Eight Saints might not be the biggest household name in skincare yet, though its cult following will tell you it deserves a seat at the main table. The indie label has built a reputation for clean-leaning formulations and straight-talking product claims, so when its Night Shift Hydration Gel landed on my desk I was keen to see if the buzz matched the bottle.
The name itself feels equal parts playful and purposeful – a promise that the heavy lifting happens while you sleep. According to the brand, this lightweight water-based gel layers effortlessly before any serums, sinks in fast without a hint of grease or stickiness, and keeps parched skin comfortably quenched until morning. Vitamins C and E, peptides and jojoba oil are pitched as the star act, working to boost collagen, smooth fine lines and lock in moisture long after lights out.
I spent a solid two weeks rotating the Hydration Gel into my nightly routine, giving it every chance to show off its barrier-repairing claims and radiant-skin promises. The goal was simple: figure out if it truly earns a spot on the bedside table and whether it is worth your hard-earned cash.
Disclaimer: This review is neither paid nor sponsored. All observations are my own, based on personal use. As always, individual results may vary depending on skin type, climate and routine.
What Is Night Shift Hydration Gel?
Night Shift Hydration Gel is a lightweight water based moisturizer designed to be the last step in your evening routine. Classified as an overnight treatment, it is intended to seal in the work done by serums and let skin recuperate while you sleep. Overnight treatments differ from daytime moisturizers because they lean on richer humectants and barrier support ingredients, all without the need to sit comfortably under makeup or sunscreen. The idea is simple: give active ingredients eight uninterrupted hours to settle, draw in water and reinforce the skin’s natural defenses.
Eight Saints formulated this gel with a non greasy, non sticky texture that absorbs quickly, so it can suit most skin types including oily. It contains water binding agents to keep moisture levels steady through the night and a mix of vitamins C and E plus peptides and jojoba oil that aim to calm dryness, soften fine lines and help restore a healthy looking barrier. The product is paraben free and leans on mostly plant derived extracts for those who prefer cleaner labels.
Used correctly, a pea sized amount patted over the face and neck should create a light occlusive layer that locks in hydration until morning. Whether you are new to overnight treatments or simply looking for a gentler alternative to heavy night creams, Night Shift Hydration Gel lands in that middle ground where comfort meets simplicity.
Did It Work?
In the name of rigorous research I benched my usual overnight cream for a full three days before the test began, which felt about as scientific as popping on a lab coat in the bathroom. Fourteen nights later I feel that was plenty of time to see what this gel can really do.
Application was a breeze. After cleansing and patting on my usual hydrating serum I pressed a blueberry-sized blob of Night Shift over face and neck. The gel cooled instantly, vanished in maybe ten seconds and left a soft satin finish with zero tack. Nights one to three were all about that pleasant texture; my skin felt cushioned but not smothered and I woke up without the slick sheen I sometimes get from heavier creams.
By the end of the first week I noticed clear if modest wins. Flakiness around my nose was gone and my cheeks looked a touch plumper. Makeup went on smoother the next morning, which I chalk up to the glycerin and hyaluronic acid doing their humectant thing. The fresh cucumber-ish scent stayed subtle and never clashed with other products.
Week two was where expectations met reality. The gel kept delivering steady hydration but the promised “remarkable radiance” turned out more like a polite glow. Fine lines around my eyes looked slightly softened, though nothing my usual peptide cream hasn’t managed before. I also found that on extra dry nights I needed a drop of facial oil on top, otherwise I woke up feeling a bit tight along the jawline.
So did it work? Mostly yes. Night Shift Hydration Gel lives up to its claims of quick absorption and lightweight overnight moisture. It maintained hydration and kept irritation at bay, which is no small feat, but it didn’t unlock the next-level bounce or brightness that would make me swap out my current nighttime staple. I’ll happily finish the jar yet I’m not rushing to carve out permanent shelf space for it.
Main Ingredients Explained
The first thing I noticed scanning the INCI list is just how hydration heavy this formula is. Deionized water sits on top, followed quickly by glycerin, aloe and botanical hyaluronic acid. These act as classic humectants, meaning they pull water into the upper layers of the skin and hang on to it until morning. Aloe adds a soothing edge, handy if you are prone to redness after retinoids or exfoliating acids.
