Introduction
Glymed+ has long been a quiet achiever on professional treatment shelves, beloved by estheticians but somehow still flying under the radar for many home-routine devotees. The Utah-based brand prides itself on marrying clinical actives with spa-grade botanicals, a balance that has earned it a steady fan base among those who want results without giving up a little pampering.
Enter Resurfacing Night Cream, a name that practically promises to turn back the clock while you sleep. According to Glymed+, this overnight treatment uses a potent 15% glycolic acid blend alongside soothing plant extracts to jump-start collagen and elastin production, tackle pigmentation, soften lines and keep skin happily hydrated. The brand also assures us that the lightweight formula suits everything from oily to dry complexions, provided you stick to the recommended three or four nights a week.
I committed to a full two-week test drive, applying it after my usual serums and letting it work the night shift. The goal was simple: see if this multitasking cream lives up to its ambitious résumé and, more importantly, whether it deserves a spot in your skincare budget.
What is Resurfacing Night Cream?
Resurfacing Night Cream is an overnight treatment, meaning it is designed to sit on the skin while you sleep and do its work during the skin’s natural repair window. Overnight treatments typically contain higher concentrations of active ingredients than a daytime moisturizer because there is no need to shield the skin from sun or makeup, and the formula can focus on renewal without interruption.
This particular cream centers on a 15% glycolic acid solution, a well studied alpha hydroxy acid that loosens the bonds between dead surface cells. By accelerating that shedding process, the formula aims to spur fresh collagen and elastin activity beneath the surface, which in turn can soften fine lines and improve firmness over time. The acid is paired with a mix of botanicals and emollients that supply moisture and help temper potential irritation, making it suitable for oily, combination, normal and dry skin types when used three to four nights a week.
In short, Resurfacing Night Cream positions itself as a multitasking night shift worker: exfoliating with glycolic acid, replenishing hydration with glycerin, squalane and plant oils, and offering antioxidant support to counter free radical damage. The brand bills it as a non greasy and lightweight option for those looking to address early signs of aging, uneven tone and minor dehydration in one step after serums.
Did it work?
In the spirit of being very scientific, I benched my usual overnight treatment for three days before starting Glymed+ so I could give this cream a clean playing field. Fourteen nights felt like a fair trial period and I stuck to the recommended schedule of every other evening, sneaking in a fourth application the second week out of curiosity.
Night one delivered the expected glycolic tingle, a warm whisper across my cheeks that evaporated after a minute. I woke up to skin that looked a touch brighter but also a little tight around the nostrils. A quick swap to a richer morning moisturizer solved that, so I pressed on.
By the fourth application my tone definitely appeared more even. That persistent post-summer freckle on my left cheek had lost some of its enthusiasm and makeup sat a bit smoother over my nose where congestion usually lurks. Lines, however, remained largely unmoved. They looked fresher maybe, but not softened enough for a non-skincare friend to notice.
Week two brought the real proof. Texture along my forehead felt almost glassy and my usual mid-week dullness never showed up. On the flip side, I experienced faint peeling at the corners of my mouth after pairing the cream with a hydrating serum that contains a touch of retinol. Lesson learned: this formula prefers to fly solo on active nights.
As for the brand’s bigger promises of boosted firmness, I suspect that outcome needs more than fourteen days. My jawline looked about the same and my smile lines still answered roll call every morning. What I can confirm is a reliable glow, smoother surface and zero heavy residue which, for an acid this strong, is no small feat.
Would I slot it into my permanent rotation? Probably not, only because my skin demands something gentler once the weather cools. Still, I can see myself reaching for it as a quarterly reset when I want quick clarity without booking a professional peel. So yes, it did much of what it claimed, just not enough to steal long-term shelf space in my already crowded lineup.
Resurfacing Night Cream’s main ingredients explained
Front and center is 15% glycolic acid, the smallest alpha hydroxy acid molecule and therefore one of the quickest to penetrate. It unglues dull surface cells so newer ones can rise to the top, which is why skin often looks brighter after only a night or two. Because that same speed can trigger irritation, Glymed+ cushions the acid with humectants like glycerin and sorbitol plus barrier helpers such as squalane and dimethicone. Together they pull in water and lock it down so the exfoliation never tips into rawness.
