Joik might not be topping every beauty editor’s hot list just yet, but those who follow indie skincare know the Estonian brand is quietly carving a reputation for clean formulations and thoughtful ingredient sourcing. I have long admired their artisanal scents and eco-friendly ethos, so when their latest overnight potion, the rather superhero-sounding Re-Boost Collagen Night Treatment, landed on my desk I was more than mildly intrigued.
The brand promises that this cream will tuck you in, rally a squad of bio-retinol, phyto-collagen and senolytic botanicals, then send you yawning into dawn with skin that looks smoother, plumper and positively glowing. Zombie cells are apparently shown the exit, collagen production is nudged into overdrive and elasticity is coaxed back to life. It reads like a sci-fi bedtime story, only with rosehip and passionfruit oils instead of laser beams.
I spent a solid two weeks slathering it on face, neck and décolleté, sticking to the recommended nighttime routine to see whether it could live up to the hype and justify the price tag.
Disclosure: This is not a paid or sponsored review. The product was tested independently and all opinions are my own. Skincare outcomes can differ widely depending on individual skin type, lifestyle and a host of other variables, so your experience may vary.
What Is Re-Boost Collagen Night Treatment?
Re-Boost Collagen Night Treatment sits in the overnight treatment category, which means it is formulated to be the final step after cleansing and any serums, then left on while you sleep. These products are typically richer than daytime moisturisers because skin temperature rises slightly at night and trans-epidermal water loss increases, so a more occlusive formula can help reduce dehydration while delivering actives in a sustained way.
Joik’s version is a cream that pairs bio-retinol from Bidens pilosa with plant-derived collagen, senolytic Althea rosea flower stem cells, antioxidant alpine willowherb, lupine peptides and a mix of algae extracts. The formula is designed to target what the brand calls “zombie” cells, older cells that hang around and slow renewal, while also encouraging fresh collagen and elastin production. The goal is firmer, smoother and better hydrated skin by morning, ideally with less visible fine lines over time.
Unlike prescription retinoids or encapsulated vitamin A derivatives, bio-retinol is a botanical that binds to the same receptors but is generally considered gentler, so Joik positions this treatment as suitable for most skin types including sensitive. The inclusion of squalane, rosehip oil and passionfruit seed oil gives the base its nourishing slip, while humectants like trehalose and sodium PCA pull in moisture. In practice you apply a thin layer two or three nights a week, or nightly if your skin tolerates it, then rinse off any residue in the morning.
Did It Work?
In the name of serious journalism I parked my usual overnight cream on a shelf for three days before opening the product, which felt very scientific of me given that the rest of my lab consisted of a bathroom mirror and a cat who judges everything. Fourteen nights struck me as a fair window to gauge performance so I applied a modest coin sized blob after cleansing, skipping additional serums to avoid muddying the results.
First impressions were encouraging. The texture is plush yet not greasy and it melts in with just enough slip to massage neck and décolleté without tugging. On application there is a faint herbal-floral scent that fades quickly. Within minutes my skin felt cushioned and looked lightly dewy rather than shiny, a finish that played well with my combination complexion.
Days 1 to 4 delivered the classic honeymoon glow: morning skin felt nicely hydrated, fine dehydration lines along my cheeks looked softer and there was no hint of irritation which can crop up when I flirt with stronger retinoids. I did notice a tiny purge on my chin by day 5, but it cleared within two days and did not return, so I chalked it up to the bio retinol doing its thing.
By the end of week one firmness around my jawline seemed marginally improved, the kind of result you only spot when you tilt your head in unforgiving bathroom lighting but rewarding nonetheless. I was hoping for a more pronounced bump in radiance, yet the brightening effect plateaued rather than building.
Week two is where expectations and reality parted ways a little. Hydration stayed solid, texture remained smooth and I appreciated that my usually testy forehead tolerated nightly use without flaking, but the promised plumping of fine lines around the mouth was subtle at best. I also began to crave an extra hit of actives or occlusion by night thirteen, evidence that the formula alone was not quite enough during a spell of central heating and chilly spring air.
So did it work? Partly. It kept moisture levels high, played nicely with sensitive areas and offered a modest boost in firmness however the promised dawn to dusk glow and noticeable smoothing of crow’s feet never fully materialised. At a mid premium price point I need a treatment to do more than maintain the status quo. I will finish the bottle gladly yet once it is empty I will probably rotate back to my regular night cream rather than repurchase. Let us call it a solid 7 out of 10: respectable, pleasant, not quite a future staple for my shelf.
