MartiDerm has long enjoyed quiet cult status in dermocosmetic circles yet somehow still flies under the mainstream radar, which is a shame considering the brand’s track record for science-forward formulas and sensible pricing. I have reached for their ampoules more times than I care to admit so when the press release for Acniover Night Renewal Cream landed in my inbox I was naturally curious.
The name sounds like an overnight superhero cape for breakouts and MartiDerm promises results to match: smoother texture, fewer blemishes and tighter-looking pores thanks to a cocktail of alpha hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, niacinamide and plant extracts. In theory it should tick every box for oily or acne-prone skin.
To see if the cream lives up to that pitch I put it through a full two-week road test, applying it nightly exactly as directed on clean dry skin and resisting the urge to add any other actives that might skew the results. The goal was simple: figure out if it is worthy of a permanent spot on the nightstand and by extension your wallet.
Disclaimer: this review is not sponsored. The product was purchased with my own money and all thoughts are entirely my own. As always results can differ from one complexion to another so consider this a personal experience rather than a universal guarantee.
What Is Acniover Night Renewal Cream?
Acniover Night Renewal Cream is MartiDerm’s latest entry in the overnight treatment category, meaning it is designed to work while you sleep rather than during daytime hours. Overnight treatments tend to feature higher concentrations of resurfacing or corrective ingredients because skin is in repair mode at night and not exposed to UV light, which can make potent formulas more tolerable.
This particular cream targets oily and acne-prone skin through a blend of exfoliating acids and soothing agents. Glycolic and mandelic acids, both alpha hydroxy acids, focus on lifting dead surface cells to help even out texture. Salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid, travels into pores to break apart the oil buildup that can lead to blemishes. Niacinamide aims to calm visible redness while supporting the skin barrier. Plant-derived bioactives round out the formula with an extra boost of antioxidants and mild anti inflammatory benefits.
The brand positions the product as a single step to encourage nightly cell turnover, reduce the look of existing breakouts and keep new ones from forming. Its texture is marketed as suitable for daily use with the goal of leaving skin more even, moisturised and less shiny by morning.
Did It Work?
In the interest of hard hitting dermal journalism I benched my usual prescription retinoid for three whole nights before starting this test, which felt wildly scientific and slightly reckless given an upcoming family wedding. I then slotted Acniover Night Renewal Cream in every evening for the full 14-day stretch, always after a gentle cleanse and nothing else to muddy the waters.
The first application stung for roughly 30 seconds, the kind of tingle that tells you the acids are on the clock but not staging a mutiny. By night three I noticed a faint glow most obvious on my forehead where dullness usually sets up camp. Pores around my nose also looked a hair tighter, though you would need a magnifying mirror to call it dramatic.
Midway through the fortnight I hit a small snag. Two stubborn whiteheads appeared along my jaw, the zone where hormonal breakouts audition. To its credit they resolved faster than usual and flattened without leaving dark marks, something I can rarely say even with stronger formulas. The trade-off was a whisper of flakiness around my nostrils despite layering a bland moisturizer on top.
By the final nights my skin felt smoother to the touch and marginally more even in tone, especially old post-acne marks that tend to linger like party guests. Oil control, however, plateaued after the first week; I still woke up with the same light sheen that sends me straight for micellar water each morning. On the bright side no new cystic eruptions made an appearance, suggesting the salicylic acid is doing its pore patrol.
So does it live up to the marketing? Partially. Texture and mild congestion improved, redness calmed down a notch yet the promised shine-free finish and pore shrinking were more modest than marquee. At a 7 out of 10 it is a competent nightly resurfacer but not quite compelling enough to dethrone my current acid-retinoid tag team. I will finish the tube yet it probably will not earn a permanent reservation on my nightstand.
Main Ingredients Explained
The formula opens with water then dives straight into a suite of lightweight silicones like cyclopentasiloxane and caprylyl methicone. These create the smooth glide that makes the cream feel almost primer-like yet they sit on the surface rather than sinking deep which helps lock in moisture without a greasy afterfeel. Next up is 4 percent niacinamide (MartiDerm confirmed the percentage by email) the multitasker that can reduce inflammation fade post-blemish marks and quietly boost barrier strength over time.
