Essano has built a quiet reputation for wrapping science in a rose-scented package, so if the New Zealand label has slipped past your radar it is time for a quick re-introduction. The brand has always championed plant-powered formulas that sit comfortably between supermarket convenience and boutique aspiration, earning a loyal following among ingredient watchers and casual skincare dabblers alike.
Enter the ambitiously named Collagen Boost Night Crème. The title alone promises the moon, though Essano tempers the bravado with numbers: plant peptides to nudge collagen production while you sleep, organic rosehip oil for cushiony hydration, and clinical claims of plumper firmer skin within six weeks. It all sounds impressive, though any seasoned beauty consumer knows the real proof hides in the morning mirror.
I spent two full weeks massaging the crème into face neck and décolletage nightly, determined to see whether its silky promises translate into visible results and whether it deserves a place in a tight skincare budget.
Disclaimer: this review is neither paid nor sponsored. All observations are personal and genuine. Skin differs from person to person, so your experience may not mirror mine.
What Is Collagen Boost Night Crème?
This is Essano’s take on an overnight treatment, the category of products designed to sit on skin for eight or so uninterrupted hours while the body is in repair mode. Formula wise it pairs plant peptides claimed to encourage collagen production with certified organic rosehip oil for moisture retention. The brand cites lab tests showing 60% more hydration after 42 days, improved firmness and elasticity at the six week mark plus protection of key elastic fibres, though the data comes from ex-vivo and in-vitro studies rather than direct trials on people.
Overnight treatments differ from daytime moisturisers because they are typically richer, focus on repair over protection and are free of SPF which can be occlusive in sleep. Applied as the final step after cleansing and toning, they form a barrier that keeps actives in contact with skin longer than a light lotion might. Collagen Boost Night Crème slots into that role, aiming to deliver its peptide and rosehip blend steadily through the night when transepidermal water loss is highest.
Did It Work?
In the spirit of rigorous home science I benched my usual overnight cream for three nights before starting the test run, a methodology that felt both wildly professional and slightly reckless considering my skin’s flair for drama. Fourteen consecutive nights with Collagen Boost Night Crème, applied after a gentle cleanser and mist toner, seemed like a reasonable window to spot meaningful changes.
First impressions were pleasant enough. The crème has a velvety slip that spreads easily so a pea sized dab covered face, neck and décolletage without the heavy film some night formulas leave. The subtle rose scent faded before lights out which spared my partner from unsolicited aromatherapy commentary. By morning one my complexion looked comfortably hydrated but not glossy, a small win since rich creams can push me into oil slick territory.
Days four through seven revealed the pattern: immediate surface softness, zero stinging around my reactive cheeks and a faintly cushioned feel that lasted until lunch. What I did not observe was the overnight plumping many marketeers use as shorthand for “youthful.” Fine lines on my forehead looked exactly as they had the week prior, though they did sit a touch smoother when foundation went on which I credit to continued hydration rather than fledgling collagen.
Week two told a similar story with one minor twist. A pair of tiny closed comedones emerged along my jaw, likely the result of sunflower and flax oils that rank mid scale on the comedogenic chart. They were easy to clear with a clay mask but still worth noting for acne prone readers. On the bright side my skin tone stayed even, no redness flares and the winter flakiness on my chin disappeared which speaks to the formula’s barrier support.
So did it deliver on its lofty promises? If the claim was purely “wake up moisturised” then absolutely. If the goal was visibly firmer skin within a fortnight the evidence just was not there. Collagen synthesis is a marathon, not a sprint, and two weeks is only the first lap, yet other peptide creams have surprised me in the same timeframe. I will finish the jar but when it runs dry I will likely return to my old faithful and keep this one in mind as a reliable, mid price hydration booster for nights when my skin feels parched but temperamental.
Collagen Boost Night Crème’s Main Ingredients Explained
The star of the formula is Pisum Sativum peptide, essentially a protein fragment from peas that research suggests can signal skin to maintain collagen stores. Peptides are smaller than full proteins so they travel through the outer skin layers more easily and, over time, can encourage a firmer surface. Results are gradual rather than overnight but consistent use is where they shine.
