Dermaceutic Laboratoire has been quietly earning applause in dermatology circles for partnering hard science with practical skincare, yet it might still be under the radar for anyone who shops exclusively by influencer hype. The French brand’s reputation for precision formulations is well deserved and it shows real confidence to call its latest night cream Activabiome, a name that practically dares you to quiz it on microbiome science.
According to Dermaceutic, this overnight treatment leans on marine algae actives, exfoliating acids and a microbiota friendly philosophy to rebalance acne prone skin, tame redness and tighten pores while you sleep. Big promises for one bedtime step.
I spent a full two weeks letting Activabiome take over my nighttime routine to see whether the results justify the buzz and the price tag.
Disclosure: This is not a paid or sponsored review and all opinions are my own. Skincare is personal so individual results may differ.
What Is Activabiome?
Activabiome is an overnight treatment formulated for skin that tends to break out or look easily irritated. In skincare speak, overnight treatments are creams or serums designed to work while you sleep when the skin’s own repair processes are most active. They sit on the skin for several uninterrupted hours so they can use higher levels of exfoliating or nourishing ingredients than a daytime product, without competing with sunscreen or makeup.
This particular cream pairs two familiar acne fighters, glycolic acid and salicylic acid, with zinc to cut through excess oil, loosen dead surface cells and keep pores clearer. What sets it apart is Dermaceutic’s marine algae blend, sourced from chlorella and laminaria, which the brand positions as food for the skin’s microbiota. In theory, a better fed microbiome means fewer harmful bacteria and calmer, more balanced skin.
The formula is fragrance-free and clinically tested on volunteers who used it for twenty eight days alongside the matching micellar water. Reported benefits ranged from fewer papules to tighter looking pores and less redness. While those numbers look impressive on paper, it is worth noting the study group was small so real world results may vary.
In short, Activabiome aims to exfoliate, control oil and support the skin’s natural bacterial balance all in one step you can apply just before bed.
Did It Work?
I parked my usual overnight treatment for three full days before starting Activabiome which made me feel very scientific indeed, clipboard not included. Fourteen nights felt like a fair window to see if the claims stood up.
Application was straightforward: a pea sized amount on clean skin every evening, followed by my hydrating serum once the cream had settled. The first couple of nights brought the familiar tingle of glycolic acid. I woke up to skin that looked a touch smoother yet also a bit parched around my nose and chin. A richer moisturizer the next morning fixed that hiccup.
By day five small clogged bumps along my jaw were less raised and a stubborn whitehead on my forehead flattened sooner than usual. On the flip side I noticed faint flaking near the mouth which I blamed on the salicylic acid and brisk autumn air teaming up. Redness across my cheeks dipped slightly but never vanished.
The midpoint of the test delivered the peak glow: pores on my inner cheeks looked tightened under bathroom lighting and my skin tone appeared more even. Friends asked if I had tried a new highlighter which felt like a partial win. Still an occasional papule sneaked through especially before my cycle so the bacteria fighting boast was only half convincing.
Heading into the final stretch my skin had settled into a pattern: clearer texture, modestly refined pores yet nothing transformative compared with my baseline results on a gentle retinoid. I did appreciate waking up with less surface oil, a perk that lasted most of the morning.
So did it work? Mostly. Activabiome delivered mild exfoliation and a smoother canvas without triggering breakouts but the improvements stopped short of holy grail territory. I will finish the tube and might reach for it during hormonal flare ups yet it will not bump my current nighttime staple from the lineup.
Activabiome’s Main Ingredients Explained
Front and center are glycolic acid at a respectable spot on the list and salicylic acid a little lower down. Glycolic is an alpha hydroxy acid with the smallest molecular size so it slips easily into the upper layers of skin where it breaks the bonds between dead cells. The payoff is quicker turnover and a brighter surface. Salicylic acid is oil soluble so it dives into pores to dislodge the mix of sebum and debris that often sparks breakouts. Together they create a one-two exfoliating punch that explains the early tingling and the later smoother feel.
