Revision Skincare might not dominate billboards yet it enjoys near cult status in professional circles thanks to science first formulas and a knack for elegant textures. The brand prides itself on research driven solutions that rarely feel flashy but often deliver solid results, which is why I was eager to try its latest nighttime offering.
The mouthful that is D·E·J Night Face Cream takes its name from the dermal-epidermal junction it promises to support. Revision touts a time released 0.25 percent retinol bolstered by bakuchiol, plus a Pathway Technology that supposedly keeps the skin’s microbiome balanced while softening lines, firming sagging areas and getting you that morning glow. In short the jar claims to do plenty while you catch eight hours of sleep.
I gave the cream a dedicated two week trial to see if the promises translate into visible change and whether it justifies its premium price. This review is not paid or sponsored; every observation comes from personal experience and no one’s skin reacts exactly the same, so your mileage may vary.
What Is D·E·J Night Face Cream?
D·E·J Night Face Cream is an overnight treatment, a category of products designed to sit on the skin for several uninterrupted hours while you sleep. Night creams typically contain stronger or slower releasing actives than daytime formulas because they do not have to compete with sunscreen or makeup and are shielded from sun exposure that can degrade certain ingredients.
Revision’s formula pairs a modest 0.25 percent retinol with bakuchiol, a plant derived compound that research suggests can enhance retinol’s results while easing potential irritation. Both are delivered in microencapsulated form so they disperse gradually over several hours instead of all at once, a method meant to reduce the stinging or flaking that retinol sometimes triggers.
Beyond the headline actives the cream includes peptides for firmness, prebiotic sugars intended to keep the skin’s microbiome balanced and humectants that pull in water for a plumper look by morning. The brand positions this multitasker as suitable for all skin types and frames it as a long game product: gentle enough for nightly use yet built to support barrier strength and visible smoothness over time.
Did It Work?
In the spirit of rigorous science I benched my faithful overnight serum for three days before the trial so my face could start with a clean slate. Fourteen nights felt like a fair window to judge whether the cream deserves prime bedside table real estate.
I used two pumps each evening after cleansing and a featherlight hydrating mist, then skipped any other occlusive layers to let the formula show off on its own. The texture is a mid weight lotion that spreads easily, sets to a satin finish within a minute and never pilled under my silk pillowcase. Night one delivered a subtle hit of moisture but no fireworks. By morning my skin felt comfortable yet looked pretty much the same.
Things became more interesting around night five. I noticed a slight uptick in surface smoothness, particularly across the forehead where fine dehydration lines usually congregate. There was also a gentle plumping effect along my smile lines though nothing dramatic enough for friends to comment. Crucially I experienced zero peeling or redness which tells me the microencapsulation and low retinol percentage are doing their job on the tolerance front.
Week two was where the formula’s claims started to nudge reality. My overall tone appeared a touch brighter and the texture around my nose looked more refined. However firmness promises were harder to verify. My jawline did not suddenly look lifted and any change in sagging was too subtle to credit solely to the cream. I also hoped for that coveted morning glow mentioned in the marketing copy, but most mornings I still reached for an illuminating primer to fake it.
As for microbiome support I cannot pretend to have a microscope yet my skin barrier stayed calm throughout a patch of colder weather which hints that the prebiotic angle might be doing something right.
So did it work? Partially. The cream delivers steady hydration, mild smoothing and respectable brightness without irritation. It just does not hit hard enough on firming or line depth to earn a permanent spot in my personal rotation, especially at its luxury price. I will finish the jar happily but probably will not repurchase unless my skin suddenly decides subtle and safe is all it wants.
D·E·J Night Face Cream’s Main Ingredients Explained
The star duo here is 0.25 percent microencapsulated retinol paired with bakuchiol. Encapsulation lets the vitamin A derivative seep out slowly so skin gets the collagen prompting benefits with far less sting than traditional retinol. Bakuchiol, a plant based antioxidant, has been shown in small studies to amplify retinol results while calming potential irritation which is why I could use the cream nightly without flaking. Together they target fine lines pigment and rough texture yet remain beginner friendly thanks to the low concentration.
Revision rounds out the formula with a peptide cocktail: Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 and Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 aim to nudge fibroblasts into making fresh collagen and elastin, essentially giving slack skin a gentle pep talk. Peptides work slowly so expect incremental firmness rather than jaw dropping lift. Supporting moisture and barrier function are ceramides, jojoba esters, sunflower unsaponifiables and squalane, all of which mimic the lipids naturally found in healthy skin. Sodium hyaluronate pulls in water for a quick plumping effect while alpha-glucan oligosaccharide feeds the resident microbiome, an emerging strategy for calming reactivity.
Antioxidants get their moment too. Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a stable oil soluble form of vitamin C, teams up with ubiquinone and rosemary extract to neutralise free radicals generated by daily pollution and UV exposure. That trio should help preserve any brightness gains sparked by the retinol blend.
Is the formula vegan? Mostly, yet the inclusion of cholesterol means it may not satisfy strict vegans unless the brand clarifies that the compound is plant derived. Vegetarians are likely in the clear. As for breakouts, the cream uses Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride and certain fatty alcohols that rate low to moderate on the comedogenic scale which measures how likely an ingredient is to clog pores. Acne prone readers should patch test but my combination skin stayed congestion free.
Pregnancy is where caution is essential. Retinoids are generally discouraged during pregnancy and nursing so consult your doctor before introducing this cream. Lastly the formula is fragrance free and relies on gentle preservatives like phenoxyethanol and potassium sorbate which may explain why sensitive skin types often tolerate it well.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Here is the quick rundown after two weeks on my nightstand.
What Works Well:
- Skin friendly 0.25 percent retinol and bakuchiol combo delivers gentle smoothing without flaking or redness
- Mid weight lotion texture spreads easily sinks in fast and layers smoothly with existing routines
- Barrier supporting extras like ceramides peptides and prebiotics keep complexion comfortable even in colder weather
What to Consider:
- Firming claims and reduction in deeper lines stay subtle so results may feel underwhelming for advanced concerns
- Low retinol strength means seasoned users might crave a stronger punch for faster payoff
- Premium price tag could be hard to justify given the incremental benefits
My Final Thoughts
After two weeks of nightly commitment the verdict sits at a solid 7/10. D·E·J Night Face Cream does many things right: it pampers the barrier, coaxes a little extra brightness and politely refrains from giving my skin a tantrum. It also stops short of the transformational punch its marketing team hints at which means I am impressed in a measured sort of way. I would recommend it to a friend who is new to retinol or wants a fuss free maintenance cream, but I would steer my results hungry pals toward something punchier or suggest they layer additional actives.
Who will love it? Sensitive souls, barrier guardians and anyone dipping a cautious toe into the vitamin A pool. Who might feel let down? Veterans chasing deeper wrinkle smoothing or firming worthy of a before-and-after selfie. My own shelf hosts a small army of night creams and I gave this one the same fair shake I grant them all so the assessment feels earned.
If you would rather shop around, a few alternatives I have used and rate highly deserve mention. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is the easy crowd pleaser, a covers-all-bases formula that hydrates, comforts and costs far less than many prestige jars. Medik8’s Intelligent Retinol Smoothing Night Cream ups the vitamin A ante without skimping on elegance. ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix leans luxurious and cushioning yet still delivers firmer morning contours. For a lighter texture that quietly repairs, BIOSSANCE Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue is hard to fault.
Before you slather anything new please patch test like the responsible adult I know you are, forgive me for sounding like an over-protective parent. Remember too that any glow gains fade if you abandon the routine so keep the nightly date with your chosen cream if you want the benefits to stick around.