Sarah Chapman sits comfortably among that elite circle of British skincare innovators whose products often find themselves on insider top shelves, yet the brand can still glide under the radar for anyone who shops mostly on the high street. Known for its London clinic pedigree and science-first philosophy, it has a loyal following that swears by its glow-giving treatments.
Enter Overnight Facial, a name so confident it almost sounds like a promise scribbled on a pillowcase. The brand describes it as a silky serum-oil hybrid designed to mimic the lifting, firming and post-facial luminosity of a Skinesis treatment while you sleep. They point to impressive consumer stats around hydration, plumpness and firmness, all supposedly achieved through a cocktail of vitamin A, vitamin C, peptides, omega oils and a calming bouquet of jasmine, frangipani, rose and tuberose.
I spent a solid two weeks massaging one to two pumps into my face each night, pairing it with my usual gentle cleanser, hydrating serum and a simple night cream, to see if this bedtime elixir could live up to its after-hours hype and justify its price tag.
Disclaimer: this is not a paid or sponsored review. All thoughts are my own, based on personal experience, and individual results will always vary.
What Is Overnight Facial?
Overnight Facial sits in the overnight treatment category, meaning it is designed to work while you sleep when skin is naturally in repair mode. These formulas tend to be richer in active ingredients than daytime products because they do not have to contend with makeup or UV exposure, making them ideal for delivering slow, uninterrupted benefits across several hours.
This particular treatment is a serum-oil hybrid that aims to replicate the results of a professional Skinesis facial at home. It mixes vitamin A in its gentler retinyl palmitate form with oil-soluble vitamin C, both chosen for their reputation in smoothing fine lines and brightening uneven tone. Peptide complex Dermaxyl is included to support collagen production, while Renovage is positioned as a cell life-span extender. A base of omega-rich botanical oils carries these actives and is meant to soothe dryness or irritation.
The formula arrives in an airless pump to protect light-sensitive antioxidants like coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid, so the potency should remain stable from first use to last. One or two pumps are intended to be massaged over the face after water-based serums and before night cream, making it a straightforward addition to most evening routines.
Did It Work?
In the name of rigorous skincare journalism I shelved my usual overnight treatment for three nights before starting Overnight Facial, which felt very scientific given the lab coat I do not own. Two weeks is, in my book, long enough to spot real change or at least a solid hint of it, so I committed to one pump each evening after my water based serum and before my bland ceramide cream.
Night one delivered the most immediate payoff: that cushiony oil-serum texture glided on like a dry skin security blanket and the essential oil blend had me inhaling deeply even if it skews more spa lobby than single-note jasmine. By morning my face did look fresher, mostly because it was supremely moisturised rather than miraculously lifted, yet the quick win had me optimistic.
Through nights two to five the hydration glow remained consistent. Fine dehydration lines around my mouth looked softer and I noticed no irritation despite the retinyl palmitate. What I did notice was a faint tackiness that lingered well into breakfast, something to consider if you hate any residue on the pillowcase.
The midpoint of the trial, days six to ten, was when the promised firmness was supposed to surface. My cheeks felt slightly bouncier in the morning pinch test but not visibly plumped in the mirror. Pigmentation left by an old breakout stayed exactly where it was, suggesting the vitamin C may need a longer runway or a stronger concentration.
During the last four nights the novelty of the scent dimmed and I started to clock a couple of tiny closed comedones along my jaw, a clue that the rich oil matrix might be edging toward too much for my combination skin. By day fourteen my overall complexion looked healthy and well rested yet not dramatically transformed. Friends told me I looked less tired which is lovely, though my caffeine intake suggests there is a margin of placebo here.
So did it recreate a professional facial in my sleep? Not quite. It certainly nourished and cushioned, gave a temporary glow and played nicely with my supporting products, but the lift and firm claim felt more aspirational than achievable in a fortnight. For a ££££ price point I want my jawline to at least whisper that something new is happening. I will use up the bottle on cold winter nights when I crave extra moisture, yet I would not rush to buy a replacement once it runs out.
