Introduction
Hickap might still be flying just under the radar for some skincare aficionados, yet those who have sampled its Scandinavian-born formulas know the label deserves a brighter spotlight. The brand has a knack for marrying science with a touch of whimsy and Bedtime Magic Repairing Night Cream is no exception.
The name alone sounds like something a fairy godmother would keep on her vanity and Hickap gladly leans into that charm, promising overnight renewal, a fortified barrier and a more even tone courtesy of a next-gen retinoid complex. Toss in talk of bakuchiol for smoothing and resveratrol for protection and you have a formula that reads like a bedtime story for grown-up skin.
To separate dreamy marketing from real-world results I devoted a solid two weeks to nightly applications, tracking how my complexion behaved and whether this potion earns a permanent spot on the nightstand or stays a pleasant one-off indulgence.
What is Bedtime Magic Repairing Night Cream?
This formula from Hickap sits in the overnight treatment category, meaning it is designed to work while the skin is at rest and its natural repair processes are at peak activity. Overnight products are typically richer in actives than day creams because they do not have to contend with sunscreen or makeup layers and they benefit from the skin’s increased permeability during sleep.
Bedtime Magic delivers that after-dark care through a blend of retinoid technology and antioxidants. The headline active is hydroxypinacolone retinoate, a derivative of vitamin A known for encouraging cell turnover with less irritation than traditional retinol. It is paired with bakuchiol, a plant-based compound often described as a gentler retinol alternative, and resveratrol, an antioxidant that helps reinforce the skin barrier. Together these ingredients target uneven tone, fine lines and a compromised barrier while also supporting moisture retention through familiar hydrators such as glycerin, shea butter and squalane.
The cream is billed as suitable for all skin types and can be used alone or layered over a serum as the final step of an evening routine. In theory the blend of renewing and soothing agents aims to leave skin smoother, more even and better defended by morning.
Did it work?
In the interest of unimpeachable skincare science I benched my usual overnight treatment for three full days before starting Bedtime Magic, a very controlled experiment if you ask me. Fourteen nights felt like a fair window to watch for changes so I slathered it on clean skin each evening, skipping any other actives so the cream could take center stage.
Night one impressed straight out of the gate. The texture settled quickly and I woke up to that plush, just-moisturized feel rather than the slight tightness my skin sometimes shows by morning. Nights two and three brought a faint tingle around my nose and chin, likely the retinoid flexing its muscle, but no redness or flaking followed which I counted as a win.
By the end of the first week my skin looked a touch clearer with the stubborn redness along my cheeks dialed down a notch. Hydration remained consistent so I never felt the need to layer an extra sleeping mask. I did notice a bit of purging on my forehead around day six yet the blemishes were small and healed quickly.
Week two told a more nuanced story. The softening of fine lines on my forehead was subtle but real, similar to what I see after a low percentage retinol serum. However the promise of a more even tone met mixed results. Two small post breakout marks faded slightly though the larger sun spot near my temple stayed exactly where I left it. Pore size, despite the bakuchiol hype, looked about the same under bright bathroom lights.
What the cream continued to nail was barrier support. Even as the city’s heating system kicked in my skin maintained a comfortable bounce with zero dry patches, something I usually battle by mid October. Makeup applied the next morning without pilling which suggested a well balanced level of emollients and humectants.
After fourteen consecutive nights I can say Bedtime Magic lives up to its hydration and soothing claims while offering a modest boost in smoothness. It did not deliver the dramatic tone correction I secretly hoped for so I will be returning to my tried and true retinoid, but I would still recommend this to anyone seeking a gentle starter formula that treats skin kindly while you sleep.
Bedtime Magic Repairing Night Cream’s main ingredients explained
The star player here is hydroxypinacolone retinoate, a next generation vitamin A derivative that binds directly to retinoid receptors yet tends to sidestep the redness and peeling traditional retinol can provoke. It nudges cell turnover which, over time, can soften fine lines and fade discoloration. As with any topical vitamin A, it is not considered pregnancy safe so anyone expecting or trying should get a physician’s green light before diving in. Tag-teamed with the retinoid is bakuchiol, a plant based molecule celebrated for triggering collagen synthesis with less irritation. Hickap points out that its bakuchiol is 100 percent vegan and the entire ingredient list appears free from animal derived substances, making the formula suitable for both vegans and vegetarians.
