DERMA E may not dominate every vanity yet but among ingredient-focused skincare enthusiasts the California brand has earned a reputation for clean formulas that punch above their price tag. Its latest jar of promises, the Vitamin C Intense Night Cream, arrives with a name that reads like a late-night infomercial dare: who can resist words like “Intense” and “Night” when searching for a next-morning glow?
According to the brand this vegan treatment pairs a stable vitamin C with probiotics, rooibos and a hit of hyaluronic acid to soften lines, even tone and reinforce the skin’s defenses while you sleep. The official copy paints a picture of waking up to a firmer more revitalised complexion, free from dullness and fine lines.
I spent a full two weeks slathering the cream on nightly, jotting down any change in brightness texture or bounce to see whether the reality matches the marketing and if the fifty-millilitre pot merits your hard-earned cash.
Disclaimer: this is not a paid or sponsored review. All observations are my own and results with any skincare product can differ depending on individual skin type, routine and expectations.
What Is Vitamin C Intense Night Cream?
At its core this jar is an overnight treatment, meaning it is designed to work while the skin is in repair mode during sleep rather than as a day cream you slap on before SPF. Overnight products tend to be richer and more targeted because they do not have to sit politely under makeup or defend against daylight elements. You apply a generous layer after cleansing then let the formula absorb over several hours when cell turnover peaks.
Derma E’s take on the category relies on a stabilised form of vitamin C called sodium ascorbyl phosphate. Stabilised simply means the ingredient is less likely to oxidise or lose potency before it reaches your skin, a common issue with classic ascorbic acid. Alongside that headline act sit probiotics and rooibos extract, both included to support the skin’s barrier and calm the microflora that can trigger blemishes. Hyaluronic acid rounds out the mix with water-binding hydration so the cream can cushion rather than suffocate.
The rest of the formula is what you would expect from a mid-priced clean beauty brand: plant oils like apricot kernel and rosehip for emollience, a touch of retinol and bakuchiol for extra smoothing, all wrapped in a vegan cruelty-free base free of soy and gluten. Packaged in a standard fifty-millilitre glass jar, it aims to even tone, soften fine lines and leave skin looking more rested by morning.
Did It Work?
In the name of rigorous skincare journalism I shelved my usual overnight AHA treatment for three whole days before starting this test which felt wildly scientific of me. Fourteen nights struck me as a fair window to judge whether the cream could move the needle on brightness hydration and fine lines.
I used a pea-to-almond sized scoop every evening on clean damp skin pressing it over face neck then whatever was left across the backs of my hands. The texture is whipped yet weighty with a subtle creamsicle scent that disappears once absorbed. It sank in within a minute leaving a soft satin finish not greasy but definitely richer than a standard gel moisturiser.
Nights 1 to 3 delivered instant gratification on the hydration front. I woke up to skin that felt comfortably plush and looked a touch bouncier around my laugh lines though there was a faint tacky film I could still feel while washing my face in the morning.
By night 7 the glow factor had kicked in. My complexion looked marginally brighter and some post-breakout marks on my chin seemed lighter although friends did not notice unless I pointed it out. A hormonal spot arrived on day 6 and healed at its usual pace so I would not call the formula a breakout buster.
Midway through the second week the honeymoon dulled. Hydration stayed strong yet I noticed two tiny closed comedones on my nose which I rarely get. They vanished after a quick clay mask but suggested the richer oils may not be ideal for very congestion-prone skin. Fine lines around my eyes appeared no better or worse than when I began and the single sun spot on my cheek remained unmoved.
Night 14 came and I compared selfies from day 1. The difference was there but subtle: slightly smoother texture a mild uptick in luminosity and no irritation to report. That meets about 70 percent of the marketing promises which aligns neatly with a 7 out of 10 score.
Will I slot it into my permanent rotation? Probably not. I already rely on a separate vitamin C serum and a lighter ceramide cream that together give me comparable results without the risk of clogging. Still if you are after an uncomplicated vegan night cream that hydrates generously and offers a side order of radiance this jar might earn its keep on your shelf even if it did not quite earn a forever spot on mine.
