DCL Skincare might not dominate billboards yet but among ingredient loyalists the lab driven New York brand enjoys a quiet cult status, known for formulas that lean more clinical than cute.
Their latest jar arrives with a bit of a tongue twister: Bakuchiol Night Cream. Try reciting it three times fast while holding a cotton pad. According to DCL the cream pairs niacinamide vitamin E and bakuchiol to soothe brighten hydrate and chase fine lines with retinol-like enthusiasm yet fewer side effects.
I put that claim to the test, using the cream every evening for two full weeks to see if it could earn a permanent spot on my nightstand or if it would end up in the purge pile reserved for overhyped potions.
Disclaimer: this review is not paid or sponsored. All observations are my own and skincare is famously personal so your results could differ.
What Is Bakuchiol Night Cream?
Bakuchiol Night Cream is an overnight treatment from DCL Skincare designed for use after cleansing and before a heavier moisturizer. Overnight treatments are leave-on formulas that work while you sleep when skin experiences reduced environmental stress and increased cell turnover, allowing active ingredients to perform with less interference.
This particular cream centers on three well-known actives. Bakuchiol, a plant-derived alternative to prescription retinoids, aims to smooth fine lines and curb breakouts without the dryness many experience from retinol. Niacinamide supports the skin barrier, helping to calm redness and even tone. Vitamin E adds an occlusive layer of hydration that helps hold moisture in and lends antioxidant support.
The texture is positioned as gentle enough for most skin types yet concentrated enough to be limited to three nights a week at first, ramping up as tolerance builds. Applied consistently, the formula intends to target early signs of aging, uneven tone and dehydration in one step before locking everything in with a final moisturizer.
Did It Work?
I parked my usual overnight treatment in a drawer for four nights before starting the test, which felt very scientific of me given the rest of my life is held together by coffee and good intentions. Fourteen days strikes me as a fair window to spot meaningful changes so I committed to 2-3 pumps on clean skin at 10 p.m. sharp, sealing it with a basic ceramide moisturizer and calling it a night.
Night one the cream melted in quickly, leaving a satin finish that never blurred into grease. A faint botanical scent disappeared in under a minute. I woke up to skin that felt comfortably hydrated but looked almost identical to the night before. By the third application there was a subtle plumpness around my smile lines and a calmer T-zone which made me optimistic.
During week two I upped usage to every evening as directed. That is when I noticed a pattern. Mornings brought a soft-focus glow yet by midafternoon my combination skin slipped back into its usual dull-ish rhythm. No dryness or peeling showed up, which is a win for something marketed as a retinol alternative, but I also did not see major brightening or the promised blemish control. A pair of hormonal chin spots sailed through their life cycle unbothered.
Texture wise the cream layers well under heavier occlusives and never pilled under my mineral SPF the next day. Still, fine lines at the outer corners of my eyes looked exactly as before and a long-standing patch of post-inflammatory pigment kept its stubborn grip. Friends asked if I had changed anything in my routine and not one guessed I was road-testing a new anti-age treatment, a silent but telling verdict.
So did Bakuchiol Night Cream work? It delivered steady hydration and a fleeting morning glow yet fell short of the brighter, clearer, smoother skin I hoped for. At 7 out of 10 it is a solid option for beginners or anyone intolerant to retinoids but it does not outperform the powerhouse already living on my shelf so I will finish the jar then likely move on.
Bakuchiol Night Cream’s Main Ingredients Explained
The star player is bakuchiol, a botanical extract that acts on the same collagen boosting pathways as retinol yet triggers far less irritation. It nudges skin to renew itself while showing promise against acne bacteria, which is why I looked for redness or flaking and found none. Clinical data is still young compared with vitamin A derivatives so patience is required if you are chasing dramatic wrinkle rewind.
Niacinamide arrives at a barrier friendly concentration, helping to smooth texture, fade lingering spots and calm blotchiness. It also strengthens ceramide production so the skin you see at 7 a.m. feels balanced rather than stripped. If you have ever backed away from actives because of redness this one often keeps the peace.
