Introduction
Hickap might not yet be a household name, but among Scandinavian beauty aficionados its gentle science driven formulas have earned a quietly devoted following. The latest launch, Repairing Night Serum Blue Tansy Oil, arrives with a title as long as a bedtime story and promises just as much calm.
According to Hickap, this night time blend of blue tansy, bakuchiol, vitamin E and plant based squalane is designed to smooth rough patches, douse irritation, boost elasticity and leave skin visibly revived by morning. Four or five drops massaged over a clean face and neck should supposedly handle everything from heat induced flare ups to texture woes while you sleep.
I spent two full weeks putting those claims to the test, using the serum nightly as the last step in my routine to see if the results match the lofty description and, more importantly, if it deserves a place in your skin care budget.
What is Repairing Night Serum Blue Tansy Oil?
This is an overnight treatment, meaning it is designed to sit on the skin for several uninterrupted hours while you sleep. Products in this category aim to take advantage of the skin’s natural nighttime repair cycle when cell turnover is higher and external stressors are at a minimum. Instead of a rinse off mask or a quick hit of hydration, an overnight treatment stays put until morning, giving its active ingredients plenty of time to work.
Hickap’s formula is a blend of lightweight plant oils and lab proven actives. Blue tansy oil lends the serum its calming focus, targeting visible redness and heat related flare ups. Vitamin E offers antioxidant support, helping to reinforce the skin’s barrier. A phytosterol complex partners with plant based squalane to keep moisture levels steady while also carrying other ingredients deeper into the epidermis. Finally bakuchiol, a botanical alternative to retinol, gently encourages collagen production for smoother texture and a more even tone without the irritation sometimes linked to traditional retinoids.
The brand suggests applying four to five drops after cleansing, massaging it over the face, neck and décolletage as the final step in the evening routine or layering a cream on top if extra nourishment is needed. Avoid the eye area and let the serum do its work overnight.
Did it work?
In the name of skincare science I benched my usual overnight treatment for three full days before starting the trial, a move that felt wildly clinical given the lab is really just my bathroom mirror. Four or five drops of the azure oil went on nightly after cleansing, sometimes followed by a light cream if the evening felt especially dry. I kept everything else in my routine identical so any change would be the serum’s doing.
First impressions were encouraging. By the third morning my cheeks looked a little less blotchy than they usually do after a central-heating marathon and a couple of dormant blemishes seemed calmer. The texture sat comfortably rather than slick, sealing in hydration without that suffocating film some oils leave behind. I was able to skip my usual mid-morning face mist because my skin still felt cushioned.
Midway through the fortnight the honeymoon slowed. The mild redness around my nose stayed diminished but didn’t disappear and a stubborn patch of roughness along my jaw only softened slightly. On the plus side I noticed no clogged pores or extra shine, which is a common fallout of oil-rich formulas on my combination skin. Sleep schedules were erratic that week but I never woke up with that drawn look that usually accompanies a late night, so the promised revitalising effect holds some truth.
By day fourteen my overall tone looked a touch more even and the surface felt smoother to the hand though not dramatically so. Elasticity claims are harder to judge in such a short window yet my skin did feel springier, likely thanks to the squalane and phytosterols keeping moisture locked in. The bakuchiol element remained gentle; no flaking or tingling at all, but also no noticeable fading of an old hyperpigmentation spot I use as my measuring stick.
So did it deliver? Partially. The serum calmed flare-ups, maintained hydration and left my complexion looking rested, but it fell short of the transformative smoothing I was secretly hoping for. I will finish the bottle happily but I am not rushing to make it a permanent resident on my shelf. Still, if your main goals are comfort, subtle overnight glow and a fuss-free formula this blue tansy blend might be worth a test drive.
