Forest Essentials is one of those quietly confident Indian Ayurvedic houses that skincare aficionados whisper about yet somehow still eludes casual beauty browsers. The brand’s reputation for marrying traditional wisdom with decadent textures had me intrigued long before this review assignment landed on my desk.
The product’s grandiose name, Night Treatment Cream Jasmine & Patchouli, sounds like the sort of potion a royal perfumer might whip up at dusk. Forest Essentials promises nothing short of cellular revitalisation and age-defying radiance, crediting a cocktail of sandalwood, saffron, jasmine absolute and patchouli oil. They claim this velvety cream will purify, tone, nourish and coax fresh life into tired skin while you sleep.
I spent a solid two weeks using a fingertip-sized amount each night after cleansing and toning, focusing on face and neck with gentle upward strokes. My aim was simple: find out whether the formula’s silky buttery texture translates into real-world results worth your hard-earned money.
Disclaimer: this is not a paid or sponsored review. All observations are my own and every complexion reacts differently, so individual results may vary.
What Is Night Treatment Cream Jasmine & Patchouli?
Night Treatment Cream Jasmine & Patchouli sits in the overnight treatment category, meaning it is intended as the final step after cleansing and toning before bed. Overnight treatments are typically richer than daytime moisturisers because skin shifts into repair mode while we sleep and is not battling UV exposure or makeup. Their job is to lock in hydration, deliver actives over several hours and support the natural regeneration that peaks at night.
This particular cream is described as an Ayurvedic anti aging formula that aims to revive sluggish cells and improve tone and texture. The ingredient list blends traditional botanicals such as sandalwood, saffron, jasmine absolute and patchouli oil with familiar emollients like sweet almond and apricot kernel oils. Forest Essentials states that the essential oils purify and calm while the nut and seed oils supply vitamins A and C for nourishment. Kokum butter adds extra occlusivity to minimise overnight water loss. In short the product is a nutrient dense moisturiser that claims to hydrate and encourage gentle cell renewal during the hours you are off the clock.
Did It Work?
In the interest of hard hitting skincare journalism I benched my usual overnight treatment for three whole nights before starting this test, which felt extremely scientific given my bathroom laboratory. Fourteen days struck me as a fair window to see whether my complexion would actually get that promised glow or at least look a little more awake at the morning mirror check.
Night one was all about texture. The cream smoothed on without tugging, absorbed faster than I expected for something so nutrient dense and left a very light jasmine patchouli veil that disappeared within ten minutes. By morning my face felt comfortably hydrated, not greasy, and there was a hint of softness around my cheeks that usually only shows up after a sheet mask.
Days three to seven were the honeymoon phase. No new congestion cropped up, dry patches along my jawline evened out and makeup sat more smoothly over previously flaky areas. I started to notice a mild luminosity that registered as you look well rather than you are wearing highlighter. Fine lines around the mouth, sadly, looked exactly the same and any hope of my small sun spot fading remained hypothetical.
Week two brought the plateau. The cream continued to keep dehydration at bay yet the initial brightening effect seemed to stabilise rather than build. I also had one isolated clogged pore on my chin which could be coincidence but is worth noting for anyone prone to breakouts. On the upside my skin barrier felt calm despite several windy commutes that normally leave it tight and rash prone.
So did it deliver on its Ayurvedic promises? Partly. Hydration, suppleness and a gentle overnight glow all checked out. Dramatic firming, noticeable wrinkle softening or major pigment correction did not materialise within the fourteen day span. Would I slot it permanently into my own rotation? Probably not, mainly because at this price point I want clearer anti aging gains. Still I would happily use up the remainder for nights when I crave a comforting herbal cocoon before bed.
Main Ingredients Explained
The backbone of this cream is a trio of nut oils: sweet almond, apricot kernel and the slightly more exotic kokum butter. All three are rich in fatty acids that seal in moisture overnight, but they sit differently on the skin. Almond and apricot glide on, giving that immediate silky slip, whereas kokum is harder and waxier so it acts like a light occlusive shield. On the comedogenic scale they clock in around the mid-range which means most normal or dry skins will drink them up yet very oily or acne-prone types could see an occasional clogged pore. Comedogenic simply means an ingredient can block pores and trigger blemishes, so patch test if congestion is your nemesis.
