long-game strategy for firmness.
Hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA appear mid-list and work as classic humectants, grabbing water from both the deeper epidermis and the ambient air then holding it at the surface. This plumping effect is what gave me that rested look by morning.
The antioxidant squad features tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (an oil soluble vitamin C ester), vitamin E, alpha lipoic acid, green tea and pomegranate extracts. They mop up free radicals generated by UV and pollution exposure, a helpful accompaniment to retinoids whose efficacy can be hampered by oxidative stress.
For barrier support the formula leans on shea butter, mango butter and argan oil. All three supply fatty acids plus a dose of vitamin E yet they sit around the middle of the comedogenic scale. In plain speak that means they have a moderate chance of clogging pores particularly for acne-prone skin. I saw only one whitehead during testing but those historically sensitive to rich plant butters might want to patch test first.
Rounding things out are aloe juice, allantoin and saccharide isomerate which soothe and keep moisture locked in, while a subtle lemongrass essential oil imparts the fleeting scent. The preservative system is phenoxyethanol with caprylyl glycol, both widely used for keeping jars free of microbial hitchhikers.
Naeli markets the cream as vegan, paraben free, dye free and Leaping Bunny certified cruelty free. The presence of hydrolyzed collagen does raise an eyebrow because collagen is traditionally animal derived, though plant and yeast fermented alternatives now exist. If strict veganism is your priority it may be worth confirming the source with the brand.
No ingredient on the list is a known photosensitizer but remember retinoids thin the stratum corneum which heightens sun sensitivity so diligent SPF is non-negotiable the next day. Overall the roster is thoughtful, mostly gentle and clearly aimed at delivering multiple benefits in a single step, provided you respect the power of vitamin A and listen to your skin along the way.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
After two weeks of nightly use here is a quick rundown of the standout strengths and the points that might give some users pause.
What Works Well:
- Cushiony texture sinks in fast so it layers easily with a simple cleanse-and-sleep routine
- Noticeable overnight hydration thanks to the shea butter humectant mix that left skin bouncy come morning
- Early brightening of post-blemish marks suggest the retinoid and antioxidant combo is doing its job
- Non-greasy finish makes it comfortable for combo and even oilier skin types during warmer months
- Ethical touches like cruelty free certification and a mostly clean ingredient list add peace of mind
What to Consider:
- The 4.25 percent retinoid can cause mild peeling and the odd breakout during the adjustment phase so sensitive users may need to buffer
- Butter and oil content may not suit acne-prone skin that reacts to richer textures
- Results are solid but not dramatic which could feel underwhelming if you already use a high strength retinoid serum at a similar price point
My Final Thoughts
Night creams are the quiet overachievers of a routine, expected to multitask while we dream of better things than clogged pores. After two weeks in my lineup Naeli’s 4.25% Retinoid Collagen Night Moisturizer lands a respectable 7/10. It delivered reliable hydration, a smidge of brightness and only minor drama in the form of one rebellious whitehead. The lofty talk of firming and wrinkle vanishing might come true given several months and impeccable sunscreen habits, yet in my short run the lift was more moral support than architectural.
I have tangoed with more retinoid hybrids than I care to confess so I am confident I gave this jar a fair shake. Who will love it? Anyone flirting with their first mid-strength retinoid, prefers a one-and-done step and enjoys a lightweight butter-meets-gel texture. It also suits combination skin that wants nourishment without pillowcase grease stains. Who might pass? Ultra sensitive types, purists who already use prescription vitamin A and oil-phobes whose pores panic at the sight of shea.
Would I recommend it to a friend? Absolutely, but with the caveat that they keep their expectations realistic and their bland moisturiser on standby for the acclimation week. Think of it as a solid B student that rarely cuts class yet never steals the valedictorian sash.
If you are shopping around, a few other jars in my bathroom cabinet deserve honorable mention. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal remains my go-to crowd-pleaser, an all-rounder that nails hydration, barrier care and a gentle glow at a wallet-friendly tag. For those craving a silkier texture, ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Night Cream feels like a cashmere throw for the face and has smoothed my fine lines during winter hibernation. Need something lighter that still bolsters the barrier? BIOSSANCE Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue leaves my skin springy by sunrise without a hint of congestion. Finally, LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask is the one I reach for after late nights when I need foolproof hydration but zero active tingle.
Before you slather anything new, remember the basics. Patch test like the diligent, overprotective parent I apparently am, introduce actives gradually and brace for at least a month of consistency before shouting miracles from the rooftops. Results will stick around only as long as you keep using the product, which I know is glaringly obvious yet still good to hear once more.