DERMA E has been quietly evolving from health-store staple to mainstream contender, earning a loyal following for formulas that manage to be both green-leaning and scientifically focused. I have long admired the brand’s knack for pairing botanicals with lab-backed actives so when their latest mouthful of a launch, the Advanced Peptides & Flora-Collagen Night Moisturizer, landed on my desk curiosity won out.
The name alone reads like a full syllabus but the promise is simple: wake up to skin that looks smoother, firmer and better hydrated in as little as six weeks. According to DERMA E’s own testing the cream delivers across elasticity, fine lines and overall firmness thanks to a blend of multi-peptides, plant-derived collagen and a generous dose of nourishing oils. They also emphasize quick absorption and zero irritation to make nightly use a breeze.
I put those claims to the test over a solid two-week trial, swapping out my usual PM cream to see if this jar justifies its buzz and price tag. What follows is my candid take on how it performed, which ingredients shine brightest and where it could still improve.
Disclaimer: This review is not paid or sponsored. All opinions are based on my personal experience and your results may differ because skin is wonderfully individual.
What Is Advanced Peptides & Flora-Collagen Night Moisturizer?
This cream is an overnight treatment, meaning it is designed to work while you sleep when skin is in its natural repair mode. Unlike a daytime moisturizer that mainly shields against environmental stress, an overnight formula focuses on replenishing lost moisture and supporting recovery so you wake up with skin that feels more balanced and resilient.
Derma E positions this product as a multitasking hydrator aimed at mature or dehydration-prone skin. The formula centers on two key complexes. First is a cocktail of multi-peptides, short chains of amino acids that signal the skin to step up collagen production which can improve the look of lines and firmness over time. The second is Flora-Collagen, a plant-derived collagen source that acts as a humectant to trap water in the upper layers of skin and help keep it plump through the night.
To round things out the cream includes a mix of nourishing plant oils, antioxidants and soothing extracts. The brand cites clinical testing where users reportedly saw better elasticity and fewer visible lines within six weeks of nightly use. Texture wise it is intended to absorb quickly so it can be layered over serums without leaving a heavy film or causing irritation.
In short the Advanced Peptides & Flora-Collagen Night Moisturizer is a leave-on night cream built to hydrate reinforce and smooth aging or thirsty skin as part of the final step in an evening routine.
Did It Work?
In the name of very serious skincare science I benched my trusty overnight balm for three full days before even cracking this jar open. That little cleanse-the-palate window plus a 14-day dedicated run felt like a fair trial period for gauging any real shifts in tone, texture or bounce.
I used it exactly as directed: cleanse, pat dry, press in my usual hydrating serum then a cherry-sized scoop of the cream massaged from neck to forehead. The texture is cushiony but not greasy and it sinks in after about a minute leaving a faint satin finish. Nights one through three delivered the quick win most of us look for with any new moisturizer: I woke up less tight across the cheeks and with a subtle healthy sheen rather than the mid-winter dullness I have come to expect.
By the one-week mark hydration remained its strongest suit. My skin felt comfortably moisturized right through to morning even on the radiator-heavy nights that usually leave me reaching for facial mist at dawn. The formula also played nicely with my exfoliating acid serum and did not trigger redness or breakouts which earns bonus points for a product positioned as gentle.
Peptide promises are harder to judge on a tight timeline but here is what I noticed. Fine dehydration lines around the mouth looked slightly softened when I woke up yet by evening they were back to their usual depth suggesting more surface plumping than structural change so far. As for firmness I gave my jawline the customary poke-and-wiggle test and cannot say it felt any tauter than two weeks ago. That six-week clinical figure is probably a more realistic horizon.
There were a few quirks. Layering a heavier facial oil over the top led to mild pilling so I kept it in a solo starring role. The lavender scent leans spa-like at first whiff but lingers longer than I prefer when trying to drift off to sleep.
Bottom line: yes it delivered dependable overnight hydration and a bit of morning glow but the bigger anti-aging claims will need more patience than I am willing to give at this price point. I will finish the jar because it is pleasant to use yet I am not rushing to permanently swap it into my rotation. Shoppers seeking a comfort cream for dry skin may find it a worthy nightstand companion while result hawks chasing visible firmness might want to keep scanning the shelves.
