ITK may not yet have the household recognition of legacy skincare giants, but the fledgling brand has been quietly climbing the ranks with formulas that pair trendy actives with a refreshingly no-nonsense ethos. Its latest nightly offering, the aptly named Nightly Clarifying Serum, promises a bedtime blitz on congestion today and wrinkles tomorrow. The brand touts a creamy, sensitive-skin-friendly blend of bakuchiol, an azelaic acid derivative and peptides that aims to smooth texture, soften fine lines, quell redness and bump up radiance without parabens, sulfates or synthetic fragrance.
After two full weeks of slathering it on every evening I have some thoughts about whether this multitasking serum lives up to its ambitions and your budget.
What is Nightly Clarifying Serum?
Nightly Clarifying Serum is an overnight treatment, meaning it is designed to work while you sleep when skin is naturally in repair mode. Unlike daytime products that focus on protection, overnight formulas typically load up on actives that can quietly resurface, hydrate and calm without interference from sunlight or makeup.
This particular serum combines plant based bakuchiol, an azelaic acid derivative and a short chain of peptides. Together they aim to nudge cell turnover, smooth uneven texture, soften the look of fine lines and dial down temporary redness. The formula is free of parabens, sulfates and synthetic fragrance, aligns with vegan and cruelty free standards and has been dermatologist tested.
Applied in a few drops after cleansing, it falls into the clarifying lane: addressing congestion now while laying groundwork for a more even, refined complexion over time. The brand positions it as suitable for sensitive skin, though like any leave-on treatment it still depends on individual tolerance.
Did it work?
In the name of skincare science I benched my usual overnight treatment for three full nights before starting the test run, feeling very professional in my self imposed washout period. Fourteen days strikes me as a fair window to spot meaningful changes so I dotted on the recommended two to four drops every evening after cleansing and let it ride until morning.
Right away I noticed the creamy texture sinks in without that prickly kick some active serums deliver. Night one left a whisper of dewiness and, by morning, no redness or surprise breakouts. The first week followed a similar pattern: skin felt comfortably hydrated, a couple of small congested spots on my chin flattened faster than usual and overall tone looked a touch less blotchy. No dramatic overnight miracles but no irritation either which, for my reactive skin, is a small victory.
The second week is where I expected the bakuchiol and azelaic acid derivative to flex. Texture around my nose did smooth out and the post inflammatory shadow of an old blemish seemed lighter, though not erased. Fine lines on my forehead looked slightly softened under bathroom lighting but nothing that made me do a double take. Temporary redness after hot showers calmed more quickly, suggesting the peptides might be pulling their weight. On the flip side my skin never reached that luminous point where friends notice without prompting, and the clarifying effect plateaued by day ten.
So did it make good on its claims? Partly. It succeeded at gentle congestion control and mild brightening, and it never once stung or peeled which is a big plus for sensitive types. Still, the results stayed in the “pleasant but not game changing” zone so I will likely stick to my current nighttime roster. If you crave a low fuss formula that plays nice with delicate skin it is worth a try, just temper expectations and give it time to shine.
Main ingredients explained
The serum’s headline duo is bakuchiol and potassium azeloyl diglycinate. Bakuchiol is often billed as a plant-based retinol alternative because it nudges collagen production and speeds up cell turnover without the flaking that traditional vitamin A can cause. While early studies suggest it is gentler, clinical data on long-term use in pregnancy is still thin so anyone expecting should check with a doctor before adding it to a routine.
Potassium azeloyl diglycinate is an azelaic acid derivative that dissolves more easily in water than its parent acid, making it less gritty and more elegant to wear. It targets redness, dark spots and the bacteria that trigger breakouts which explains the calmer tone I noticed by week two. Dermatologists often green-light azelaic acid for pregnant patients but formula blends differ, so again medical sign-off is the safest route.
Next up are peptides, specifically palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7. These short chains of amino acids signal skin to firm up its support structure which can soften early fine lines over time. They also have a reputation for dialing down micro-inflammation, a welcome trait for reactive complexions.
Niacinamide at a mid-list position brings a multitasking boost to barrier strength, oil regulation and discoloration control. Humectants like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate trap water in the upper layers so skin stays bouncy while jojoba oil mimics natural sebum to seal everything in. The only ingredient with a moderate comedogenic rating is caprylic/capric triglyceride, which some acne-prone users find occlusive. “Comedogenic” simply means it has the potential to clog pores and trigger breakouts, so patch testing is smart if you are easily congested.
The rest of the roster leans gentle: panthenol to soothe, allantoin to calm and phenoxyethanol to keep microbes at bay under the 1 percent line. There are no animal-derived compounds, making the formula suitable for vegans and vegetarians, and it skips parabens, sulfates and synthetic fragrance which lowers the risk of irritation for sensitive types.
Worth noting: although bakuchiol is less photosensitizing than retinol, the serum is designed for night use which dovetails with its mild exfoliating action. Combine it with daytime sunscreen and you have a sensible pairing for year-round skin maintenance.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick breakdown after two weeks of nightly use.
What works well:
-
- Creamy serum absorbs fast and layers cleanly with other nighttime staples
<li,Gentle formula stayed calm on reactive skin while still easing minor congestion and redness
- Fragrance free, vegan and paraben plus sulfate free for those with ingredient watch lists
What to consider:
- Improvements in texture and brightness are subtle and may plateau with continued use
- Hydration level could feel light for very dry complexions that rely on richer overnight treatments
- Price sits in the middle range yet the payoff may not feel dramatic enough for budget minded shoppers
My final thoughts
Nightly Clarifying Serum earns a solid 7/10 from me. It is a quietly effective option for anyone who wants a gentle, multitasking overnight treatment that will not spark rebellion in sensitive skin. If your goals are incremental improvements in tone and texture rather than a morning-after transformation this fits the bill. Those chasing dramatic brightening or wrinkle smoothing in the shortest time frame may feel underwhelmed, and very dry skins might crave a richer final step.
Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, with a few caveats. I would steer it toward combination or sensitive complexions that already tolerate niacinamide and light exfoliation, and I would ask that friend to keep expectations in the realistic lane. Two weeks proved enough for me to see steadier clarity and calmer redness, but past experience with similar formulas tells me the bigger payoffs arrive closer to the six week mark if you are willing to stick with it.
For readers shopping around, there are other standouts I have rotated through my own nighttime line up. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is an excellent allrounder that blankets skin in balanced hydration while ticking every active box at a friendlier price point. Water Sleeping Mask by LANEIGE remains my go to for quick, pillow proof hydration on nights when I want to keep actives light. Advanced Night Restore by Medik8 backs up its name with a well rounded peptide and ceramide mix that noticeably plumps by morning. If you prefer a more sumptuous texture and a focus on elasticity Pro-Collagen Night Cream by ELEMIS delivers that spa level comfort without overwhelming normal to combination skin. I have used each of these enough to vouch for their performances and they are all worthy alternatives depending on your skin priorities.
A few last housekeeping notes before you add anything new to your cart. Perform a patch test even if the ingredient list looks friendly – forgive me for sounding like an over-protective parent but better a small trial than a full face reaction. Remember that any glow, smoothness or line softening you gain is rented not owned, so plan on consistent use if you want to keep the results.