Main Ingredients Explained
The headline act is sodium ascorbyl phosphate, a water-soluble and notably stable form of vitamin C. Unlike traditional ascorbic acid it stays potent longer, tolerates a wider pH range and still converts to active vitamin C once on the skin. Its main jobs are to support collagen, brighten dark spots and supply antioxidant backup while you sleep.
Next up are the probiotic ferment and rooibos extract. Fermented ingredients can help balance the skin’s microbiome which is beauty-speak for keeping good bacteria happy so irritation and blemish-causing strains stay in check. Rooibos adds polyphenols that mop up free radicals generated by everyday pollution or the previous day’s sun exposure.
Hyaluronic acid in the form of sodium hyaluronate provides the immediate plumping effect most users notice first. This sugar molecule holds up to one thousand times its weight in water and here it cushions the richer oils so the cream feels nourishing rather than greasy.
A cameo worth noting is the duo of retinol and bakuchiol at the tail end of the list. Concentrations are likely low yet even small amounts can encourage cell turnover and soften fine lines over time. They do however put the formula in the caution zone for anyone pregnant or breastfeeding. Retinoids are generally flagged by dermatologists for avoidance unless a doctor gives explicit approval so check before using.
The emollient base relies on apricot kernel oil, sunflower seed oil and sweet almond oil. These are plant derived and rich in fatty acids the skin recognises yet they sit around the middle of the comedogenic scale. That means they may clog pores for those prone to congestion or acne though many people tolerate them just fine. If you are breakout sensitive patch test first.
Fragrance comes from natural oils rather than synthetic perfume which some readers will cheer and others with rosacea or fragrance sensitivity may still need to approach carefully. Preservatives phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin keep the jar stable without parabens.
All raw materials are certified vegan and the brand is cruelty free so vegetarians and vegans can use the cream with a clear conscience. Finally the absence of soy and gluten makes it friendlier for anyone with those specific allergies although topical reactions to these are rare.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Here is the balance sheet after two weeks of night-time use.
What Works Well:
- Reliable overnight hydration that leaves skin feeling cushiony and fresh in the morning
- Stable vitamin C plus a hint of retinol and bakuchiol give gentle brightening and smoothing without irritation
- Vegan cruelty free formula in a rich yet fast-absorbing texture with a light creamsicle-style scent
What to Consider:
- Plant oils may not suit easily clogged or very oily skin types
- Results on dark spots and fine lines are modest so those with stubborn pigmentation might need a stronger serum
- Jar packaging means exposure to air each time you open it which can reduce potency over time if you do not use it up quickly
My Final Thoughts
After fourteen nights with Derma E’s Vitamin C Intense Night Cream I can say it sits comfortably in the “pretty good” camp: a solid 7/10. It hydrated like a champ and lent a modest glow but it never quite vaulted my skin into that fabled morning-after radiance the marketing hints at. Still, the importance of a dependable overnight treatment cannot be overstated since our skin works its hardest while we sleep and this jar does deliver fundamental moisture plus a respectable antioxidant hit.
I have rotated through more bedtime formulas than I care to admit so I feel I gave this one a fair shot. Who will love it? Normal to slightly dry skin that wants a vegan cream with gentle brightening power and zero drama. Who should keep browsing? Extremely oily, congestion-prone or serious hyperpigmentation battlers who need stronger actives or lighter textures. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, if that friend is after fuss-free hydration and a mild luminosity boost at a mid-range price but I would note it is not a miracle worker.
If you are curious yet not convinced, a few alternatives I have personally emptied may suit you better. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is an easygoing multitasker that hydrates, firms and soothes across all skin types while being kind to the wallet. For a silkier, collagen-loving option, ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Night Cream pampers drier complexions and leaves them pillow-soft by sunrise. Those craving a lighter gel-cream with a strong barrier-support story might prefer BIOSSANCE Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue which floods skin with moisture without a hint of heaviness.
Before you race to the checkout, a quick nag: patch test any new product on a small area first and give it at least a week to prove itself.. sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent. Remember that overnight glow requires consistency so keep the jar in rotation if you want to hold on to the results.