Introduction
Novage+ is one of those quietly confident skincare lines that tends to impress anyone who gives it a chance. While it may not have the instant name recognition of some luxury giants, its science driven formulas and practical Scandinavian roots have earned it a loyal following among ingredient enthusiasts and results seekers alike.
The latest mouthful from the range, Multi-Active Anti-Ageing Night Cream Light, promises to do quite a lot while you sleep. According to the brand it leans on Bio CeramidesPro to strengthen the skin barrier and Advanced NightSync to imitate melatonin so lines look softer by morning. Add vitamin E, shea butter and claims of tackling ten different age related concerns and you have a product that practically writes its own resumé.
I spent a full two weeks using it every night to see if the reality matches the ambition and whether this multitasking cream deserves a spot in your routine or your budget.
What is Multi-Active Anti-Ageing Night Cream Light?
Multi-Active Anti-Ageing Night Cream Light sits in the overnight treatment category, a corner of skincare focused on formulas that work during the hours when skin naturally repairs itself. Overnight treatments are usually richer in active ingredients than daytime moisturisers because they do not have to compete with sunscreen or makeup and can take advantage of the body’s nighttime recovery cycle. The idea is simple: apply before bed, let the ingredients get to work while you sleep, then assess the results in the mirror the next morning.
This particular product combines two proprietary complexes. Bio CeramidesPro is designed to replenish ceramides that keep the skin barrier intact and to encourage the skin to produce more of its own ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Advanced NightSync takes a different route, claiming to mimic the antioxidant effects of melatonin in order to reduce the look of wrinkles that become more prominent when the skin is fatigued. Together these technologies aim to address ten common signs of ageing such as roughness, dryness, dullness and loss of firmness.
Beyond the headline complexes, the formula relies on familiar supporting actors. Vitamin E supplies antioxidant protection while shea butter adds a dose of nourishment. The texture is deliberately light so it can suit normal through combination skin types, a group that often finds richer night creams too heavy. According to the brand the cream is dermatologically tested and suitable for sensitive skin, though anyone with known sensitivities should still patch test first.
In short, if you already use a basic night moisturiser, this is a step up in complexity and ambition. It promises multitasking benefits by leaning on barrier repair, hydration boosters and antioxidant support rather than a single hero ingredient. Whether that translates into visible change is what I set out to evaluate in practice.
Did it work?
In the name of science (or at least my version of it) I benched my usual overnight treatment for three days before starting this trial, giving my skin a clean slate and me a smug sense of methodological rigor. Fourteen consecutive nights felt like a fair window to judge whether the promised barrier repair and line smoothing were real or just bedtime stories.
I used a pearl sized dab after cleansing and a hydrating serum, pressing it over face and neck while the skin was still slightly damp. The texture sank in fast enough that my pillowcase never complained, which is always a small victory. On the first morning I noticed the advertised nourishment more than anything else: my cheeks felt comfortably cushioned without that slick layer some night creams leave behind. By night three a faint plumpness around the nasolabial zone suggested the hyaluronic acid uptick was kicking in, though fine lines near the eyes looked about the same.
Week one wrapped with skin that felt consistently hydrated through the afternoon, a change I clocked because I reached for facial mist less often. There was also a gentle uptick in overall radiance; coworkers asked if I had slept well which, given my streaming habits, is proof of something working. What I did not see was any dramatic shift in firmness or a noticeable fade in pigmentation spots. Those tend to be slower wins so I kept expectations in check.
During the second week the results plateaued. Texture stayed smooth, no new breakouts appeared and barrier comfort held steady even after a windy day outside. Subtle is the keyword though. Fine lines around the mouth softened a touch under certain lighting but required the kind of squinting that only skincare reviewers bother with. The cream also played nicely with my other nighttime regulars when I reintroduced a gentle exfoliating serum on alternate nights, indicating decent formulation harmony.
By day fourteen I could confidently say the product delivered solid hydration, a calmer complexion and a modest glow. What it did not do was make me rethink my current rotation of more active treatments. If your main goals are comfort, light nourishment and some beginner friendly anti ageing support, it performs admirably. I appreciate the thoughtful ingredient list and will happily finish the jar, but I will not be rushing to repurchase once it is gone.
Main ingredients explained
At first glance the ingredient list looks like a typical modern emulsion but a closer read reveals some smart choices. Front and center sits glycerin, a water binding humectant that keeps moisture levels topped up through the night. It teams up with Bio CeramidesPro, a branded complex that pairs plant derived ceramides with boosters shown in vitro to nudge skin into making more of its own ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Ceramides are the waxy lipids that form the mortar between our skin cells so topping them up helps shore up a compromised barrier and reduce dehydration related fine lines.
