Exuviance may not command the same shelf space as drugstore giants yet among skincare enthusiasts its science driven formulas have long held a quiet cult status. The brand has a reputation for pairing dermatology grade actives with elegant textures making it a name worth a second look.
Enter Night Corrector, a title that sounds like a cape clad hero poised to fix everything while you sleep. Exuviance describes it as a lightweight oil free gel powered by an AHA and PHA blend with a sprinkle of botanicals to keep oily or blemish prone skin hydrated smooth and noticeably brighter come morning.
I put that promise to the test over a full two weeks, applying it nightly on cleansed skin and monitoring tone, texture and clarity to see if the jar justifies its price tag.
Disclosure: this is not a paid or sponsored review. The opinions that follow are entirely my own, based on personal experience, and results can differ from one face to another.
What Is Night Corrector?
Night Corrector sits in the overnight treatment category, meaning it is designed to work while skin shifts into repair mode during sleep. Overnight formulas differ from day creams because they can include higher concentrations of actives without needing to layer under sunscreen or makeup, giving ingredients a longer uninterrupted window to perform.
This particular treatment is a lightweight oil free gel that pairs two chemical exfoliants: Mandelic Acid, an AHA often favored by oily skin types for its larger molecular size and slower penetration, and Gluconolactone, a PHA that offers gentle resurfacing with added hydration. Together they aim to nudge away dead skin cells, refine surface oil and encourage a more even looking complexion over time.
The formula rounds things out with humectants like glycerin to draw moisture in and a blend of plant extracts intended to balance excess sebum without causing the tightness sometimes linked to stronger acids. Non comedogenic testing means it should not clog pores and the gel texture keeps heaviness at bay, making it a straightforward option for those who struggle with shine yet want anti aging support overnight.
Did It Work?
In the name of hard-hitting skincare journalism I parked my trusty retinol serum and salicylic booster for three full nights before starting Night Corrector. Very scientific of me, right? Fourteen days felt like a fair window to judge whether this gel could step up.
Application was straightforward: one pump onto dry skin after cleansing, no additional moisturiser on top. The translucent gel spread easily and set to a soft satin finish that never felt greasy or sticky. On the first two evenings I noticed a faint acidic tingle along my cheeks that faded within minutes. By night three the sensation had settled, suggesting my skin acclimated quickly.
Mornings one through five delivered the most obvious change. My forehead was noticeably less shiny and the little bump on my chin flattened faster than usual. Makeup also clung better through the day which I credit to the reduction in surface oil. However the promised radiance boost was subtle, more along the lines of looking slightly better rested rather than lit-from-within.
Moving into week two results plateaued. Pores around my nose looked a touch tighter but any improvement in tone required a magnifying mirror to appreciate. I did not experience redness or peeling though I spotted two dry patches near my mouth that disappeared when I added a light moisturiser on night ten. Importantly there were no surprise breakouts or clogged pores, supporting the non-comedogenic claim.
By day fourteen my verdict was clear: Night Corrector does what it says, just in a muted, respectable way. Oil control is its strongest suit, gentle exfoliation its second, glow enhancement a distant third. I can acknowledge the steady progress yet nothing about the experience convinced me to retire my existing powerhouse acids. I will finish the jar but I am unlikely to repurchase, reserving that shelf space for formulas that deliver a bit more wow for the effort and price.
Night Corrector’s Main Ingredients Explained
At the heart of this gel sit two chemical exfoliants that behave like a tag team. Mandelic Acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid with a relatively large molecular size, works slowly so it is less likely to sting or over-strip oily skin while still nudging away dull surface cells. Gluconolactone, a poly-hydroxy acid, brings similar resurfacing benefits yet pulls double duty as a humectant, grabbing water molecules so skin feels cushioned rather than squeaky. Together they deliver the gentle polish you feel after a week without leaving that telltale tightness stronger acids can cause.
