StriVectin is one of those brands that often gets high praise from skincare enthusiasts, but it might be new territory for those who haven’t explored more advanced formulas. The name of its latest product, Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturizer, might sound a bit dramatic, but it promises a whole new era of Retinol , or so the brand says. By combining Retinol, Retinal, and the brand’s signature NIA-114™, StriVectin claims this formula tackles multiple signs of aging while remaining gentle on the skin.
After using it nightly for a full week, it was time to test whether it truly delivers on these promises and if it’s worth the investment. This review reflects personal, genuine opinions, and wasn’t paid for or sponsored in any way. Keep in mind, results can vary from person to person, so consider this just one individual’s experience.
What Is Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturizer?
Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturizer is positioned as an upgraded formula that addresses various signs of aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven texture. It contains Retinol and Retinal, two forms of Vitamin A known for supporting skin cell turnover, along with the brand’s signature NIA-114™ to help strengthen the skin barrier. Night creams like this are designed to work while you sleep, providing ingredients that can be more potent because they don’t have to battle sun exposure or daytime environmental stressors. By pairing Retinol with a soothing complex, this product aims to deliver anti-aging benefits without the typical irritation some people experience when they first introduce Retinol into their regimen.
Did It Work?
In the name of being very scientific, I put my usual night cream on pause for a full week to see if this moisturizer could stand on its own (quite the experiment, I know!). Every evening, I used a dime-sized amount of Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturizer on freshly cleansed skin, gently massaging it in and letting it work its magic overnight.
Over the first couple of days, there wasn’t any dramatic change, no unexpected dryness or flaking that can sometimes accompany potent Retinol. Around day three, my skin did seem a little smoother and wasn’t nearly as dull in the morning. By day five, I started noticing some slight improvements in texture: my cheeks felt softer, and a couple of fine lines on my forehead looked slightly diminished.
By the end of day seven, it felt like this product delivered on its claims of smoother, brighter-looking skin without any major irritation. My complexion definitely felt a bit more even, though the improvements were subtle rather than game-changing. While it didn’t completely transform my skin, I appreciated that it provided some noticeable benefits with minimal redness or dryness.
Ultimately, it lived up to most of its promises but didn’t leave me eager to swap out my go-to cream just yet. It’s a strong formula that earns a decent spot in the skincare world, but I’m not entirely sold on making it my permanent nighttime companion. With that said, I wouldn’t rule out coming back to it for the occasional skincare rotation.
Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturizer’s Main Ingredients Explained
This formula revolves around two main anti-aging superstars: Retinol and Retinal. These potent forms of Vitamin A support cell turnover and help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinal, in particular, is known to be one of the most powerful (and sometimes more tolerable) variations of Retinol, which explains the moisturizer’s distinctive yellow hue. Both of these ingredients can address multiple signs of aging without causing excess dryness, thanks to the skin-soothing complex included in the blend.
NIA-114™ is StriVectin’s signature ingredient, included here to help fortify the skin barrier and boost the effectiveness of Retinol. It tends to be a calming addition, which can be a welcome relief if your skin is typically sensitive to stronger active ingredients. Alongside these heavy hitters, there’s also a cocktail of botanicals, like Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Rosemary Leaf Extract, and Oat and Rice bran extracts, formulated to help reduce redness, add moisture, and provide antioxidant benefits.
Like many creamy moisturizers, this one contains rich emollients such as Shea Butter and Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, which do an excellent job of locking in hydration. However, ingredients like Shea Butter are sometimes considered comedogenic, meaning they could potentially clog pores in those prone to breakouts. For most skin types, this shouldn’t be a significant issue, but if you’re especially acne-prone, it’s worth patch-testing before fully committing.
Overall, there don’t appear to be overtly animal-based ingredients in the lineup, which may make it suitable for vegetarians. But for strict vegans, it’s always best to double-check with the brand to confirm ingredient sourcing. Otherwise, the formula includes plenty of antioxidants, soothing extracts, and barrier-boosting components you’d expect in a high-end night cream, which might explain why it feels so comfortable on the skin after a week’s use.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Overall, it delivers decently on smoothness and radiance, but there are a few points worth noting. Below are the standout positives and a few considerations before you commit.
What Works Well:
- Combines Retinol and Retinal for effective yet relatively gentle results
- Includes NIA-114™ and botanicals that help calm potential irritation
- Provides a noticeable boost in skin softness and a modest improvement in fine lines
What to Consider:
- The texture, while rich, may not suit oily or breakout-prone complexions
- The presence of fragrance could be a concern for those with sensitivities
- May take longer than a week to see more dramatic results
My Final Thoughts
Finding a night cream that hits the sweet spot between efficacy and comfort can feel like chasing a mythical unicorn in the skincare world. In my experience, this Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturizer comes pretty close, especially if your main concerns revolve around mild fine lines and dullness. After giving it a fair shot, I can say it’s a well-conceived formula that delivers subtle improvements to skin texture without turning your face into a peeling mess. Considering the brand’s lofty claims, it performed more like a diligent understudy than a scene-stealing lead, effective enough but not quite the transformational miracle I’d hoped for.
It’s likely to be most appealing if you already have some experience with Retinol and want a stable, relatively low-irritation night cream to round out your routine. Those with very oily or breakout-prone skin should approach with caution due to the richer consistency, and sensitive types might still want to patch test first. Overall, I’d give it a solid 7/10, which means it packs a respectable punch, a testament to StriVectin’s capacity to design potent formulas, just not enough to permanently dethrone my tried-and-true skincare staples. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to friends looking for an approachable Retinol-based night cream, but I’d also suggest they manage their expectations.
If you’re hunting for similar heavy-hitters, Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal deserves attention for being that all-rounder hero: it’s an affordable, covers-all-bases night cream suitable for pretty much any skin type. I’ve also had success with Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask by LANEIGE, which feels like a hydrating treat and is especially great for those who love a comforting ‘sleeping mask’ texture. And if you’re after gentler brightening alongside gradual refinement, Overnight Glow Dark Spot Sleeping Cream by Ren Clean Skincare can be a fantastic choice, it helped even out some patchy areas without any dreaded dryness.
Before incorporating any new formula into your routine, be mindful of potential irritations or reactions. Patch testing is always a wise step, particularly with active ingredients like Retinol or Retinal. And remember, the smoother, brighter look you get won’t be permanent unless you stay consistent. Nothing new there, just a necessary reminder that maintaining results depends on ongoing care and commitment.