Advanced NightSync is the fancy name for a blend of antioxidants designed to mimic the free radical scavenging effect of melatonin. The brand does not list the exact molecules behind it, but the logic tracks: give skin an antioxidant safety net while its natural repair cycles peak. Tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E) rounds out that protective story by neutralising stray oxidative stress from the day.
The formula gets its lightweight slip from dimethicone and caprylic/capric triglyceride, two silicones and esters that create a breathable occlusive layer to lock in hydration. They sit alongside a small amount of shea butter and castor seed oil that add cushion and fatty acids without tipping the texture into greasy territory. For most skin types these are welcome emollients, though anyone extremely prone to congestion should note that shea butter and castor oil rate medium on the comedogenic scale. “Comedogenic” simply means an ingredient has the potential to clog pores and trigger breakouts in susceptible skin.
Oat kernel extract and betaine supply calming and water balancing properties, while a trio of food grade colourants (CI 77891, CI 17200, CI 42090) lend the cream its soft tint. Menthol appears in a low concentration to give a fleeting fresh sensation yet could tingle on very sensitive skin. The presence of fragrance (parfum) might also be a deal breaker for purists or those with reactive dermis profiles.
Beeswax sneaks into the supporting cast, which means the cream is not vegan but it is still acceptable for most vegetarians. Beyond that, no animal derived collagen or lanolin show up, a plus for those who prefer a mostly plant based routine. From a pregnancy standpoint there are no retinoids, high level salicylates or other red flag actives, yet caution always wins: expectant or breastfeeding users should confirm suitability with a healthcare professional before adding any new topical.
One last curiosity: propanediol appears twice in the INCI. This is likely a clerical duplication rather than a formulation quirk, but it does highlight the role of propanediol as both a solvent and a skin feel enhancer. Overall the roster reads like a carefully balanced mix of barrier helpers, antioxidants and cushioning emollients without veering into overly aggressive territory.
What I liked/didn’t like
After two weeks of nightly use here is the quick rundown of highs and lows.
What works well:
- Light yet cushioning texture that sinks in fast so skin feels hydrated but not coated
- Noticeable overnight boost in smoothness and morning radiance which held steady through the trial
- Plays nicely with serums and acids thanks to a barrier friendly mix of ceramides, glycerin and dimethicone
- Fragrance is present but subtle enough that it did not clash with other products or linger past application
- Good value for a formula that combines barrier repair and antioxidant tech compared with similar multitasking creams
What to consider:
- Results plateau after the first week so those chasing visible firming or wrinkle reduction may need stronger actives
- Menthol and parfum could tingle or irritate very reactive skin types
- Silicone heavy slip may not suit those who prefer a completely silicone free routine
My final thoughts
Finding an overnight treatment that checks every box is a bit like looking for the perfect pillow: the basics are easy to nail yet the subtleties make or break the experience. After two weeks I would slot Novage+ Multi-Active Anti-Ageing Night Cream Light into the “reliable but not transformative” category. For normal to combination skin that craves light cushioning, steady hydration and a gentle nudge in the anti-ageing direction, it is a safe bet. Those chasing quicker firmness gains or deeper wrinkle smoothing will probably need a formula anchored by retinoids or peptides at punchier levels.
I have road-tested more night creams than I care to admit, so I feel confident in giving this one a fair seven out of ten. I would recommend it to a friend who wants a fuss-free entry point into barrier support and antioxidant care, especially if they dislike heavy textures. I would not push it on someone already committed to high-strength actives or someone who reacts to fragrance or menthol.
If you finish the pot and decide you want to shop around, a few alternatives I have also emptied come to mind. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is a smart all-rounder that covers hydration, barrier support and mild resurfacing at a friendlier price and suits every skin type I have seen it on. Superstar Retinol Night Oil by Pestle & Mortar brings a gentle yet effective retinol in a nourishing oil base for those ready to level up on wrinkle fighting. Yuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask by Saturday Skin makes a lively option when dullness is the main concern, delivering a brightening hit without irritation. Finally Intensive Reshaping Night Cream by Avène leans on post-biotics and peptides to coax a bit more firmness while keeping sensitive skin calm.
Before you dive into any of these, a quick reality check: even the best night cream cannot overhaul skin overnight and any gains fade if you stop using it. Please patch test first on a small area behind the ear or along the jawline, apologies for sounding like an over-protective parent. Consistency is the secret sauce, so stick with your chosen formula long enough to let the ingredients do their quiet nightly work.