The hydration backbone is classic glycerin, a tried-and-true moisture magnet that explains why the finish feels satin not sticky. Lightweight silicones such as cyclopentasiloxane and cyclohexasiloxane form an airy mesh that locks in water and leaves a soft blur on pores. A botanical duo rounds things out: neem leaf and burdock root extracts, both historically used to temper excess oil and calm mild inflammation which oily complexions frequently battle.
Oil control aside, a few supporting players deserve a quick shoutout. C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate and Myristic Acid can sit in the moderate range on the comedogenic scale, meaning they have a potential to clog pores in some individuals. Comedogenic simply means an ingredient may obstruct follicles and lead to bumps. In fairness the finished product passed non-comedogenic testing so the overall blend appears balanced, still if you are highly clog-prone patch testing is smart.
Is it vegan or vegetarian friendly? The INCI list shows no overt animal-derived components like lanolin beeswax or collagen so vegetarians should feel comfortable. Vegans might want written confirmation from Exuviance regarding sourcing and cross-contamination since lecithin and phosphatidylcholine can be plant or egg derived depending on supplier.
Expectant or nursing users need the usual caution. While mandelic acid is generally judged milder than glycolic and the PHA is deemed gentle dermatologists still prefer that pregnant individuals avoid or limit leave-on exfoliants unless cleared by their obstetrician. When in doubt hand the ingredient list to your doctor and hold off until you get that thumbs up.
One last note for the sensitive crowd: the formula contains fragrance plus preservative duo methylparaben and chlorphenesin. Neither is a problem for most yet if your skin rebels at scented products you will want to sample first. Outside of that the ingredient roster feels thoughtfully composed for its oily-skin audience balancing exfoliation hydration and a touch of botanical soothing without heavy occlusives.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
After two weeks of nightly use here is the straight shot of what impressed me and what left me wanting more.
What Works Well:
- Feather-light gel sinks in fast leaving a satin feel that plays well with oily skin
- Noticeable overnight oil control that helps makeup stay put the next day
- Gentle mandelic and gluconolactone combo delivers mild exfoliation without redness or peeling
- Non-comedogenic formula kept breakouts at bay even with consistent use
What to Consider:
- Radiance boost is subtle so results may feel underwhelming if you expect a dramatic glow
- Drier spots can crop up on combination skin which may require adding a lightweight moisturiser
- Price sits at the premium end making it harder to justify for incremental results
My Final Thoughts
Night Corrector and I had a polite two week fling, the kind where you appreciate each other’s qualities yet secretly wonder if the chemistry could be hotter. If you sit in the oily to blemish prone camp and want something that reins in shine while giving a whisper of overnight exfoliation this gel earns its keep. If you crave transformative brightness or deep line smoothing you may catch yourself side-eyeing the more potent options at the skincare buffet. On my shelves crowded with acids, retinoids and sleeping masks it lands a solid 7/10, competent and well behaved though not quite escorting me into the skincare hall of fame.
Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, with caveats. My perpetually shiny pal who winces at strong peels, absolutely. My glow-chasing sibling who expects visible fireworks by week one, probably not. Price also factors in; if your wallet likes to see unmistakable results per pound spent you might keep browsing.
Speaking of browsing a few worthy alternatives spring to mind, all of which I have put through their paces. Deascal’s Nocturnal Revive Cream is the dependable allrounder I reach for when my skin cannot decide whether it is dry, oily or just confused; it hydrates, smooths and calms at a friendlier price. For a gentle yet noticeably brightening AHA option Medik8’s Advanced Night Restore pairs ceramides with encapsulated acids and never tips into irritation. Laneige Water Sleeping Mask is my pick when dehydration meets dullness, offering a bouncy hit of moisture that wears light as air. Lastly Sephora’s Overnight Hydrating Mask surprises with firming peptides and a plump-skin finish that feels far more luxe than its sticker suggests.
Before you hit checkout remember the sensible stuff. Patch test first, your face is not a science experiment and yes I know that makes me sound like an over-protective parent. Keep expectations realistic, results take commitment and will fade if you abandon the routine.