Certified organic Rosa Canina (rosehip) oil partners with Helianthus Annuus (sunflower) and Linum Usitatissimum (flax) seed oils to flood skin with omega fatty acids and antioxidants. Rosehip is famous for vitamins A and C which help brighten and support repair. All three oils sit in the mid-range of the comedogenic scale meaning they can clog pores in acne-prone or very oily skin so patch testing is sensible. That rating, called comedogenicity, measures how likely an ingredient is to block follicles and trigger bumps.
Glycerin and jojoba oil work as classic humectant and emollient teammates, pulling water into the skin then sealing it there so you wake up less dehydrated. Glyceryl stearate citrate plus the xanthan-sclerotium-pullulan gum trio give the crème its soufflé texture while creating a light occlusive layer that slows overnight moisture loss without feeling greasy.
The preservative system relies on benzyl alcohol paired with dehydroacetic acid, both accepted by natural-formulation watchdogs and generally considered low risk for irritation unless you have a specific sensitivity. Fragrance is present, albeit at the tail end of the list, and is naturally derived which still matters to anyone reactive to essential oil compounds like limonene or geraniol that are disclosed here.
No animal-derived materials show up in the INCI so the crème is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. There is also no retinoid, salicylic acid or hydroxybenzoate ester that typically flag pregnancy concerns, yet the inclusion of essential oil allergens means expecting or nursing users should still clear any new topical with their healthcare provider first.
One extra detail worth noting is the formula’s pH sits in the mildly acidic zone thanks to lactic acid which helps keep the lipid barrier happy and may provide a whisper of exfoliation over long stretches of use. Combine that with a recyclable glass jar and you have a thoughtful, mostly plant-based blend that tries to balance comfort with eco-mindedness even if it stops short of being a miracle worker.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Here is the quick tally after two weeks of nightly use.
What Works Well:
- Supple hydration that lasts until midday without leaving a greasy film
- Velvety texture spreads easily so a small amount covers face, neck and décolletage
- Plant peptide and rosehip mix sits well under makeup next morning for smoother application
- Subtle rose fragrance fades fast which limits irritation risk for sensitive noses
- Vegan friendly formula in a recyclable glass jar adds an eco tick
What to Consider:
- Sunflower and flax oils may clog pores for those who break out easily
- Firmness benefits appear gradual so expect incremental rather than dramatic change
- Jar packaging means fingers dip in nightly so strict hygiene is needed to avoid contamination
My Final Thoughts
Collagen Boost Night Crème and I have now shared fourteen evenings, enough for the honeymoon period to settle into the reality of a solid, if not breathtaking, partnership. It is a respectable overnight treatment that will keep normal to slightly dry skin moisturised till morning, behaves nicely with sensitive complexions and does not cost the earth. If you crave an instant lift or breakthrough firmness you may feel underwhelmed, but if steady hydration and a no-drama formula are your priorities you will likely be satisfied. After road-testing more peptide and oil-rich night creams than I care to admit, I can say with a straight face that Essano’s entrant earns its 7/10 score. I would recommend it to a friend whose main gripe is dull, thirsty skin rather than sagging contours or stubborn fine lines. Acne-prone users, oil worshippers and lovers of fragrance-free jars might prefer to keep browsing.
Speaking of browsing, a few alternatives have impressed me over repeated use. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is the all-rounder I reach for when my skin cannot decide what it wants; it hydrates, calms and firms lightly without leaning heavy on any single claim, all at a wallet-friendly price. Pro-Collagen Night Cream by ELEMIS steps up the luxurious feel and brings a noticeable bounce by week three, ideal if you can stretch the budget. For nights when barrier repair is top of mind, Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue by BIOSSANCE cocoons skin in lipids that leave it pillowy by sunrise yet never greasy. I have rotated through each of these alongside the Essano crème, so the comparisons come from hands-on experience rather than marketing gloss.
Before you slather anything on, remember the sensible stuff: patch test new formulas, especially those with essential oil allergens, and give your skin at least four to six weeks to decide whether it is love or just a passing fling. Apologies for sounding like an over-protective parent, but consistency is key and even the best night cream can only maintain results if you keep showing up with clean, toned skin every evening.