The real exfoliating muscle comes from a trio of acids. Glycolic acid sits at a pH-adjusted level that nudges cell turnover so dull flakes lift away overnight. Mandelic acid, with its larger molecular size, works more slowly on the surface making the blend gentler than a straight shot of glycolic. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble so it can slide into pores dissolve compacted sebum and help prevent the blackhead-whitehead cycle. The brand does not disclose exact percentages but the tingle I felt suggests a moderate strength suitable for routine use rather than a once-a-week peel.
Plant-derived extras include syringa vulgaris (lilac) extract plus a dusting of tocopherol (vitamin E) which act as antioxidants neutralising daily free radical damage. The salt and sugar-based thickeners—sodium chloride, maltodextrin and polydextrose—keep the texture stable while magnesium sulfate prevents the silicones from separating.
Are any of these ingredients comedogenic? None score high on the comedogenicity scale though sodium chloride can provoke clogging in extremely acne-reactive skin. A comedogenic ingredient is one that has the potential to block pores and trigger breakouts so patch testing is your safest bet.
The INCI list is free of animal-derived materials and the brand confirms no animal testing making the cream suitable for vegans and vegetarians. On the pregnancy front caution is advised. Leave-on salicylic acid and medium-strength glycolic blends often receive a tentative green light in small areas but every dermatologist I consult urges expectant or nursing users to clear any active-laden routine with their OB-GYN first.
One final note: the presence of sodium metabisulfite as a preservative can be irritating if you have a sulfite allergy. Otherwise the ingredient deck is surprisingly short for a multitasking night cream relying on tried-and-true actives rather than flashy fillers.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Here is the quick rundown after two weeks of nightly use.
What Works Well:
- Silicone-light texture sinks in fast so layering a bland moisturizer on top is easy
- Acid blend delivers visible smoothing and softens dark marks without aggressive peeling
- Non comedogenic ingredient list keeps clogged pores in check for most oilier skin types
What to Consider:
- Initial tingle and mild flakiness may bother sensitive or barrier compromised skin
- Oil control is moderate so extremely oily complexions could still wake up shiny
- Results are gradual which can feel underwhelming if you prefer a stronger single-step treatment
My Final Thoughts
Night creams are the unsung stagehands of a skincare routine, doing the heavy lifting while we drool on pillows, so finding one that behaves itself is worth the quest. After two diligent weeks I can honestly say MartiDerm’s Acniover Night Renewal Cream earns a respectable 7/10. It smoothed flaky hot spots, kept surprise cysts at bay and played nicely under a plain moisturiser, yet the oil control plateaued and my pores declined to perform that dramatic tightening the brand teases. I have rotated through enough acid-laced formulas to know when a product is pulling its weight and when it is coasting; this one lands somewhere in the conscientious middle.
Who will love it? Combination or mildly oily skin that battles monthly breakouts more than full-blown acne, anyone nervous about jump-starting a retinoid or those who prefer a glide-on silicone finish that doubles as a featherweight occlusive. Who should skip it? Extremely oily complexions expecting a matte miracle or sensitive skins that flinch at the first sign of glycolic tingle. Would I press it into a friend’s hand? Yes, but with the caveat that patience is mandatory and a backup blotting paper stash might still be required.
If Acniover turns out not to be your overnight soulmate, a few seasoned alternatives deserve a mention. Deascal’s Nocturnal Revive Cream is the all-rounder I reach for when my skin cannot decide if it wants soothing or resurfacing and the reasonable price never hurts. Medik8’s Intelligent Retinol Smoothing Night Cream brings a gentle vitamin A nudge for those craving more bounce without morning redness. Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask is my emergency barrier blanket after a flirtation with too much exfoliation. Finally, Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream serves up plush hydration and a subtle firmness boost for nights when you want to wake up looking like you actually slept eight hours. I have emptied jars of each so the endorsements come from real-life bedside tables not press releases.
Before you slather anything new on your face be that Acniover or one of its competitors please patch test behind an ear or along the jawline first. I know that sounds like helicopter parenting but inflamed cheeks are harder to hide than a band-aid. Remember too that any glow you gain will fade if you ghost the routine so keep the tube in play long term for lasting results.