Simple is one of those quiet achievers in the skincare aisle. The brand may not splash out on flashy packaging or celebrity faces, yet it consistently wins loyalty with fuss-free formulas that promise to be kind to even the most temperamental skin. I have to admit I have a soft spot for its back-to-basics philosophy.
Enter Kind To Skin Vital Vitamin Night Cream, a mouthful of a name that practically boasts its own bedtime routine. According to Simple, this little jar is the finishing touch that lets a blend of pro-vitamins and soothing bisabolol get to work while you clock your eight hours. No perfume, no color, no harshness – just a “perfect blend” designed to wake your skin up looking well rested.
Intrigued, I swapped out my usual night treatment and gave this cream a solid two-week trial. I wanted to see if its gentle promise could translate into visible results and whether it deserves space on your nightstand and in your budget.
Disclaimer: this review is not paid or sponsored. Every observation here reflects my personal experience and, as always with skincare, your mileage may vary.
What Is Kind To Skin Vital Vitamin Night Cream?
Kind To Skin Vital Vitamin Night Cream belongs to the overnight treatment category, meaning it is applied as the last step before bedtime and left on while you sleep. Unlike a rinse-off mask or a daytime moisturiser with SPF, an overnight treatment stays put for six to eight hours, giving ingredients uninterrupted time to support the skin’s natural repair process.
This cream follows Simple’s minimalist playbook. It is free of perfume and artificial colour and carries a dermatologically tested stamp for sensitive skin. The star line-up includes pro-vitamin B5 and vitamin E for barrier support, glycerin for moisture retention and bisabolol, a chamomile-derived compound known for its calming touch. The texture lands somewhere between a light lotion and a heavy balm, aiming to moisturise without feeling occlusive.
The jar is designed to partner with your usual morning moisturiser rather than replace it. After cleansing and any lightweight serums, a thin layer is meant to seal in hydration so you wake up to skin that feels softer and a little less irritated. In short it is a straightforward, fragrance-free night cream focused on comfort more than dramatic change.
Did It Work?
In the name of science I shelved my tried-and-true overnight treatment for a full three days before starting the test run, a move that felt both terrifying and wildly professional. Fourteen nights struck me as a fair window to judge whether this jar could pull its weight.
I applied a pea-sized amount on damp skin after my usual serum routine, patting it over cheeks, nose, forehead and neck. The cream melted in quickly, leaving a soft satin finish rather than the greasy film I had braced for. On the first morning my face felt comfortably hydrated but not noticeably brighter or plumper. No fireworks yet, though no irritation either.
Nights three to seven showed the clearest benefits. That satin finish translated into a cushiony feel by sunrise and the patch of dryness around my chin stopped flaking. I also noticed less redness along the sides of my nose, which I credit to the bisabolol doing its calming job. Still, any glow was subtle, the kind you need a mirror in good light to appreciate.
By the end of week two results had plateaued. My skin remained calm and reasonably moisturised but there was no newfound dewiness or soft-focus smoothness. Lines looked exactly the same and any post-blemish marks healed at their usual pace. In short the cream delivered on comfort and gentle hydration but not much else.
So did it work? If Simple’s promise was to replenish moisture and play nice with sensitive skin then yes it ticks those boxes. If you are hunting for transformative overnight magic this is not that product. I will finish the jar for low-maintenance evenings yet I will not be giving it permanent residency on my shelf.
Main Ingredients Explained
The backbone of this formula is glycerin, a classic humectant that attracts water into the upper layers of skin so you wake up feeling comfortably plump rather than parched. Partnering with it is squalane, a lightweight oil that mimics the skin’s own lipids and helps lock that water in without a greasy afterfeel. Both ingredients are well tolerated by most skin types, though squalane sourced from plants instead of sharks is the norm these days which keeps things ethical.
Next up is pro-vitamin B5 (panthenol). Think of it as the multitasker that hydrates, supports barrier repair and offers a mild soothing effect. It is joined by tocopheryl acetate, a stable form of vitamin E that provides antioxidant backup against the free-radical damage we rack up during daytime exposure to pollution and UV. Neither ingredient works miracles overnight yet together they reinforce the skin’s resilience so irritation is less likely to flare.
