Symbiosis London may not dominate every beauty shelf yet it has earned a loyal following for formulas that sit at the crossroads of science and indulgence. The brand’s latest overnight treatment, the rather marathon-titled Refuelling & Oxygenating Nano-Cloud Bubbling Night Mask, arrives with the promise of spa-level detox in your own bathroom.
According to Symbiosis London, this mask teams exfoliating glycolic acid with moisture-locking isododecane to make pores look smaller, skin clearer and excess oil a distant memory while you sleep. A bubbling action is said to boost circulation for a fresher complexion by morning.
I put those claims to the test for a full two weeks, using the mask every other night to see whether it could earn a permanent spot in my routine and deserve your hard-earned money.
Disclaimer: this is not a paid or sponsored review. All opinions are entirely my own and results can vary from person to person.
What Is Refuelling & Oxygenating Nano-Cloud Bubbling Night Mask?
This is an overnight treatment, meaning it is designed to sit on the skin while you sleep rather than being rinsed off after ten minutes like a traditional wash off mask. Overnight formulas generally rely on the skin’s natural nighttime repair cycle, delivering active ingredients over several hours when the barrier is slightly more permeable and there is no interference from sunscreen or makeup.
Symbiosis London has positioned this mask as a detoxifying step that combines an acid exfoliant with a moisture sealing agent. Glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, is included to loosen the bonds of dead surface cells and help minimise the look of enlarged pores. Isododecane sits alongside it to create a light occlusive layer that reduces transepidermal water loss so the skin does not feel stripped after the exfoliation. The formula produces a mild self-foaming action on contact with skin, which the brand claims helps oxygenate the surface for a fresher appearance by morning.
In short, the mask aims to refine texture, regulate excess oil and maintain hydration in a single step that replaces your usual night cream on the evenings you apply it.
Did It Work?
In the name of very serious skincare science I benched my regular overnight treatment for three days before starting the trial, imagining myself in a tiny lab coat as I did so. Fourteen days felt like a fair window to judge results so I applied the mask every other night, using a gentle cleanser first and skipping any other actives to give the formula its best chance to shine.
The first application produced a soft fizz within seconds, a pleasant tickle rather than the itchy foam some oxygen masks deliver. There was a light citrus scent and a faint tingle from the glycolic acid but nothing alarming. By morning my skin looked marginally brighter and felt very clean, though I noticed a tightness around my mouth that had me reaching for a richer day cream.
Through the first week I saw a pattern: glow and smoother cheeks the morning after application, followed by a subtle rebound of oil in my T zone by late afternoon. Pores around my nose did appear slightly less shadowed yet not enough that I could skip primer. No purging or irritation showed up, which I credit to the modest 3 percent AHA concentration.
Week two brought diminishing novelty. The bubbles still felt fun but the brightening effect plateaued. Texture along my forehead stayed even yet the fine lines the brand promised to soften looked unchanged. Hydration-wise the mask behaved politely on normal areas but left my drier jawline craving more cushion. I tried sealing it with a lightweight facial oil one night which helped, though that somewhat defeats the one-step promise.
After fourteen days my verdict is that the mask partially delivers: it gives a next day freshness, keeps minor congestion at bay and never went rogue with irritation. What it does not do is create a transformative difference in pore size or long term clarity, at least not within the two week window. I enjoyed the spa like bubbles and will finish the tube but I will not retire my current overnight staple for it. Fun, competent, not quite collection worthy.
Main Ingredients Explained
The headliner here is glycolic acid at a modest 3 percent, small enough to sidestep the sting yet still able to unglue dead surface cells for a quick brightness boost. Because glycolic has the smallest molecular weight of the AHAs it slips in easily, which is why you feel that fleeting tingle. Regular use can fade dullness and help keep pores from collecting debris, though it is not a miracle worker in two weeks. Worth noting for anyone pregnant or breastfeeding: even though the percentage is low dermatologists usually recommend steering clear of leave-on acids unless your doctor gives a green light.
Isododecane shares top billing and acts like a featherweight seal, trapping water without the greasy afterfeel of heavier occlusives. It evaporates slowly so the overnight mask does not slide around on the pillow. Isododecane scores a zero on the comedogenic scale which means it is highly unlikely to clog pores, helpful news if you are acne prone.
Supporting players include methyl perfluorobutyl ether, a perfluorocarbon that carries oxygen to the skin surface creating that signature micro-bubble fizz. It is inert and safe for most skins although environmentalists may side-eye its persistency once washed down the drain. Humectants like glycerin, butylene glycol and erythritol draw water into the upper layers so the formula feels more treatment mask than straight acid peel. A handful of silicone polymers (polysilicone-11, bis-PEG-12 dimethicone) lend slip and form a soft-focus film that visually smooths texture while keeping irritation at bay. Silicones are non-comedogenic though they sometimes get blamed for breakouts because they sit on top of existing congestion.
Everything inside is synthetic or plant derived so the mask is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. The preservative system relies on phenylpropanol and caprylyl glycol instead of parabens, and there is no added fragrance beyond the faint citrus from minor aromatic compounds. If you are extremely sensitive steer clear of cocamidopropyl betaine, a coconut-derived surfactant that can spark contact dermatitis in rare cases.
In summary the ingredient list reads clean and cleverly balanced with no obvious pore-clogging culprits. Still, anyone with compromised barriers or expectant mothers should patch test or consult a medical professional before committing to overnight acids. The formula is playing in the gentle-yet-effective lane and for the most part stays there.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
After two weeks of night shifts with this foamy worker here is the straightforward scorecard.
What Works Well:
- Immediate next day brightness that helps fake a full eight hours of sleep
- Bubble action adds a mini spa vibe without irritation making it easy to stick with the routine
- Light occlusive feel means it layers comfortably for combination skin and avoids pillow stickiness
- Ingredient list balances exfoliation and hydration so sensitive types can test the acid waters safely
What to Consider:
- Results plateau after the first week so long term texture or pore changes may be modest
- Dry areas can feel tight by morning so you may need an extra hydrating step cutting into the one product promise
- Cost sits at the premium end given the relatively low actives and incremental payoff
My Final Thoughts
Two weeks in, the Refuelling & Oxygenating Nano-Cloud Bubbling Night Mask feels like that dependable friend who livens up a midweek dinner then heads home before the last train: fun, polite and not quite life changing. If you are new to overnight acids or wary of anything stronger than a toner this is a comfortable entry point that brightens by morning and keeps minor congestion quiet. Oilier complexions will appreciate the light finish while drier or mature skins may crave a richer follow up. My own combination face put it in the useful but not irreplaceable pile so I am giving it a measured 7/10. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, though with the caveat that it is a maintenance player rather than a power forward.
For anyone shopping the night shift aisle, choice is a glorious thing. I have rotated through more jars than I care to admit and a few keep elbowing their way back to my nightstand. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is the one I reach for when I want a covers-all-bases formula that suits any season or skin type and costs less than an impulse takeaway. If you fancy something cushier, the Water Sleeping Mask by LANEIGE wraps skin in a moisture cocoon without suffocating it. On nights when my face looks particularly world-weary Advanced Night Restore by Medik8 shows up with ceramide support and a gentle nudge of retinoid to smooth the edges. Texture obsessives could also consider Pro-Collagen Night Cream by ELEMIS which offers a silky marine collagen hug and leaves pillows unmarked.
Whichever pot you pick remember a few boring but important notes. Patch test behind your ear like the over-protective parent in me demands, give any active formula at least a month to show its true colours and keep using sunscreen if you plan to face daylight. Results will fade if the routine does so treat overnight care as a habit not a one-off miracle.