INIKA may not yet headline every bathroom shelf, but among green beauty aficionados its reputation for high performance natural formulas is solid gold. The Australian brand champions clean innovation with the sort of conviction that makes ingredient lists read like farmers market menus and packaging feel positively guilt free.
Their latest mouthful, Phytofuse Renew Rich Night Cream, arrives with a promise as generous as its name. INIKA calls it an ultra-luxurious, extra-rich treatment designed to drench thirsty complexions, kick-start overnight repair and soften the look of fine lines via a cocktail of botanical oils, resveratrol and the much-hyped Rose of Jericho extract. All that goodness is tucked into a weighty glass jar that practically whispers sustainable chic.
I put the cream through a full two-week trial, swapping out my usual evening moisturiser to see if this velvety blend could justify its premium price tag and find a permanent spot on my nightstand.
Disclaimer: this is not a paid or sponsored review. The jar was purchased with my own money and the impressions that follow are genuine and personal. Every skin behaves differently, so your mileage may vary.
What Is Phytofuse Renew Rich Night Cream?
At its simplest this is an overnight treatment, meaning a moisturiser formulated to work while you sleep. Unlike a daytime cream that focuses on surface protection, a night product is usually thicker, spends eight or so uninterrupted hours on the skin and leans on ingredients that support repair such as antioxidants, oils and butters. The goal is to wake up with a complexion that feels replenished rather than merely coated.
INIKA’s take on the category is a plant heavy formula built around shea butter for occlusion, a blend of argan rosehip and pomegranate oils for replenishing lipids and a handful of antioxidant sources including resveratrol rich grape juice extract and the brand’s own Rose of Jericho complex. The claim is that this mix hydrates deeply, encourages cell renewal and calms inflammation so fine lines appear softer over time. Packaged in a refillable glass jar with an aluminium lid it positions itself as both eco conscious and luxury leaning without crossing into prescription territory.
Did It Work?
In the name of hard-hitting skincare journalism I benched my usual overnight treatment for three days before starting the test, which felt very scientific for someone whose laboratory normally consists of a bathroom mirror. Fourteen nights later I have a fair idea of what this buttery cream can and cannot do.
I applied a pea-and-a-half sized dollop each evening after toner and serum, warming it between my palms first as the shea base is quite dense. The scent lands somewhere between spa diffuser and herbal tea, pleasant if perhaps a touch lingering for sensitive noses.
Night one delivered instant gratification. The cream melted in without pilling, left a satiny film and by morning my cheeks looked less parchment-like than usual. The T-zone however was more reflective than I prefer which had me moderating the amount to a rice-grain on forehead and chin from then on.
By day five the persistent rough patch along my jaw had all but disappeared and foundation glided on more evenly. I cannot say the fine lines around my eyes vanished yet they did appear softened, likely thanks to the combination of occlusive butter and oils rather than any accelerated collagen fireworks.
The second week saw results plateau. Hydration remained solid but the early glow tapered into what I would label maintenance mode. No new breakouts surfaced though I did notice two tiny closed comedones near my temple that could be coincidence or the richness tipping my combination skin over the edge.
Overall the cream delivers on deep moisture and a calmer complexion. It nudges, rather than erases, the look of fine lines and does not feel suffocating provided you tailor the dose. I will gladly finish the jar on nights when my skin feels parched yet I will return to a lighter formula for regular rotation. Good, comforting, not quite collection-worthy.
Main Ingredients Explained
At first glance the INCI reads like a health food smoothie but a closer look reveals the heavy lifters. Shea butter sits right at the top lending its rich texture and high stearic acid content that seals in water while softening rough patches. Argan, rosehip and pomegranate oils bring a balanced mix of linoleic and oleic acids which help replenish the skin’s own lipids and add a hit of anti inflammatory vitamin E. Sunflower and jojoba oils mimic natural sebum so the formula spreads without feeling greasy although avocado oil, present further down, is a touch heavier and can tip toward occlusive territory on combination skin.