Main ingredients explained
First up is caprylic/capric triglyceride, a coconut derived lightweight emollient that gives the serum its instantly soft feel. It works as a carrier that helps the rest of the oils spread evenly while adding a hit of non-water based moisture. Sunflower seed oil follows with linoleic acid to reinforce the skin barrier and keep redness in check. Plant sourced squalane mimics the skin’s own lipids so it sinks in quickly, improves elasticity and, in this formula, ferries bakuchiol deeper for gentle collagen support.
Bakuchiol itself is the botanical retinol alternative at the heart of the promise. Studies show it can prompt collagen synthesis and even tone with a fraction of the irritation classic retinoids bring. Paired with tocopheryl acetate and natural tocopherol, two forms of vitamin E, it gets antioxidant backup that helps shield skin from free radical damage overnight. The blue tansy essential oil provides the calming personality thanks to chamazulene, the compound that gives the oil its indigo hue and its redness reducing talent.
The serum also packs a phytosterol complex from soy that teams up with beta sitosterol and unsaturated fatty alcohols to shore up the skin barrier and trap water. Shea butter ethyl esters lend a silky cushion but can be mildly comedogenic for some, meaning they may clog pores and trigger breakouts on very congestion-prone skin. The same caution applies to avocado oil which is deeply nourishing yet higher on the comedogenic scale than lighter oils like sunflower or squalane.
All ingredients are plant based so the formula is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Pregnant or nursing users should always get medical clearance before introducing topicals with actives like bakuchiol, gentle reputation notwithstanding. The absence of added fragrance and drying alcohol keeps the irritation risk low, and there are no volatile essential oil allergens such as limonene or linalool. Overall the ingredient list leans toward soothing moisture with a side of slow-burn resurfacing rather than instant drama which aligns neatly with the results I saw.
What I liked/didn’t like
A quick rundown of the strengths and trade offs I noticed during the two week trial.
What works well:
- Light oil texture seals in moisture without leaving a greasy film, even on combination skin
- Visible calming of overnight redness and minor blemish flare ups
- Non-irritating bakuchiol offers a gentle way to support collagen and smooth texture
- Ingredient list is fully plant based and free of added fragrance which lowers sensitisation risk
What to consider:
- Smoothing effect is subtle so those chasing dramatic resurfacing may find it underwhelming
- Contains richer emollients like shea esters and avocado oil that may not suit very congestion prone skin
- Results plateaued after the first week which could feel less cost effective for budget conscious users
My final thoughts
After two weeks of nightly use I can safely say Hickap’s Repairing Night Serum Blue Tansy Oil earns its respectable 7/10. It hits the comfort brief by dialling down redness and keeping hydration steady, all while staying pleasantly lightweight. If your priority is a calm, cushioned complexion with a hint of morning glow and you dislike heavy actives that tingle or peel, this is a solid fit. Those chasing dramatic resurfacing or rapid pigment fading, however, may find the progress too gentle and the price-per-result ratio less compelling.
Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, with caveats. I would nudge my sensitive-skinned pals or anyone dipping a toe into overnight oils toward it, but I would steer an experienced retinol devotee or a congestion-prone mate to stronger or more matte options. My shelves have hosted more overnight treatments than I care to admit, so I feel confident the trial was fair.
If you like the idea of a single step night saviour but want alternative routes, a few formulas have impressed me just as much or more. Deascal’s Nocturnal Revive Cream is an excellent all-rounder that covers all bases for every skin type and its effectiveness makes the price look modest. On serum-centric nights Pixi’s Overnight Glow Serum gives a gentle glycolic boost without grating the barrier. PSA’s Midnight Courage Rosehip & Bakuchiol Retinoid Night Oil offers a richer texture with a slightly bolder smoothing payoff, while Uriage’s Age Absolu Redensifying Sleeping Mask delivers plumpness that rivals a good facial after one sleep. All four have been through my rotation and survived the repurchase test.
Before you dive in a quick reminder that even the most angelic oil can turn devilish on reactive skin. Patch test behind the ear or along the jawline for a couple of nights first (apologies for sounding like an over-protective parent). And remember, the perks you see are rental not ownership; sustained use is the rent you pay to keep them.