Vitamin E plays antioxidant bodyguard, mopping up free radicals generated by UV and pollution while lending an occlusive hug that keeps water from escaping overnight. The base supports that hydration mission with glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, argan oil and a whisper of shea butter so normal to dry types will wake up pleasantly plush. Those richer emollients can sit heavier on very oily skin though.
Peptide fans will spot acetyl hexapeptide-8, nicknamed Botox in a bottle for its ability to relax expression lines in theory. Reality tends to be milder but paired with bakuchiol it rounds out an anti-age trio that works while you dream. A scattering of plant extracts like lavender, geranium and citrus add antioxidant flavor yet also introduce potential fragrance sensitivity if you are reactive.
On the comedogenic front argan oil, shea butter and the fatty alcohol duo cetyl and stearyl score mid-range on pore-clogging scales. That means acne-prone users may see congestion if they already struggle with closed comedones which are little bumps formed when oil and dead cells get trapped. Patch testing is wise.
No animal-derived ingredients appear on the INCI list so the formula itself looks friendly for vegans and vegetarians, though certification and animal testing policies sit with the brand not the jar. As for pregnancy safety bakuchiol lacks the robust research history of niacinamide or vitamin E. Most dermatologists still recommend pausing all targeted actives unless your doctor gives an explicit green light so treat this as a conversation starter with your OB-GYN.
One last note: the preservative system leans on phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin which are widely accepted replacements for parabens. If you prefer essential oil-free or fragrance-free formulas you may want to keep shopping, otherwise the ingredient list balances science and sensorial appeal without drifting into gimmick territory.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
After two weeks here is the quick rundown of highs and lows
What Works Well:
- Cushiony hydration that lasts through the night without a greasy wake-up
- Gentle on reactive skin with no peeling or redness even at nightly use
- Satin texture sinks in fast and layers cleanly under thicker creams and next day SPF
- Plant-derived actives offer a beginner friendly route for those nervous about prescription strength retinoids
What to Consider:
- Brightening and blemish control are modest so results may feel subtle if you already use stronger actives
- Richer emollients and essential oil components could clog or irritate very oily or highly sensitive skin
- Price sits above the average drugstore night cream which may give budget watchers pause
My Final Thoughts
Two weeks of nightly use gave me enough face time with Bakuchiol Night Cream to call a verdict. It is the sort of formula that treats skin like a slightly fragile houseplant, offering water, light exfoliation and just a hint of anti-age nourishment so nothing wilts. If your goal is gentle upkeep and a pleasant glide under your richer moisturizer this scores a respectable 7/10. I would point friends with easily irritated or first-time active routines toward it without hesitation. Seasoned retinoid fans chasing faster pigment fading or wrinkle softening, however, may find the tempo a touch slow and the price a touch steep.
Because no jar is an island here are a few alternatives I have rotated through my own cabinet. Deascal’s Nocturnal Revive Cream is an excellent all-rounder that somehow balances ceramides, mild exfoliants and barrier-loving lipids while still suiting both my dry-cheek oily-T zone and my partner’s Sahara-dry complexion, all at a friendlier price point. On nights when I want the same gentle vibe but more water-cushioned bounce LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask never disappoints. Medik8 Intelligent Retinol Smoothing Night Cream brings a micro-encapsulated vitamin A punch for evenings when I feel brave, yet buffers it in a creamy base so I avoid the dreaded flake. For luxe texture and a collagen-hugging finish ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Night Cream remains hard to beat, especially in cooler months.
Before you slather any of the above please patch test on a discreet spot, yes I know I sound like an over-protective parent. Remember results take time and consistency, stop the product and see the glow fade, pick it back up and the cycle continues. Skincare is maintenance not magic, though a well chosen night cream can certainly feel like a small nightly spell.