Vitamins C and E arrive next as the antioxidant duo. C helps brighten and supports collagen while E calms and reinforces the lipid barrier. The percentages are not disclosed, yet their position in the middle of the list suggests a useful but not prescription-level dose. Peptides make up the anti-aging pitch. They signal the skin to produce more collagen and elastin which, over time, can firm and smooth fine lines. Again, expect gradual improvement rather than a one-night miracle.
On the plant side, jojoba and sunflower oils offer a whisper of occlusion that prevents overnight water loss without leaving that heavy cream feel. Both rate low on the comedogenic scale, roughly a 2 out of 5, so most acne-prone users should be safe. Comedogenic simply means the likelihood an ingredient will clog pores and trigger breakouts.
The recipe also sprinkles in a bouquet of botanical extracts—gotu kola, horsetail, geranium, licorice and cucumber hydrosol. These bring trace minerals plus an anti-inflammatory kick that can dial down post-cleansing irritation. Sodium PCA, sodium lactate and the amino acid complex mimic the skin’s natural moisturizing factors to keep the barrier humming along.
If you scan for potential red flags, phenoxyethanol acts as the preservative of choice and a small amount of alcohol helps the gel dry fast. Neither should pose a problem unless you have a known sensitivity. There are no animal-derived materials, making the formula suitable for vegans and vegetarians, and it is proudly paraben free.
Pregnancy questions come up with any active product. Night Shift skips retinoids and strong acids yet it is always safest to run any topical past your healthcare provider during pregnancy or nursing.
One final note: the cucumber-fresh scent is completely natural, no synthetic fragrance added, which should reassure anyone avoiding parfum in their routine.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
After a solid fortnight of bedtime use here is the quick rundown.
What Works Well:
- Silky gel texture sinks in fast and layers cleanly over serums
- Reliable overnight hydration that eases dry patches without leaving a morning film
- Gentle ingredient list with antioxidants peptides and low comedogenic oils suitable for most skin types
What to Consider:
- Hydration boost is steady but may fall short for very dry or winter skin unless paired with an extra occlusive
- Glow and fine line smoothing are present though modest so results can feel subtle if you already use actives
- Price per ounce sits in the mid-premium bracket which might give budget shoppers pause
My Final Thoughts
Night Shift Hydration Gel is a bit like that dependable friend who never misses dinner but rarely steals the spotlight. After two weeks of faithful use I can confirm it hydrates with quiet confidence, keeps irritation at arm’s length and lives up to the brand’s promise of a pillow friendly finish. What it does not do is deliver the kind of overnight metamorphosis the marketing prose hints at. I have danced with enough overnight formulas to know transformational claims usually need months, not mere evenings, so I am not holding that against Eight Saints. Still, the radiance boost feels more dimmer switch than floodlight which is why the jar lands at a respectable yet restrained 7/10.
If your skin veers normal to combination and you crave a lightweight night cap that behaves under serums and plays nicely with oilier zones this gel is a smart candidate. Those sporting Sahara level dryness or chasing aggressive anti-aging results may find themselves layering facial oil or reaching for something richer. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, with the caveat that it is a comfort blanket not a magic wand. Price to performance sits in that sweet-but-not-sweet-enough spot so I’d advise scooping it up during a sale.
For readers curious about alternatives I have road tested plenty. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is the dependable allrounder, a covers-all-bases night cream that suits every skin type at a friendlier price and delivers a tad more bounce by morning. LANEIGE’s Water Sleeping Mask remains my go-to when I need a surge of hydration without weight, while Medik8’s Advanced Night Restore steps up with a silkier texture and antioxidant kick for anyone flirting with environmental stress. If barrier repair tops your wishlist BIOSSANCE Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue has consistently rescued me after retinol misadventures and cold-weather tantrums.
Before slathering anything new remember the boring but vital housekeeping. Patch test behind the ear or along the jaw, give the formula a few nights to prove itself and avoid mixing too many potent actives in one go. Yes I know, I sound like an overprotective parent but your face will thank you. And just as gym gains disappear when you stop lifting, skin improvements fade without consistent use, so keep the nightly routine on repeat if you want the glow to stick around.