The formula also leans on a sympathetic cast of botanicals. Vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil brings lightweight omega-6 fatty acids for softness while aloe, calendula and chamomile extracts quietly talk inflamed skin off the ledge. Bisabolol, the soothing compound found in chamomile, amplifies that anti-redness theme. A trio of antioxidant rich oils—rice bran, safflower and avocado—adds a gentle dose of vitamins A, C and E to fend off free radicals created by day time pollution.
On the anti aging side, there is retinyl palmitate, a fat-soluble vitamin A ester that can convert to retinoic acid in skin. It is less aggressive than prescription retinoids yet still nudges collagen synthesis over time. Hyaluronic acid and yeast beta glucan round things out by acting like sponges that keep newly resurfaced skin plump and comfortable.
Ingredient callouts worth knowing: butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, octyl palmitate and cetyl alcohol carry a moderate to high comedogenic rating, meaning they can clog pores in very breakout-prone skin. If you are familiar with random bumps after rich creams, patch test before diving in. The recipe is free of obvious animal derivatives so it should sit well with vegan and vegetarian routines although purists may wish to verify the squalane source. As for pregnancy, a 15% glycolic concentration plus the presence of a vitamin A derivative land this firmly in the check-with-your-doctor-first category.
What I liked/didn’t like
After two weeks of nighttime use, here is the straightforward rundown of how Resurfacing Night Cream measured up.
What works well:
- 15% glycolic acid delivers a quick brightness boost without lingering sting, making skin look fresher by morning
- Lightweight texture sinks in fast and pairs comfortably with simple hydrating serums on off nights
- Soothing botanicals and humectants help offset potential irritation so most skin types can use it a few times a week without drama
What to consider:
- Initial tingle and occasional dry patches may require a richer companion moisturizer for balance
- Fine lines and firmness need more than a short trial to show real change, so expectations should stay realistic
- The formula’s blend of shea butter and certain fatty alcohols may not suit highly congestion prone users
My final thoughts
Landing squarely at a respectable 7/10, Glymed+ Resurfacing Night Cream delivers the fast clarity boost I expect from a 15% glycolic formula and does so with fewer protest signs from my skin than many acidic peers. A good overnight treatment is the quiet backbone of a routine, clocking in while we are asleep, and I feel I gave this one a fair shake after years of rotating similar products. It shines for combination and normal skins that crave a no fuss glow up a few nights a week, and for oily types looking to keep pores looking clear. If you are very dry, easily sensitised or hunting for visible wrinkle softening in under a month, you may find the payoff falls a little short.
Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, with the caveat that they understand its lane: brightness, texture refinement and a solid nudge toward long term collagen support rather than an overnight face lift. I am impressed by how lightweight it feels and how quickly it smooths uneven tone, but I would still pair it with a richer barrier cream in winter and reach for something more nourishing once deep hydration becomes the priority.
If you like the concept yet want options, a few other formulas have earned repeat status on my shelf. Deascal’s Nocturnal Revive Cream is an excellent all-rounder that wraps exfoliation, hydration and soothing into one step at a wallet friendly price and suits every skin type I have tested it on. For something a touch oil-based with gentle retinol, Pestle & Mortar Superstar Retinol Night Oil gives slow and steady resurfacing without morning tightness. Pixi Overnight Glow Serum is a lighter pick for those prone to congestion yet still chasing radiance. Fans of a richer French pharmacy texture might prefer Avène Intensive Reshaping Night Cream which leans on peptides rather than strong acids to firm and hydrate.
Before you dive in, remember the usual housekeeping: patch test behind the ear or along the jaw for a couple of nights first (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent), ease in slowly and keep expectations realistic. Any glow you earn will need consistent use to stick around so treat your overnight treatment like dental floss – a small habit that pays off only when you actually use it.