Sandalwood and saffron get star billing for their Ayurvedic heritage. In practice sandalwood essential oil offers anti-inflammatory benefits that have a calming effect on redness while saffron is packed with carotenoids that lend mild antioxidant protection. Neither will replace a dedicated retinoid or vitamin C serum for wrinkle softening or dark spot correction, but they do give the formula a sophisticated spa scent and a gentle supportive shield against urban stressors.
The aromatic heart continues with jasmine absolute and patchouli oil. Jasmine is famously soothing to irritated skin and mood alike, yet its fragrance molecules can be sensitising if your barrier is already compromised. Patchouli contributes an earthy finish that lingers for a few minutes, plus has antimicrobial properties that could help keep night-time bacteria at bay. Both oils are considered generally safe during pregnancy in tiny cosmetic doses, still the rule of thumb applies: any expectant parent should clear new topicals with a healthcare professional first.
Rounding out the roster are a handful of botanicals that quietly support texture and tone. Turmeric and its cousin kasturi manjal deliver curcumin for a mild brightening effect, vetiver and anantamool lend cooling properties for reactive skin and nagkesar brings tannins that tighten ever so slightly. Apple extract slips in natural fruit acids which might explain the subtle morning glow I noticed around day five.
All ingredients are plant derived so the formula is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. That said the presence of multiple essential oils means those with fragrance allergies should proceed carefully. No added silicones or mineral oil appear on the INCI which purists will appreciate, although the absence of a formal preservative system beyond the essential oils could impact shelf life once opened. In short the ingredient list reads like an Ayurvedic textbook interpreted through a modern cosmetic lens, offering a comforting blend of nourishment and gentle botanicals with only moderate risk for pore clogging or sensitivity.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Here is the straight-up rundown after two weeks of nightly use
What Works Well:
- Cushiony texture melts in fast so skin feels pampered not greasy
- Overnight hydration leaves dry patches smoother and foundation sits better by morning
- Aromatic blend of jasmine and patchouli creates a brief calming moment before lights out without a heavy after-scent
What to Consider:
- Premium price can feel high relative to the mostly maintenance-level results
- Rich nut oils may not suit very oily or congestion-prone skin types
- Glow and softness plateau after the first week so those chasing dramatic firming might be underwhelmed
My Final Thoughts
After two weeks of diligent use Night Treatment Cream Jasmine & Patchouli earns a respectable 7/10 from me. It is a comforting overnight companion for normal to dry complexions that crave steady hydration and a touch of morning radiance. If your priorities lean toward barrier support and subtle glow over hard-hitting wrinkle correction you will likely enjoy its plush feel and spa-like aroma. Conversely those chasing rapid firming, significant pigment fading or a fragrance-free experience might feel short-changed and should keep shopping.
Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, with caveats. I would steer my dehydrated pals in its direction but I would flag the price and remind them to temper expectations about dramatic anti-ageing shifts. The brand’s lofty talk of “rekindling life within each cell” sounds enticing yet in practice the results are pleasingly maintenance-level rather than transformational. That said the formula is elegant, nourishing and did not trigger irritation during my trial which is more than I can say for several trendier retinol creams cluttering my cabinet.
If you are in the market for alternatives I have also rotated through a few other night-time staples worth considering. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal remains my go-to all-rounder; it offers balanced hydration, gentle antioxidants and suits every skin type I have tested it on at a wallet-friendly price. For a slightly firmer finish Pro-Collagen Night Cream by ELEMIS delivers a cushiony feel with clinically backed marine actives. Prefer a lighter gel texture that still calms redness? The Cica Sleeping Mask by LANEIGE consistently soothes my skin after retinoid nights. Finally Skin Renewing Night Cream by CeraVe is a reliable ceramide-rich option that supports the barrier without the luxury markup.
Before you hand over your card a quick PSA: patch test any new night cream on a discreet spot for at least 24 hours even if you think your skin can handle anything (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent). Remember overnight treatments require consistent use to maintain results so one product will not keep fine lines at bay forever. Regular application paired with a sensible daytime routine and sun protection is still the winning formula.