MartiDerm might not flash across billboards the way some luxury giants do yet skincare insiders know the Barcelona based lab has been quietly impressing dermatologists for decades thanks to its science first philosophy and pleasantly understated packaging.
Amatist Night Cream joins the lineup with a name that sounds more like a mystical gemstone than a moisturiser which, according to the brand, is exactly the point. Inspired by amethyst the formula promises to wrap mature skin in proteoglycans, phyto-retinol, rosehip plus a buffet of omegas to wake up to a firmer brighter complexion. In short MartiDerm says this jar is about celebrating skin that has earned its character rather than rewinding the clock.
I spent two full weeks applying it nightly with the little spatula provided massaging from forehead to collarbone to see if the violet-themed promises translate into visible results and if the texture and finish justify the investment.
Disclosure this is not a paid or sponsored review. The product was purchased with personal funds and every opinion shared here is entirely my own. As always individual responses to skincare can vary so consider this one person’s experience not a universal guarantee.
What Is Amatist Night Cream?
Amatist Night Cream is an overnight treatment from MartiDerm formulated for skin that has moved past the first fine lines and into the territory of visible texture shifts and dullness. Overnight treatments are moisturisers designed to work while the body is in repair mode during sleep, when skin temperature rises slightly and cell turnover peaks. By delivering actives during this window, they aim to support barrier recovery and boost morning radiance without the interference of daylight, makeup or sunscreen.
In practical terms, Amatist targets nourishment and revitalisation rather than drastic resurfacing. The formula leans on proteoglycans to improve water retention, phyto-retinol for a gentler take on vitamin A benefits, rosehip oil for antioxidant support and omega 3 6 and 9 fatty acids to reinforce the lipid barrier. The brand positions it as a nightly companion for mature complexions that want firmness and brightness yet prefer a comfortable cream over intensive peel pads or strong retinoids.
The cream is positioned squarely in the moisturiser category so it does not replace a serum or prescription retinoid but sits on top of whatever routine you already follow. Use a spatula, apply a small amount across face neck and chest then allow it to absorb before the head hits the pillow. That is the promise in a nutshell: a single step aiming to let skin wake up looking a bit more rested and a bit less dry.
Did It Work?
I went full lab coat mode and shelved my usual overnight treatment for three nights before starting Amatist, which felt very scientific even if my bathroom lighting is hardly clinical grade. Fourteen days strikes me as long enough to spot real trends yet short enough to avoid placebo forgetting, so I stuck to one pea sized scoop each evening after my serum and before eye cream.
Night one the texture surprised me, richer than its gel cream appearance suggests yet still quick to sink in. Within minutes my skin felt cushioned not greasy, a balance that carried through the trial. By morning I noticed the familiar softness good occlusives bring though nothing dramatic in tone or firmness just yet.
By day five subtle changes crept in. Dehydration lines around my mouth looked less etched when I smiled and the mid afternoon tightness I sometimes get after air conditioned workdays never showed up. The rosy glow advertised remained elusive but overall elasticity felt marginally improved, as if the surface bounce had been inflated by a few percentage points.
The midpoint also revealed a quirk. If I layered a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid underneath, Amatist occasionally pilled, forcing me to streamline my routine to toner, serum spritz then cream. Not a deal breaker, though worth noting for anyone who loves multi step rituals.
Days seven through fourteen delivered incremental yet plateauing benefits. My skin woke up consistently smooth and comfortable, especially along the jaw where winter dryness loves to set up camp, but firmness gains stalled. Brightness ticked up a notch under natural light though not enough for friends to comment unprompted. On the plus side zero irritation, clogged pores or redness despite the phyto retinol which is a win for reactive complexions.
So did it make good on its promises? Partially. Amatist excels at overnight nourishment and mild surface revitalisation and I can see it suiting someone newly dabbling in night creams who prioritises comfort over transformative actives. For my routine that already rotates prescription retinoids and peptide serums, the results felt pleasant but not essential, so I will finish the jar yet probably will not repurchase. Still, I would happily recommend it to a friend seeking a gentle entry point into more sophisticated evening moisturisers.