Simple also worked in bisabolol, the calming component of chamomile. If your skin reddens easily or feels hot after cleansing this is the ingredient doing most of the peacekeeping. Borago officinalis (borage) seed oil sneaks in a hit of gamma-linolenic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid valued for barrier repair. Be aware that richer plant oils can sometimes feel heavy on very oily or acne-prone skin. In the same vein cetyl palmitate carries a moderate comedogenic rating which means it has the potential to clog pores and trigger breakouts in those already susceptible.
On the texture-building side PEG-8 beeswax gives the cream its cushion. Because it is derived from beeswax the formula is not strictly vegan, though it remains vegetarian friendly. The preservative system relies on phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin, both considered safe in the low percentages typically used yet important for keeping the jar free of microbial nasties.
As for pregnancy safety the ingredient list avoids retinoids, high-dose salicylic acid and strong essential oils. Still it does contain a small amount of lactic acid plus the usual synthetic preservatives. Expectant or breastfeeding users should clear any new topical with their healthcare provider rather than rely on a magazine review.
No added fragrance, no dyes and a pH that feels neutral on the skin round out a formula designed for comfort over fireworks. If you struggle with heavy silicones or occlusive petrolatum this cream may be a pleasant middle ground, although very dry skin might crave something richer in the dead of winter.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Here is the quick rundown of where this night cream shines and where it falls a little short after two weeks on my bathroom shelf.
What Works Well:
- Sinks in quickly and leaves a soft satin feel so pillows stay smudge free
- Delivers steady overnight hydration that calmed my usual redness without any hint of stinging
- Plays nicely with serums and spot treatments already in a routine thanks to its simple fragrance-free formula
What to Consider:
- Focuses on comfort rather than visible brightening or line smoothing so results can feel subtle
- Jar packaging means you dip fingers in each night which may bother those who prefer pumps for hygiene
- Texture may feel too lightweight for very dry skin yet a touch heavy for the oiliest complexions in humid weather
My Final Thoughts
After two weeks of nightly use I can safely say Kind To Skin Vital Vitamin Night Cream is a dependable if slightly unexciting bedside companion. It delivers the comfort factor Simple promises, keeps dry patches at bay and never once picked a fight with my reactive cheeks. That earns it a respectable 7/10 in my book. Still, my skin did not wake up looking dramatically brighter or smoother, so the wow moment never arrived. I would recommend it to a friend who wants a no-nonsense, fragrance-free hydrator yet I would steer the same friend elsewhere if they are chasing noticeable radiance, firming or line softening.
Speaking of elsewhere, a few night-time standbys deserve mention for readers who like their skincare with a little more range. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is my go-to crowd-pleaser: a lightweight yet nourishing formula that seems to hit the sweet spot for oilier and drier complexions alike while coming in at a friendly price point. If you crave a bouncier, dewier finish the Water Sleeping Mask from LANEIGE has never let me down after long-haul flights or central heating season. On evenings when my barrier feels fragile I reach for Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Night Cream by First Aid Beauty which cocoons skin without heaviness. And for those hoping to dip a toe into gentle retinoids, Medik8’s Intelligent Retinol Smoothing Night Cream pairs low-strength vitamin A with ceramides so you get gradual refinement minus the flake-fest.
All of the above have logged plenty of miles on my face so the praise comes from real wear not press-release promises. That said the perfect overnight treatment is the one that fits your skin type, concerns and willingness to commit. Simple’s offering excels at everyday comfort, the others bring extra bells and whistles — choose your own adventure.
Before you slather anything on please patch test behind an ear or along the jawline for a couple of nights. Yes I know I sound like an over-protective parent but irritation is a buzzkill at any age. Remember too that night creams are maintenance products not one-time miracles; consistent use keeps the benefits alive and skipping a week will set you right back where you started.