Main Ingredients Explained
The jar reads like a who’s who of modern actives so let’s unpack the highlights. Up first is the peptide duo of Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8. Both are lab engineered amino acid chains that signal skin to ramp up its own collagen and elastin production which in theory firms and smooths over time. Think of them as gentle personal trainers for your dermis nudging it to stay in shape without the irritation that stronger actives can bring.
Flora-Collagen follows close behind. It is a plant derived collagen analogue that acts more like a humectant than true human collagen but it still does a solid job at pulling water into the upper layers so skin looks plumper by morning. Because the collagen source is botanical the entire formula remains free of animal by-products making it suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
For moisture retention the cream leans on a trio of emollients: Macadamia Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride and Dimethicone. Macadamia oil lends a cushiony feel yet comes with a moderate comedogenic rating which means it can clog pores for some acne prone users. Dimethicone gets an unfair bad rap yet it is largely non comedogenic so it helps seal in hydration without suffocating skin.
Antioxidant support arrives via Pycnogenol Bark Extract, Green Tea and Vitamin E while Panthenol and Allantoin keep things calm and soothed. Melatonin also slips into the mix as a skin synchronizer of sorts though research is still emerging on how effective it is topically.
Worth noting for sensitive noses is the presence of Lavender Oil which provides that relaxing bedtime scent but can be a mild irritant if your skin dislikes fragrance. The preservative system relies on Phenoxyethanol and Ethylhexylglycerin, both broadly considered safe at the low percentages used here.
Pregnancy check: there are no retinoids or salicylic acids hiding inside yet topical melatonin and essential oils fall into the gray zone. Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should run the ingredient list past their doctor before nightly slathering just to be safe.
Finally the formula is free of parabens, gluten and soy plus it carries the brand’s cruelty-free badge. If you have extremely clog prone skin keep the macadamia content in mind otherwise the ingredient deck balances science with botanicals in a way that feels thoughtfully composed.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Here is the quick rundown of highs and quirks after two weeks of nightly use.
What Works Well:
- Sinks in fast leaving a satin finish that layers nicely over serums without feeling heavy
- Delivers steady overnight hydration so skin looks fresher and less dull by morning
- Peptide blend plus antioxidants offer a thoughtful balance of science backed smoothing and environmental defense
- Vegan cruelty free formula avoids common irritants and caused no redness or breakouts during testing
What to Consider:
- Lavender scent lingers longer than some night cream users may prefer
- Macadamia oil carries a moderate comedogenic rating so very clog prone skin might hesitate
- Surface plumping is quick but firmer looking skin may take the full six weeks so instant gratification seekers could be underwhelmed
My Final Thoughts
Two weeks in the mirror is not screaming “new face who this” but it is greeting me with skin that stays comfortably cushioned through the night and looks mildly brighter come sunrise. For an overnight treatment that is nothing to sniff at. Still, the jar’s grand talk of elasticity leaps and wrinkle retreats within six weeks feels a bit like promising a personal trainer in dreamland. I am giving it a solid 7/10 because while the hydration and silky finish deliver, the structural lift is taking its sweet time and the lavender haze overstays its welcome.
After years of test-driving everything from featherlight gels to occlusive balms I feel I gave Advanced Peptides & Flora-Collagen a fair audition. I would recommend it to a friend who battles nightly dehydration, enjoys a richer cream and is patient about firmness goals. If you are chasing rapid sculpting, prefer fragrance-free formulas or break out at the mere sight of macadamia oil, this may not be your soulmate.
For those who like options I have a few tried and loved stand-ins. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is an excellent all-rounder that covers hydration, barrier support and mild exfoliation at a wallet friendly price. Pro-Collagen Night Cream by ELEMIS gives a luxe plush feel and a stronger firming payoff if your budget stretches. Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue by BIOSSANCE is my go-to when my skin throws a sensitivity tantrum as it calms and hydrates without a whiff of fragrance. Lastly the Water Sleeping Mask by LANEIGE is perfect for oily or combo skins that still crave that morning-after glow without the weight.
Before you slather anything new please patch test behind your ear or along the jawline and give it 24 hours – sorry to sound like an over-protective parent but irritation ruins all the fun. Remember results are only as lasting as your commitment, so keep the nightly date with your moisturizer if you want the glow to stick around.