Resveratrol joins the mix as a potent antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals generated by UV exposure and pollution while also reinforcing the skin’s barrier. Supporting hydration are tried and true humectants glycerin and sodium hyaluronate which draw water into the epidermis, plus squalane and shea butter that lock that moisture in for an overnight plumping effect. Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) brings additional soothing and barrier repair benefits, handy if you are new to retinoids. A scattering of plant lipids like glycosphingolipids and glycolipids mimic the skin’s own ceramide structure for extra resilience.
A quick word on potential drawback ingredients: shea butter and caprylic/capric triglyceride rank moderately on some comedogenicity scales so those with very congestion-prone skin might see a clogged pore or two. Comedogenic simply means an ingredient has the potential to block pores leading to blackheads or pimples, though the overall formula and your personal tolerance matter more than any single component. Fragrance appears near the end of the list which could be a hiccup for the ultra sensitive yet I experienced no stinging or lingering scent.
Noteworthy extras include ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10) for additional antioxidant punch and alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, a prebiotic sugar that can help maintain a healthy skin microbiome. The preservative system relies on phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin, both widely used and generally well tolerated. No drying alcohols make an appearance and silicones are absent, a detail some users specifically seek. Overall the ingredient roster balances actives with barrier loving support which explains why the cream feels both hardworking and gentle during nightly wear.
What I liked/didn’t like
After two weeks of nightly use here is the straightforward rundown.
What works well:
- Hydrates impressively through the night so skin stays bouncy and comfortable by morning
- Retinoid–bakuchiol duo delivers a gentle smoothing effect with far less irritation than standard retinol serums
- Vegan formula free of drying alcohols makes it an easy fit for most routines
What to consider:
- Brightening benefits are subtle so deeper sun spots or post acne marks may need something stronger
- Contains fragrance and a few mid-level comedogenic emollients which may not suit very sensitive or congestion-prone skin
- Results show up gradually which could feel underwhelming if you expect a quick transformation
My final thoughts
Bedtime Magic Repairing Night Cream earns a respectable 7/10 from me and secures a spot in the “pretty good but not life altering” category. Years of testing overnight formulas have taught me that the right night cream can be the difference between waking up hydrated or tight and flaky, and Hickap’s entry definitely lands on the comforting side of that line. I would hand it to friends who are retinoid-curious yet easily sensitised, mid-20s to late-30s skin that wants gentle smoothing and reliable moisture without the peeling drama. If your top priority is fading stubborn sun spots or achieving next-level firmness you may crave stronger actives, but for incremental progress paired with barrier TLC this is a sound, fuss-free choice. I would recommend it to a friend whose skin is leaning dry or sensitive, less so to someone with persistent congestion or deep hyperpigmentation.
For anyone building a night-time arsenal I have a few tried-and-true alternatives that have impressed me over the years. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is the all-rounder I keep coming back to: balanced blend of peptides, gentle exfoliants and ceramides at a refreshingly fair price. Resurfacing Night Cream by Glymed+ brings a slightly punchier retinol blend that tackles texture faster while still cushioning the skin. Overnight Glow Serum by Pixi is a lightweight option for combination complexions, pairing glycolic acid with soothing botanicals so pores look refined without morning redness. Finally, Retinal Night Cream by African Botanics delivers a sophisticated dose of retinaldehyde plus nourishing marula for those chasing visible line-softening in a plush cream format. I have rotated through each of these and can vouch that they cater to different skin personalities without feeling redundant.
Before you dive face-first into any new overnight treatment a quick reminder to patch test on a discreet area first (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent). Give yourself at least a couple of nights to check for irritation then maintain consistent use to see results because, unsurprisingly, the glow fades if you abandon ship. Skincare may be a marathon but waking up to calmer, better hydrated skin does make those nightly miles feel worth it.