Marcelle has long been the quietly confident player on Canadian vanities; while it may not flash across billboards like the global giants its reputation among skincare devotees is anything but minor. Known for fuss-free formulations that respect sensitive skin the brand positions itself as both science driven and approachable and I have to admit the track record largely backs that up.
Enter a product with a title that doubles as a spoiler: Night Cream With Hyaluronic Acid. Subtle it is not yet the claim is clear about what you are signing up for. Marcelle touts this overnight treatment as a 24-hour moisture cushion pairing plumping hyaluronic acid with soothing niacinamide plus a touch of argan oil for nourishment. The promise is skin that wakes up looking rested smooth and comfortably hydrated without the fragrance or potential irritants that can undo a good night’s sleep.
I put that promise to the test over a full two-week stint using the cream every evening on cleansed skin to gauge hydration plumpness and any visible change in texture. The goal was simple: determine whether this jar is worth its mid-shelf price when stacked against a cabinet full of competing night hydrators.
Disclaimer: This is not a paid or sponsored review. The product was purchased with personal funds and all opinions are my own based on individual experience. Skincare results can vary widely so consider this account one data point in your decision making process.
What Is Night Cream With Hyaluronic Acid?
This is Marcelle’s take on an overnight treatment, a type of moisturizer designed to work while the skin is in repair mode during sleep. Overnight treatments are typically richer than daytime creams and aim to replace water lost through transepidermal evaporation, reduce morning tightness and give active ingredients a longer window to penetrate the skin barrier.
Formulated without fragrance or common irritants, the cream focuses on three functional ingredients. Hyaluronic acid attracts and binds water to help maintain hydration for up to a full day. Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, targets redness, uneven tone and visible pores while supporting the skin’s barrier. Argan oil supplies lipids that mimic the skin’s natural oils, reinforcing softness and flexibility.
The brand labels the formula hypoallergenic, non comedogenic and suitable for all skin types. It also carries clean beauty credentials by excluding parabens, phthalates and mineral oil and is recognized by the Canadian Dermatology Association. In practical terms, that positions the cream as a safe default option for most users who want a single step to lock in moisture overnight without fragrance or heavy occlusives.
Did It Work?
In the name of science I benched my long trusted overnight mask for a few days before starting this test and strutted around the bathroom like I was conducting a clinical trial at home. Fourteen nights feels like a fair window to judge a moisturizer so I stuck to the same routine each evening: double cleanse, a hydrating mist, then a fingertip scoop of Night Cream With Hyaluronic Acid pressed over face and neck.
First impressions were pleasant. The cream has a cushy gel-cream texture that spreads easily and sinks in within a minute leaving a soft satin finish rather than a greasy film. On nights one through three my skin woke up feeling comfortable and nicely hydrated but not remarkably plumper than usual. By night five I noticed less morning tightness around the mouth area which is where dehydration usually shows up on me.
The midpoint of the trial revealed the product’s sweet spot. Around days seven to ten my complexion had a consistent glow that hinted at better water retention plus a minor reduction in the post-shower redness I often experience along the cheeks. Fine lines on my forehead looked marginally softer though I suspect the effect was more related to hydration than any true smoothing action.
Things plateaued after that. Despite continued use the final four days produced no additional improvement and I started to crave the deeper occlusive hug my usual night treatment gives. While the formula never clogged pores or caused irritation it also never crossed that threshold where I felt compelled to abandon my current staple.
So did it work? Mostly yes. It delivered steady hydration reduced fleeting redness and kept my skin feeling balanced through a stretch of cold weather. Still, the results stopped short of transformative and at a mid-tier price I need a bit more wow factor before making permanent shelf space. I am glad I tried it and would recommend it to anyone seeking a reliable fragrance-free night cream but my personal collection will stay as is for now.
Main Ingredients Explained
Hyaluronic acid takes center stage and for good reason. This sugar molecule can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water so it works like a microscopic sponge pulling moisture into the skin then keeping it there. Marcelle uses the salt form, sodium hyaluronate, which has a smaller molecular size and penetrates a bit deeper than the standard version. The payoff is short term plumping and that satisfying morning bounce we all chase.
Niacinamide, sitting high on the list, plays the role of multitasking peacekeeper. At concentrations of 4 to 5 percent it can tamp down redness, nudge pigment toward a more even tone and improve barrier strength by encouraging ceramide production. If your skin tends to get blotchy after cleansing this ingredient is the reason you may notice calmer cheeks by breakfast time.