Main Ingredients Explained
The backbone of Overnight Facial is a blend of two classic heavy hitters: vitamin A in its gentler retinyl palmitate form and oil-soluble vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate). Retinyl palmitate slowly converts to retinoic acid in the skin, encouraging cell turnover that can soften fine lines over time. THD ascorbate is prized for being stable in an oil base and for penetrating more deeply than water-based ascorbic acid, so in theory it tackles dullness and uneven tone without the usual stinging.
Renovage steps in with teprenone, a patented molecule that aims to lengthen the lifespan of fibroblasts, while Dermaxyl brings palmitoyl hexapeptide-12 which signals the skin to keep making collagen. Add coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid for antioxidant defense and you have a fairly sophisticated anti-ageing cocktail riding on a slick of omegas from jojoba, baobab, watermelon and meadowfoam oils. These emollient carriers seal in water and cushion the actives so most skin types will feel instantly nourished.
Scent comes from jasmine, frangipani, rose and tuberose essential oils plus a long INCI trail of fragrance allergens like linalool, citronellol and eugenol. If your skin is easily irritated by perfume those could be deal breakers. The silicone cyclopentasiloxane gives the formula its silky glide but evaporates after application, leaving behind a thin occlusive layer from plant oils and esters.
Is it vegan or vegetarian friendly? The ingredient list shows no obvious animal derivatives such as beeswax or lanolin, yet Sarah Chapman does not market the product as certified vegan so strict vegans may want written confirmation from the brand. Acne-prone readers should note that jojoba oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride and cetearyl ethylhexanoate carry low to moderate comedogenic ratings, meaning they have the potential to clog pores and form blackheads when used repeatedly on skin already prone to congestion.
Finally a word on safety if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Any topical vitamin A derivative, however mild, falls under the caution umbrella. Combine that with a fragrant essential oil blend and the safest route is to run the ingredient list past your healthcare provider before adding it to your routine.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Here is how Overnight Facial measured up in real life use
What Works Well:
- Deep overnight hydration that softens fine dehydration lines by morning
- Silky serum-oil texture spreads easily so one pump covers the face without pilling under a basic night cream
- Gentle vitamin A and C blend offers an accessible entry point for retinoid novices with no sting or visible peeling
- Airless pump keeps the formula stable and mess free until the last drop
- Spa-like scent turns the bedtime routine into a small ritual for the senses
What to Consider:
- Leaves a light tackiness that can linger well into breakfast time
- Rich oil base may not suit combination or congestion-prone skin after nightly use
- Visible firming and brightening are subtle so the payoff may feel modest for the investment
My Final Thoughts
Overnight Facial sits squarely in the comfortable middle of my night treatment hall of fame: a solid 7/10. It excels at cocooning skin in moisture and offers a gentle nudge toward long-term firmness, yet it never quite convinced me I had smuggled a professional facial into my bedroom. After two weeks of conscientious use I can vouch for the cushioned glow and the soothing ritual, but I am still waiting for that va-va-voom jawline the marketing team hinted at. If your main priority is overnight nourishment with a side of mild actives this is a happy splurge. If you want obvious lifting or rapid pigment diffusion you will likely crave something punchier.
I would recommend it to friends with normal to dry complexions who enjoy an aromatic oil finish and are either easing into retinoids or taking a seasonal break from stronger ones. Combination or blemish-prone skin may find the rich texture tips the scales toward congestion if used nightly, and budget hawks will wonder why a silky feel has to come with such a hefty price tag.
Of course the night-cream buffet is vast, and for anyone curious about alternatives I have road-tested a few that hit similar notes. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is the dependable all-rounder I reach for when my skin cannot decide what it wants; it moisturises, calms and costs a fraction of the Chapman bottle. Fans of a lighter but still pampering layer should look at Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue by BIOSSANCE which delivers bounce minus the fragrance. Those craving a more classic cream texture with a reputation for smoothing lines could try Pro-Collagen Night Cream by ELEMIS, while exfoliation enthusiasts might prefer the T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum by Drunk Elephant that swaps oils for acids and gives quick clarity.
Before you press pump on any of the above remember the basics: patch test like an over-protective parent, give actives at least a month to strut their stuff and know that the glow only stays if you keep showing up at the bathroom sink each night. Beauty may not be permanent but a good routine makes the maintenance a lot more fun.