Timeline is the sort of science-forward Swiss brand that skin-care aficionados whisper about at dermatologist offices yet it can still fly under the radar of casual shoppers. Its reputation for marrying clinical research with sleek packaging had my expectations running high before I even cracked the lid.
With a name as confidently minimal as “The Night Cream,” Timeline practically dares you to ask, “Yes, but what makes it the one?” According to the brand, the secret lies in Mitopure, a patented ingredient said to recharge tired skin cells, lock in moisture, firm, smooth and generally return your face to its pre-Zoom glow. They point to small clinical and user trials showing improvements in everything from hydration to elasticity after several weeks of evening use.
I spent a solid two weeks massaging this velvety formula over face, neck and the odd dry patch on my décolletage to see if the claims held up and whether it deserves a place on your nightstand.
This review is not paid or sponsored. All observations are my own after personal use and individual results will always vary.
What Is The Night Cream?
The Night Cream is an overnight treatment, which means it is designed to be the last step in your evening routine, working while you sleep when skin is in its natural repair mode. Think of overnight treatments as heavier cousins of day moisturizers: they are built to sit on skin for several uninterrupted hours, forming a seal that keeps hydration in and environmental stressors out.
Timeline’s version relies on Mitopure, a patented form of urolithin A, along with familiar hydrators such as glycerin, squalane and hyaluronic acid. The formula aims to shore up the skin barrier, boost firmness and elasticity, lessen the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and smooth tone and texture. According to the brand, these benefits were observed in two small trials that tracked women aged 40 to 65 for up to eight weeks of nightly use.
In practical terms, The Night Cream promises a one-step approach to moisturizing, barrier support and anti-aging maintenance, slotting into the category for anyone who prefers a single evening product over layering multiple serums and oils.
Did It Work?
In a burst of what I called “kitchen counter science,” I benched my usual overnight treatment for three full days before cracking open The Night Cream, so any changes I clocked over the next two weeks could credibly be pinned on this jar alone. Fourteen nights feels like a decent runway for first impressions, especially for a product promising quick barrier support and hydration.
Night one it spread like softened butter, leaving a velvety film that never turned greasy. I woke up with skin that looked pleasantly rested though not dramatically transformed. By night three the immediate payoff became predictable: cheeks felt cushioned, the post shower tightness vanished and I could skip my usual face mist without feeling parched.
Midweek I started checking the finer claims. Fine lines at the corners of my mouth looked a touch softer under bathroom lighting and my skin tone had a nicer uniformity that I normally chase with tinted moisturizer. The cream did not clog pores or trigger redness, which is notable because richer textures often do on my combination skin.
Heading into the second weekend I hunted for signs of extra firmness or bounce. My jawline still looked like my jawline, but there was a subtle springiness when I pressed my cheek that I can’t fully credit to wishful thinking. What I did notice without squinting was how well my skin held moisture through the night: no flaky patches on the forehead and the little dehydration lines around my eyes stayed faint.
So did it deliver? Partly. Hydration claims, absolutely. Barrier comfort, yes. The promised surge in firmness and elasticity felt more modest, and the “wow your mirror” smoothing of wrinkles remained in the realm of gentle refinement rather than visible overhaul. After 14 days I feel confident calling it a solid night cream, just not the night cream for me. I will happily finish the jar, but when it is empty I will probably return to my old routine rather than make space for a repurchase.
The Night Cream’s Main Ingredients Explained
The star is Mitopure, a patented form of urolithin A that rides shotgun on a delivery system of glycerin, squalane and butylene glycol. Urolithin A is best known in the supplement world for supporting mitochondrial function; on skin it is thought to nudge sluggish cells into more efficient renewal. While the research is still young, the idea of energizing skin at the cellular level is what gives this formula its point of difference.