Argan oil adds a dose of lipids rich in oleic and linoleic acids that mimic the skin’s natural sebum. While some pure oils can be pore clogging, argan ranks low on the comedogenic scale which measures an ingredient’s tendency to create clogged pores that may lead to breakouts. Its job here is to seal in the water pulled in by hyaluronic acid without feeling suffocating.
The support crew deserves a nod too. Glycerin and propanediol are classic humectants that partner with hyaluronic acid, while cetearyl olivate and sorbitan olivate create the silky emulsion that feels more luxe than the price suggests. Dimethicone forms a breathable barrier that limits overnight water loss and also lends that smooth, primer-like finish. Sodium gluconate acts as a chelating agent, preventing metal ions in tap water from destabilizing the formula, and tocopheryl acetate offers an antioxidant buffer against free radicals generated during the day.
Those scanning for red flags will appreciate what is missing: no added fragrance, parabens, phthalates or mineral oil. The iron oxide listed at the very end gives the cream its faint natural tint but is present in trace amounts that will not stain your pillowcase. All ingredients are plant-derived or synthetic so vegetarians and vegans can feel at ease regarding animal by-products. The brand also stamps the formula as non-comedogenic though, as always, individual reactions can vary.
Expectant or nursing users often ask about safety and on paper hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and argan oil are generally considered low risk. Still, hormone shifts can make skin unpredictable and medical advice trumps magazine guidance every time so check with your physician before adding any new topical while pregnant.
Worth noting is that Marcelle’s cream is preserved with a gentle duo of 1,2-hexanediol and caprylhydroxamic acid rather than traditional parabens, a choice likely to please those with preservative sensitivities. Overall the ingredient deck is tight, functional and leans more science-based than trend-chasing which aligns with how the formula performs on the face.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Here is the quick rundown of highs and lows after two weeks of nightly use.
What Works Well:
- Cushy gel-cream texture sinks in fast and leaves a comfortable satin finish
- Steady overnight hydration reduces morning tightness and lends a subtle glow
- Niacinamide quiets redness without causing sensitivity and pairs smoothly with other actives
- Hypoallergenic non comedogenic formula suits sensitive or acne-prone skin
What to Consider:
- Moisture boost plateaus after the first week so very dry skin may still crave a richer occlusive
- Jar packaging means fingers or a spatula go in each time which may not please hygiene purists
- Performance feels solid yet not spectacular given its mid-tier price bracket
My Final Thoughts
Finding an overnight treatment that sits just right on the skin can feel like Goldilocks in a lab coat: too rich and you wake up slick, too light and the alarm clock greets a parched complexion. Marcelle’s Night Cream With Hyaluronic Acid landed squarely in the middle during my two-week trial. It cushioned moisture, softened faint lines and kept redness from staging its usual morning protest. It never quite reached holy-grail territory though, topping out at a solid but not swoon-worthy 7/10. I would recommend it to friends whose main goal is dependable hydration in a fragrance-free formula, especially normal to combo skin types that dislike heavy occlusives. Those with very dry or barrier-compromised skin might find themselves layering an oil on top after week one, while texture chasers craving dramatic resurfacing will want something with stronger actives.
For readers weighing options, I have road-tested enough night creams to populate a small pharmacy shelf and can vouch for a few standouts. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is an excellent all-rounder that checks every box at a friendlier price and suits all skin types without fuss. If bounce is what you are after, LANEIGE Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask delivers a pillowy finish that rivals pricier luxury jars. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Night Cream offers richer comfort without pore drama, making it my winter default. And when I feel the need for a gentle retinoid kick, Medik8 Intelligent Retinol Smoothing Night Cream slides in with just enough punch to refine texture while still letting me sleep irritation-free.
As for Marcelle’s latest, I appreciate its straightforward ingredient list, the brand’s sensitivity-first ethos and the fact it played nicely with my acid serums underneath. I am keeping the jar for low-maintenance nights yet I will not be booting my usual heavy hitter off the shelf. In short, dependable rather than dazzling, and sometimes that is exactly what a bedside routine needs.
Before slathering anything on, remember a quick patch test behind the ear or along the jaw can spare you a week of regret. I know I sound like an over-protective parent, sorry, but your face will thank you. Use any overnight cream consistently to maintain results because the skin has a frustrating habit of forgetting yesterday’s hydration heroics the moment you slack off.