A K Dermal might not yet command the household recognition of the old guard but within professional circles its formulas have earned a quiet reputation for being polished, effective and forward thinking. The brand bills its new Aha + Bha Dermal Night Treatment as an overnight multitasker that exfoliates, calms and firms while you sleep.
The name is certainly a mouthful yet it delivers a clear promise: acids at work after dark. According to the brand, a 10 percent blend of alpha hydroxy acids teams up with 1 percent salicylic acid to lift dull surface cells, fade uneven tone and keep blemishes in check, all while plant extracts cushion skin with hydration.
I spent a full two weeks putting this treatment to the test in real life conditions, logging every tingle, glow and potential pitfall to see whether it lives up to the claims and, crucially, whether it deserves a spot in your nighttime lineup.
What is Aha + Bha Dermal Night Treatment?
This formula sits in the overnight treatment category, meaning it is designed to be applied before bed and rinsed off the next morning. Overnight treatments aim to take advantage of the skin’s natural nighttime repair cycle. By staying on for several hours they give active ingredients an extended window to work without daytime interference from sun, makeup or pollution.
A K Dermal’s version centers on exfoliation. It combines a 10 percent concentration of alpha hydroxy acids, primarily glycolic and malic, with 1 percent salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid. AHAs loosen the bonds that hold dead surface cells in place, promoting a smoother texture and a more even tone. BHA is oil soluble, so it can travel into pores to help clear out congestion and reduce the look of enlarged pores.
The formula pairs these acids with a base of water, triglycerides and fatty alcohols to keep the texture cushiony, while glycerin and a collection of cucumber, calendula and chamomile extracts aim to offset potential irritation. The brand positions the treatment for concerns like uneven texture, post breakout marks, early signs of aging and dullness. Recommended use is one to three nights a week, always followed by morning cleansing and daily sunscreen.
Did it work?
In the name of science or at least my version of it I benched my regular overnight treatment for four nights before starting the test run, giving my skin a clean slate so any changes could be pinned squarely on Aha + Bha Dermal Night Treatment. Fourteen days felt like a fair window to spot tangible shifts in texture clarity and general glow.
Application schedule ended up being three nights the first week then every other night the second. The first swipe delivered a brief warm tingle that faded within two minutes. By morning my skin looked a touch fresher but not wildly transformed. After the third use I noticed makeup went on a bit smoother around the nose and cheeks where congestion likes to camp. Pores appeared slightly tighter though nothing a magnifying mirror would call dramatic.
Week two told a fuller story. The mild tingle turned into a silent settle in meaning my barrier adapted without protest. No flaking or rebound oiliness showed up even with the higher AHA level. A shallow post breakout mark on my chin softened about 20 percent judging by how much less concealer I needed but deeper sun freckles along my cheekbones held their ground. Hydration wise the formula quietly held its own; I never woke up with that squeaky tight feeling acid products can trigger.
Where it fell short was in the promised allover brightness. My complexion looked politely refined rather than unmistakably radiant and the claimed collagen boost is impossible to clock in two weeks. Still I appreciated that not a single surprise blemish surfaced during the trial which speaks to the salicylic acid doing its pore patrol.
So did it work? Partly. It smoothed texture calmed minor congestion and played nicely with my combination skin yet it stopped shy of delivering the kind of wow factor that earns permanent residency in my cabinet. I will happily finish the tube for maintenance nights but I will keep hunting for a treatment that pushes results from good to unforgettable.
Main ingredients explained
The engine of this treatment is its acid duo. Glycolic acid, the smallest alpha hydroxy acid, slips easily between dead cells and unglues them so fresher skin can surface. At 10 percent it is strong enough to prompt visible smoothing yet moderate enough that most skins can adjust after a use or two. Malic acid tags along to offer a gentler AHA boost and to help the formula keep a slightly more forgiving pH.
Salicylic acid shows up at 1 percent. Because it is oil soluble it can dive into pores, dissolve built up sebum and keep blackheads from making a comeback. That explains why I stayed breakout free through the trial even while testing in humid weather.
The base is thicker than a watery peel thanks to caprylic/capric triglyceride, glyceryl stearate and a trio of fatty alcohols. Those emollients create slip and seal in moisture but they also sit on the comedogenic scale at about a 1 to 2. Comedogenic simply means a substance has the potential to clog pores in acne-prone skin. The risk here is low yet worth flagging for anyone who reacts to richer textures.
Hydration duties fall to glycerin, a classic humectant that binds water to the skin so the acids do not leave things feeling stripped. Botanical extracts from cucumber, calendula and chamomile bring in a dose of soothing antioxidants which likely explains why I never experienced redness despite the strength.
The color in the cream comes from iron oxides rather than synthetic dyes and the preservative system relies on hexanediol and caprylyl glycol which are both considered low irritation risks. There is no added fragrance, a win for sensitive noses.
All listed materials are either plant derived or lab made so the formula reads vegan and vegetarian friendly, though the brand does not carry a formal certification stamp. For pregnant users caution is advised: even though 1 percent salicylic acid and cosmetic level AHAs are generally regarded as low risk theory, dermatologists often suggest pressing pause on leave-on acids until after delivery so get a professional green light first.
One last technical note: the product works best on nights when you are not layering other potent actives like retinoids or vitamin C serums. Keeping your routine simple lets the acids do their work without competing for skin real estate.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is a quick rundown of the standout points and the potential drawbacks.
What works well:
- Noticeable smoothing of rough patches after just a few nights
- Minimal irritation for an acid formula thanks to the emollient base and calming botanicals
- Helps keep blemishes at bay while softening recent post breakout marks
- Leaves skin comfortably hydrated by morning with no tightness
What to consider:
- Radiance boost stays subtle so glow seekers may want a stronger option
- Deeper pigmentation barely budged during the trial and could need longer or higher strength treatments
- Richer feel may sit heavy on very oily skin in warmer climates
My final thoughts
A good overnight treatment earns its keep while you sink into REM, and A K Dermal’s Aha + Bha Dermal Night Treatment mostly delivers on that brief. After two weeks of use alongside a history of rotating through countless acid-based sleepers, I feel confident I gave it every chance to shine. Texture refinement and blemish control are its clear strengths; if that is your priority and you do not mind a tempered glow payoff this sits comfortably in the “worth a try” camp. Those chasing aggressive pigment fading or an unmistakable morning-after radiance may find the results a notch too polite. I would recommend it to a friend with combination to normal skin that leans congestion prone, but I would steer someone with very sensitive or deeply pigmented skin toward stronger or more targeted options. Overall verdict: 7/10.
Because no single formula can wear every crown, here are a few alternatives I have put through their paces and can vouch for. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal behaves like an all-rounder: gentle acids, barrier-supporting lipids and a price that will not make your wallet weep, making it a crowd pleaser for any skin type. If you want a cushy gel that pairs hydration with a whisper of exfoliation, LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask is still the overnight classic I reach for on dehydrated nights. Medik8’s Advanced Night Restore impresses when barrier support is priority number one thanks to ceramides and peptides that calm post-retinoid irritation in a single sleep. For stubborn dark spots, Overnight Glow Dark Spot Sleeping Cream by Ren Clean Skincare beats A K Dermal to the finish line with tranexamic acid and algae working in tandem to visibly brighten after a fortnight.
Before you dash off to slather on anything new, remember a few basics. Patch test behind the ear or along the jawline for a couple of nights first, apologies for sounding like an over-protective parent. Consistency is king; any clarity or smoothness gains will quietly tiptoe away if you abandon ship, and daily SPF is non-negotiable when acids are in play. Happy sleeping and even happier waking skin.