Main Ingredients Explained
The first star on the roster is proteoglycans, large water-binding molecules that plump the extracellular matrix like tiny cushions. MartiDerm uses a soybean-derived source so no marine extracts, a welcome nod for vegetarians and likely for vegans too, though the brand has not applied for an official seal. Next comes phyto-retinol, the marketing name for Bidens pilosa extract. Unlike traditional vitamin A it has no conversion steps in the skin and shows gentler collagen-boosting action, which explains why I saw zero redness yet still a touch of firmness. Because it is not a true retinoid pregnant users sometimes assume it is automatically safe. I would still run the ingredient list past an obstetrician since topical actives during pregnancy always deserve professional sign-off.
Rosehip seed oil sweeps in with natural vitamin C and a hefty omega profile that feeds the lipid barrier overnight. It sits alongside olive, cottonseed and palm oils to provide omega 3 6 and 9. Those richer oils ride around the mid-high range on the comedogenic scale, meaning they can trap dead cells and cause bumps for acne-prone skin, so consider a patch test if blackheads are your nemesis. The slip you feel at application comes largely from dimethicone, a breathable silicone that seals moisture and fends off pillow lint without smothering pores.
The supporting cast includes tocopherol acetate plus pure tocopherol for antioxidant protection, a photostable sunscreen ester (diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate) that mops up free radicals rather than UV, and an amethyst powder so fine it is cosmetic rather than crystal ball. Its contribution is more visual than functional, adding a slight violet opalescence that gives the cream its gemstone vibe.
No single ingredient here rings an obvious alarm but the formula is fragranced and preserved with phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate which very sensitive noses or eczema types may dislike. I found the scent light and gone within minutes. Finally the jar ships with a spatula which is good practice since dipping fingers can introduce bacteria that shorten a cream’s useful life. In short the INCI list is thoughtful, mostly plant-based and free of heavyweight offenders yet leans nourishing rather than pore-clearing so match it to your skin personality before diving in.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
After two weeks of nightly use here is the straightforward rundown.
What Works Well:
- Cushiony texture absorbs quickly so skin feels nourished not slippery by bedtime
- Gentle phyto retinol and antioxidant oils add a touch of firmness with zero sting or redness
- Spatula packaging keeps the jar more hygienic than finger dipping and adds a small ritual feel
What to Consider:
- Rich oil blend may feel heavy for oily or blemish prone skin during humid months
- Can pill if layered over thick hyaluronic serums so routine order may need tweaking
- Results lean subtle so experienced retinoid users may find the payoff underwhelming for the price
My Final Thoughts
After fourteen nights of purple jar companionship I can say Amatist Night Cream is the skincare equivalent of a dependable friend who never blows your mind yet always answers the phone. The comfort factor is real, the morning softness is pleasant, and the subtle uptick in bounce means the brand’s talk of “revitalisation” is not pure crystal ball gazing. Still, the more dramatic firmness and luminosity promised on the box remained shy, which is why the score settles at a solid 7/10.
If your current routine is light on night-time nourishment or you have been burned by feisty retinoids, Amatist could be your gentle gateway. Those already flirting with prescription tretinoin or high-dose peptides will likely crave more fireworks. I fall somewhere in the middle: impressed by the plush texture and zero irritation, underwhelmed by the plateau after week one, happy to finish the jar, not rushing to stockpile backups. I would recommend it to a friend who prioritises comfort and barrier support over visible wrinkle re-engineering, perhaps less so to the results-driven ingredient junkie.
For readers hunting alternatives I have hands-on history with a few excellent contenders. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is my budget friendly ace, an easy-going allrounder that hydrates calms and even layers well with actives across every skin type I have tested it on. Fans of richer textures may fall for ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Night Cream which delivers a pronounced firmness boost without the heaviness of classic cold-cream styles. If you lean oily yet still want overnight repair BIOSSANCE Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue offers featherweight cushioning and a notable redness reset. Lastly Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Night Cream brings pharmacy prices together with plumping hyaluronic spheres that minimise sleep-crease lines by breakfast. Each of these has lived on my nightstand long enough to earn repeat-purchase status so feel free to explore according to budget and skin temperament.
Before you slather anything new please channel your inner lab tech and patch test behind the ear or along the jawline for a few nights first – apologies for sounding like an over-protective parent. Remember improvements you see from any overnight treatment will only stick around as long as the jar stays in rotation so consistency really is the secret sauce.