Resveratrol from grape juice extract partners with the brand’s Rose of Jericho complex to supply antioxidant protection during the nightly repair window. Resveratrol has a decent record for boosting collagen synthesis in vitro while the resurrection plant extract is prized for keeping moisture levels stable in extreme desert climates which translates to better barrier support on the face. Lactobacillus ferment joins the party as a probiotic that can calm reactivity and help the skin’s microbiome stay balanced.
Essential oils of lavender, geranium, patchouli and a hint of clove lend the noticeable botanical scent and add some antimicrobial benefits but they can be sensitising for very reactive types. The preservative system relies on benzyl alcohol along with sodium anisate and levulinate, all approved by natural certifiers and broadly tolerated.
Good news for ethical shoppers: every ingredient is plant derived or nature identical so the cream is fully vegan friendly and therefore also vegetarian suitable. Those prone to clogged pores should note that shea butter and avocado oil carry a moderate comedogenic rating meaning they can sit in pores and trigger bumps if your skin overproduces oil or if you are acne prone. If that sounds like you consider applying a lighter hand or limiting use to the driest areas.
Pregnancy wise the inclusion of multiple essential oils and a high antioxidant load makes it sensible to consult your doctor before adding this to a prenatal routine. The actives are mild by cosmetic standards but cautious use is always best when hormones are already doing cartwheels.
One extra point worth noting is the absence of silicones and synthetic fragrance which keeps the finish breathable and lowers the risk of irritation compared with many luxury night creams in the same price bracket. All in all the ingredient list balances rich plant butters with smart antioxidants delivering a formula that feels indulgent without straying too far from clean beauty principles.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Here is the quick rundown of highs and lows after two weeks of use.
What Works Well:
- Rich buttery texture locks in moisture overnight yet warms up enough to spread without tugging
- Visible softening of dry patches and subtle plumping of fine lines after the first few nights
- Refillable glass jar feels sturdy and aligns with a low waste routine
- Entirely plant based formula free of silicones so layering with serums is uncomplicated
What to Consider:
- Density may not suit oily or acne prone skin leading to the odd clogged pore
- Essential oil blend could be sensitising if your skin reacts easily to botanicals
- Price lands in the premium bracket which might be hard to justify given the incremental rather than transformative results
My Final Thoughts
If the nightly quest for hydration nirvana feels a bit like Goldilocks tasting porridge, Phytofuse Renew Rich Night Cream lands somewhere between “just right” and “almost too hearty.” On my combination skin it cocooned the drier zones beautifully while threatening to smother the oilier areas if I got heavy handed. After two diligent weeks I can confirm the claims of deep nourishment and a mellowing of fine lines have legs, but they jog rather than sprint. Texture, scent and that satisfyingly weighty jar all read premium, yet the results sit comfortably in the reliable-not-revelatory camp which is why the score settles at a solid 7/10.
Who should pounce? Anyone with mature or chronically parched skin that enjoys a plush, buttery finish and appreciates the romance of organic botanicals. Who should tread lightly? Oily or congestion-prone types plus noses that flare at essential oils. I would recommend it to a friend whose cheeks crack come winter, though I would quietly slide a lighter option across the table for their T-zone.
Speaking of options, a few tried-and-trusted alternatives deserve a mention. Deascal’s Nocturnal Revive Cream is my current “good for everyone” standby – a silky workhorse that hydrates, brightens and plays nicely with actives at a friendlier price. If antioxidants are your love language BIOSSANCE Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue wraps skin in a breathable veil that calms redness without the weight. Those craving classic spa lushness should meet ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Night Cream which melts in like cashmere yet never feels greasy. Finally, the vitamin A curious can dip a toe with Medik8 Intelligent Retinol Smoothing Night Cream – gentle, steadily transformative and mercifully non-irritating.
Whichever jar you choose remember the unsexy truths: patch test first, especially with essential oils (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent) and keep expectations tethered to reality. Skin improvements are renters not owners – stop the product and the benefits pack their bags. Consistency wins the glow game every time.