Hydrators take up the bulk of the ingredient list and they do the heavy lifting you feel by morning. Glycerin and diglycerin draw water into the upper layers while squalane mimics natural sebum to keep that water from evaporating. Saccharide isomerate adds a longer-lasting humectant effect that the brand claims can hold moisture for up to 72 hours, though in real life you will be washing your face long before that clock runs out. Niacinamide appears early in the deck too, so you get the bonus of a proven brightener and barrier booster at what looks like a meaningful concentration.
The supporting cast reads like a greatest hits of modern formulation: caffeine to deflate mild puffiness, panthenol for soothing, a green tea extract loaded with antioxidants and a duo of palmitoyl peptides that whisper hints of collagen support. Sodium hyaluronate shows up for familiar plumping, while a trio of prickly pear extracts bring their own antioxidants plus a small dose of polysaccharides for further moisture binding.
If you scan for potential triggers you will notice a few fatty alcohols (behenyl alcohol) and esters (dicaprylyl carbonate) that rate low to moderate on the comedogenic scale, meaning they could clog pores in acne-prone users. My combination skin tolerated the formula well yet anyone battling active breakouts should patch test first. Squalane itself is considered non-comedogenic.
The jar is free of animal-derived ingredients so it is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians. It also skips common irritants like added fragrance and essential oils, making it kinder to sensitive noses. On the pregnancy front, there are no obvious red-flag actives but the inclusion of caffeine and the general lack of long-term data on topical urolithin A means it is smartest to run the ingredient list by a doctor before use when expecting or nursing.
One final note: the formula relies on a self-preserving combo of phenoxyethanol alternatives (1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol) which keeps the jar paraben-free while extending shelf life. Store it away from direct heat to avoid separation because the texture is part of its charm.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Here’s the quick breakdown after two weeks of nightly use.
What Works Well:
- Supple, cushiony texture that spreads easily and settles to a velvety finish without greasiness
- Reliable overnight hydration that keeps dry patches and tightness at bay until morning
- Skin-comforting formula free of added fragrance so it plays nicely with sensitive noses
- Includes barrier friendly staples like niacinamide and squalane which help calm minor redness
- Vegan, cruelty-free credentials plus a moderate ingredient list that avoids parabens and drying alcohols
What to Consider:
- Premium price point may feel steep for incremental rather than dramatic firming results
- Jar packaging exposes the formula to air with each use so be diligent about recapping
- Richer emollients could feel heavy on very oily skin types especially in humid climates
My Final Thoughts
Finding a night cream that feels like a genuine upgrade rather than just another jar of thick hydrator is tougher than it should be. After two weeks of faithful use, Timeline’s The Night Cream lands comfortably in the above average category: a 7/10 in my book. It ticks the big boxes of moisture and barrier comfort, sprinkles in some early brightening, and never once made my combination skin grumble. I was quietly impressed, just not swept off my feet. If your main overnight goal is to wake up with skin that feels plush and looks a touch more even, this is a strong contender. If you are hunting for a jawline redefining miracle, you may find the results too subtle for the investment.
So who should scoop it up? Anyone with normal to dry or gently maturing skin who wants one-step simplicity without fragrance fuss will appreciate what Timeline offers. Oily skin types in humid climates might find the velvety finish edging toward heavy. Budget-watchers or ingredient maximalists layering exfoliants and retinoids elsewhere might also hesitate. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, with the caveat that they set realistic expectations and keep receipts in case their glow goals are loftier than mine.
If your shopping cart is still hovering, a few alternatives I have rotated through might help you decide. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is the easy first pick – a covers-all-bases formula that feels luxe yet is priced for repeat repurchases and plays nicely with every skin type I have tested it on. For a peptide-rich cushion that rivals high-end spa textures, BIOSSANCE Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue is a superb smoother that never feels heavy. ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix leans richer and excels at next-morning bounce, while LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask stays the lightest of the bunch and is my warm-weather standby when I still want ample hydration without an emollient cloak.
Before you slather anything new on your face – sorry to sound like an over-protective parent – patch test on a small area for a couple of nights. Remember that improvements in tone, texture and firmness rely on steady, ongoing use. Stop and consult a professional if irritation crops up, then enjoy the slow and steady glow.