Zinc sulfate adds a calming back-up act. Zinc has long been studied for its antibacterial and sebum regulating talent which may account for the reduced shininess I noticed by breakfast. The marine algae duo, chlorella vulgaris and laminaria digitata, provides minerals amino acids and polysaccharides that can act as prebiotic snacks for the skin’s own microbiota. In theory a well fed microbiome crowds out trouble-making bacteria leading to less inflammation.
The base is a mix of water lightweight emollients and humectants. Caprylic/capric triglyceride gives a silky glide while glycerin and saccharide isomerate pull in moisture so you are not left with that tight, over-exfoliated feeling. Dimethicone forms a breathable film that locks everything down overnight and helps cut transepidermal water loss. None of these ingredients are notorious pore cloggers although caprylic/capric triglyceride scores a medium rating on some comedogenic scales. Comedogenic simply means an ingredient has the potential to block pores in very acne prone individuals so patch testing is smart.
Anyone scanning for animal derivatives can relax. The formula relies on plant, mineral and lab-made components so it is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. It does sneak in a dash of parfum which contradicts the “fragrance free” marketing blurb but the scent is faint and faded within seconds.
On the pregnancy front proceed carefully. Glycolic acid is broadly considered low risk at concentrations under 10 percent yet salicylic acid is advised against in leave-on products when expecting. Always bring the full ingredient list to a doctor before adding new topicals during pregnancy or nursing.
The preservative system leans on phenethyl alcohol, chlorphenesin and o-cymen-5-ol which are effective at low levels and less likely to disrupt the microbiome than traditional parabens. The pH sits in the acidic range that both AHAs and BHAs prefer so they stay active for the long haul. Overall the ingredient deck is thoughtfully balanced between exfoliation hydration and barrier support which explains why results were respectable if not life changing in my two week test.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Two weeks in, a clear pattern of positives and caveats emerged.
What Works Well:
- Pores look slightly tighter and skin feels smoother by morning after the first few uses
- Combination of glycolic and salicylic acids keeps overnight oil in check so complexion stays fresher into the next day
- Algae and zinc give enough calming support that breakouts shrank without the usual post exfoliation redness
- Formula is fragrance free in use despite the parfum tag so it suits noses that prefer a quiet product
What to Consider:
- Dry or sensitive areas may show flaking after several consecutive nights and need extra hydration
- Results plateau around the two week mark so expectations of dramatic change may be disappointed
- Price sits in the mid to high bracket which could make it an occasional treatment rather than a nightly staple for some budgets
My Final Thoughts
After 14 nights of uninterrupted use Activabiome clocks in as a solid 7/10 for me. It earns that score by smoothing rough patches tightening the look of pores and keeping morning oil slicks at bay without provoking a breakout. The acids and zinc put in verifiable work while the algae blend may well be feeding the microbiota backstage though I cannot point to a dramatic before-and-after on that front. If you are combo to oily and want a fuss-free way to swap your every-other-night acid toner for something more all-inclusive this is a respectable choice. If your skin leans very dry or you already run a robust retinoid routine the gains could feel modest.
Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, with the caveat that expectations stay in the realm of refinement rather than reinvention. I have tested more overnight formulas than I care to admit and Activabiome sits comfortably above average, just shy of the wow zone that pushes me to repurchase on autopilot.
For readers weighing their options I have also spent quality time with a few worthy alternatives. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is the reliable all-rounder I keep for travel nights when luggage space forces a one-and-done pick, its balanced blend suits virtually every skin type and the price makes repeat buys painless. If you crave a richer feel Pro-Collagen Night Cream by ELEMIS layers peptides with indulgent hydration for those who want firmness without heaviness. On nights when my face feels overheated from the city air the Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask by LANEIGE delivers a cool cushion of moisture that rivals a humidifier. Finally Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue by BIOSSANCE is my go-to when barrier fatigue strikes thanks to its minimalist yet deeply replenishing formula.
Before you slather on anything new a quick patch test along the jawline can spare you a week of regrets, sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent. Remember overnight treatments are a marathon not a sprint, so whatever you pick keep it in rotation if you want those smoother clearer results to stick around.