Main Ingredients Explained
At the heart of Re-Boost lies bio-retinol from Bidens pilosa, a plant extract that mimics the collagen-stimulating action of traditional vitamin A without the classic redness or peeling. It binds to the same cellular receptors that prescription retinoids target so over time it coaxes skin to shed spent cells and lay down fresher collagen and elastin. The supporting act is Althea rosea flower stem cells, touted as a senolytic that helps clear so-called zombie cells that loiter in the epidermis and drag renewal to a crawl. While the science on topical senolytics is still in its infancy the theory is sound and my skin did seem to rebound a little faster after late nights.
Nourishment and barrier support come from a trio of lightweight oils and butters: squalane, rosehip and passionfruit seed oils deliver fatty acids and antioxidants while murumuru butter lends a richer, balmy slip. Most skin types will drink these up yet murumuru plus cottonseed and flaxseed oils all sit mid-range on the comedogenic scale, meaning they can clog pores if you are prone to breakouts or if you layer on a heavy hand. For the uninitiated comedogenic simply means an ingredient has the potential to block pores and lead to bumps or blackheads in susceptible skin.
The “collagen” in the formula is acacia senegal gum, a plant-derived film former that creates a temporary tightening feel and helps water bind to the stratum corneum so technically no animal proteins are hiding in the formula. Combine that with algae extracts, alpine willowherb and lupine peptides and you have a line-up that is entirely plant based, which makes the treatment suitable for vegans as well as vegetarians.
A quick safety note for expectant or nursing users. Although bio-retinol is not the same molecule as prescription retinoic acid it still activates the same pathways so most dermatologists advise skipping any retinoid-like product during pregnancy unless cleared by a doctor. Better to err on the side of caution and park the cream until you have medical sign-off.
Two last callouts. The cream is lightly perfumed, something fragrance-sensitive readers should keep in mind, and it contains a small amount of alcohol which helps with texture and preservation but can be drying on very reactive complexions. Otherwise the ingredient list is commendably clean for a mid premium formula and entirely free of known endocrine disruptors or cyclic silicones.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
After two weeks here is a snapshot of where the formula shines and where it might fall short depending on your skin’s priorities.
What Works Well:
- Cushy cream texture sinks in quickly yet leaves a breathable veil so skin wakes up comfortable not greasy
- Bio-retinol delivers a gentle smoothing effect without the flaking or sting that can accompany stronger retinoids which makes nightly use realistic for sensitive complexions
- Skin stays well hydrated thanks to squalane and humectants meaning dehydration lines look softer by morning
- Plant sourced actives align with vegan preferences and the ingredient list avoids silicones and heavy fillers
What to Consider:
- The firming and brightening results were noticeable but modest so those chasing a dramatic reboot may want a formula with higher strength actives
- Mid range price positions it above a basic night cream yet performance may feel closer to maintenance than transformation
- Murumuru butter plus cottonseed and flaxseed oils could be a bit rich for very oily or acne prone skin if layered too thickly
My Final Thoughts
Re-Boost Collagen Night Treatment sits comfortably in the good-not-great bracket. After fourteen nights my skin was happy, hydrated and faintly firmer yet not transformed to the cinematic glow the marketing implies. A 7/10 feels fair: better than basic, shy of brilliant. I would recommend it to friends with mildly dry or sensitive skin who want a gentle bio-retinol sidekick rather than a heavy-hitting resurfacer. If you crave instant glass-skin or need something that bulldozes deep lines this probably will not scratch the itch. Likewise very oily complexions might find the rich butter-oil blend a touch heavy.
Having road-tested more overnight formulas than I care to admit I can say Joik’s cream earns points for texture, clean sourcing and irritation-free comfort. Still, choice is a wonderful thing so if you fancy browsing the night-cream aisle my vanity shelf offers a few proven alternatives. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is the reliable all-rounder I reach for when my skin cannot decide what it wants; it hydrates, calms and firms at a wallet-friendly price and plays nicely with every skin type I have recommended it to. Those who love a cocooning rescue quickly followed by bounce will enjoy Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue by BIOSSANCE while gel-texture fans looking for pillowy morning cheeks could try the Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask by LANEIGE. If your priority is a more assertive retinoid kick without crossing into prescription territory Intelligent Retinol Smoothing Night Cream by Medik8 delivers visible refinement in just over a week.
Whichever route you choose remember the unsexy truths: consistency matters, miracles are rare and skin needs a solid four to six weeks of faithful use before passing final judgment. Please patch test first (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent) and accept that the glow you earn is borrowed rather than owned so keep applying if you want to keep reaping the rewards.