London Botanical Laboratories may not yet be a household name but skincare aficionados have been whispering about its smart formulations and clean aesthetic for a while. The brand’s latest mouthful of a launch, Plum Pro Retinol Night Cream, promises the kind of overnight transformation usually reserved for fairy tales: smoother fine lines, a fresher glow and all the anti-aging benefits of plant-based retinol.
I slathered on this purple-tinged promise every evening for a straight two weeks, keen to see if it could justify the buzz and the price tag. Spoiler alert: the experience clocked in at a respectable 7 out of 10, with a few unexpected quirks along the way that we will unpack in the sections ahead.
Disclaimer: this review is not paid or sponsored; every opinion here is my own. Skin is wonderfully individual so your results may differ.
What Is Plum Pro Retinol Night Cream?
Plum Pro Retinol Night Cream is an overnight treatment, meaning it is designed to work while you sleep rather than during the day. Overnight treatments take advantage of the skin’s natural nighttime repair cycle when cell turnover is at its peak and environmental stressors are at a minimum. By applying them before bed you give active ingredients a longer, uninterrupted window to sink in and get to work.
In this case the star ingredient is plant based retinol, a gentler alternative to traditional retinoids that aims to smooth fine lines and coax a bit more radiance out of tired skin. The cream pairs that retinol with a blend of botanical oils and humectants to keep the formula cushioned and hydrating, so users new to retinol are less likely to experience the dryness often associated with it. Put simply, it is a night-only moisturizer with a built-in low strength retinol, positioned for anyone who wants to dip a toe into anti-aging without committing to prescription-level potency.
Did It Work?
In the name of very serious science I benched my usual overnight cream for three nights before starting Plum Pro Retinol Night Cream, giving my skin a clean slate and a touch of abandonment anxiety. Fourteen days felt like a solid test drive, long enough to spot changes yet short enough to bail if things went sideways.
I stuck to the directions religiously: a pea-size dollop after cleansing, massaged in until the faint lavender hue disappeared. Night one delivered a pleasant slip and an unremarkable finish, no stinging, no tightness. By morning my face felt nicely cushioned rather than dramatically transformed. Nights two and three echoed that experience, the main takeaway being reliable hydration and a subtle post-sleep glow that lasted until lunch.
By day five I noticed my forehead’s fine expression lines looking a tad softer, as if someone had run a light blur filter over them. The effect was modest but real. Unfortunately around the same time two stubborn little bumps appeared on my chin, likely protesting the heavier oil blend. They never erupted into full-blown breakouts yet lingered as tiny reminders that my combination skin has boundaries.
The midpoint of the trial brought more of the same: plumpness first thing in the morning, a gentle uptick in radiance and that fleeting illusion of smoother crow’s-feet. What it did not bring was any big-ticket change in texture or tone. No flaking or redness either, which speaks to the formula’s mildness.
By day fourteen results had plateaued. My skin looked healthy, maybe even a touch fresher, but the promised overnight transformation remained more bedtime story than reality. The cream delivered steady hydration and a hint of line softening, yet stopped short of the wow factor I expect from a retinol product competing for permanent shelf space.
So did it work? Partly. It lives up to its claims of gentle nourishment and a small smoothing effect, making it a safe entry point for retinol beginners or sensitive types. Will I slot it into my own rotation long term? Probably not. I appreciate the flirtation yet I will be reconciling with my usual heavyweight treatment now that the experiment is over.
Main Ingredients Explained
At the heart of the formula sits bakuchiol, often called a plant based retinol alternative. While studies suggest it can trigger collagen synthesis like traditional retinol, it does so with far less irritation which explains why my skin never peeled or stung during the trial. Supporting players include a trio of lightweight botanical oils—jojoba, grapeseed and almond—that deliver fatty acids to reinforce the moisture barrier overnight. Jojoba and grapeseed are largely non-comedogenic, yet almond oil scores medium on the comedogenic scale so very blemish-prone users might want to patch test first. (Comedogenic simply means the likelihood of an ingredient to clog pores and cause breakouts.)
Squalene and caprylic/capric triglyceride give the cream its silky slip, mimicking the skin’s own lipids so hydration feels natural rather than greasy. Glycerin and aloe juice add a humectant punch, pulling water into the upper layers for that morning-after plumpness I experienced. Tocopherol, a form of vitamin E, works as an antioxidant shield against free radicals generated during the day which can accelerate aging.
Preservation comes from phenoxyethanol paired with ethylhexylglycerin, a combo widely used in clean-leaning formulas. The purple tint is courtesy of cosmetic colorants CI 45100 and CI 42090; they serve no skincare benefit yet make the cream a little more Instagrammable! Worth noting: every ingredient is plant-derived or synthetically replicated so the cream is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians.
While bakuchiol is considered gentler than prescription retinoids it still modulates skin cell turnover, a pathway that pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should approach with caution. As always, consult a medical professional before adding any active ingredient during pregnancy.
The ingredient list is free of added fragrance, essential oils and known sensitizers which explains the low irritation profile. However, the inclusion of medium-weight nut oils means extremely oily or acneic skin types could find the texture a touch occlusive in humid climates.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Below is the quick lowdown on where Plum Pro Retinol Night Cream shines and where it may fall short.
What Works Well:
- Gentle bakuchiol blend delivers hydration and a soft morning glow with zero stinging
- Cushiony texture locks in moisture so skin still feels supple at breakfast
- No added fragrance or essential oils keeps the risk of irritation low for sensitive users
What to Consider:
- Rich oil blend can sit heavy on very oily or humid climate skin
- Results stay subtle even after two weeks so impatient users may feel underwhelmed
- Price positions it alongside stronger retinol options which might deliver more dramatic change
My Final Thoughts
Two weeks in and Plum Pro Retinol Night Cream has earned a solid 7/10 in my ledger: not a fairytale pumpkin carriage, but definitely a reliable sedan that gets you home without fuss. It delivers gentle hydration, a whisper of line softening and zero drama which is more than many retinol rookies can say. I have tangoed with plenty of overnight treatments that either peeled my face like an orange or slicked it up like a pizza, so this middle-ground performance feels intentionally measured by London Botanical Laboratories rather than lackluster.
Who should put it on the nightstand? Anyone curious about retinol yet wary of flaking, sting or midday oil slicks. Dry and normal skins will appreciate the plush cushion of almond and jojoba while sensitive types will like the absence of fragrance. Who might want to swipe left? Friends with chronically oily T-zones, hormonal breakouts or a thirst for instant wow results. At its price point some may prefer formulas that press the accelerator harder.
Would I recommend it to a friend? If that friend is easing into actives or needs a brief intermission from stronger prescriptions, absolutely. If they demand visible resurfacing before the next water bill arrives, probably not. I enjoyed the ride but will be hitching back to my souped-up serums for deeper resurfacing.
For readers weighing options I have road-tested a few comparable products. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is my current all-rounder crush, a covers-all-bases night cream that somehow manages to be rich yet breathable and it comes at a wallet-friendlier ticket. Those needing extra barrier love should look at Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue by BIOSSANCE which floods skin with moisture while calming redness. If bouncy, dewy skin is your nighttime fantasy Water Sleeping Mask by LANEIGE offers a refreshing gel texture that never clogs pores. And for luxury seekers Pro-Collagen Night Cream by ELEMIS marries cushiony hydration with firmer-looking cheekbones by morning though your bank account may whimper.
Before you dive face-first into any of these, remember the basics: patch test on a discreet spot, introduce slowly and keep expectations tethered to reality. Results stick around only if you do, so sustained use is non-negotiable.